Disable/Turn off Smart Ink for the Smartboard Notebook software.

Disable/Turn off Smart Ink for the Smartboard Notebook software.

A few months ago Smarttech listened to the comments of Smartboard users everywhere, that complained about having that pesky "Smart Ink" floating toolbar.  As I mentioned in another post, I actually don't mind having the SmartInk toolbar because I use it a ton to write all over documents as I am explaining them.  But, if you are one that is annoyed by the toolbar the latest update of Smart Ink/Smart Notebook comes with a very simple tool that will allow you to change Smart Ink's settings.

1.  First off if you don't have the latest update for your Smartboard software package then make sure you update it.  I lave the latest Smart Ink version:  1.1.233.0.

2.  If you are not sure then just go to your "Smart Tools" folder found under "All Programs" > "Smart Technologies" folder.  Select the "Smart Product Update" option.

3.  You should now see the following screen.  This should now check to see if you have the latest version of your Smart Product software.  Update as needed.

4.  If you have the latest software then just go to your Smart Technologies folder found under all programs and then select the "Smart Ink Settings."

5.  Right away you can see that you have a couple of options.  One is that you can disable the automatic start up of Smart Ink by unchecking the first box.  If you can completely disable the SmartInk by clicking the button "Turn off Smart Ink."  You can always turn it back on later if you change your mind.  Also notice the other options while you are hear.  You can actually hid the Smart Ink toolbar and yet still pick up a Pen and write all over your applications.  I didn't like this feature simply because I didn't have the other tools to quickly delete all of my drawings.  You can also change the opacity of your toolbar so that it is not so visible.

6.  You can also click on the "Microsoft Office Settings" option to your left if you don't like how Smart Ink behaves while using a PowerPoint Presentation.  I don't use these settings because I am fine with how Smart Ink performs in my PowerPoint, but if you don't like it then you can disable the settings here as well.

Here is the video tutorial:

Adding educational fonts to Windows XP

Normally I blog about web 2.0 tools, but in the last couple of weeks I have been asked a couple of times how a Windows user can add fonts.  The tutorial is meant for Windows XP, but the instructions would be similar for all operating systems.  Don't know about Windows 8 though because I haven't had the occasion to work with it yet.

Adding extra fonts to your computer

1. You can add any font to windows XP but the following link has about a couple of hundred that I enjoy using.  Not that I use all of them, I am a Times Roman fan. Many of the fonts though are great for K-6 educators who like to be fancy.  Here is the link to a zipped file:  fonts.zip
2. If you get the following box, click OK
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3. Click the “Open” button.  It will take a minute or two to download the file.
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4. A new window will pop up.
5. Find and click the link “Extract all files”
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6. Click the “Next” button. It should now go through an extraction process.
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7. When it is done click the finish button.
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8. Double left click on the folder, “fonts for teachers.”
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9. Click on “Edit” in the menu bar and then click the “Select All” option.
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2. All of the files should now be highlighted

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10. Click on “Edit” again and the select the “Copy” option.
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11. In the address bar at the top of the same window, delete what’s there and type in “c:\Windows\Fonts”
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2. It isn’t case sensitive
3. Hit enter on your keyboard
12. You will now see all of the fonts that your computer already has.
13. Click on “Edit” again from the menu bar.
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2. Select the “Paste” option.
14. It will now begin to install the fonts.  You might get a box that says that you already have that font installed.  Just click OK and it will move on to the next one.  You might get a different box at some point that states that you cannot install a certain font; click the OK button also.
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15. Once you go through this process the fonts are officially installed.
16. You can now go to Word and….
1. SEE ALL   THE  NIFTY   NEW  FONTS
2. If you cant read that above, it states, “See all the nifty new fonts.”

Change user names and passwords to FamilyLink using SchoolMaster

Here is a tutorial for those school secretaries or personell who use SchoolMaster and FamilyLink.  It will demonstrate how to change the username and password for parents.

Tutorial

1.  After being logged into SchoolMaster click on the adults button.

2.  Select the Parent's name for which you are changing the password.

3.  Click on the "Primary Data" dropdown list and then choose the "FamilyLink" option.

4.  From here you can lock an account, or edit the parent's user name and password.  If the "Change Password" checkbox is checked then your parents will be forced to change their password once they go to FamilyLink.

That is all there is too it.

Google Contacts: How do I import and merge Google Contacts?

Tutorial

1.  First this tutorial is based on the idea that your colleague has already exported their contacts.  Once they have exported their contacts have them email you the file that they saved.

2.  After you have logged into your Google Apps you need to click on the "Contacts" at the top of your screen.

3.  Once you are on your own Contacts page, click the "More" button and then choose the "Import" option.

4.  Click the "Choose File" button and navigate to where you save the Google Contacts file that was emailed to you by a colleague.

5.  Once you find the file click on it and the click the "Open" button.  (Shortcut tip:  Double clicking a file will save you some time because you won't have to click the "Open" button.)

6.  Now click the "Import" button.

7.  Now if you aren't new to the district and you already have contacts on your contact page then you need to "Merge" the duplicates.   Just click the "More" button and then the "find and Merge duplicates" option.

8.  You will then be shown all contacts that have duplicates.  Just click the "Merge" button.

That is all there is to it.

