How To Use a Widget for Classroom Shortcuts

Learn how to set up a Mac Widget for quick access to classroom tools, saving time and boosting efficiency in your daily teaching routine. 

The desktop icons being hidden and unhidden by using a Shortcut in a desktop widget.

A Classroom Shortcuts Widget is a customizable tool to add to your Mac's desktop or Notification Center. With a single click, it provides quick access to locations, websites, or files, as well as frequently used classroom applications.

Benefits for Teachers:

  • Time-saving: Instantly access your most-used classroom resources without searching through folders or bookmarks.
  • Efficiency: Streamline your workflow by having all essential tools in one convenient location.
  • Organization: Keep your digital workspace tidy and clutter-free.
  • Customization: Tailor the widget to your specific needs and teaching style.
  • Flexibility: Easily update or modify shortcuts as your needs change throughout the school year.

This widget is incredibly user-friendly, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. After the initial setup, which takes just a few minutes, you'll have one-click access to all your essential classroom tools. The widget's interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and use daily.

You can easily add, remove, or rearrange shortcuts anytime, allowing the widget to evolve with your needs throughout the school year. This flexibility ensures that your most current and relevant resources are always at your fingertips.

By implementing this Classroom Shortcuts Widget, you're taking a small step that can significantly enhance your daily teaching efficiency. This will allow you to focus more on what truly matters—engaging with your students and delivering high-quality education.

TLDR:

  1. Double Click (or two-finger click on the trackpad) and click "Edit Widgets."
  2. Search for "Shortcuts" in the widget gallery.
  3. Drag the Shortcuts widget to your desired location on the desktop.

Video Demonstration


Detailed Steps

Turn on the Widget

  1. Right-click on desktop: Right-click or Two-Finger click on a blank desktop area.  
    Right-clicking on the desktop to open the drop-down menu
  2. Select "Edit Widgets...": Select "Edit Widgets..." from the dropdown menu.  
    Selecting Edit Widgets from the drop-down menu
  3. Search "Shortcuts": In the search bar, search for Shortcuts. The list will filter as you type.  
    Searching for shortcuts in the widget search menu
  4. Choose a widget size: Choose a widget size that you want. The demonstration video shows using a 2x2 widget. The widget will automatically install to the top left corner.  
    Selecting the 2x2 shortcuts widget from the widget menu
  5. Move the widget: If necessary, drag the widget to another place on the desktop. When finished, click " Done."  
    the widget being moved around the screen to a preferred location.

The widget will show the first shortcuts in the All Shortcuts menu starting in the top left corner from left to right. In the demonstration video, the widget shows the first 4 Shortcuts in the All Shortcuts folder.

The next set of instructions show how to create and use a "School Stuff" folder that will show only specified Shortcuts.

Change the Folder

  1. Right-click on the Shortcuts sidebar: In the Shortcuts app, right-click in a blank space on the sidebar (two-finger click if using a mouse pad).  
    right clicking on the shortcuts sidebar to bring up the new folder button.
  2. Select "New Folder": Select the "New Folder" button. Title the folder as something appropriate. In the demonstration video, the folder is titled "School Stuff." Click "Done."  
    the new folder being named School stuff in the dialog box.
  3. Drag shortcuts into the folder: Drag all desired shortcuts to the newly created folder. The shortcuts will be organized according to the order they are added to the folder. You can drag the shortcuts to change the order.  
    a shortcut being dragged into the new School Stuff folder.
  4. Right-click on the widget: To change the widget's target folder, right-click (two fingers) on the widget. A drop-down menu will appear.  
    The shortcuts widget being right clicked to bring up the edit menu.
  5. Select "Edit Shortcuts": Select "Edit Shortcuts" from the dropdown menu.
  6. Choose the new folder: Choose the newly created folder. The shortcuts will change to show the appropriate number of shortcuts from the folder.  
    a new folder being chosen from the edit Shortcuts menu

When first installing the widget, you can choose from several size options. You do not have to delete and reinstall the widget to change the number of available shortcuts. The steps below show how to do this.

Change the Widget Size

  1. Right-click on the widget: Right-click (two fingers) to change its size. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. Select a new size: Select a new size. Play with options until you find one that works for you.  
    the shortcuts widget size being selected from the dropdown menu by right clicking on the widget.

That's all there is to it. Getting the widget on your desktop is quick and easy. The steps are similar for your iPad. Just long press on a space on the desktop of your iPad screen. Widgets are handy on Apple devices.

More to Explore

How to access Shortcuts from the Menu Bar

How to Add a Shortcut to the Menu Bar

How to use Shortcuts to Create QR Codes for Students Easily and Securely 

Accessibility Mac macOS
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