Weekly Tech Tips and News for October 20, 2017

commons.wikimedia.com Don LaVange

It's starting to look a lot like fall, and there's even been a bit of a nip in the air at times. I don't know about you, from the looks of all the leaves in the yard, it's definitely time to start the yard clean up process before winter hits. With all that yard work ahead of me, I could surely use some time savers. As luck would have it, there are several time savers in this issue. Updates to both Google Calendar and Gmail 2-Step Authentication will save you some time, as will the Chromebook shortcuts, Chrome cleanup, easily save web images to Google Drive, and an easy way to convert a PDF to an editable document. There are other tips as well, such as learning how to use Pegman in Google Maps and Google Earth to immerse yourself anywhere - including inside museums. Dig in and see how you can save yourself some time and learn about some new tech ideas.

• G Suite Updates:  New Google Calendar for Web, Making google Prompt the Primary Choice for 2-Step Verification
• EDU in 90:  Our Favorite Chromebook Shortcuts
• Feedback for Students in G Suite - An Overview
• Meet Pegman
• Saving Images to Drive from Websites
• Google Makes it Easy to Clean Up Chrome on Windows
• How to Convert a PDF File Into an Editable Text Document
• iSLCollective Video Quiz Creator

G Suite Updates:  

New Google Calendar for Web

G Suite Updates:  New Google Calendar for Web from G Suite Updates
Be on the lookout for a new look for Google Calendar on the web. You should see a new look sometime around November 14, that will more closely match the look of calendar on mobile devices. New features will include the ability to add rich formatting and hyperlinks to calendar invites, the ability to manage multiple calendars in Day view, and the ability to see contact information of meeting attendees when you hover over them.

Making Google Prompt the Primary Choice for 2-Step Verification

G Suite Updates:  Making google Prompt the Primary Choice for 2-Step Verification, from G Suite Updates
I love this update! If you are unfamiliar with 2-Step Verification (2SV), it adds a layer of protection when logging in to your Google account, or any account that offers it. This means that if someone has obtained your password, they cannot log in unless they also have your mobile phone and know your lock screen code. (You should always use a lock screen code on your mobile devices, but that's for another post.) To log in with 2SV, you first enter your password as you normally would, then Google sends you a text or phone call with a code to enter as well. With this Google Prompt update, instead of entering a code, you simply tap Yes at the prompt on your phone. It's much easier and faster. I encourage you to protect yourself by using 2SV whenever possible.

EDU in 90:  Our Favorite Chromebook Shortcuts

Feedback for Students in G Suite - An Overview

Feedback for Students in G Suite - An Overview, from Sustainable Teaching by Tom Mullaney
There are lots of ways to provide student feedback in this post, including using comments, Classroom, Forms, and Keep.

Meet Pegman

Meet Pegman from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Pegman, available in both Google Maps and Google Earth, is a great way for students to get a street view of a location. In addition to the post above, the video below will show you how to use Pegman in Google Maps.

Saving Images to Drive from Websites

Saving Images to Drive from Websites, from Teaching Little Techies by Robin Limpert
From her Teaching Kids to use Images in Google series, this post from Robin Limpert focuses on saving images found on the web to your Drive.

Google Makes it Easy to Clean Up Chrome on Windows

Google Makes it Easy to Clean Up Chrome on Windows from Chrome Story by Dinsan
A new prompt if your settings have been changed without your knowledge, and an updated clean up tool will help protect Chrome on Windows from Malware.

How to Convert a PDF File Into an Editable Text Document

How to Convert a PDF File Into an Editable Text Document, from How-To Geek by Michael Crider
Have you ever had a PDF file that you need to update or edit? It seems pretty impossible doesn't it, unless you paid for Adobe Acrobat. Never fear, Google is here! You can edit PDF documents in Google Docs.

iSLCollective Video Quiz Creator

iSLCollective Video Quiz Creator from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Here's a free way to turn passively watching a video into an interactive lesson.