Weekly Tech Tips and News for May 26, 2017

Vietnam War Memorial, Washington, DC.
K.Szczytko 2016

This week's post brings warnings of the inevitable scams that follow any cyber attack. Take a minute to read about the current round of scams so you don't fall victim to them. There are also several handy how tos, such as changing your Google profile image, filtering your Gmail so it saves you time, the ins and outs of sharing files in Drive, a work around for downloading images in a Google Doc, and more. As we head off for our long Memorial Day weekend to go camping, to the beach, barbecues and other events, let's keep in mind what we are really commemorating. Take some time to send up a prayer of thanks and keep in mind those who selflessly served our country, and especially those who paid the ultimate price with their lives. We owe them all a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices.

• Beware of Post Wannacry Ransomware Scams
• How to Change Your Google Profile Image
• How to Create Gmail Filters
• A Teacher's Guide to Sharing Files in Google Drive
• 3 Ways to Download Images from Google Docs
• 3 Online Tools to Sniff Out Fake News
• The Benefits of Using Backchannels in Your Classroom
• Transform Your Presentations With Visme

Beware of Post Wannacry Ransomware Scams

In the aftermath of any disaster - natural or man-made - the scammers begin to come out of the woodwork. The Wannacry Ransomware disaster is no different. There have been two main scams that have appeared, to prey on those concerned about the latest world-wide ransomware scare. The first is a persistent pop up that appears on your Windows PC, that you are unable to close. It appears to be from Microsoft and falsely claims that your computer has been infected with the Wannacry Ransomware, and that you need to call Microsoft at the number provided in the message. Keep in mind, Microsoft will never include a phone number in any warning or error message on a PC. The second scam is aimed at Android users. Ads may pop up on your Android device for a WannaCry Ransomware Protection or Anti WannaCry Virus apps. First, Wannacry only affected Windows PCs, so an app of this type is not necessary on Android, or any non-Windows, devices. Second, and most importantly, this app is adware. It simply displays advertisements and prompts to install other apps.

How to Change Your Google Profile Image

How to Change Your Google Profile Image, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Instead of seeing that generic initial, wouldn't you like to customize it with your photo or the image of your choice?

How to Create Gmail Filters

How to Create Gmail Filters from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
What are Gmail filters,  you ask? Filters allow you to process your incoming emails automatically. You can automatically delete messages from a particular sender, put mail in folders based on topic or sender, as well as pretty much any other process you can think of.

A Teacher's Guide to Sharing Files in Google Drive

A Teacher's Guide to Sharing Files in Google Drive, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell

Learn what all the sharing options are, and how best to use them with your students.

3 Ways to Download Images from Google Docs

3 Ways to Download Images from Google Docs, from Better Cloud Monitor

If there is an image in a Google Doc you'd like to use, you cannot just right click and save it or copy it. There are some work arounds, though. 

3 Online Tools to Sniff Out Fake News

by Common Sense Media

Have you seen those shocking headlines or "free offers" that make the rounds on social media? Someone is always sharing them with the attitude of "it can't hurt, right?" Wrong. Rather than clicking on them, or sharing them, first verify if it's legitimate. Sharing fake news, as we all know by now, simply perpetuates inaccurate information to sway public opinion. Those free offers, that seem too good to be true, usually are trying to track your information and social circles, or worse infect your account or device.

The Benefits of Using Backchannels in Your Classroom

The Benefits of Using Backchannels in Your Classroom from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Giving shy students a comfortable way to ask questions and gauging your students interest in a topic are just a couple benefits of having a backchannel in your classroom.

