Friday, April 26, 2019

Tech Tips and News for April 26, 2019

Now that we've finally been able to enjoy some beautiful spring weather, the meteorologists are predicting accumulating snow for the weekend. Just another Pure Michigan weather whiplash weekend! Let's hope they're wrong. Speaking of changes, there's a major Windows 10 update coming in May. This one will include new features as well as the usual security patches. Check out the first post below for all the changes you can expect with this update. In addition, Google had a couple significant updates as well. They've made it easier to find G Suite training resources from within each app, and they've also made it easier to work offline when there's not internet connection. Take a look at how to use both in the G Suites Update section below. There are also several tips you may find helpful!




Everything New in Windows 10's May 2019 Update

Everything New in Windows 10's May 2019 Update, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Twice each year Microsoft pushes out a major update for Windows 10. These big updates contain new features as well as security updates. The next major update is coming this May. Windows may look and feel a little different after the update. Learn what is coming in this article.

Why You Should Never Allow Your Web Browser to Save Your Passwords

Why You Should Never Allow Your Web Browser to Save Your Passwords, from Tech Republic by Jack Wallen
I know, I get it, passwords are a pain, too hard to remember, and inconvenient to enter for every site that needs one. Don't put yourself at risk for the sake of convenience.

G Suite Updates:  

Quickly find support resources in Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar and more

It's never been easier to find training for G Suite apps. There's a new question mark (?) next to the search bar in the main G Suite apps. When you click on this question mark, you have options for help, training and updates. Choosing Training navigates you to the Learning Center for the app you're in. You can start a training course for that app, or choose tthe module you want to learn. Finding training has never been easier. All the details are available here.

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides Have a New Offline Mode

Access this feature from Google Drive, by right clicking on the file you wish to access offline, then select Offline Preview. Click here for full details and screenshots. 

How to Enable Gmail's Hidden Email Preview Pane

How to Enable Gmail's Hidden Email Preview Pane, from How-To Geek by Rob Woodgate
Have you missed the preview pane from Outlook? That's where you can see a preview of your email in the right pane, before opening your message. You can enable this in Gmail.

EDU in 90:  Chromebook Tips



How to Zip or Unzip Files on a Chromebook

How to Zip or Unzip Files on a Chromebook, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
Whether you've received a zipped file on a chromebook, or you have a file (or multiple files) that are too big to email and need to zip them, it's easy to do on a Chromebook.

A New Way to Customize Google Slides

A New Way to Customize Google Slides, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
You can now tweak themes by creating your own color pallette.

Google Earth and Maps Lessons for Five Subject Areas

Google Earth and Maps Lessons for Five Subject Areas, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Google Earth and Google Maps are not just for Geography. This article contains examples for using them in Language Arts, Science, Math, PE and Art.

How to Start a Quizlet Live Game in 60 Seconds + Tips and Tricks

How to Start a Quizlet Live Game in 60 Seconds + Tips and Tricks, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
You can do everything in this post with a free Quizlet account. Just create flash cards, and you're off. Quizlet Live is a great way to review content with students in an engaging way.

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Friday, April 5, 2019

Tech Tips for April 5, 2019


At long last...sound is coming to Slides!
...and I'm back after an involuntary hiatus due to some unexpected health issues. My apologies for the blog silence these last several weeks. I'm happy to be back in action and able to share the latest tech news with you. My favorite bit of news this week is the added ability to schedule messages in Gmail. Compose your message now while you're thinking about it, and schedule it to automatically send at a more appropriate time. In addition to this great feature, the best news is that sound is coming to Slides! Yes, you read that right, you will finally be able to add sound to your Slides presentations. I think this is the MOST requested feature ever. Hopefully those of you returning from Spring Break had a nice relaxing week, and are refreshed and ready for the remainder of the school year. It will go by quickly! If you were unable to unplug during break, the first article may be of interest to you, to help you learn how to do just that!




