More on embed code

In my last post, I mentioned using the word "embed" to show a Google Map with less clutter.  This is a workaround for a specific issue, what does embed actually mean?
It's easiest to explain by example.  See the YouTube video playing here?

While you're watching the video inside this blog post, it's actually playing from YouTube.  The video is embedded in the post.



 Here's an embedded map, as another example.  You can manipulate it just as if you were on the Google Maps site.  Once again, the functionality of the map comes from Google Maps.  This blog post just has a container (or "window") holding the content.


So how is it done?

First, check to see see if the content you want to put on your website, blog, etc, provides embed code.  In addition to YouTube and Google Maps, you can find embed code from Prezi, LucidPress, SoundCloud, and many other presentation sites, Vimeo and other video sites, Twitter feeds, news sites and more.
 Typical icons for embed code are < > or </> or < > HTML.
 For example, here's how I found embed code for a video from the New York Times:

Copy the embed code provided.  It will typically start with <iframe>, something like this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hnG5YPMFbBs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now, on the website or blog (for example, Weebly, Moodle, Google Sites, Blogger, etc.) where you want the content to play, click the icon to insert HTML or embed code.  This is important, because you are inserting code, not  "normal" text."

Paste in the embed code.  You can adjust width and height and other settings by examining the code, if needed.  Return to the normal editor, if necessary.

Please let me know if I can help.

Hiding the side panel in a Google Map

Have you ever wanted to hide the side panel and tools in a custom Google Map?  While the panel does create a legend for the map, some find that it takes up too much room and adds clutter. 

Here's how to hide:

Look for the word edit in the URL of the map.  Change it to embed.

For example,

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?output=embed&mid=12345abc

would become

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?output=embed&mid=12345abc

Note that to make any changes to the map, you will need to use the first link.

Here's the difference in appearance:

Map with sidebar and tools

versus

Embedded map (no sidebar or tools)

Three Google Docs Tools You Should Try

Dear students and teachers,

I've made a short video about three very helpful tools in Google Docs.  They are:

• Voice Typing (at 0:12 in the video)
• Table of Contents (at 2:10)
• Research Tool (at 3:38)

I hope you find it useful!

National Education Technology Plan

The new National Education Technology Plan for 2016 was released today.  In their words:

"The National Education Technology Plan is the flagship educational technology policy document for the United States. The 2016 Plan, Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education, articulates a vision of equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible. While acknowledging the continuing need to provide greater equity of access to technology itself, the plan goes further to call upon all involved in American education to ensure equity of access to transformational learning experiences enabled by technology. The principles and examples provided in this document align to the Innovative Technology Expands Children’s Horizons (ITECH) program as authorized by Congress in December 2015 through the Every Child Achieves Act."

For the TLDR version, the plan is summarized in the conclusion.