Edge “easability” and accessibility

Thank you Microsoft!

Two colleagues of mine recently told me that the new Microsoft Edge and the latest Chrome were so similar we could say they were the same, at least when it comes to their code. So when I found these two differences I was so happy to make Microsoft Edge my personal default.

In some areas we can say that Microsoft is growing too much too fast  Teams for example.
Not so with Microsoft edge.
Like Teams, Microsoft edge’s tools work best in a non-tablet (iPad) world, They are still super cool and useful for parents and students alike.

Immersive Reader. Edge now comes with immersive reader as part of its functionality. This is huge for schools who need to find a tech tool to read certain resources to students because of services they require. On any webpage look up to the (…) ellipsis on the top right

Select Read aloud and then choose the voice, and language you wish to hear. You can adjust the speed of the reading as well.

PDF Inline Annotator. This is not the real name for this feature, I am not even sure there is a real name all I know is there should be. this is as much of a game changer as the immersive reader.

This feature works best on a non-tablet environment, but it is pretty cool what you can do with it. You can open a PDF online, in the website. NO DOWNLOADS! You will see a new toolbar that will allow you to draw in 9 colors and highlight in 6 colors. Typing still is not a part of this package, but I can see it coming soon. 

After you draw you can then save it to your computer as a PDF file. This is great for those students whose teachers use many resources from the web and currently use the “free” websites. They always are full of ads and malware. The other alternative is OneNote, which for many, is just too robust and lately has been super glitchy. Happy Annotating!

 

&amd=&action=embedview

Do you love the Bitmoji craze but you are a Microsoft diehard true and true? Do you worry about all things google and the fact that your Facebook and Instagram accounts seem to read your thoughts?

&amd=&action=embedview

This is the ket to leveling the playing field and then stomping down on google hard. By using this at the end of a powerpoint online file shared from your onedrive not only can you have the Bitmoji classroom you have always wanted, but you can have more than one slide at a time.

From onedrive, locate the file, click the share button. (be sure to uncheck editing rights) and add &amd=&action=embedview to the end of the url and share. Viewers will see the file in presentation mode and they will be able to interact with your online virtual classroom.

Like my new Title Gif?

Whether you pronounce it GIF or gif these are pretty cool images that are really vids.

How did I do that you ask? Ok, so you didn’t ask, but I am telling you anyway. I went to this website, https://ivipid.com/, this website allows you to make personalized versions of production company titles for a minimal cost. This one is my favorite. It is a lot of fun.

After I made the video and downloaded it to my device, I then uploaded it to giphy.com and made a GIF/gif out of it and then BAM! it is not a video anymore, its an image and can be inserted anywhere you would insert an image.

Custom Eye Chart Maker

For a fun way to sent messages to your students and colleagues try http://www.eyechartmaker.com/. It is free and easy, fast and fun. All you do is type in your 28 characters and click the “make the chart” button. Up comes your chart. Just use the clipping tool to save the image while omitting the website information on the bottom or copy and paste the image into a document. The more fun the message, the more in-tune your students will want to be in your room, present and ready to problem solve. Change the message weekly, daily or randomly to add to their excitement.