Transform Your Presentations With Visme

Transform Your Presentations With Visme, from Learn Lead Grow by Matt Bergman
Visme free presentations can be presented aywhere, on any device. You can easily create a presentation (with music), infographic, banner, or anything else you can create from a blank canvas.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for May 19, 2017

Alien Casemod by Marco Gomes on Flickr.com

It's another one of those weeks where the tech news is dominated by another wide spread malware attack. In fact, this one was world-wide. We all need to be on the lookout for danger that is just a link or missed update away from within our computers. The sad fact is there are those who make their living taking advantage of others who may not be technically knowledgeable or are careless. Just like you lock your car to protect it, and make sure it gets regular oil changes and tune ups to keep it running well, you need to take the same approach with your computing devices. Sure, it's easier to not hassle with unlocking your car when you return to it...but would you? Our computers, tablets and phones contain much more personal data than our cars, so we really should be at least as careful and secure with them as we are with our cars. Read on to find out how you can keep your devices as safe as possible from ransomware and other malware. There are also a few tips for student writing, video quizzes and a new Gmail feature as well. Stay safe, my friends.

• Ransomware Stakes Keep Getting Higher
• G Suite Updates:  Smart Reply in Gmail for Android and iOS
• How to Easily Asses Student Writing in Google Docs
• How to Grade Vizia Quizzes on Google Sheets

Ransomware Stakes Keep Getting Higher

The events surrounding the WannaCry (or WannaCrypt) ransomware this past week, coupled with the Google phishing event two weeks ago, reinforce the message that we all need to step up our security vigilance online and protect the information on our devices. These widespread attacks are quickly becoming the new normal. Unfamiliar with the term ransomware? Hopefully you won't learn about it the hard way. Ransomware is when hackers download a program that locks all the files on your computer and demands payment by a deadline to release your files. If you don't pay on time, the files are destroyed. The hackers usually gain access to your computer either when you click on links or attachments in a phishing email, by rerouting links that come up in an internet search, or by hacking legitimate websites. In other words, you may click on a link that looks legitimate, but isn't. In the case of WannaCry, it appears the hackers started out infecting computers with a link, then when it reached a computer on on a network, it then also scanned the network looking for other computers that were vulnerable or hadn't been patched with security updates. If you think you don't have to worry because you don't have any important information anyone would be interested in, you are mistaken. Think about the photos, videos, music and files you have stored on your computer. How important are they to you? It's not your information the "black hat" hackers are looking for, it's your money - or your employer's money -  to get the files back. It's one thing for an individual to lose access to his or her computer, it's a quite another when it happens to businesses, hospitals and the government. Last Friday, hospitals in the UK had to cancel surgeries and procedures because their computers were unavailable due to ransomware. You do not want to be the weak link that infects your co-workers' computers as well.

What can you do?

• Hesitate before clicking any link. Hover your mouse over the link and the URL address will appear in the lower left corner of your screen. Make sure the main domain of the link is legit. (For example, tracking a FedEx package? The domain should be fedex.com, not some variation like fedexe.com or fedexusa.com.)
• Run all updates on your devices - they include security patches. Make this a priority. Every month when Windows wants to run updates, let them run. Shut down your computer regularly so the updates will install. Mac users should also run updates whenever prompted. Malware has been found on Mac computers too. 
• Use an up to date anti-virus/anti-malware program. Make sure it is running its own updates and scanning your computer at least weekly.
• Back up your data. Whether you use a cloud based back up service, or you purchase an external hard drive, back up your data at least once a month, if not more often. If you accidentally encounter ransomware, you can avoid paying the ransom by wiping your computer, reinstalling your programs, and restoring your files from your back up. It's a pain, but it's better than paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in bitcoin - and encouraging - ransomware hackers. You can also use Windows or invest in inexpensive imaging software that will allow you to create an "image" of your computer to later use to install everything for you. 

Fortunately here at ASA, have evaded these last two widespread attempts. Pat yourself on the back if you received a phishing link and didn't click on it! Unfortunately, this seems to be the latest trend and there will be more, so we must remain informed and on guard. Next time we might not be so lucky.

G Suite Updates:  Smart Reply in Gmail for Android and iOS

Smart Reply has been available in Inbox for awhile now, and is finally making it's way to Gmail for Android and iOS (iPhones). Smart Reply saves you time answering emails because it suggests three replies to your emails. These replies are frighteningly close to how you would actually respond. I'm not sure whether to be creeped out or impressed. You can either choose one of the suggestions and reply, choose one of the suggestions and modify it, or ignore them altogether. Here's the post from Google's update alerts for the full explanation and images.

