ASA Tech Tips and News for May 8, 2020

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week (for those who celebrate). There's certainly no doubt that teachers earn this week every year, but this year you deserve more than a week! All of you have embraced the sudden and unexpected shift to distance learning with grace, regardless of your comfort level with technology. In this post, there is a testimonial by a teacher who resisted tech for 30 years, and surprised herself by embracing it. I'm sure many of you can relate. After reading that post, make sure you read the post about text message scams. Now that people have become aware of the many types of email scams, hackers have turned to text scams. Basically the same rules apply - do not click on any links from senders you don't know, and verify the links before clicking from people or businesses you may know. If you're looking for some fun, scroll down to the end of this post for some fun with your photos. Turn them into iconic paintings with basically one click. Stay smart, healthy, safe have fun, and stay sane at home!

• How to Spot a Text Message Scam
• How a Technophobe Learned to Embrace Education Technology
• 5 Ways to Improve Your Digital Communication
• How to Restore Files in Google Drive
• EDU in 90:  More Google Meet Strategies for Distance Learning
• 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Videos
• 20 Ways To Use Pear Deck To Engage Students
• How to Create a Green Screen Video Without a Green Screen
• Transform Your Photos in the Style of an Iconic Artist

How to Spot a Text Message Scam

How to Spot a Text Message Scam, from How-To Geek by Tim Brookes
The same types of scams you've learned to spot in email are also true in text messages.

How a Technophobe Learned to Embrace Education Technology

How a Technophobe Learned to Embrace Education Technology, from Tech & Learning by Tana Schilling

How many of you started out your jackrabbit start to distance learning with little confidence in your tech skills. How many of you have completely surprised yourselves with your new-found tech abilities? Go ahead, raise your hand.

5 Ways to Improve Your Digital Communication

5 Ways to Improve Your Digital Communication, from KISD The Bulletin by Amanda Walma
Number of messages and length of sessions, are just a few of many considerations so we don't overwhelm parents and students.

How to Restore Files in Google Drive

How to Restore Files in Google Drive, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Oh no! That file or folder I was working has disappeared from Drive, what do I do?

EDU in 90:  More Google Meet Strategies for Distance Learning

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Videos

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Videos, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Now that we've been mastering the ins and outs of distance learning, we can start to refine our processes.

20 Ways To Use Pear Deck To Engage Students

20 Ways To Use Pear Deck To Engage Students, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
If you haven't used Pear Deck in awhile, it can now be used within Google Slides, and is a great way to make a slide presentation interactive with your students.

How to Create a Green Screen Video Without a Green Screen

How to Create a Green Screen Video Without a Green Screen, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
No need for iMovie or other expensive video editing programs!

Transform Your Photos in the Style of an Iconic Artist

Transform Your Photos in the Style of an Iconic Artist, from The Keyword
This is a just for fun post. It's so easy to turn your photos into a painting in the style of a famous artist. Like VanGogh, Monet or Munch? Done. The cardinal photo below was transformed into Monet and Warhol images.