ASA Weekly Tech Tips and News for February 16, 2018

Wikimedia Commons: Alexey Kljatov

Now that our snow is on a melting trend, although I'm sure it'll be back before winter is done, I ran across an interesting article on how snow is made and snowflakes are formed. It's much more interesting that shoveling it. Although there are no dire hacking warnings this week, I've included a video on how to tell if your phone was hacked. Your phone is a computer, just like your laptop, iPad or desktop, and it can be just as vulnerable as any other computing device to hacking. It's just not always easy to tell. While you are suffering through the February winter blahs, take a look at the rest of the tips and ideas. See what works for you, either in or out of the classroom.

• 15 Clear Signs Your Phone was Hacked
• Google's Chrome Ad Blocking Arrives Today and This is How it Works
• Ten Overlooked Google Slides Features
• How to Extract Text from a PDF or Image in Google Drive
• Google Drawings Basics Day 3 - Drawing Lines...Who Knew?
• 50 Awesome Applications that Integrate with Google Classroom
• ClassHook Adds a New Feature for Using Videos in Your Classroom
• How Snow is Made, Naturally and by Humans
• 9 Great Documentaries for Middle School Classrooms

15 Clear Signs Your Phone was Hacked

Your computer isn't the only device that can be hacked. Here's what to look for in your phone or tablet, as well as how to protect your mobile device from hacking.

 

Ten Overlooked Google Slides Features

Ten Overlooked Google Slides Features, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Google Slides is not just for presentations! There are so many other ways to use this deceptively useful program.

Google's Chrome Ad Blocking Arrives Today and This is How it Works

Google's Chrome Ad Blocking Arrives Today and This is How it Works, from The Verge by Tom Warren
You may or may not see this right away in Chrome. This blog post goes into some detail about what kinds of ads will be blocked - not all of them will, just those that are determined to be the most annoying types. It does also show what you will see. How will you know if it's working? You will be presented with a notification that some ads have been blocked on a website you are visiting, and you will have the choice to allow the ads or continue blocking them.

How to Extract Text from a PDF or Image in Google Drive

How to Extract Text from a PDF or Image in Google Drive, from Tech Republic by Jack Wallen
This process is easy. It doesn't preserve the formatting, it just gives you all the text so you don't have to key it all in.

Google Drawings Basics Day 3 - Drawing Lines...Who Knew?

Google Drawings Basics Day 3 - Drawing Lines...Who Knew?, from Teaching Little Techies by Robin Limpert
You can draw much more than a straight line. She also shows how to use AutoDraw to make your own clipart, doodles, diagrams, etc., very quickly by doodling with your finger.

50 Awesome Applications that Integrate with Google Classroom

50 Awesome Applications that Integrate with Google Classroom, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell
Why does it matter that they integrate with Google Classroom? By creating your class(es) in Classroom, then importing them into a 3rd party app (like you're able to do with GoGuardian), you don't have to keep creating the same classes in each different application you use. This helpful list also describes what each of the apps do.

ClassHook Adds a New Feature for Using Videos in Your Classroom

ClassHook Adds a New Feature for Using Videos in Your Classroom, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This service helps you search for video clips by subject, and now allows you to filter out profanity.

How Snow is Made, Naturally and by Humans

How Snow is Made, Naturally and by Humans, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
We're stuck with this stuff, right? We might as well make it useful and interesting.

9 Great Documentaries for Middle School Classrooms

by Common Sense Media

Weekly Tech Tips and News for February 9, 2017

Mother Nature has ushered in the Winter Olympics with a snowy weather system. It will not be difficult for those of us in the midwest to imagine how cold it is in PyeongChang with a high temp of 23 degrees F and 3-5 inches of fresh snow this morning. Hopefully you are safe and snug at home, enjoying a snow day. To complement your viewing of the Olympic games, check out the 16 videos about the science of Winter Olympic sports. You'll be such an informed viewer, you won't casually watch the sports again! You'll definitely impress your family members and friends. To further your tech knowledge, take a look at how to manage your online reputation (control what others see when they Google you), how to opt out of those targeted ads you see everywhere, and several Google Docs tips. Enjoy the snowy weather, and the Olympics and stay safe.

Manage Your Online Reputation
Ten Overlooked Google Docs Features
How to Set a New Default Font for All of Your Google Docs
Google Drawings:  Day 2-Adding a Text Box or WordArt
Important News About Adobe Spark
16 Videos About the Science of Winter Olympics Sports
12 Free Lessons About Rocks, Minerals and Landforms
How to Opt Out of Targeted Ads Around the Web

Manage Your Online Reputation

It is just as important for adults to manage their online reputation, or digital footprint, as it is for students.

Ten Overlooked Google Docs Features

Ten Overlooked Google Docs Features, from Free Tech for Teachers by Richard Byrne
We get used to using Google apps a certain way, but maybe there's an easier way to accomplish our tasks. That's why I love these lists - you don't know what you don't know!

How to Set a New Default Font for All of Your Google Docs

How to Set a New Default Font for All of Your Google Docs, from Free Tech for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Do you find the 11 point Ariel font too boring? Maybe you'd prefer to use the ASA font, Georgia, or a completely different font that matches your personality? You are not limited to the default Google font, and can set your own default font for all new docs.

Google Drawings:  Day 2-Adding a Text Box or WordArt

Google Drawings:  Day 2-Adding a Text Box or WordArt, from Teaching Little Techies by Robin Limpert
Teach your littlest students, or learn yourself, how to add text boxes or create WordArt in Google Drawings.

