Tag: chrome

TLT

Create a display of images from a Google search with Imagequilts

Laura Plotts

Think wordle for images and you have Imagequilts a Chrome browser extension that allows you to create and edit a tiled display of images resulting from a Google image search

How might you use this with your class?

  • A visual representation or collage of research
  • A presentation (alternative to PowerPoint)
  • Visual rhetoric
  • Displays results of effective web searching

 

NOTE:  this will only work on a Mac!

  1. Add the extension to Chrome
  2. Do an image search on any term
  3. Click the IQ button next to the search bar
  4. Create your “quilt” by adjusting the  image size, removing any image, reordering the images, change the color mode
  5. To share or export; take a screenshot or click “Download Quilt” to create a .png file on your desktop *

*Keep copyright in mind as not all images from a Google image search result can be shared.  See our post “Finding Acceptable Images for Use in Projects” for images you CAN use and share.

 

ImageQuilt 2014-21-01 at 3.02.17 PM                                                               Search term “teaching learning technology”

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Accessibility, Google

UDL Chrome Extensions that may help Struggling Students or those with Special Needs

Mendi Benigni

One of the sessions at this year’s ISTE Conference was on “Google Tools for Struggling Students.”  From the resources posted I found a list of wonderful Google Chrome browser extensions, by Eric Curts, that could be really useful for ANYONE, not just students with special needs or those that are struggling.  The resource identifies 31 extensions which you should look through but I’m going to highlight a few I think are the best to help you narrow the field a bit.  READ ERIC CURTS’ FULL ARTICLE WITH ALL OF THE EXTENSIONS.

Text to Speech

read&write logo

Text-to-speech read an entire webpage or a highlighted selection.  This is helpful for those with

dyslexia, non-native speakers, and those with focus issues.  I use it to help me read text that is very technical or very boring.  I like to hear the computer read along with me to keep me on task.

Read&Write for Google Chrome

Eric Curts calls this extension the “Swiss Army Knife” because it does so much.  One of the things it can do is read any webpage, either the entire page or a highlighted selection.  It can also define words which we’ll look at more in the Readability section below.  This extension also allows for highlighting web text and many other features.

Speech to Text

microphone

Speech-to-text allows the user to speak into the computer microphone and the computer will translate that speech to text.  These extensions allow you to use Speech-to-text on any webpage. Note: Google Docs has this feature built-in and no extension is needed when there.

VoiceIn Voice Typing

Allows the user to dictate text into any text box or entry point of a webpage or webform.

Readability

Readability refers to how easy it is to read the webpage.  This includes the font, issues with color and contrast, and the reading level at which the page was written.

Open Dyslexic fontOpenDyslexic

Overrides all fonts with the OpenDyslexic font making it easier for users with dyslexia to read the text.

Color Enhancer

For users who are partially color-blind.

Read&Write for Google Chrome

Eric Curtis calls this extension the “Swiss Army Knife” because it does so much.  One of the things it can do is read any webpage, either the entire page or a highlighted selection.  It can also define words which we’ll look at more in the Readability section below.

Reading Comprehension

TLDR logoTLDR: Summarize Anything

Generates a summary of any webpage you are on in either short, medium, or long length.

 

Focus

BeeLine Reader

Removes ads, comments, and other distracting items from the screen.  Also uses a color gradient to guide the eye.

 

Navigation

Crafty Cursor logoCraftyCursor

Highlights the cursor to make it easier to see.  Also great for using when screenrecording.

 

Caret Browsing

Allows the user to navigate through and highlight text on a webpage using only the keyboard.

 

Chrome Accessibility Features

Zoom

User can adjust the zoom level of the browser by pressing:

  • Ctrl and + to zoom in

  • Ctrl and – to zoom out

  • Ctrl and 0 (zero) to return to the original zoom level

Font face and size

Users can set the default font face and default font size for all websites.

  1. Click the settings button in the top right corner of Chrome.

  2. Choose Settings from the drop down menu.

  3. Scroll down and click Show advanced settings.

  4. Now scroll down to the Web content section and click the Customize fonts button.

  5. A window will now open where you can adjust your default font settings.

Keyboard shortcuts

Many common tasks in Chrome can be accomplished with keyboard. Some common keyboard shortcuts are listed below.

  • Shift+Alt+T = Main Toolbar (contains Back, Forward, Reload, etc)

  • Shift+Alt+B = Bookmarks Toolbar

  • Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8 = switches to the tab at the specified position number on the tab strip.

  • Ctrl+9 = switches to the last tab.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Tab or Ctrl+PgUp = switches to the previous tab.

  • Ctrl+Tab or Ctrl+PgDown = switches to the next tab.

  • Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4 = closes the current tab.

A full list of Chrome keyboard shortcuts can be found at https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/157179?hl=en&ref_topic=14676

TLT

Chrome Extensions Part 2 – Tools for Productivity

Laura Plotts

I am always looking for ways to be more productive and that search has led me to Chrome Extensions.  These are applications that run inside your Chrome browser and enhance the functionality of that browser.  Back in July 2015,  I shared a list of Chrome Extensions that I use and now I would like to add to that list!

  1. Save to Google Drive   The Save to Google Drive Chrome extension helps you save web content or browser screenshots to your Google Drive.
  2. You can shorten a URL with just one click from your Chrome browser with goo.gl URL Shortener    
  3. Read Google Docs and web pages aloud with Read&Write for Google Chrome.  A great tool for multitasking and double checking your grammar. It’s like having a digital proof-reader (or story reader) built right into your Chrome browser.
  4. Awesome Screenshot  for capturing screenshots.  This easy-to-use extension provides great annotation features including text, lines, shapes, highlights, and more.  The clean interface makes creating tutorials and visual aids a breeze with a myriad of screen capturing options including defined selections, delayed capture, and desktop capture.  Save your screenshots directly to Drive, download, or add to your free Awesome Screenshot project library.M
  5. Manage all of your Chrome extensions  with Extensity.  You can quickly access your Chrome extension settings, organize your extensions by category, and disable or enable extensions with one click

Visit Chrome Web Store Help for instructions on how to install and manage extensions.

Kaltura and Chrome icons
Distance Ed, Google, Presentation, Video

Important News Regarding Kaltura and Chrome

Mendi Benigni

Google Chrome has been making some updates recently that will directly effect your use of Kaltura in that browser.  Per Kaltura,

As of the latest version of Chrome (42), released last week, Google has decided to block Java by default, as described here: https://java.com/en/download/faq/chrome.xml
This means that the Kaltura Screen Recorder will not function in instances of Chrome that have recently been installed or which have auto-updated to the latest version. The Kaltura Screen Recorder continues to function properly in all other major browsers.
In order to ensure that your Screen Recorder continues to work properly in Chrome (42), please authorize Chrome to use Java, at this link: chrome://flags/#enable-npapi – and click “Enable” (as shown below).
…Please note that Google plans to cease allowing Java functionality in Chrome in September 2015. We will keep you updated regarding our plans for this, later this year.
If you use the Kaltura Screen Recorder you may want to consider using another browser such as Firefox.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact your instructional technologist.
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Important Information Regarding OAKS and Google Chrome

Mendi Benigni

There is a known compatibility issue with OAKS and Google Chrome versions 32 and 33 (beta).  With Google Chrome versions 32 and 33 (beta), pop-up windows are not working properly within OAKS.  These pop-up windows are used frequently throughout the system.  The common behavior is that a window will display “Loading….”, but then times out to a blank window.  If you experience these issues, we recommend that you try another web browser such as Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer.  Desire2Learn is looking into the issue, however, they do not currently have a time frame for a resolution.