Thursday, December 16, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for December 17, 2021

 
We've made it to Christmas break!!! It's been a crazy week, and I have been nowhere near as patient as my dear friend's cat (see photo at left). Enzo is clearly ready for Christmas here, and is the most indulgent cat I've ever met. (He has a variety of costumes, but this one is my favorite). So as we enter into the last week before Christmas, before you get caught up in the frenzy of last minute holiday preparations, stop and channel this patient cat, who sits for long periods of time  and allows his family to decorate him for any event. While I don't recommend putting a star on your head and hanging ornaments from your person (those hooks can be sharp!), however if that sounds like fun, who am I to judge? Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you all! For those of you who don't work during breaks, enjoy your time off.

Google Workspace Updates


Calendar:  Set Tasks to Repeat

When using Tasks in Calendar, you will now be able to set recurring tasks with Calendar's recurrance rules and the ability to set an end date. This feature is already available. Full details are available here. Not sure how to use Google Tasks? Find out here. 

Calendar:  Prevent Unwanted Invitations

The settings for adding invitations to your calendar have been changed to Always have invitations automatcally added or Only have them automatically added if you RSVP in the email event invitation. Changing this setting in Calendar will only affect future events, not those already in your calendar. This feature is off by default. To turn it on, open Calendar, navigate to settings (click the gear on a desktop or laptop), scroll to event settings and look for Add invitations to my calendar. You should see this change within the next two weeks. See all the details here. 

Calendar:  Easily See Which Account You're Using on Mobile

Profile pictures have been added to the top corner of the Calendar mobile app so you can easily see which account you're currently using. Tapping that profile picture will also allow you to easily toggle between your accounts. You'll still be able to see events for all of your calendars, but this will help you make sure you're in the correct account before adding appointments. The active account will always be listed at the top of the account list. I am not seeing this update yet, but it is expected to roll out in the next two weeks. Here are all the details. 

Docs:  New Ways to Customize Tables

You now have more options when creating tables in Google Docs. The following features have been added:
  • Pin a table header row to repeat on each page - This will make long tables that continue across more than one page much easier to read.
  • Designate that a row should not be split across pages - When text in a cell wraps across more than one page, important information can easily be missed or misunderstood.
  • Quickly add, and arrange columns and rows  - Columns and rows can now be dragged to a different place in the table.
  • Sorting tables to better organize data - Pinned headers will stay in place when you sort
  • Use a new table sidebar to manage table properties - This makes table properties much easier to access.
It appears these features are already available for our domain. Full details for each of them and on how to use them can be found here. Not sure how to use tables in Docs? Find out here. 

Drive:  Files in Multiple Locations Becoming Shortcuts

Files in Google Drive, which appear in more than one location, will be converted to shortcuts in Drive in 2022. Shortcuts are just links to the actual file location in Drive, rather than storing the file in more than one location. You will begin to see a banner in Drive notifying you of this upcoming change. You will not need to do anything, it is just for information purposes. Shortcuts will not impede your access to files you currently see. 

Drive:  New Notifications When a File Violates Program Policies

If an item in Drive violates Google's Terms of Service or Program Policies, it may be restricted - even from those with whom the file has been shared. If it is restricted, the owner will see a flag next to the file name, and it will no longer be accessible to others. The owner will also now receive an email notifying them of the restriction, and explaining how to request a review if the restriction is a mistake. These changes should take effect in the next two weeks. 

Meet:  Automatically Move Breakout Room Participants Back to the Orignal Meeting

Meeting hosts and co-hosts will now be able to automatically move participants back to the main meeting room once a breakout session ends. This will hopefully end confusion if an attendee isn't sure how to navigate back, or if a student is being uncooperative. The host, or co-host, will be able to close the breakout rooms, and all participants will see a timer counting down to the when they will be moved back to the main Meet room. Participants will then see a message confirming they've been moved back to the main room. Not sure how to use breakout rooms in a Meet? Find out here. This new feature should be available in the next two weeks. Full details can be found here. 

How to Hum to Search for a Song Using Google

How to Hum to Search for a Song Using Google, from How-To Geek by Joe Fedewa
Can't quite recall the title or lyrics of a song? Now you can hum or whistle it to find out!

Google Tools to Support All Learners

Google Tools to Support All Learners, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
This is a comprehensive list of resources and tools available to help students with special needs. 

Wide Open School - Activities and Resources for Many Subjects and Age Ranges

Looking for inspiration for new activities or resources for your students? Common Sense Media is offering Wide Open School, which offers many activities for your students. Just choose the grade level and subject and be inspired. 

