Weekly Tech Tips and News for April 7, 2017

Sunset painted by God, Ferrysburg, MI  2010

The sun is setting on the end of Spring Break 2017. Those of you who are somewhere warm are soaking up the last dregs of your vacation - the last beach sunset, the last day with your toes in the sand, the last day laying in the sun. Those of us who stayed in West Michigan, and have experienced every season in this one week, are trying to squeeze in one last project, fun event, or day to sleep in. Either way, any change in our normal routine does much to refresh us and prepare us for the final push of the last two months of the school year. To help us with that push, this post has information about a major upcoming Windows 10 update, some G Suite updates, Google tips and cheats, ways your students can become more organized with Google Keep, as well as some information on copyrights, a guide to the SAMR model of technology growth, hacker-proofing your internet browser, and a way to create interactive diagram quizzes. I wish safe travels to all of you heading back home after your week away and look forward to seeing your tan faces and hearing about your adventures.

• Windows 10 Creator Update Coming April 11
• G Suite Updates:  Calendar on iPad, New Login Page
• Hidden Shortcuts for Creating Calendar Events Right From Gmail
• Google Keep Cheat Sheet
• 15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep
• Manage Another Email Account Inside Gmail
• Copyright a Little Fuzzy?
• A Handy Infographic Explaining SAMR Model for Teachers
• 8 Extensions that Should Make Your Browser a Little More Hacker-Proof
• Create Interactive Diagram Quizzes in Formative

Windows 10 Creators Update Coming April 11

All Windows 10 users should be aware that a major update is coming April 11. You may see it on that date or a day or two later. Not sure what version of Windows you are using? When you boot up (turn on) your computer the Windows version will display on the screen. If you are using an ASA provided desktop PC, it is Windows 7. If you have purchased your own laptop from ASA in the last 2 years, it's Windows 10. This update will probably take more time to install than a normal monthly update. Included in the update, besides the usual enhanced security features/patches there will be new privacy tools, new features to Edge, and Paint 3D, which will allow you to draw in 3D, and lots of gaming enhancements. In Edge, there will be advanced tab management and ebook support. Other updates include a Night Light feature that reduces the blue light at night so you brain won't be a stimulated before you go to sleep, Mini View will allow a small window on top of whatever you are doing, parent controls for Xbox One and PCs, as well as child usage reports, as well as Remote Lock to automatically lock your screen when you walk away. There are also many security improvements and it will be easier to manage your privacy. If you'd like to read all the details, click here.

G Suite Updates:  

Calendar on iPad

Google Calendar is now available on iPad. Download the Calendar app, and you will be able to use it just like you do on the desktop, with the same features. Very soon there will also be a Today View widget so you can view your daily events on the lock screen. Check out the full details here.

New Login Page

Beginning sometime after April 10, the Google login page will have a new look. This new look will be the same across all devices (phones, computers and tablets). Additionally, the Stay Signed In checkbox will also be removed from the login screen. Once you are signed in, you will automatically remain signed in until you sign out. Please take care when using a public or shared device, and sign out when you are finished. All the details can be found here.

Hidden Shortcuts for Creating Calendar Events Right From Gmail

Hidden Shortcuts for Creating Calendar Events Right From Gmail, from Better Cloud Monitor
Here's a great time saver!

Google Keep Cheat Sheet

Google Keep Cheat Sheet from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell
If you are interested in a complete guide to Google Keep, you can download a free Google Keep Cheat Sheet by subscribing to Kasey Bell's blog, Shake Up Learning.

15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep

15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell
Keep can be a powerful tool for students, not just for taking notes, but also for bookmarking sites, setting up reminders for assignments, managing longer term projects and sharing progress with the teacher and/or other group members, research notecards, reading logs, checklists and more. There are many great suggestions. The Google Keep app and Chrome extension have been pushed out to student accounts. Interested in learning all that Keep can do? Here's a link to the Get Started With Keep section in the G Suite Learning Center.

Manage Another Email Account Inside Gmail

Manage Another Email Account Inside Gmail, from Better Cloud Monitor
If you have more than one email account (and who doesn't) and would prefer to have messages from all of your accounts come in through Gmail, you are in luck. Watch the video inside the post and you'll be streamlining your email in no time.

Copyright a Little Fuzzy?

Copyright a Little Fuzzy? From Tech & Learning by Sivia Tolisano
This is a good infographic to follow when determining whether or not to use online material for teaching or school work.

A Handy Infographic Explaining SAMR Model for Teachers

A Handy Infographic Explaining SAMR Model for Teachers, from Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

commons.wikimedia.com

The SAMR model basically identifies where you are in your use of technology in the classroom. Are you at the beginning "Substitution" level, where you are simply replacing what you've always done in class with a digital version? Maybe you are already at the highest level, "Redefinition", where you've completely changed what you are doing in the classroom based on the new activities you can do with technology, that you couldn't do without it. SAMR is meant to be a guide for your technology integration transformation. For example, once you've mastered Substitution, you start to broaden your horizons to enhance your learning activities with technology thus reaching the Augmentation level. This continues to Modification, and finally Redefinition. This infographic explains the process quite well. Where are you on the technology integration path?

8 Extensions That Should Make Your Browser a Little More Hacker-Proof

8 Extensions That Should Make Your Browser a Little More Hacker-Proof, From Gizmodo by David Nleld
Here are several extensions and add ons that will make your online experiences safer in Chrome and Firefox. Using these two browsers is a great first step at online security - especially if you are still using Internet Explorer. If you begin trying these out, you'll want to do so one at a time. Adding lots of extensions and add ons at one time make it difficult to troubleshoot if one of them conflicts with your other extensions or sites you routinely visit.

Create Interactive Diagram Quizzes in Formative

Create Interactive Diagram Quizzes in Formative from Practical Ed Tech by Richard Byrne
Formative is another free tool for teachers and students, which allows teachers to create assignments or quizzes and see student progress or results in real time.