Friday, April 13, 2018

Weekly Tech Tips and News for April 13, 2018

Hopefully everyone who was able to take time off during Spring Break last week, returned relaxed and rejuvenated. If you stayed home, the weather definitely didn't cooperate, but hopefully you enjoyed yourselves anyway. Spring just seems to be having a very difficult time launching here in the midwest. Since we can't yet enjoy the great outdoors in this stubbornly winter-like weather, it's a great time to tackle some new tech. Some tasks are being forced on us a bit, such as checking our privacy settings in our social media accounts. Although Facebook has become the poster child for abusing our personal information, they are not alone. Our online information has long been the price for free online services and social media. The difference with Facebook is they were caught selling it to a company that used it to manipulate the presidential election. This isn't the only kind of manipulation that happens. All those little surveys and memes that ask for information, such as your first car, first pet, first grade teacher, etc., seem like harmless fun, but are actually trying to get the answers to those security questions asked by our online accounts, such as banks, medical offices, online purchasing, etc. As long as we want free online services, we need to arm ourselves with the knowledge of how our information can be used, and how we can protect it.  The first three articles below speak to this topic specifically.




Ever Wonder How Much Facebook Knows About You? Here's How to See

Ever Wonder How Much Facebook Knows About You? Here's How to See, from How-To Geek by Harry Guinness
With the recent Facebook scandal involving Cambridge Analytica mining our personal information without our consent, it might be a good idea to see what kind of information FB has about each of us. (Hint:  Stop filling out those "fun" surveys.)

How to Find Out if Your Facebook Data was Stolen by Cambridge Analytica

How to Find Out if Your Facebook Data was Stolen by Cambridge Analytica, from Gizmodo by Matt Novak
This post explains the notice you may or may not have received on Facebook.

Don't Give Away Historic Details About Yourself

Don't Give Away Historic Details About Yourself, from Krebs on Security
This is the answer to the question, "What's wrong with those fun surveys on Facebook?"

What is Firmware or Microcode, and How Can I Update My Hardware?

What is Firmware or Microcode, and How Can I Update My Hardware?, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Did you ever wonder what your Smart TV means when it wants you to update the firmware? Nowadays, your car may even prompt you for this. Should you update it, and how? It's easier than you think.

G Suite Updates:  Updated Google Drive Access Checker

When you send a message that includes a Drive file, Access Checker will automatically check if the recipients have the necessary permissions to view the file. It will then prompt you to turn on the necessary settings. Full details can be found in the the G Suite Update blog.

Goo.gl is Being Shut Down - 5 Alternatives

Goo.gl is Being Shut Down - 5 Alternatives, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
In a very surprising move, Google has decided to shut down its URL shortening extension by April 13th. I have used both Bitly.com and TinyURL, but there are many to choose from. Try them out and see which become your new favorite. If you are unfamiliar with URL shorteners - they are extensions or services that will shorten a web site URL (address) into something shorter, and easier to share with others (and easier for your students to enter).

5 Google Drawings Features You Don't Know About



Introducing a Fresh New Look for Pear Deck Home

Pear Deck has updated their web interface. This video will catch you up on where to find things.


Adobe Launches Spark for Education

Adobe Launches Spark for Education, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Adobe has finally launched an education version of Spark, which makes it COPPA compliant for students under the age of 13. ASA Teachers:  if you use Spark, and would like your students to have their own accounts, please let me know and we can set up the school dashboard. (The education version is free!) If you are unfamiliar with Adobe Spark, it is available as either an app for iPads, or web interface for Chromebooks, and allows for the creation of posters, memes, web pages, video and more. It's a great option for video creation on chromebooks. This post also includes a tutorial video for using Spark.

ZapSplat - Thousands of Free Sound Effects

ZapSplat - Thousands of Free Sound Effects, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Enhance your presentations and videos. ZapSplat offers over 20,000 free sound effects and music for free by just citing ZapSplat.

What Causes Body Odor? - A TED-Ed Lesson

What Causes Body Odor? - A TED-Ed Lesson, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This is for you, middle school teachers. The next time you need to have that hygiene chat with your students, here's a video to show. It explains what causes body odor and how antiperspirants work. This video is part of a Gross Science playlist, that also covers bad breath and passing gas, among other topics.
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