Taking screenshots on your Mac is easy... just hold down Command+Shift+4 and then drag a square around what you want to screenshot. An image name "screenshot" will then be saved to your desktop. There are other keystrokes you can use depending on whether you want the whole screen, a specific window or just want the image copied to the clipboard. Learn more here: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201361
Sometimes, however, you want to take that screenshot and add annotations to it. That's where a free application called Snip can come in handy.
With Snip, you can draw squares, circles, arrows and lines or type text directly onto your screenshot. Then, when your image is ready, click the download icon (the last icon on the toolbar) to save the image to your desktop.
The Snip homepage has lots of helpful tips for learning the software. Just scroll down to the FAQ section: http://snip.qq.com/.
Looking for a way for students using Mac laptops to scan QR codes? QR Journal is a great free option.
To install QR Journal:
1. On a Mac, go to the Applications folder and choose App Store.
2. Do a search for QR Journal. (or use this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/qr-journal/id483820530?mt=12)
3. "Buy" the app using your AppleID.
Once it’s installed, open the app from your Applications folder. You'll see a button that says “Scan”. That opens a window that is using the laptop's built in webcam. Hold the QR code in front of the camera and it will scan the code. Super easy!
Tip: To make any Mac app easy to access, you can choose to keep it in the dock even when it's not open. Just right-click on the app icon in the dock (when the app is open) and choose "Options" and "Keep in Dock".
AirDrop is the easiest and fastest way to share files between Macs. It's a great way for Digital Classroom students to share work from a MacBook Air to the teacher's MacBook. Here's how it works:
1. Open AirDrop on both/all Macs that need to share files by clicking GO and AIRDROP. (If you don't see GO on the menu bar, click anywhere on the desktop or open any Finder window.)
2. All the Macs in the area with AirDrop open will show up on the AirDrop list.
3. To share a file, simply drag the desired file onto the appropriate user's icon in the AirDrop list. Click SEND when prompted.
4. The recipient will get a notification of the file and can choose SAVE AND OPEN, DECLINE or just SAVE.
That's it! Easy as pie. How could you use AirDrop in the classroom? Leave us a comment with your ideas!
