Friday, November 18, 2016

Weekly Tech Tips and News for November 18, 2016

We've survived Eaglefest and conferences. This weekend you might be recuperating from this very busy week, or you might be making preparations for Thanksgiving. Whether you are baking pies, making cranberry salad, enjoying/lamenting the first snow of the season, or relaxing and watching the WMU Broncos on ESPN, take a minute to review the latest tech tips, resources and news. As always, if there's something you'd like to try, but would feel more comfortable with a guiding hand, let me know. I can help you figure it out, or help you try it out in the classroom with your students. Feel free to leave comments below this post if you found something interesting, or would like information on a particular topic. Enjoy your weekend, and row the boat, Broncos!



How Your Connected Home or Office is a Gift for Hackers, Criminals, and Cyber Spies

How Your Connected Home or Office is a Gift for Hackers, Criminals, and Cyber Spies, from ZD Net, by Danny Palmer
It's exciting and convenient to be able to see the views from your security cameras from work, or adjust your lights when you are on vacation. Before succumbing to the thrill, however, we all need to be aware of the security risks involved. When you add these devices to your home WiFi network, you are opening a door for hackers to enter. These products are fairly new, and the manufacturers have not been focusing on security, so be cautious and protect yourself until they do.

How to Set Gmail as Your Default Mail Client in Chrome

How to Set Gmail as Your Default Mail Client in Chrome, from Better Cloud Monitor
It can be very frustrating to Gmail users when you click on an email link and either Outlook or Apple Mail pop up. It's pretty easy to set your Chrome browser to automatically open your Gmail account instead. Remember this only works in the Chrome browser (not Internet Explorer, Edge, Safari or Firefox)

10 Thanksgiving Lesson Resources and Ideas

10 Thanksgiving Lesson Resources and Ideas from Free Tech for Teachers, by Richard Byrne
There is quite a variety of ideas here. If you are looking for Thanksgiving lesson ideas, look  no further.

5 Reasons You Should Visit the Teacher's Lounge (PBS Teacher's Lounge)

5 Reasons You Should Visit the Teacher's Lounge (PBS Teacher's Lounge) from Learn Lead Grow by Matt Bergman
The PBS Teacher's Lounge is a good source for teacher resources, ideas, and the latest news in education, without using social media. This blog post outlines all the gems available there. Check it out and see if it helps you.


Conquer Login Frustrations with Young Students

One of the most frustrating things about using technology with very young students is getting them logged in. This definitely takes lots of practice with the youngest students, but like anything else, repetition breeds familiarity, and they can master it. Most public schools have students as young as Kindergarten logging in with unique passwords. Password management and security is a critical life skill, and should be taught from an early age on. Passwords should not be thought of as an obstacle, but rather protection. If you wouldn't leave your house or car unlocked, you shouldn't leave your online accounts unprotected with a weak, or no password. Here are some tips for getting the little ones logged in on their own:
  1. Passwords:  Select two or three short, easy words for their passwords. (Google passwords must be at least 8 characters total.) The latest research indicates passwords do not have to be complex to be secure, just longer, and with multiple words. Two familiar words will be easier for students to remember. 
  2. Create a login card for each student with their photo (we have their class photos on CDs in both offices), user name and password. Pass these out to students when it's time to login, and collect them when they are done. 
  3. Photo Tile: Have them take their photo, using the Chromebook web cam, to use as their profile picture. Here's how. You may need to help them with this step. This will make their account tile on the Chromebook instantly recognizable to them. 
  4. Class Login Challenge:  The first time they login, write down on the board the time it took to get everyone logged in. Each time they login with a shorter time, update the time on the board. Offer a reward when they can finally login in 60 seconds. 
  5. Believe they can do it, and expect it. Students will rise to the level of your expectation. It has been proven in practice by many schools that even Kindergartners can master logging in.

Turn Google Sheets into an Automatic Bookmark/Citation Tool

Make it easier to keep track of the research you are doing for a project by automatically putting the bookmark and citation details in a spreadsheet. After installing the Citable Chrome extension, simply highlight text from a web site, click on the extension, and it will automatically store all the pertinent citation information and links in a spreadsheet. By the time you finish your research, it will all be in one convenient place. There is an instructional video in the linked article. 

Two Options for Collecting Students' Questions to Appear on Review Games

Two Options for Collecting Students' Questions to Appear on Review Games from Free Technology for Teachers, by Richard Byrne
We've seen how the students love interactive quizzes, such as Kahoot! and Quizlet. How about putting a twist on it and letting students submit their own questions for the review quiz? Here are two ways to do that using Triventy and Qizlet.

Lumos! Cast Magical Harry Potter Spells Using Your Android Phone

This may not have true educational value, but it's fun and you'll astound your students by turning on or off the flashlight in your phone with a Harry Potter spell. ...you're trying it right now aren't you? 
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