Do Not Disturb:  How I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

Do Not Disturb:  How I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain, by Kevin Roose, The New York Times
I've ready many articles about how digital devices are programmed to be addicting. It's hard to resist the constant siren call of notifications for everything under the sun, which is why the first thing I do when I get a new device is turn off all notifications. They will still be there when it's convenient for me to check on them. This is probably a bit easier for me, as a member of a generation who did not grow up with mobile technology...unless you count the boom box or Walkman. Although this is a bit of a lengthy read, it's very interesting to see how this writer broke his addiction. It's also a rather illuminating view of how all consuming our relationship with technology has become. Do yourself a favor and learn how to take a break.

What's the Best Way to Back Up My Computer

What's the Best Way to Back Up My Computer, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Whether you own a Mac or a PC, if your computer files are stored in only one place, you will lose them at some point. All it takes is one failed hard drive, or worse, ransomware attack, and your files, photos, records, etc. are history. If you are not regularly backing up your files, stop procrastinating and set something up now!

What's the Difference Between My Photo Stream and iCloud Photos?

What's the Difference Between My Photo Stream and iCloud Photos? from How-To Geek by Anthony Heddings
Speaking of back ups, photos are the files we most hate to lose. You can never recapture all those moments and milestones. iCloud Photos will back up the photos on your Mac or iOS device. Google Photos is a great choice for Androids, and if you are an Amazon Prime member, Amazon Photos allows you unlimited photo storage on any device or the web.

How to Validate and Remove Fonts on a Mac

How to Validate and Remove Fonts on a Mac, from How-To Geek by Oliver Haslam
Fonts can be tricky on a Mac. This should make it easier for you.

G Suite Updates:  

New Look for Google Drive on iOS and Android

Drive, on your mobile device, will look a little different very soon. It will begin to display the files you've used recently or usually use with specific people or at certain times of the day - just like the web version does now. The navigation bar at the bottom will allow you quicker access to Home, starred files, shared with me, and all files. The search bar will be available from the Team Drives, and Team Drives will be a tab next to My Drive. There will also be a Computers tab, to access files on your device. If you are looking to switch accounts in the Drive app, that option is moving from the left to the right side of the app. For all the changes, and full details check out the G Suites Update blog here.

Schedule Send in Gmail

I'm very excited about this new feature - it's long overdue! You should see this feature any day now in your Gmail account. When you are composing a new message, you will see an arrow next to the Send button. Clicking this arrow will give you the option to schedule the message instead of sending it immediately. You can choose a specific time and date to send the message. This will definitely ensure your recipients receive your messages at the best possible time without you needing to remember to hit send at that time. Full details about this new feature are availalbe in the G Suite Updates blog. Watch for the send arrow in your Gmail account, it should arrive anytime between now and April 15, 2019.

Enhance Presentations in Slides with Audio

I think this is the most requested feature since the beginning of G Suite! Finally, you can add sound to your Slides presentations! You'll be able to embed MP3 and WAV audio files. It'll appear in the Insert menu in Slides. You should see this feature appear anytime between now and April 18, 2019. Full details and instructions area available here. 

How to Achieve Inbox Zero With These Gmail Search Queries

It's amazing to me that there are people who can maintain Inbox Zero status - they empty their inbox every day! If you're like me, you get way to many emails to keep up with. Some are important and need to be addressed, but others are promotional, news, etc., and after awhile no longer need to be there. These search terms will help you quickly weed through all those old messages. 

How to Use YouTube's New Creator Studio

How to Use YouTube's New Creator Studio, from How-To Geek by Anthony Heddings
Hopefully this will be a good solution to video editing on Chromebooks and without expensive apps. It looks like the video editing options are pretty limited, but it will allow for some basics.

5 Tips to Design Better Forms

5 Tips to Design Better Forms, From Tech & Learning by John Sowash
There are lots of features in Forms that you may not know about, as well as some other tips to make your forms look very professional.

EDU in 90:  Robotics Tools on Chromebooks


Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego - A Great Geography Game

Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego - A Great Geography Game, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This is a fun way for kids to use their knowledge of Geography
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