How to Easily Assess Student Writing in Google Docs

How to Easily Asses Student Writing in Google Docs, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell
The WriQ add on for Google Docs will help you analyze student writings. An introductory video is included in the post.

How to Grade Vizia Quizzes on Google Sheets

How to Grade Vizia Quizzes on Google Sheets, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Vizia is a free program that allows you to make YouTube videos interactive. You can insert questions and polls into the videos. The answers flow into a Google Sheet, which you can then grade using Flubaroo.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for May 12, 2017

Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Happy Mother's Day to all of you with children, step-children, or little friends who are like children to you. It's the time of year where you may be wrapping things up in the classroom and looking for fun lessons to fill gaps the schedule - check out the TED-Ed lessons or Math Pickle. Perhaps you are looking for a way to keep things fresh as your students begin counting down to the end of the school year - look at Remixing Traditional Lessons, or ways to use Google Earth or Google Drawings. You also may be counting down yourself and making summer plans. Are you interested in improving your tech skills from the comfort of home? Definitely take a look at 21 Things for Teachers - even if you aren't a teacher! I hope this week finds you enjoying the lovely Spring weather and making the days count.

• 21 Things for Teachers PD Modules
• These Two Buttons in Google Drive Will Help Keep You Organized
• The Google Drawings Manifesto for Teachers
• 10 Ways to Use Google Earth in your Classroom
• Remixing Traditional Lessons With Tech: A Framework You Can Use
• Math Pickle - Fun and Challenging Math Puzzles
• Popsicles, Ants and Itching - Seasonal TED-Ed Lessons

21 Things for Teachers PD Modules

This is not just for teachers! Do you wish you had better tech skills? Are you sometimes embarrassed by your lack of tech savvy? Would you like to find ways to use more tech in your classroom? The 21things4teachers.net site is a great place to start. This FREE resource consists of 21 courses to take at your own pace to help you better understand technology. You can either start from the first course, Basics, and work your way through each in succession, or pick and choose what you are interested in. In addition to these free courses, there are also now nine PD modules, that take about 10 hours each to complete. The cost is $50 per module, and you will receive 10 SCECHs upon completion. There are two sessions for the PD modules:  May1-June 30 or June 30-September 5. These nine sessions include Assessment for Teaching and Learning, Creating Efficiency and Productivity, Dynamic Presentations, Enhancing Instruction, Extending Your Classroom to the Cloud, Media Literacy, Personalized Learning in the Classroom, Searching Safely and Strategically, Maker Movement.  Click here for more information on the PD modules or to register.

These Two Buttons in Google Drive Will Help Keep You Organized

These Two Buttons in Google Drive Will Help Keep You Organized, from Better Cloud Monitor
If you haven't already embraced the Add to Drive and Move To buttons when either searching for a file, or previewing a file, you probably do a lot of searching in Drive. Using those two little buttons allows you to take control of the files that have been shared with you.

The Google Drawings Manifesto for Teachers

The Google Drawings Manifesto for Teachers, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Google Drawings, the app that no one really takes the time to learn or really knows what to do with it. The reality is, if you know how to use Slides, you know how to use Drawings. You can do much more with it than just making pictures, how about multi-media posters, infographics, timelines or graphic organizers? There are lots of ideas in this post, with links to detailed instructions.

10 Ways to Use Google Earth in your Classroom

10 Ways to Use Google Earth in your Classroom, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
We've been hearing a lot about Google Earth lately because it's newly available for Chromebooks. This article is pretty useful, in that it gives you good ideas for using Google Earth in your classroom. Remember, Google Earth is not just for geography!

Remixing Traditional Lessons With Tech: A Framework You Can Use

Remixing Traditional Lessons With Tech: A Framework You Can Use, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Don't just add tech to an existing lesson, rethink it. There are 30 examples included in this post.

Math Pickle - Fun and Challenging Math Puzzles

Math Pickle - Fun and Challenging Math Puzzles, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Looking for a fun way to reinforce your students' math skills, or maybe just another constructive choice for free time? Try Math Pickle, students have to move through a series of steps to complete a puzzle. Challenges are available for all grade levels.