Free Webinar:  Holy Sheets! Google Sheets Activities for All Subjects

Looking for new activities for your students, or maybe looking for innovative ways to use Sheets? Here you go.


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Friday, December 10, 2021

ASA Tech Tips & News for December 10, 2021

One more week until a much deserved break for teachers and many of our staff members! In addition to the two cautionary tales in this issue are several resources for your classroom and a chromebook camera tip - chromebooks can be handy scanners now. I know there are some classes who can certainly make use of the noise meter tip, when your students are riled up and rambunctious. Merry Christmas! With Christmas in mind, the text scams and fake emails have definitely increased. Be sure you know how to spot them so you don't fall victim. I hope you are able to enjoy this last crazy week before break...you're almost there!

How to Spot Any Spoofed & Fake Email (Ultimate Guide)



How to Spot a Text Message Scam

How to Spot a Text Message Scam, from How-To Geek by Tim Brookes
I know I've seen a dramatic uptick in Smishing messages on my phone. We all need to be just as suspicious of texts as we are with emails. 

Your Chromebook's Camera is Now a Document Scanner

Your Chromebook's Camera is Now a Document Scanner, from How-To Geek by Dave LeClair
The next time you need to scan a document, no need to walk to the nearest copier, just use one of the chromebooks in your classroom. 

SpinnerWheel - A Great Random Name, Number and Word Picker

SpinnerWheel - A Great Random Name, Number and Word Picker, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Not only will SpinnerWheel allow you to customize names numbers, images and sound efects, but you can also run several SpinnerWheels at once for randomly picking groups. or multiple numbers. There's an instructional video in the post.

Classroomscreen - Timers, Noise Meters and Random Names for Repeated Use

Keep all the tools on one handy home screen to use over and over. Did I mention...it's free!


8 Googley Winter Activities

8 Googley Winter Activities, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
These activities run the gamut of age ranges and skills to practice, such as tech, math and writing. Templates are provided to get you started. 

How to Maximize Space in Google Slides for Manipulative Drag and Drop Activities

In other words, how to get rid of the film strip in the left column, the speaker notes at the bottom and the menu at the top. 

10 Low-Prep, High-Return Activities for Class TOMORROW

10 Low-Prep, High-Return Activities for Class TOMORROW, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Use these when you are out of ideas, when you have a little time to spare in the classroom, or tuck them away for when you suddenly lose your planning period. Surprise!

25 Cool Winter Videos for Kids to Watch on Snowy Days

25 Cool Winter Videos fir Kids to Watch on Snowy Days, from We Are Teachers by Kimmie Fink
Too cold for kids to go out for recess? No problem! There are videos to choose for all ages in this collection. Keep in mind, Google has blocked YouTube for students under the age of 18, so you'll either have to show the videos as a class, or embed the YouTube video in a Google Slide file. 

Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit 12/13/21-1/7/22

Looking for new ed tech ideas? There's an online conference for Teachers in December, called Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit. This year there will be nine video presentations from well-known presenters on topics related to tech and solid teaching and learning. You'll also have access to previous years sessions, so there will be over 80 sessions to choose from. Find out more here. 
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Friday, December 3, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for December 3, 2021

 

I hope your Thanksgiving break was wonderful and restful. Now we head right into Advent and the Christmas season. With the new season come several new Google updates. Be sure to check them out, there are some very handy ones in the mix. There are also a couple of security-related videos. Please make sure you learn how to see what's really behind a Bitly link before you ever click on one again. Bitly is a great tool for shortening very long URLs, I use them myself, but it can also be used to hide malicious website links too. Someone always comes along to ruin a good thing, don't they? 


A New Phone Scam Bypasses Two-Factor Security Codes

FYI:  2-Factor Authentication is when a website requires a second step when you are logging in, which includes sending a code to our phone or email, which you enter into the website to complete the login process. Banks usually require this. It's important that you know you should never enter the code if you have not just logged in to that site yourself. 


How to See What's Really Behind a Bitly Link

Bitly is a handy tool for shortening long URLs, but sometimes it's used to hide malicious site addresses.


Google Workspace for Education Updates


Gmail:  Indicate Whether You'll Join a Meeting Virtually or in Person


This option was only previously available in Calendar, but is now also available in Gmail. This means when you receive an invitation for a meeting in Gmail, you can indicate whether you will be attending virtually or in person when you RSVP. Read all the details here. This feature is available now. Here are directions on how to respond to a Calendar invitation in Gmail. 

Docs:  Add a Page Break Before Paragraphs

This is useful when you always want a particular paragraph style or heading to start a new page. Simply highlight the paragraph style and turn it on. From that point on, everytime you use that paragraph style, it will force a new page. This will also allow you to import and export this feature from Microsoft Word. Find complete information here. This feature is already available. Find out how to use paragraph styles here. 

