Tech Tips for Teachers
Teachers often struggle to find enough time to accomplish everything they need to in a day. With so many tasks on their plates, many end up arriving early or staying late just to make a dent in the piles. Getting organized is one time-saving tip and the start of a new year is always a great time to start.
Teachers not only need to organize their planning, classrooms, and the piles on their desks, but their digital world, as well. Below are several time-saving tech tips for teachers to help with this.
1. Save Time with Google Drive Shortcuts
I love using Google Drive and Google apps for all my files and documents. It’s so convenient to be able to access them no matter where I am or what device I’m working on. Keeping my Google Drive and files organized is a must, so I organize them into folders and make sure I name each file so I can find them when I need them.
When I’m working in my Drive, I use several keyboard shortcuts that save me a great deal of time. I would bet you know the basics for copy (Ctrl-C), paste (Ctrl-V), cut (Ctrl-X), undo (Ctrl-Z), and select all (Ctrl-A). (Use the command key for a Mac.) Here are a few others I use often that may be new to you. For each of these, select the file or folder first and then press the keyboard key indicated below:
- To rename, press n
- To star, press s
- To share, press . (dot)
- To preview, press p
- To move item, press z
- To open in a new tab, press Ctrl+Enter
If you want to quickly create a new Google file, save several clicks with these shortcuts. When in Google Drive, use the keyboard shortcuts below to create a new file or folder. You can also start a new Google file even without having your Google Drive open by using these URL shortcuts. (You do need to be signed into your Google account in Chrome for these documents to save to your Drive.)
If you want to see all Google Drive shortcuts that are available to you, press Ctrl + / (Windows) or ⌘ + / (Mac) while in Google Drive. This will pop up a menu of shortcuts you can use.
2. Organize Your Chrome Bookmarks
When you are working online, having most frequently visited websites in a place you can access them quickly will save you loads of time. Bookmarking your websites adds them to the top of your Chrome window, and keeps them in view to access with one click. However, as you add bookmarks, you’ll find you quickly run out of room for all the sites you need.
There’s a quick solution to this problem. What would you say if I told you can double, triple, or even quadruple the amount of bookmarks you can see in your window?
You can go from this…
…to this!
Watch this quick video to see how!
3. Make Lists with Google Keep
I’m definitely a list person. With so many things to do and keep track of, I live by my notes and lists. In fact, one Christmas my husband bought me a huge box of sticky notes because I used them ALL the time. At school. At home. I had sticky notes everywhere.
The problem was I had so many I had a hard time keeping track of them. And then, sometimes I’d need my notes, but they weren’t always with me.
Then, I learned about Google Keep, a notes and checklists app that syncs across your devices and I LOVE it! It’s one of my favorite time-saving tech tips for teachers.
It’s so easy to use. All you need to do is sign in with your Google account and start adding notes. You can set reminders, add images, drawings and websites, change the background color, and even add collaborators. You can also pin notes to the top and add labels to organize your notes and make them easier to find. And… one of my favorite options is being able to add checkboxes! YES!
No more sticky notes all over my desk and that makes me feel more organized, too! Now I can check my notes and lists on my computer, phone and iPad. It even works on smart watches! So, no matter where I am, I have access to my lists.
Since I wanted to make my notes stand out more (and look fun, too), I created header images for all the uses I could think of! There are 101 images in the Google Keep Headers for Teachers pack that cover notes and lists you might make for school and home. If you’d like to try out 10 of them for free, you can sign up for my email list below.
Don’t spend endless hours looking for what you need on your computer. Getting organized with your digital work will help you save time, and frustration, in the classroom. Let me know in the comments below which time-saving tech tips are your favorite!
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18 Responses
bookmarks are my lifesaver!
Definitely, Rachel! Mine, too. :)
Cool tips! I love the shortened bookmarks! That will be so much easier to organize my bookmarks. I’ll have to check out Google Keep as well.
Hi Heather. The shortened bookmarks are a game changer! I’m so glad I could share this great tip with you.
Love the bookmark name shortener tip!!
Hi Jenni! Yes! It is so helpful.
I love the Google Keep! It would definetly move me more into the digital age of everything!
Google Keep is a great app and helps me in so many ways! I love that it’s easy to use on my phone, as well.
I had never heard of Google Keep until I read this blog post and it has absolutely saved my life! Thank you for all the wonderful tips and tricks!
Yay, Kayse! I’m so happy this post has helped you!
Thank you; this post is super useful. I am definitely going to work on shortening my bookmarks!
Hi Melissa. I’m so happy you found these tips useful! It is so helpful to have just the icons for my bookmarks.
These are all incredible!
Thank you, Nichol!
Thank you for sharing these Tech Tips. I appreciate all the help I can get in this department. :)
You’re welcome, Tracey! I’m happy to help!
Thanks so much for the google drive shortcuts and keep headers.
You’re welcome, Renita!