Google Calendar and Sites: How do I embed my class calendar into my google sites page?

After you have created a class calendar using Google Calendars, you can then embed that calendar into your class website so that students can view their assignments or other events that you as a teacher might need them to see.  The following is a tutorial on how this is completed.

Tutorial

1.  You will want to make sure that you have alread created a class calendar.  Once you have the calendar completed log into your Google website and then click the "Edit page" icon.

2.  Click the "Insert" tab and then click on the "Calendar" option.

3.  Notice on the left column you will see all sorts of other things that you can also embed.  The "Calendars" option should already be highlighted.

4.  You should see a list of all of the calendars thatyou have the ability to share with the world. 

5.  Choose the calendar that you want to embed.

6.   Note that if you want to embed a calendar that somebody else has made, they can give you the embed code and you would paste it in this box.  For this tutorial though I will assume that you have already created your own calendar that you want to embed.  Click the "Select" button now.

7.  You will now be taken to the "Insert Google Calendar" settings and options dialogue box.  Notice that you have a "Display another Calendar" link.  If you would like to display another calendar like your district calendar, know that you can embed it as well as any other created calendar you wish, all on the same calendar embeded page.

8.  Here you can change the size of your calendar, the default view (you might want to change this to weekly), and other display options.  Just play with the settings until you find the right view for you.  Once you are done click the "Save" button.

9.  You will now be taken back to your web page you are working on.  Here you can adjust the location by using the buttons, and if you ever want to get back to your settings, just click the "Gears" icon again.

10.  If all of your settings makes your calendar look good and you are ready to make it live on the web just click the 

Google Calendar: Create a calendar for your class.

One of the greatest things that Google has to offer educators is the ability to create multiple calendars.  If you teach 2 different classes, say Spanish I and Spanish II, then you can create a calendar for your students for each of those classes.  Below is a tutorial on how to accomplish that.

Tutorial

1.  Make sure you are logged into your Google Apps account and on your personal calendar.

2.  Click on your "Gear" icon and then select the "Calendar Settings" option.

3.  Choose the "Calendars" tab at the top.

4.  Find and click the "Create new calendar" button.

5.  Give your class calendar a name.  In this example I am creating a calendar for my Yearbook Class.

6.  This is important and has been a pain for those who skip this step.  Make sure you calendar is set to the right time zone.  If you don't you might find that your time and that of your students doesn't quite work together.

7.  This is also an important step so that your students can see you calendar events, you need to check the "Share this calendar with others" check box and then make sure that the "Make this calendar public" box is check and then make sure the drop down box displays "See all event details."  These options will ensure that your students will be able to view the assignments you are about to give them.

8.  If you would like to do an automatic share with certain people like you supervisor then just type his/her email address here and then click the "Add Person" button.

9.  Once you are all done playing with the settings, click the "Create Calendar" button.

10.  You will now be taken back to your main calendar and from there you can see that your new calendar has been added.

Make sure you see the other posts that will be coming out about how your students can get access to class calendar as part of their personal Google Calendar.  Click here to find out how to embed your class calendar into your Google Site.

Google Sites: Create a horizontal fly-out/hover menu inside your webpage.

To jazz up your site a little bit and make navigating it a little bit easier, many web designers us a horizonatal fly-out menu option.  Fly-out menus give options as you hover your mouse over a specific location on your website like the following picture demonstrates.  I hovered my mouse over the "Student Resources" tab and then a menue appeared with links to other website links, links within my site, or even email addresses.

Tutorial

1.  Once you are logged into your Google Site, click the "More" button and choose the "Manage Site" option toward the bottom of the menu.

2.  Toward the left hand side you will see a set of options.  Look for the "General" section and then click the "Site Layout" option.

3.  Click the "Change site layout" button.

4.  There are many options to play with here, and this is a great place to go to add or take away options from your site.  For the purpose of this tutorial though just make sure the "Horizontal navigation bar" check box is checked.  Click the "OK" button.

5.  Now clic the "edite horizontal nav content" link found under the "horizontal navigation bar" section.

6.  Change the style to "Tabs."  You can sure play with the other to options "Boxes," and "Links" to see how that changes the appearance of your Navigation Menu on your web site.

7.  Now find the "Select pages to display" section.  If you are just starting then you wont see a whole bunch here, just the "Add page" and "Add URL" links.  Lets start with the "Add page" link.

8.  If you have pages built in Google Sites, they should display here.  You can even use the search bar to find a specific page.  Once you know which page you would like to appear on your Horizontal Menu click on it and then click the OK button.

9.  Now lets add a website link to your menu bar.  Click the "Add URL" link.

10.  Type in specific text that you would like to display in your menu.  Then type in either a website address or an email address in the second box.  Click OK.

11.  Once you have added all of your pages and URLs you need to organize them.  To the right of the box you will see 4 arrows and a boxed "x".  Use the up and down arrows to arrange the links in order.  Use the right or left arrows to create sub categories.  These sub categories are the fly-out menus and the categories are the menu tabs that you will initially see on your site.

12.  Example:  The "Governing board" tab that you see is my first category.  If you were to hover your mouse over the tab you would then see the sub categories, District Policies and SUSD5 File Cabinet.

Well that is really all there is to making a Horizontal fly out menu using Google Sites.