Date of Publication: November 6, 2017
Welcome to the SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter which is designed to advance counselors’ level of technological literacy, application, and integration. You will find practical solutions and answers to technology related problems, especially as they apply to your job as counselor. If you would like to share a tip or trick, or if you would like to ask a question, e-mail Russ Sabella at news@schoolcounselor.com.
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Is Joining the Air Force Worth a Graduate’s Time?
A student who stopped out of college for a stint as an Air Force jet mechanic shares his mechanic/flyer career strategies to overcome advancement hurdles in an exciting, but sometimes frustrating military culture.
http://www.jjetspress.com/pub.html
Data Boot Camp 2.0
This tutorial is designed to provide you with step-by-step instructions for learning tips, tricks, and shortcuts when dealing with data in your work as a school counselor, administrator, or other educator. Particular attention is given to using a popular spreadsheet program, Microsoft Excel™, which is designed to analyze, share, and manage information so that you can make more informed decisions in your work.
http://www.mydatabootcamp.com/
Must See Videos
New videos have been added since the last issue:
- Generation Z Goes to College
- 3 Tips for Maximizing Productivity | Kathryn Minsh…
- Touching Strangers
- Puppy Rave!
- Love Yourself – School Counselor Introduction
- Spread The Love Project
- What is your hope?
- What Happened When Teachers Found Out How Students…
- LOVE WILL WIN OVER FEAR
- Brothers Convince Little Sister of Zombie Apocalyp…
Resources, Tools, and Tips
from Russ Sabella …
– Keeping Kids Out of High Tech Trouble. This site supports Dr. Russell Sabella’s work on educating children, parents, educators and other stakeholders about the responsible use of technology. Included in these pages you will find helpful resources, lesson plans, links, and more. Russ’s most recent book and workshops are primary resources for meeting this mission.
http://www. guardingkids.com
– SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter. The SchoolCounselor.com e-Newsletter is an electronic publication designed to advance counselors’ level of technological literacy, application, and integration. You will find practical solutions and answers to technology related problems, especially as they apply to your job as counselor.
https://schoolcounselor.com/newsletter/
– Must See Videos. When I see a video that would be useful, inspiring, enlightening among counselors, I post it here.
http://www.schoolcounselortv.com
– Twitter. Postings about all things counseling, life, humor, and more.
http://twitter.com/rsabella
– Pinterest. Lots of resources for counselors, parents, and others.
http://pinterest.com/rsabella/
– YouTube. Counseling related playlists and more.
http://bit.ly/Sabella-Playlist
— Relevant Professional Development for School Counselors
https://schoolcounselor.com/professional-development/
TECH TIPS AND TRICKS
OK Google
This is a list of commands that you can ask Google’s voice assistant.
http://ok-google.io/
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Technology Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts Bootcamp
This is my continually developing list of useful commands, shortcuts, tips, and tricks.
http://bit.ly/tech-tips-sabella
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Advanced Tricks for Making Your Google Slides Better with Multimedia – BetterCloud Monitor
https://www.bettercloud.com/monitor/the-academy/advanced-tricks-for-making-your-google-slides-better-with-multimedia/
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Keyboard shortcuts and software tips and tricks
For most software users, the keyboard has been and always will be the fastest way to access popular features in your favorite programs. Think about it. When you’re typing an email, where are your fingers? Right there on the keyboard. Whatever you want to do, chances are, there are keyboard shortcuts that will take you there faster. And we’re not just talking cut and paste.
http://thesoftwarepro.com/handouts/
Also check out 9 Easy Google Chrome Tips & Keyboard Shortcuts from The Software Pro
http://thesoftwarepro.com/chrome-tips-firefox-tips-internet-tips/
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The Unofficial Dropbox Wiki – Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Supercharge Your Dropbox!
http://www.dropboxwiki.com/
My three favorite dropbox hacks which I use all the time include the following:
First, if you want to force a file or folder to download instead of being viewed, change the “www” at the beginning of the URL to “dl.”
Second, if you want to view a PDF in your dropbox online in a simple to read, change the ending of the URL from ?dl=0 to ?raw=1
Third, If you want to send multiple Dropbox files to someone but don’t want to waste space by zipping them up, check out this tip! This little URL hack will automatically zip up files for whomever you send the link. Just add ?dl=1 to the end of a share link. Watch this video tutorial to see exactly how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY3NFLFhFWY
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Google Forms – BrentColey.com
If you’re not already familiar with this amazing tool, please take a moment to watch the videos below. You’ll be ready to create your own Google Forms in no time!
http://www.brentcoley.com/video-tutorials-google-forms.html
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“autoCrat” Google Sheets Add-on Tutorial Video – YouTube
My new all time new favorite addon for Google Forms and Sheets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abt8sKACn8U
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Disposing Of A PC? Nuke The Drive First. | Gizmo’s Freeware
Deleting your files isn’t good enough. Not even if you empty the recycle bin afterwards. Nor is formatting the drive. There are plenty of ways to recover data in such circumstances. Instead, you need a specialist program that can wipe the entire drive by storing random data onto every part of it, multiple times. This tool will do the trick.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/disposing-pc-nuke-drive-first.htm
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Presentations by Mike Taylor
A collection of resources to help design compelling, engaging presentations that stand out from the crowd.
