Thursday, December 8, 2022

Tech Tips and News for December 9, 2022


This will be the last post for this year, as I will be out of commission for the next three weeks. With the prevalence of online shopping scams and related phishing messages, I couldn't resist including a couple more articles on the topic - we just can't be too careful this time of year. It's not all doom and gloom. There are several other tips I hope you will find useful. With one more week of school before Christmas break, I hope you find time to rest and enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Since I won't be in touch before the holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Black Friday and Cyber Monday Cyber Scams are on the Rise

The holiday shopping season is still here, and so are the scams!

This Amazon Text Message Scam Can Steal Your Account - Don't Fall for This

There is no end to the holiday shopping scam alerts because the scams just keep coming. If your carrier offers the ability to mark texts as spam or dangerous messagees, do so. 

Browser Slow? How to Make Google Chrome Fast Again

There are several things to try here when Chrome is crawling.

Google Chrome Has New Search Bar Filters

Google Chrome Has New Search Bar Filters, from How-To Geek by Corbin Davenport
Learn a few shortcuts to help filter your Google searches.

Google Chrome Has a New Search Sidebar:  Here's How to Use It

Learn to use this handy new search feature.

This Week's 12 Days of Chrome-Mas Highlights

Last week I referenced Eric Curts' Control Alt Achieve Chrome tips series, which started Monday December 5th. Here are the highlights for this week.
I will be out of touch for the next three weeks, so you'll want to follow it yourself here. There will be a new post each day through December 22nd. There are also 8 wintertime activities for kids included at the bottom of the page. 

An Overview of Google Drive Folder Sharing Settings



30 Sites for Students With Free Time On Their Hands

30 Sites for Students With Free Time On Their Hands, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Here are some good suggestions for those students who finish their work early. Think about adding these links to your Canvas page, having students bookmark them, or asking me to add them to the student home page. If your students run into any blocks accessing these sites, please let me know. Please remember that if any of these sites require students to make an account to use the service, we need to check the privacy policy. 

Can I Use That Picture? Yes, But, Maybe

Richard Byrne, from Free Technology for Teachers has created a simple guide you can use to determine if a picture found in Google Images can be used in the classroom. You can view it here in website form. Remember when doing a Google image search, you can click on Tools, then Usage Rights to search for Creative Commons images and check the licensing. See the video below for instructions on checking the licensing.

How to Correctly Use Google Images to Find Pictures for Your Projects



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Thursday, December 1, 2022

Tech Tips and News for December 2, 2022


It's amazing that Advent has already arrived. Unfortunately with the holidays come all the associated scams, such as those shipping and online order phishing messages. Make sure you are watching out for any suspicious communications, check the sender mail addresses, watch for grammar errors or broken english and don't click on the links inside emails and texts. Instead verify the information directly on the organization's website. Scammers count on us to be busy and in a hurry. Some of them have created very realistic looking messages and fake websites. Stay vigilant and make sure you are only making "donations" to the charitable organizations of your choice, and not some scammer who tricked you. There is a lot of information below to watch and read for all the ways you can be on the lookout for holiday scammers. 



Stay Safe for the Holidays

Check out these KnowBe4 videos and newsletters to stay safe during the holiday season.

5 Scams to Watch Out for This Holiday Season

5 Scams to Watch Out for This Holiday Season, from The Keyword by Nelson Bradley
Google warns of the 5 most common email offers to watch out for - especially during the holidays. 

Use Your Smartphone to Save Time and Money

While working from home during a recent snow day, the Today Show had a segment outlining some smartphone tips:  :33 magnifying glass (turn on your accessibility settings - my mature eyes definitely needed this tip!), 1:34 sharing your home WiFi with guests with a QR code, 3:16 manage online subscriptions, 4:09 scan QR codes of products in store to find cheaper prices, 6:59 scan documents to sign online and send. Watch the video here. 

How Long Can You Keep Using an iPhone?

How Long Can You Keep Using an iPhone?, from How-To Geek by Tim Brookes
It's no longer ideal to upgrade to the latest phone every year, but how long can you really wait? 

How to Enable Google Chrome Memory Saver

How to Enable Google Chrome Memory Saver, from Chrome Story by Dinsan
Chrome is a notorious memory hog. To help reduce the amount it uses on your device, you'll be able to turn on the Memory Saver feature. This new feature comes with Chrome v.108, so if you aren't seeing it yet, either try to update Chrome manually, or wait a week or two. 

The 12 Days of Chrome-mas 2022

The 12 Days of Chrome-mas 2022, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Start getting Chrome tips and tricks - one per day beginning December 5th. In addition, there is a compilation of Winter activity posts from other Ed Tech professionals. You're bound to find several activities to use in your classroom. 

Chromebooks Can Do That?!

