Want to add audio files that play in your Google Site without forcing visitors to download the files first?
Do you need this to work on the iPad or in other browsers that do not support Flash?
Below is the URL to a gadget I made that will embed an HTML5 audio player in Google Sites.
https://sites.google.com/site/basler45678/home/html5-audio-player.xml
Watch the video below to learn how to use it.
In this article, Andy Young writes:
Programming is the act of giving computers instructions to perform. This is true whether the output is your word processor, central heating or aircraft control system. If you can’t code, you are forced to rely on those that can to ensure that you can benefit from the greatest tool at your disposal.
I can’t agree more. Every kids should learn to code. Even if it’s just a little bit. Programming skills are empowering and they teach kids the importance of building models.
The easiest way to get started is to teach your students how to build a simple web page using HTML. It’s not really programming but it will get kids thinking about code.
To dive into programming, check out these tools to get kids started. My personal favorite is Scratch. It is free, easy to use, and designed so even young kids can understand programming without actually having to write out complex code. Below is an overview.
Resembling Scratch, App Inventor is another easy to use programming tool for building apps on Android devices.
App Inventor was announced by Google but has recently been handed to MIT to manage. Watch for the “MIT App Inventor” this spring.
Finally, maybe for the more experience coders, give VPython a look. It allows students to create 3D interactive models. Compared to Scratch, it looks a little intimidating. However, there are many sample programs and tutorials available to help you get started.
Recently Steve Dembo (from Teach42) Twittered:
It’s amazing just how much better you feel about a website once the graphic design gets put in.
I can’t agree more. While good content is what keeps your users coming back for more, usability and design are responsible for holding their attention during their first visit.
A site’s color scheme is key to its look and feel. Here is a site that shows how you can get inspiration from nature.
There are also several online color scheme tools (like this one) that can help you start designing your next site.
As a web page designer, I am please with all the options that the Firefox browser provides. Even though Microsoft has made some significant advances with the release of Internet Explorer 7, they simply haven’t matched what Firefox has been able to accomplish.
I consider the vast collection of Firefox extensions its biggest strength. Here are my five favorite extensions for web page design:
Looking for an easy way to create a website? Checkout some of the new portal sites that are emerging. Many allow you to drag and drop content onto the page with ease. This might be the perfect place to set up a quick webpage for you and your students.
All of the sites have similar features such as rss readers, email checkers, to-do lists, photo albums, and etc. It’s really a matter of finding one that works best for you.
Here are two that I have used in the past:
Of course, there are several others– give one a try.
I don’t know what has sparked my recent fascination with color blindness but here is a tool I found that blows my previous suggestions out of the water.
To see a fascinating example (unless you are color blind) set the foreground to bright red and the background to black.
Approximately one out of every twelve males has some form of color blindness. Take a look at how they see the world.
Should you think about this disorder while creating your next presentation or website? That depends on your audience. If the majority of your audience is male, I would let color blindness influence the design of your next project.
Here are a few things to consider when building a presentation or website:
Some resources:
The Nielsen Norman Group has conducted an eye tracking study that has shown that most users read in an F shaped pattern when visiting a website.
What should web designers learn from this study?
Read more about the study.
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