Docs:  Add People, Files and More to Docs with Universal @ Menu

@ Menu Demonstration
This is a huge time saver. Entering an @ in a Google Doc will now pop up a menu, allowing you to insert people, meeting notes, files, task lists, media, dates, paragraph heading styles, calendar events, page components (page numbers, headers, footers, etc.), bookmarks, special characters, links and more into the file. This allows you to access many features without clicking through menus or leaving the keyboard. This feature is available now. Here are instructions for using the @ menu. Give it a try!

Meet:  Immersive Background and Styles

Meet Immersive Background & Styles
Immersive backgrounds feature subtle animation that differentiates your background based on the time of day or weather where you are. These include Morning Condo, Night Condo, Rainy Cafe, Snowy Cafe and Sunny Cafe. In addition to these new backgrounds, there are also styles available. A Style will turn your existing background into a different type of lighting or illustration. For example, make your existing background black and white, or a pencil drawing, or appear to be in sunlight or vivid colors. You can turn backgrounds and styles on before joining the Meet. Not sure how to turn on backgrounds? Find out here. This update is available in Meet now (as demonstrated at right in the UC school office). Full info can be found here. 

Sheets:  Add People With Smart Chips

Similar to the @ menu in Docs, you will soon be able to add people in Sheets by entering @ and the first few letters of a name in a cell. You can select the person and then interact with the people Smart Chip that appears to view their info, book a meeting, start a Chat, send an email, and more. You can only access people at this time in Sheets. I'm not seeing this feature yet, but it should be available in the next few days. Find more information about using Smart Chips here. 

How to Delete Bookmarks on Google Chrome

How to Delete Bookmarks on Google Chrome, from How-To Geek by Mahesh Makvana
Sometimes you just need a bookmark temporarily, but other times you may find you have a growing collection of bookmarks that you no longer use - or no longer work. It's easy to clean them up. 

Take a Look at Your Google Docs Activity Dashboard


Can You Use FaceTime on Windows

Can You Use FaceTime on Windows, from How-To Geek by Yuvraj Wadhwani
Facetime is so easy to use for Mac, iPad and iPhone users, except when they want to FaceTime someone who doesn't use those devices. Now it sort of works with Windows users. Find out how it works. 

These Free Lessons Will Get Your Students Making Cool Explainer Videos

Teach your students (or yourself) the art of making effective explainer videos.
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Friday, November 12, 2021

ASA Tech Tips & News for November 12, 2021

Pixabay.com
I've clearly been covering various security topics quite a bit lately. There has been a lot of info about what not to do, and what you should do. What hasn't been mentioned is what happens if you interact with something you shouldn't? There's a video below that will explain just that. Among other outcomes, if your social media or email accounts have been hacked, chances are good this video may solve that mystery for you. Hopefully this knowledge will keep your accounts more safe and secure going forward. 

What Happens if You Click on Links in Phishing Emails



Infinite Campus Upcoming Maintenance

Infinite Campus will be undergoing maintenance at the following times, one of which is while the grading window will be open:
  • Saturday, Nov 13 10am - 6pm
  • Saturday, Nov 20  10am - 6pm
During these maintenance times you may experience intermittent outages or slowness. 

New Canvas Features Coming November 20th

Full details about each of these updates is available on the Canvas Release Notes page.

Assignments Submission Feedback Indicator

Students will now be able to see when new comments have been added. The View Feedback and Show Rubric links on the Assignment Details page will display an indicator if comments have been added to an assignment.

Dashboard Course Creation Subaccount Menu

If you are allowed to create a manual course, you will be able to select which account the course will belong to.

List View Dashboard Conference Links

If a video conference, such as a Google Meet, is created for a course as a calendar event, the event displays in the List View Dashboard for students. Students will be able to view and join scheduled conferences directly from the List iew Dashboard.

Settings Tab URL Links

Currently, when you access the Settings page, it returns you to the Course Details tab. Now it will return you to the tab you were previously on. If you were in multiple tabs, you will be able to use the browser back/forward button to navigate through all of them.

SpeedGrader Assignment Text Entry Word Count

Instructors will be able to display the word count in assignment text submissions while grading in SpeedGrader. The word count will display at the top of the sidebar. This will only work for text entry assignments, not to any other submission type.

New Quizzes Stimulus Orientation

Watch the demo here for new and improved stimulus prompts in Quizzes.

How to Set Up Notifications for Changes in Google Sheets

How to Set Up Notifications for Changes in Google Sheets, From How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
Do you need to know when someone has made changes to a Google Sheet, such as a field trip response? Find out how easy it is here. 