https://presentations.zeef.com/tmiket
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ASAP Utilities for Excel – Practical Tricks to Save Hours in Excel with ASAP Utilities
If you are not using this together with Microsoft Excel, you are losing precious time.
http://www.asap-utilities.com/incredible-tricks-to-save-hours.php
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Now You Can Assign Action Items in Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides – BetterCloud Monitor https://www.bettercloud.com/monitor/the-academy/now-can-assign-action-items-google-docs-sheets-slides/
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The Only Google Drive Guide You’ll Ever Need to Read
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/google-drive-guide-youll-ever-need-read/
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How do I export my events or friends’ birthdays? | Facebook Help Center
You can export events and friends’ birthdays from Facebook into calendar programs like Apple iCal, Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar.
https://www.facebook.com/help/152652248136178/
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WORTHY WEBSITES AND SOFTWARE
Agenda Timer
Try this one at your next meeting to help keep everyone on track.
http://agendatimer.azurewebsites.net/
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Jeopardy Game Creator For Teachers
Create an online Jeopardy game in minutes.
https://www.jeopardy.rocks/
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QR Code Generator
A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode that is readable by smartphones. It allows to encode over 4000 characters in a two dimensional barcode. QR Codes may be used to display text to the user, to open a URL, save a contact to the address book or to compose text messages.
https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/
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Office Lens
Office Lens update allows you to create Office documents with your Windows Phone camera.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/office-lens/9wzdncrfj3t8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.officelens&hl=en
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/office-lens/id975925059?mt=8
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Online HTML Editor
When I have to tweek a web page or something that requires HTML, this is my go-to tool.
https://html-online.com/editor/
Sometimes this one also comes in handy:
PDF to HTML5 – pdf to html – CloudConvert
https://cloudconvert.com/pdf-to-html
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Lesson Plan Tool For Docs (addon)
Search for K-12 teaching resources to add to your google document. The Google Docs Lesson Plan Tool gives you access to all the resources of opened.com and makes it simple to integrate into your document. Search for videos, games, assessments and more. You will also see resources aligned to standards and grade levels along with an effectiveness score to help you choose the right resource.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lesson-plan-tool-for-docs/mjlnmodakpdbdjdopndbbeopnodlhbno
Check out my ongoing list of valuable addons for different programs:
http://bit.ly/top-addins
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Dropbox Paper (beta)
A web-based collaboration tool that allows you to seamlessly integrate multiple parts of your project into one work surface. Similar to Google Drive but different.
https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2016/08/paper-public-beta-and-mobile-apps/
If you have a dropbox account, go directly to: https://paper.dropbox.com/?role=personal
Watch this YouTube video to get a quick overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnWnhUQmoU
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PDFSplit! – Split PDF files online for free.
Split a PDF file into one or more pieces online – it’s easy and free. Because this is one in the cloud, be careful not to upload confidential information.
http://www.splitpdf.com/
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Free Video Flip and Rotate: rotate video, flip video!
http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/products/dvd/Free-Video-Flip-and-Rotate.htm
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How to Build a Custom Google Map Using Addresses in Google Sheets (Addon) – YouTube
Great for mapping where students are submitting college applications and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0L2DW-6HXs&feature=youtu.be
Also see Video Blog – Google Maps Engine – College Admissions – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo3mAkMpTc0
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Bouncy Balls – Bounce balls with your microphone!
This would be a great visual for kids to see if they are getting too loud. Make sure to take a look at the right side sliders which allow you to change the number of balls (or other objects) and their “bounciness.”
https://bouncyballs.org/
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SpeakPipe – receive voice messages from your audience directly on your website.
This could be a neat tool for parents or others for leaving voicemails right from your blog or website! Fee per month.
https://www.speakpipe.com/
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JUST FOR FUN
5 innovative uses for your smartphone camera
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2016/07/15/5-innovative-uses-your-smartphone-camera/87052804/
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Spire – Discover Calm
Mindfullness activity tracker.
https://spire.io/mindfulness
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Mars Explorers Wanted Posters
Might be fun for students to see this .. Mars needs YOU! In the future, Mars will need all kinds of explorers, farmers, surveyors, teachers . . . but most of all YOU! Join us on the Journey to Mars as we explore with robots and send humans there one day. Download a Mars poster that speaks to you. Be an explorer!
http://mars.nasa.gov/multimedia/resources/mars-posters-explorers-wanted/
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How to Add Upcoming Movie Releases to Google Calendar – BetterCloud Monitor https://www.bettercloud.com/monitor/the-academy/add-upcoming-movie-releases-google-calendar/
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Nature Sounds. Listen and download for free
http://naturesoundsfor.me/
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Sabella & Associates, LLC, 4922 SW 26th PL, Cape Coral, FL 33914
Sabella@Schoolcounselor.com
Dr. Russell A. Sabella is currently a Professor in the Department of Counseling in the College of Education, Florida Gulf Coast University and President of Sabella & Associates.