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!