How to See Who Edited Specific Text in Google Docs

Need to see who made each change to a Google Doc, or maybe who edited a specific section of text? Maybe your students are collaborating on a Doc, or you are collaborating with co-workers. Learn how to find that information here. 

How to Create a Random Name and Group Picker

No spreadsheet needed anymore!


Build a"What I Am Thankful For" Turkey with Google Slides

Build a"What I Am Thankful For" Turkey with Google Slides, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Get a template to use with your students. They will build a turkey, where each tail feather represents something they are thankful for. 
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Thursday, November 4, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for November 5, 2021

commons.m.wikimedia.org
Yes, I realize Cybersecurity Awareness Month is over, but then I ran across a video that so clearly shows what to look for to identify a phishing email, that I posted it anyway. Besides, we need to be diligently skeptical and on alert with email and online practices at all times, not just one month out of the year. I hope you are enjoying the crisp autumn weather and beautiful changing colors of the leaves. Speaking of change, I've included some Infinite Campus and Google Workspace updates as well. 


Anatomy of Scam Emails - How to Recognize a Phishing Scam Message

This video clearly shows what to look for in an email to help you determine if it's legitimate or not. 

Infinite Campus Updates


Disruption to Messenger and Ad Hoc

Last weekend's Infinite Campus update to v.2144 is causing issues with Messenger and Ad Hoc for schools in Michigan. You may be experiencing difficulty sending messages. IC is working on a solution to this issue. 

Emergency Contact Information on the Roster

Emergency contact information for each student is now visible on the roster. This will allow users to access emergency contacts more quickly. 

Google Workspace for Education Updates


Gmail:  Updates to the To, CC and BCC Fields

Improvements to the To, CC and BCC fields include:
  • New right click menu shows recipient's full name and email, and allows editing contact info, copying email addresses, and open the information card.
  • Recipient's Avatar chip will be displayed with their name
  • Clearly IDs users outside the organization in yellow
  • Clear indication if you've already added the user with a checkmark and grey tone
  • Use the menu to change how a recipient's name is displayed
If you are not already seeing this update, you should see it within the week. Full information and screen shots about this update can be found here. 

Google Calendar:  Set Focus Time

Just like setting Out of Office time on your Calendar, you can also now set Focus Time. By blocking out a range of times and designating it focus time you can set Calendar to automatically decline invitations, and that time range will appear busy in your calendar. This gives users uninterrupted time to get work done. Here are directions for using Focus Time. Learn all about this update here. 

Google Docs:  Now Quicker and Easier to Add Citations

Adding citations just became easier. Part of the process has been automated to create the source and correctly format it. You'll be able to search for books and online sources, then automatically populate some attributes for those sources. Learn how to add citations to a Google Doc here. This feature should appear sometime during the month of November. Complete details can be found here. 

Google Meet:  Hosts Have More Control of Participants' Audio and Video Feeds

Meet hosts will now have the ability to turn off the microphones and cameras of other participants. The participants will not be able to turn their microphone or camera back on until the host unlocks them. This will reduce Meet disruptions. Meet hosts are also able to mute all participants at once. You'll find these features in the Host Controls. Participants must have Android v.M or 6.01 or newer, iOS version 12 or newer, and the most updated version of the Meet or Gmail app or they will be kicked out of the Meet and prompted to update when the host locks their video and/or audio. This feature is available now. Read all the details here. 

Google Sheets:  Easier to Find Key Features With Enhanced Menus

Then menu bar and right click menus have been shortened to fit within the screen. Some features have moved, menu descriptions are shorter, and icons have been added. This is designed to make it easier to find key features by putting them in more intuitive places. You should see this update this week, if you aren't already seeing it. Here are full details of this update. 

Google Workspace for Education Teacher Tutorials

KISD has published a crowd-sourced tutorials for Google Workspace for Education apps. They are all compiled in this Google Sheet. In the sheet is also a link to a parent/student version. 

See All Comments in a Google Doc - Even Resolved Ones

Sometimes you need to go back and review all comments in a doc. When a comment is resolved, it seems to disappear from view. You can still go back and view even those resolved comments. If you don't already see this update, you should see it during the month of November. Here are all the details. 

