Thursday, June 12, 2014

Technology Thursday: Mouse Tricks!




Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Share reviews of websites or apps you've tried, tech tips that make your {teaching or personal} life easier, and helpful tutorials. Our hope is that this linky provides a place for teachers to share and learn new ways to use technology and engage students!

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Technology Thursday's Tip of the Week!



A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across an article about how to use your mouse.  I had time on my hands and started to read.  What I read actually shocked me.  I considered myself a fairly competent computer techie.  I mean, I know I don't know everything, but, how to use a mouse? Come on...I am a certified educational technologist, I AM The Tech Crazy Teacher after all, and use technology everyday in my classroom and at home.  But as I read the article, I found out that I am a novice at using the basic tool that connects me to my computer- my mouse.  The tips! The tricks! The basic understanding that could have saved me untold hours over the years astounded me. (This is me shaking my head and sighing.)

Mouse Tricks and Tips that I Didn't Know


1.  Double click: highlights a word

2.  Triple click:  highlights a paragraph-  No joke!  Why didn't I know this?

3.  Hold down the ALT and left mouse button: highlight a column of text 

4.  Press down the scroll button.  This is referred to the "middle-click".  The middle-click does different things in different programs.  
  • For instance, on an internet page, using the middle-click on a link will automatically open the link in a new page.  So cool and quick!
  • Middle-click on a blank spot in a page and a navigation tool appears.  This allows you to move anywhere on the page quickly. (Especially fast when going up and down.)

My personal favorite:

5.  Hold CTRL while using the scroll wheel: zooms in or zooms out of the page you are viewing - I have used this so so much!

I have even discovered that there are more complicated mice (Is that the correct word?) that can be purchased with even more buttons.  These can be tailored and adjusted to your needs.  

I think I will stick with the Mickey I have for now.

Hopefully you learned a new trick that you can practice and add to your expertise.  Leave me a comment and let me know!



5 comments:

  1. I don't think I ever even thought about clicking the scroll button. Thank you for the tips. I will definitely use them.

    Mary
    Fit to be Fourth

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  2. I just got a Mac in November for home. I am still learning all the new tricks that go with that. I have such a hard time when I go to school to work on the HP. I'm trying to do commands that aren't on a PC. Lol! I added a wireless Mac to the mouse and it's funny that they go opposite ways. Thanks for the tips from your Mickey! :)
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW! I did not know these mouse tricks! I have a laptop and a mouse that I can plug in, although I rarely use it. I will have to start using it more! Thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting this fun linky!!

    Cassie
    Funky in Fourth

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great linky?! I just discovered it. Cannot wait to participate next week.

    ReplyDelete

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