Google Docs - Two Column Layout

One of the great things about Google Apps for Education is that new features come around all of the time.  It is sometimes difficult to keep up with all of the new features that come out.  How about this one?  Google Docs now has a multiple-column layout available.  You can now layout in two or three columns to create those flyers, newsletters, handouts, etc. that you would have to leave Google to do. Now you can enjoy the power of collaborative work and create those communications with multiple column layouts.

Cometdocs - Conversion, Storage, and Sharing

Recently, I learned about a website called Cometdocs.  It is an online document management system that allows you store, convert, and share documents.  You get 1 GB of free storage for documents and files.  You can create an account or you can just use the site to share or convert files.  With an account, you can create folders, edit the metadata, convert to PDF or from PDF as well as other formats, and share with others.

My first attempt was with a PDF that I uploaded to the site.  I wondered if I could convert from PDF to Word and if it would really be easy and useable.  I clicked the convert button and the file easily converted to word.  I was amazed at how easily the conversion occurred.  I was able to edit the text and move pictures around.  It supports the change to Excel, Word, Powerpoint, as well as many other formats.

Sharing of a file can easily be completed by sharing the link to email addresses.  The file can also be hosted so that the link can be shared through social media using Facebook, Twitter, or Google links.

I was very pleased with the ease of use and the flexibility of the site.  Upload some files, share some files, convert some files and see how it works for you.  I think it's great.

Magic Wand Scanner

Check out this scanner.  It is the Magic Wand Portable Scanner, from VuPoint.  It's a AA battery-powered wand scanner that stores the image on a mini-SD card.  Really, this scanner takes about 5 minutes to setup and with some practice allows you to digitize just about anything you can hold flat.  The wand is about 9 inches wide so it has the ability to scan a sheet of paper, making it easy to scan a student's work without having a flatbed scanner in the room.

Once the scan is complete (and you can store many scans on the same card without having to unload), you hook the scanner up to your computer.  It uses a standard USB cable, which is included.  Once plugged into my mac, iPhoto opened and the images were ready for uploading.  No software to install.  Easy!!!  We are hoping that this wand will make documenting student work a little more accessible and convenient.

We also hope that it will help organize paperwork around the house.  My wife can use it while traveling to organize receipts, so that will save us some follow-up work when she returns home.  Also, it will allow us to throw away papers that we can scan and keep digitally.  We'll let you know in a few months just how helpful this device is.