How to Quickly Email Google Calendar Event Guests

How to Quickly Email Google Calendar Event Guests, from How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
Need to quickly update your meeting attendees, or a parent who has scheduled a virtual conference? You can do so quickly from Calendar. 
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Friday, October 29, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for October 29, 2021


It's a short issue today, but then I suspect that most classroom staff are very busy with Halloween festivities anyway. I hope the tricks are few and the treats are many! Hopefully none of those tricks will be malware on any of your devices. This week's focus for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is Malware and Ransomware. Learn what it is and how to protect yourself against it. Have a festive Halloween weekend and keep the ghouls and goblins away. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month:  Malware/Ransomware

Malware can come in different forms and cause issues in different ways, but all malicous software is called malware. Here's a good description. Ransomware is malware that locks up your files until you pay a ransom. Paying a ransom doesn't always guarantee you'll get access to your files again, however, so it's important to back up your important files. 



Insert Images from Google Search in Google Slides

There's no need to open a new browser tab to search for an image for slide. 

How to Sync Google Contacts with iPhone or iPad

Your ASA account is just an education Google account. It's easy to add to your iPhone or iPad.

Teaching with Google Arts & Culture

Teaching with Google Arts & Culture, from The Keyword by Lucy Schwartz
You may recall that Google Arts & Culture is a resource for everything from dinosaurs to art selfies, giving access to over 2,000 of the world's great museums, galleries, and historic sites. Google Arts & Culture has released a new Teacher Guide to help teachers better understand how to use the platform, discover content, and engage their students. There are lessons and resources available there as well.

An Easy Way to Make an Animated Video in Canva

An Easy Way to Make an Animated Video in Canva, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne.
It's easy to do using the new video editor in Canva.

15 Parent-Teacher Conference Memes That Are All Too True

15 Parent-Teacher Converence Memes That Are All Too True, from We Are Teachers by Malia Bartek
Conferences will be here before you know it, and everyone needs a little comedy relief. 
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Thursday, October 21, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for October 22, 2021

This week for Cyber Security Awareness month is the topic everyone skips - backing up your files. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a hard drive or phone fail and the device owner is distraught because all their files and photos are gone. You often cannot get those baby pictures back, they're just gone forever. In addition, if you become the victim of a ransomware attack, you will not need to pay the demanded ransom if your files are backed up. You can wipe your device and and reinstall. Stop waiting to get around to it and make sure you are regularly backing up your files this week. In addition to the back up rant, there is also an upcoming change to the way we dial local numbers. Your cell phone carrier has probably already alerted you to the need to include the area code when placing local calls. Sunday it will start to be required everywhere in the 616 area code. Wondering why this is happening or what you need to do to prepare for it? Read the article below.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month:  Back Up

It's so important to back up your key files. Ransomware demands are becoming so common, it's not a matter of if you'll be attacked, it's when. Backing up those key files means they remain safe in the case of malware, ransomware or even a simple hardware failure. It also means you won't need to pay the ransom! This isn't just limited to  your laptop. Your mobile device needs to be backed up as well. Think of all those photos you'd lose! Here's a helpful article from How-To Geek, by Chris Hoffman, to show you the best way to back up your computer. It covers many options and several devices. 


New 10-Digit Phone Dialing Requirements

Beginning on Sunday, October 24th, you will need to dial the area code + the 7-digit number when making local calls in the 616 area code. Some carriers may even require entering a 1 first, even though it's a local call. This will be the case for both land lines and mobile devices, but they may handle them differently. I've found my mobile device, which uses Verizon as the carrier, does not require a 1 first, but the school phone does, as it uses a different carrier. Test it with your phones to see what your carrier requires. You will want to take the time to update the phone numbers in your contacts list so your phone calls them the correct way. Why is this happening? It is being done to allow the use of 9-8-8 as a direct link to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, similar to how calling 9-1-1 is a direct link to emergency dispatchers. 

Infinite Campus Maintenance Schedule

Infinite Campus will be down for routine maintenance Saturday, October 30th, 11am - 3pm.

Google's Applied Digital Skills:  150+ Free Tech Lessons

Google's Applied Digital Skills:  150+ Free Tech Lessons, From Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
This is important for adult educators as well as students. These lesson plans cover a wide range of tech tools, topics and grade levels. Search for courses by age level, by digital tool, by topic or theme. This is a great way to brush up on your Google training and help students develop theirs! There is a detailed video explaining how it works. The Start Teaching link will introduce you to the lesson plans and videos available to use. The Start Learning link is geared toward adult learners learning on their own, and will introduce you to free lessons, job-ready skills, project based lessons and videos for tech novices. If you are not familiar with Google Workspace tools (Docs, Drive, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, etc.) check out the Google Workspace Training.

Ten Skills Students Can Learn from Google's Applied Digital Skills Lessons

Ten Skills Students Can Learn from Google's Applied Digital Skills Lessons, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
There are over 150 free lesson plans for using Google Workspace tools with students. Richard focuses on 10 valuable skills for students to learn, such as building healthy digital habits, time management, evaluating the credibility of online sources, story planning, mind mapping, and more. 

