Tech Tools for Teachers

Creating Mobile Content

Forcing students to download content in proprietary formats, e.g. Word documents and PowerPoint presentation, is always bad form, but especially on mobile devices, which may not be able to open such content. Instead, link to a webpage with the content such as a Google Doc file or a page on your classroom website. Things to avoid when creating files or webpages for mobile devices: large images, long videos, and fixed size tables, which increase scrolling and download time. Split content into chunks using clickable table of contents or linked pages. Videos should be converted to .mpeg4 format and audio to .mp3 format. Have your building technology clerk add content to shared devices ahead of time, or upload content to a sharing sites like YouTube. Large texts should be converted to .epub format, as this will open on almost all mobile devices. Students can also convert text or save webpages to .epub version using 2ePub.com If you'll be posting content to a Google site, enable the mobile theme on the Manage Site page.

Viewing Mobile Content

URL Shortener

A URL shortener is a service that takes any web address and shrinks it into a few characters. This makes it easier for mobile device users to type web addresses. For more information, see the URL Shortener page of the Social Media unit.

Example:

https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1UcvpnFM_TMp9AEmUl... >>>  bit.ly/techtoolslist

QR Codes

QR Codes (abbreviation for Quick Response Code) arfe square barcodes that can be used to refer a user to online content, when they take a picture of the code using a mobile device. This removes the need for users to type in a URL.

Use QR Codes to:

• provide quick access to your classroom website
• make posters or objects interactive by showing videos or additional information via QR code (e.g. QR Code Periodic Table of Elements)
• create a digital scavenger hunt by having students scan codes to access clues
• load different versions of an online assessment by passing out shuffled QR codes, each linking to a unique test
• provide answers to a worksheet or online activity
• create activity stations by linking to instructions, activities, or content via QR code
• enable students to download an app neede for a class activity

QR Code Generators

Goo.gl - save your generated QR codes to your Google Apps account and track usage.

beQRious - many more content and color options

Unitag - additional appearance options

QR Code Readers

Students will need an app on their device to scan the QR Codes. Both the Google Search app (using the Goggles feature) and i-nigma apps are good, free QR code readers. Both of these are available on school devices.

Getting Content Off of Devices

For content to big to email, such as videos, upload the content to a file sharing service.

Videos: YouTube (see the Tech Wiki for instructions on uploading from a device), Vimeo

Audio: SoundCloud

Documents, et al: Dropbox (see the Tech Wiki for instructions on setting up a Dropbox account for use with your students. Do NOT use a personal dropbox account)

Large transfers (multiple and/or large files): Files can also be retrieved via iTunes. Talk to your building tech clerk to have files moved from iPods or iPads to the school network.

If you get stuck on any task, please post your questions to the Discussion Forum.