Important News About Adobe Spark

Important News About Adobe Spark, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
As you may, or may  not, remember, Adobe Spark is a great tool for creating videos, stories and simple graphics with students. There has been a lot of debate about whether or not it can legally be used by students under the age of 13. Adobe has finally made a definitive statement about that, by adding School ID Integration. In addition, Adobe also announced that all the premium features will be available to all schools starting in April.

16 Videos About the Science of Winter Olympics Sports

16 Videos About the Science of Winter Olympics Sports, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Add an Olympic twist to your science lessons. The science behind the sports are very interesting. You won't watch the games the same way after watching these videos.

12 Free Lessons About Rocks, Minerals and Landforms

12 Free Lessons About Rocks, Minerals and Landforms, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Free is good! The lessons are provided by Scholastic Study Jams.

How to Opt Out of Targeted Ads Around the Web

How to Opt Out of Targeted Ads Around the Web, from How-To Geek by Cameron Summerson
You know how targeted advertising works, you do an online search for that replacement part for your washer, then every time you are online after that, you see ads for washer replacement parts or new washers. Believe it or not, you have some control over this, but it's a little time consuming as you need to opt out on each browser you use on every device.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for February 2, 2018

One of the six groundhogs I evicted from
my backyard last summer. 

Happy Groundhog Day for those who celebrate. Woody the Woodchuck, Michigan's official state woodchuck, agreed with Punxsutawney Phil in predicting 6 more weeks of Winter. Since the current temps here are 16 F, with a windchill of 2 F, it's not too hard to imagine. Having trapped and evicted six groundhogs from my backyard this past summer, I just hope the little varmints are not having a rollicking celebration below my yard. While we are hibernating inside, it's a great time of year to learn new tech, and brush up on our security knowledge. Since it's also prime flu season, there are even videos to show your students all about the cold and flu, the difference between them, and how to prevent catching either. Hopefully you'll find a way to enjoy these next six weeks of Winter.

• Stay Safe from Phishing and Scams
• Teach Students About Internet Safety and Privacy
• G Suite Updates: Specific Audience in Google Sites, Drive Desktop Sync Ending
• EDU in 90:  Coding with Google's CS First Program
• Google Drawing:  Day 1-Changing Background & Working With Shapes
• How to Add a Family Feud-Style Game to Your Next Class/PD
• 10 Free Apps for Elementary School Math Lessons
• Cold and Flu Season Lessons

Teach Students About Internet Safety and Privacy

It's always a good idea to review internet safety practices in general. It's not just for students! I strongly suggest using 2-factor authentication on every account that offers it. This way, if a store where you shop is hacked, hackers cannot access your online accounts without having your phone too.

Stay Safe from Phishing and Scams

We can all benefit from reminders now and then. Phishing and scams don't just arrive in your email, but also in your social media accounts.

G Suite Updates: 

Specific Audience in Google Sites

Google Sites went through a major overhaul last year, making it much easier to create your own web sites. The latest update allows you to specify which individuals can view a site, so you no longer are limited to publishing a web site to everyone, or everyone in your domain. Complete details are available in the G Suite Updates blog.

Drive Desktop Sync Ending

Do you have Google Drive loaded locally on your Mac or PC? How can you tell? When you open Windows Explorer or Files (the folder where your files are) do you see Google Drive with the Drive logo? Is Google Drive included in your list of programs? If so, you have Google Drive installed on your Mac or PC so it can sync with online Drive and allow you to work offline. Google is ending Drive Sync by May 12, 2018. It has been replaced with Drive File Stream for PCs on a domain, or Backup and Sync for users not connected to a network domain. (ASA employees:  if your computer is connected to the network via cable or Staff WiFi, you will use Drive File Stream - if your computer belongs to ASA, please ask me for help.) It is extremely helpful to be able to access your files offline. You can work when there is no internet, access your Drive files to attach them to messages, save PDFs, download a file directly into your Drive without the extra step of uploading it to Drive, and more. Before installing Drive File Stream or Backup and Sync, first uninstall Google Drive. To download and install Drive File Stream, open Drive, click on the gear in the upper right corner, and select Download Drive File Stream for Windows/Mac.  Full details are in the G Suite Updates blog.

EDU in 90:  Coding with Google's CS First Program

Interested in introducing coding to your students? Here's an easy way, and you do not have to be a coder yourself.

Google Drawings:  Day 1-Changing Background & Working With Shapes

Google Drawing:  Day 1-Changing Background & Working With Shapes, from Teaching Little Techies by Robin Limpert
Teach your littlest students, or learn Google Drawings yourself. This post focuses working with background and shapes.

How to Add a Family Feud-Style Game to Your Next Class/PD

How to Add a Family Feud-Style Game to Your Next Class/PD, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Step-by-step directions and templates to create your own Family Feud style game.

10 Free Apps for Elementary School Math Lessons

10 Free Apps for Elementary School Math Lessons, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
These ten free apps are all available from The Math Learning Center, and cover the basic math functions, such as fractions, money, Geoboard, etc. The apps themselves are available in both the Apple App Store and the Chrome Web Store, as well as on a web site. ASA Teachers, if you would like any of these apps available to your students, please let me know and I'll push them out.

Cold and Flu Season Lessons

Cold and Flu Season Lessons, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Videos for various grade levels explaining the what colds and flu are, the difference between them, and how we catch them. Great lessons for kids this time of year!