How to Create a Folder in Google Docs

How to Create a Folder in Google Docs, from How-To Geek from Mahesh Makvana
Yes, my friends, you can create folders without opening Drive. 

How to Share Documents on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

How to Share Documents on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, from How-To Geek from Sandy Writtenhouse
Not only can you share documents instead of sending attachments, but there are also so many options for how you share. 

Five Helpful Google Keep Features for Students


How to Place Images Behind or in Front of Text in Google Slides

Sometimes you just don't want the text and image side by side. 

Halloween Choice Board

I found this idea from the Chromebook Classroom podcast by John Sowash, specifically the 10 Links You Should Click (October 2021) episode. The choice board was created by @tcbnugent on Twitter. (Just trying to make sure everyone gets their due credit!) It's a Google Docs hyperdoc that contains links to lots of Halloween activities for your students to do in their spare time. 

Progressive Choice Boards:  Provide Choice Without Overwhelming

Create a choice board that doesn't overwhelm students with lots of new learning curves at once. It's also a great way to teach (and learn!) new digital skills. Templates are included.
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Friday, October 15, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for October 15, 2021

flickr.com
This week during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the focus is on online shopping safety. It's no longer a novelty and we take it for granted, especially since the pandemic. Because we are making a financial transaction, the stakes are even higher than just browsing the internet. It's safe as long as we are aware of the danger areas and take steps to secure our accounts and device. This issue isn't all doom and gloom, though. In addition to these safety precautions, are several tips and ed tech ideas to use in the classroom, and to help you be more efficient. I hope you find something of interest.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month:  Online Shopping Safety

With continued supply chain issues, it's nearly impossible to avoid shopping online. Learn how to do so safely. Beware of fake advertising, coupons, shopping sites, and make sure you are on a secure WiFi and site before entering banking info. 


How to Change Your Amazon Account Password

How to Change Your Amazon Account Password, from How-To Geek by Mahesh Makvana
In keeping with our online shopping safety theme this week, it's a good idea to know how to...and actually change your online account passwords periodically. While this article takes you through the steps on Amazon, most online shopping sites have this option in a similar "accounts" or "my account" place. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - Safety Tips Sheets, Posters, and Lesson Plans

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - Safety Tips Sheets, Posters, and Lesson Plans, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Tools to help educate your students, and yourselves.

How to Insert a Handwritten Signature in Google Docs

How to Insert a Handwritten Signature in Google Docs, from How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
Do you regularly send a newsletter or letter that you would like to sign? Use your phone, tablet or any device with a touchscreen to create your signature. 

How to Use Speaker Notes in Google Slides

How to Use Speaker Notes in Google Slides, from How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
Speaker notes are a way to remind yourself of your talking points while running a slide presentation. Find out how to view and use them. 

>How to Create & Use Canned Responses in Gmail

Do you find yourself answering the same question over and over? Do you have a message that you send out every month or year? Using canned responses, now called Templates, in Gmail can save you time, and make sure you don't leave out any details. 



How to Assign Document Tasks in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Using comments is a great way to get your questions answered when working on a project in a Google shared file. Mentioning someone by name gets even faster answers, as they will receive a message when mentioned.  

Turn a Spreadsheet Into Multimedia Flashcards

Turn a Spreadsheet Into Multimedia Flashcards, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Not only can you make your own flashcards, but you can also include audio, video, images and text.

Two Easy Ways to Blur Faces and Objects in Your Videos

Two Easy Ways to Blur Faces and Objects in Your Videos, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
You just took the perfect video of a class activity and you want to share it. Uh oh! The student in the middle of the video cannot have their picture published. What to do? YouTube will let you blur them. You can also blur objects that might convey personal or confidential information. 

Canva Now Offers Free Video Creation and Editing Tools

These features are included at no cost. Educators can set up a free Canva account and get the benefits of Canva Pro! In addition to editing videos, anva can be used to create all kinds of media, such as posters, memes, infographics and so much more.
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Thursday, October 7, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for October 8, 2021

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October is not just for breast cancer and Halloween! It's also Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Of course we should be keeping up with the latest cybersecurity news, and following best practices at all times. October is a great time to refresh your memory on what those practices are. I'll be including a different cybersecurity topic each week. This week's topic is Scams and Phishing. Those scammers are getting pretty sophisticated. It's too easy, especially when we are in a hurry, to accidentally click on a message or link that looks legit. It's so important to remain ever skeptical of anything online or in a text message. Next week will be Online Shopping Safety, followed by Back Ups, and just in time for Halloween, the scary topic of Malware and Ransomware. Stay tuned and stay safe. If you would like to learn the Cybersecurity basics, staysafeonline.org has an easy to follow program. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month:  Scams and Phishing

Clicking the wrong link in an email, text, a website or on social media can result in unknowingly downloading malicious software that could reveal passwords, banking information, or locking up  your computer, as well as the entire school or Diocese network. Protect yourself and co-workers by familiarizing yourself with the methods cybercriminals use. Here's the first video this month to familiarize yourself with Scams and Phishing. 



