Productivity Through Priority Inbox

Use priority inbox to more effectively organize your messages. Things you read most often and people you contact frequently filter to the top of your list. Stars can help you with immediate needs.

Read more about Priority Inbox here.


Use the Four D Rule for Inbox Zen.

Delete.

Delegate.

Defer.

Deal.

Thanks to Merlin Mann

Calling Long Distance from Your Classroom

The cost of long distance in our classrooms is prohibitive. Here are two alternatives to walking down to the office to find a phone that calls a long distance number, though this will remain an option.

Link right to Calling with Google Voice

Link right to Calling with Google Hangouts

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http://voice.google.com

An explanation of Google Voice can be found here.

What you'll need to set up Google Voice

• 1) Google Account
• 2) Touch-tone phone, with a U.S. number
• 3) Computer, with Internet access

Directions and support from Google can be found here.

Google Voice even has educational uses

• Vocabulary building
• Use the speech-to-text feature to post to social media or your blog
• Kids with dexterity issues can get their thoughts into text through the speech-to-text feature
• Have students practice fluency and compare their recordings over time to see growth
• Audio study guides by teachers or students (check out Brent Coley's studycasts)
• Foreign language practice
• Have students create an audio journal on field trips
• Have students record podcasts since the audio files can be downloaded as mp3s
• Use the custom greetings for groups of students or parents
• Use recordings as reflection on content and concepts
• Make announcements or audio newsletters
• Record your plans for guest teachers

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Google Hangouts is a communication platform. It includes instant messaging, video chat, SMS and VoIP.

http://hangouts.google.com

What you'll need to use Google Hangouts

• 1) Google Account
• 2) Computer, with Internet access
• 3) Headphones with a microphone

Make a call from Hangouts on your computer

1. Open Hangouts at hangouts.google.com
2. Click the phone tab .
• Type a phone number or name in the search box.
• If you are calling a phone number that has an extension, enter the extension using the dial pad .

3. When you've finished the call, close the Hangout window, or click the call end icon .

Google Hangouts has educational uses too

• Bring experts into your classroom through the video feature
• Have students practice speeches on their own, then in smaller groups
• Foreign language practice with students from another country
• Use recordings as reflection on content and concepts
• Make announcements or video newsletters
• Collaborate with kids around the world
• Record your plans for guest teachers and post it for the students too
• Record directions or screencast an example in a hangout; Embed it in a Schoology course