ASA Weekly Tech Tips and News for March 9, 2018

I'm on top of the world at Camelback Mountain, Phoenix AZ

This post is more for the general tech users and less for teachers - not necessarily by design - it just worked out that way. We all need to use technology more and more in our daily lives away from work - that's just the way everything is going. It's truly necessary that everyone familiarizes themselves with some basics, not only to make their lives easier, but also to protect themselves. We need to take safety precautions in every aspect of our lives, and tech is no different. You wouldn't leave your house keys lying around outside your house would you, or leave your car keys on the hood of your car? Risk of identity theft and malware are just becoming too common now. By learning some basics, and how to protect your information, you may be able to save yourselves a few dollars by not having to pay someone to do all your troubleshooting. You CAN do it even if you are uncomfortable with tech. The more you learn the more comfortable you will become. It's good for all of us to step outside our comfort zones every now and again. I recently did so on a trip to Phoenix, AZ. My niece offered to guide my husband and I on a climb up Camelback Mountain. While no Mt. Everest, it is a 2707 ft. mountain, and was a challenge for two middle aged, novices who are definitely not in tip top shape, and one of whom is asthmatic. The challenge was so worth it when we reached the very top, as you can see from this photo. If I can climb a mountain (something I never dreamed I would be able to say), you can learn a few tech basics. You won't even have any residual muscle aches afterward.

Postcard from the Edge: View from the top of Camelback Mountain, Phoenix AZ

• Why is My Internet so Slow?
• How to Check if Your Password Has Been Stolen
• It's not you. Phones are designed to be addicting.
• How Computers Work
• Save and Search Web Clippings - Google Keep and Web Paint
• Supporting Parents Supporting Students:  Start with a Calendar
• Learning in Motion: EASY Stop-Motion Animation with Google Slides
• Solve Me Puzzles - Play or Create Math Puzzles

Why is My Internet so Slow?

Why is My Internet so Slow?, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Is it your internet...or could it be a website...or your computer? These are useful things you can check, either at home or at work, before sounding the alarm or calling for help. Narrowing down the problem can not only give you a quicker fix (and possibly save you from waiting on hold for an eternity), it can help you reach a solution faster if you do need to call support.

How to Check if Your Password Has Been Stolen

How to Check if Your Password Has Been Stolen, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
It's always a good idea to check your user names and email addresses every now and again, to make sure they weren't included in a stolen database. Not all web services are diligent about letting users know when their information has been stolen. It's a quick and easy process to make sure you are still safe and secure. What to do if you find yours has been stolen? Change your passwords! There is also some good advice for managing your passwords in this article.

It's not you. Phones are designed to be addicting.

Do you find it difficult to resist the urge to check your smartphone? Here are some ideas for helping you resist that urge. (Turn off those notifications!)

How Computers Work

How Computers Work, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Do you have the slightest idea of how your computer works? We use them every day, and yet for most it's a magical mystery. This series of videos will help you and your students understand what's going on "under the hood". The whole series can be viewed in approximately 30 minutes with six 5 minute videos.

Save and Search Web Clippings - Google Keep and Web Paint

This shows an easy way to save web clippings, searching for them and annotating them using Google Keep, and the Chrome extension Web Paint.

Supporting Parents Supporting Students:  Start with a Calendar

Supporting Parents Supporting Students:  Start with a Calendar, from A Lever and a Place to Stand by Amy Roediger
This is one of the easiest ways to communicate with parents with a simple Google Calendar. Put assignments on it for the class, and share it with parents.

Learning in Motion: EASY Stop-Motion Animation with Google Slides

Learning in Motion: EASY Stop-Motion Animation with Google Slides, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
No fancy apps or software are required to create stop-motion animation, just think the flip books we used to make in the corners of our notebooks combined with sped up Google Slides. It's quite easy to do, and this post includes full instructions. There are also some advanced tips to really make your animation stand out. Finally, Matt also includes ideas for using them in the classroom.

Solve Me Puzzles - Play or Create Math Puzzles

Solve Me Puzzles - Play or Create Math Puzzles, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This is a free site full of math puzzles for you students - or you can create your own math puzzles for them as well.