Should You Upgrade to Windows 11?

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11? from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Windows 11 is expected to roll out this week, but it will not work on all laptops. Find out if it will work on yours. 

Infinite Campus Updates:


New Search Location


If you need to search for people, students, addresses, etc. in Infinite Campus, the search bar has disappeared. It has been replaced with a magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner. You can search for any of the following:
  • Address
  • All People
  • Course/section
  • Household
  • Staff
  • Student
  • Tool
  • User
This new search tool will also remember your last search so you can toggle between toolsin the main menu and the search results without losing your place. 

New Look for Campus Tools

Last year the instruction view for IC received its makeover with the new look. Teachers were able to get used to it last year, and this year it became the default look. This year the new look for the Campus Tools view is available as an option. Campus tools is the view that the administrative staff uses. You will want to get used to it at your leisure this year, as it will most likely become the only view at the beginning of next school year. Here is an introductory video to give you an overview of the new look. I'll warn you now, just like the teachers experienced, everything is in a different place, so it does take some getting used to. Using search to look for the tool you need definitely helps. I really like the ability to star the most used tools so they are in a condensed list for me. 

Gradebook Updates

Here are the updates to Gradebook. You can learn more about of them here.
  • Updated the curriculum editor and the Copier so that the "All Assigned" indicator becomes a split button if the teacher has Student Groups created, allowing the teacher to easily select a group. Teachers can click the arrow to select a group, or the "# Assigned" button to see and modify the list of assigned students.
  • Assignment comments are now correctly truncated on Campus Student/Parent and an occasional error has been resolved.
  • Changing the grading alignment of an assignment no longer clears the selected Assignment Mark.
  • Default values now correctly display on a new assignment when it includes a Scoring Rubric.
  • Addressed an issue that occurred if a user attempted to copy assignments into a section with no Tasks/Standards.

Google Workspace Updates:


Google Calendar:  Easily Chat with Meeting Participants from a Calendar Event


Now in addition to email, members of a Calendar meeting can chat, from within the Calendar event. For example, if you are running late, you could open the calendar event, tap on the Chat icon next to the list of guests, and quickly let them know. Here are all the details of this new feature. It is expected to be available within the the next two weeks. 

Google Calendar/Docs:  Create Meeting Notes in Google Calendar



Previously to add an agenda or meeting notes document to your Calendar event, you needed to create a Doc, then attach it to the meeting in Calendar. Now you'll no longer need to go back and forth between Calendar and Docs. It will be possible to create the meeting notes right in Calendar when you are creating the event. If you add the meeting notes when creating the event, it will automatically be shared with all the event attendees. For already scheduled events, click the Take Meeting Notes button. For now this feature will only be available on the web version of Calendar, but it will probably become available for mobile soon. I am not yet seeing this feature, but it should become available in the next two weeks. Full details and instructions can be found here. 

Google Docs:  Add Image Watermarks in Google Docs



It is now possible to insert a watermark image into a Google Doc. Furthermore, when importing Microsoft Word files into Drive, any watermarks will be preserved. This feature is available now in the Insert > Watermark menu in Docs. Instructions for adding watermark to a Doc can be found here. 

Gmail:  Perform Refined Searches on the Web



Now when searching in Gmail, you will see more drop down options to help you apply additional filters. You'll have more options for searching, such as by multiple senders, or selecting senders from a list. Here are all the details. 

Google Slides:  Use the Slideshow Button in Slides

The Present button in Slides will be replaced with a Slideshow button. The Present/Slideshow button is what you use when you are running your slide presentation. You should already be seeing this change. 

How to Make a Google Doc View Only

How to Make a Google Doc View Only, from How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
When you want to share a Google Doc but you don't want anyone to make any changes to it, make it View Only!

14 Social Media-Inspired Google Slides Templates

14 Social Media-Inspired Google Slides Templates, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Grab students' attention by making their assignments look like their favorite social media app. This article also includes instructions for using the templates. 

Five Google Calendar Features You Should Know How to Use



How to Create Custom Coloring Maps

How to Create Custom Coloring Maps, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Create a free Mapbox Studio account and you'll be able to create a custom outline map of any city, town or neighborhood. 