Popsicles, Ants and Itching - Seasonal TED-Ed Lessons

Sketchport.com by Shelly

Now that the weather is getting warmer, here are some TED-Ed lessons about tasty warm weather treats, How Popsicles Are Made, and as the bug bites begin Why Do We Itch?  Watch with caution, you'll be scratching by the end of it. As the picnics and family vacations begin, check out Why Don't Ants Get Stuck in Traffic? Remember, TED-Ed lessons can be customized, or used as-is, with suggestions for digging deeper, quizzes, or discussions. You can search for a topic that matches your instructional content, or just look for fun topics to fill some time.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for May 5, 2017

flickr.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo to all who celebrate! While enjoying your tacos, enchiladas, sangria, Coronas, and piñatas, you can be thinking about ways to stay safe online. It was a fairly slow tech news week until the Gmail phishing scam hit on Wednesday. Ay caramba! Fortunately those of us who received the phishing email were smart enough not to click on the link, and either deleted it or reported it as spam. Muy bien! Please take the time to review the two articles below on stronger passwords and protecting your Google account. There are also a few other classroom ideas sprinkled in, such as using Google to help with research papers, creating your own Google Earth tours and create a story in Maps. Continue to practice safe online habits as you go about your week.

• G Suite Updates:  Anti-Phishing Security Checks with Gmail on Android
• "May the Fourth" Remind Users to Choose a Stronger Password
• How to Protect Your Google Account
• Writing Papers and Research Reports the Google Way
• GE Teach Tour Builder - Create Google Earth Tours for the Web
• Creating and Telling Stories with Maps

G Suite Updates:  Anti-Phishing Security Checks with Gmail on Android

It's interesting that this update showed up a day after one of the biggest Gmail phishing attempts ever. If you are accessing your Gmail on an Android device, (phone or tablet), you'll receive a warning if you click on a link in a suspected phishing email. Remember, phishing is when a scammer sends a realistic looking message to try to trick you into sharing your personal information or login credentials. This update will only be on Android devices, not on Chromebooks or Windows/Mac PCs. Here are the full details from the G Suite Updates blog.

"May the Fourth" Remind Users to Choose a Stronger Password

"May the Fourth" Remind Users to Choose a Stronger Password, from Computerworld by Matt Hamblin
Star Wars day was yesterday, May the fourth...as in May the fourth be with you. (If you've ever seen a Star Wars film, you'll get the pun.) It's also known as password day, to remind users everywhere to choose secure passwords. I know you've probably all heard some of this advice about passwords and online security before, but as with all good advice, it's helpful to be reminded of it every now and again, and there just might be something you haven't heard before. Since hackers have become increasingly savvy, it's important to up on the latest security and online safety tips. There are some very good points in this article, such as using a different password for high security accounts, like email, banking, etc. than from low security accounts like social media. That way if your social media account gets hacked, your email and banking account won't. One thing not mentioned is that passwords made up of phrases or acronyms are more secure than single words and numbers. Please take a moment to read through it and consider making your passwords more secure. Knowledge is power, so may the "fourth" be with you!

How to Protect Your Google Account

How to Protect Your Google Account, from The Electric Educator by John Sowash
In the wake of this week's phishing scam, here are more tips to be aware of while working online.

Writing Papers and Research Reports the Google Way

Writing Papers and Research Reports the Google Way, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
I think Matt has covered just about everything here, including alternatives to the traditional research paper. There are suggested tools and instructions for every step of the paper writing process. If you would like your students to have access to any of the chrome extensions mentioned in this post, please let me know and I'll push them out.

GE Teach Tour Builder - Create Google Earth Tours for the Web

GE Teach Tour Builder - Create Google Earth Tours for the Web, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
We've discussed Google Earth Tours previously. Here is a tool to help you create them in the new web version of Google Earth. Imagine being able to give your students a tour of Lewis and Clark's expedition, or notable places in the life of Jesus. This teacher-created tool will help you do that.

Creating and Telling Stories with Maps

Creating and Telling Stories with Maps, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
So if you aren't interested in figuring out Google Earth to tell stories, you can use Google Maps instead.