Easy Way to Find Movie Clips to Include in Your Lessons




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Thursday, September 23, 2021

ASA Tech Tips and News for September 2021

I finally feel like I'm coming up for air after the annual start of the school year storm. I hope you are too! The school year now seems to be underway, routines have been established, and MAP testing is behind us. Even the weather seems to be leaving summer behind and heading into more fall-like temps. This post is lighter on tips and focuses more on catching everyone up on the latest Canvas and Google udpate news. There will be more tips and ideas for using tech in your classroom in upcoming posts.  Enjoy getting to know your students and igniting the fire of learning within them. 


How to Wipe (Securely Erase) Your Devices Before Disposing of or Selling Them

Replacing your phone or laptop? Don't let your personal information fall into the wrong hands! Learn how to safely remove your information from it before recycling or selling it. 

Infinite Campus Maintenance October 2

Be advised that Infinite Campus will be udergoing network maintenance on October 2nd from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm for network maintenance. If you are hard at work during this time you may experience intermittent outages or slowness.

Canvas Updates

These updates are scheduled to be available on October 16th.

Edit Submission Status Labels in SpeedGrader

You'll now be able to edit assignment submission labels (late, missing, excused) from within SpeedGrader. Watch this demonstration video for instructions. 

Search for Assignments in Gradebook

An assignment search field will be added to Gradebook to make it easier to locate assignments. Here is a video demonstration. 

Google Workspace Updates:


Google Calendar:  Share Where You're Working From

You can now inidicate where you're working from directly on your calendar. You can add this information weekly, and update it if things change. Your location choices include:  Office, Home, Unspecified and Somewhere Else. Anyone with Free/Busy access to your calendar can view your working locations. The feature is off by default. Learn how to turn it on and use it here. 

Google Drive:  Easily Make All File Types Available Offline in Google Drive



Now you can make ALL types of files available offline in Google Drive, not just Google files. This means you can access those files even when you don't have an internet connection. For chromebook users, you can now use the Files app to select Docs, Sheets and Slides files to be available offline. Here are the details. If you are completely unfamiliar with using files offline, use this help article for Macs, iOS and Windows laptops, and this article for Chromebook users.

Google Drive:  Preventing Users from Blocking Trusted Domain Users

Last month, Google began allowing users to block other users from sharing files with them in Google Drive. This is a security feature designed to allow you to block files being shared with you from unwanted or dangerous users outside our domain (DOGR, ASAGR, etc.). This setting has now been refined so some outside domains can be identified as trusted domains, and users will be unable to block sending users from those trusted domains. Not sure how this works? Here are a couple Google Help articles:  Block & Unblock People in Google Drive and Block or Unblock People's Accounts. 

Google Meet:  It's easier to prevent and troubleshoot an Echo



Now when other Meet participants can hear an echo from your device, you won't have to rely on them to inform you. The More menu (three dots/snowman) will have a red dot when your device is causing feedback. When you click on it, an audio and video troubleshooting card will appear, with troubleshooting tips. Full details are available here. 

Google Meet:  Improved Visibility on the Web

When joining a Meet, do you look like you're in a 60 Minutes interview where they are hiding your identity? It's time to step into the light! When you are participating in a Google Meet, on a laptop, in a low light situation, Meet will now prompt you to adjust the video light. Low light could be either insufficient light in the room, or bright light behind you, leaving you in shadow. On some devices Meet will automatically recommend you adjust the light. On others you will need to turn on this feature yourself. The Turn On Automatic Video Lighting Adjustment section of this help article will show you how to turn on the prompt. I'm not seeing this feature yet, but it should be available within the next two weeks. 

Google Sheets:  Intelligent Suggestions for Formulas and Functions



I'm happy to see this update as I've missed this feature from Excel. When entering a function, such as =sum, Sheets will automatically fill in the most obvious cell range to complete the function. Of course you can edit if Google guesses incorrectly.

New Way to Learn, Explore & Discover Chromebooks

If you are new to chromebooks, or you would like to help your students become more familiar with how a chromebook works, here's a game to play while you learn. This gamified version of Chromebook training is described in detail here. If you'd just like to get started playing and learning, you can find the game here. You'll definitely learn some new tricks, I know I did!

How to Make Chrome Run a Little Faster




How to Edit, Restart, or Continue a Numbered List in Google Docs

What to do when you need to go to a new line in a numbered list, but you don't want it to advance a number? Then how do you resume the numbers? It's actually pretty easy.

Screencastify Makes Video Quizzes Easier with Interactive Questions Feature

Another tool for assessing your students understanding of a video as they are watching it. 
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