Chromebooks Can Do That?!, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Are you and your students using all the features available on their chromebooks? Did you know you can record a video or gif, edit a photo, scan a document, access your email, files and calendar offline, have text read aloud, dictate speech-to-text and more? This on-demand webinar will walk you through these features and more. 

Three YouTube Features Every Teacher Should Know How to Use


Free, Customizable Clip Art for Your Multimedia Projects

Free, Customizable Clip Art for Your Multimedia Projects, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
These collections are designed for use by students for classroom use. Have your students bookmark these sites for a safe place to search for images. Using these images outside of classroom use will require purchasing a license. 

Free, Customizable Clip Art for Your Multimedia Projects


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Friday, November 18, 2022

Tech Tips and News for November 18, 2022

The Michigan Secure App cycled through one of my admin forums this week. I installed it on my phone to see how it works, and it went to work right away. It immediately scanned my phone (by the way, it also works on chromebooks as an Android app), the WiFi network I was on and all my apps. I was relieved to see everything  on my phone passed with flying colors. Alerts will pop up whenever it detects a problem. Other than a warning that my Wi-Fi temporarily had no internet, so far so good! I also rolled across some new courses included in the Google Skillshop training site, so I decided to take the opportunity to highlight some of the courses that are designed specifically for educators. Of course anyone can take these courses, as well as those designed to teach us how to use all the Google apps included in Google Workspace for Education and chromebooks. 

Keep Your Mobile Device Secure with Michigan Secure App

This app is free to all Michigan citizens, and can be downloaded and installed from both the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store. The Michigan Secure App will scan your mobile device to make sure it hasn't been compromized, and will protect you from unsecure WiFi networks, phishing emails, and unsafe apps. It does not require any personal information and is absolutely free - without any in-app purchases or ads. The app also includes tutorials for the app itself, as well as what the terminology means. Tutorials are found in the more menu (3 horizontal lines/"hamburger"). 

Your Keyboard is Disgusting. Here's Why You Should Clean it With Slime

I wish I would have known about this tip sooner!

Free Federal Public Training Courses

The federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is offering free virtual training to the public. Some courses include Coding for the Public, Cyberessentials and Don't Wake Up to a Ransomware Attack. You can find the full list of free training courses at fedvte.usalearning.gov/public_fedvte.php.

Using Your Nose is the Greatest Cold Weather Smartphone Hack

The next time your gloves or messy hands get in the way of using your smartphone, you'll know what to do. 

Google Skillshop Online Courses Teachers May Find Helpful

Google Skillshop for education online courses are free and on demand at any time that works in your schedule. Feel free to skip around any course and use only the portions that apply to you. You can use this resource as casually or formally as fits your needs. Learn some skills to help you assist/teach students, create effective procedures in your classroom, or become a certified educator. While training is available on just about every Google-related topic you can imagine, and then some, there is an entire section devoted to the unique needs of education environments. Just use the Sign in with Google button to sign in. Keep in mind the LMS that Google showcases is, of course, Google Classroom, but many of the ideas and skills can be used in Canvas. Here are some courses you may find useful:
  • Fundamentals Training - If you're new to using Google Workspace tools or using tech in the classroom, including benefits of a digital classroom, how to use Google tools, digital citizenship, thinking beyond the textbook, ways to communicate, getting digitally organized, meetings, measuring student progress, search skills, interactive lessons, using video, and more. 
  • Chromebooks for Educators - You'll be able to better help your students use their chromebooks efficiently and find all the useful tools with this course.
  • Chromebook for Gamified Training - This is a faster paced, game version of chromebook training. Your students may enjoy this approach as well.
  • Chromebook Training - Teachers who use a chromebook may benefit from this  more comprehensive course, explaining everything you ever wanted to know (and more) about your chromebook. 
  • Digital Citizenship and Safety Course - Including Student internet safety and privacy, online safetly on the go, savvy searching, staying safe from phishing and scams, and managing your online reputation. 
  • Advanced Training - Moves beyond the fundamentals, and includes creating/curating online resources, alternate learning models, ways to personalize learning, ways to optimize your workflow, streamlined connections with guardians, ways to analyze/interpret student data, organizing your class materials more effectively, designing interactive curricula, teaching beyond the classroom walls, Google research, giving students a voice and more. 
  • Tools for Diverse Learners Training - While you will know best how to address your students’ learning needs, Chromebooks include features that may be helpful to students who are low vision or blind, have limited motor functionality, are hard of hearing, or may need extra assistance.
  • Support for English Language Learners - This includes making content accessible for all students, engaging ELL  families and much more. 
  • Google Tools for In-Person Learning - Including increasing student focus, starting class efficiently, facilitating collaboration, offline learning, engaging guardians, using multimedia for learning and more.

10 Chromebook Touchpad Tips

10 Chromebook Touchpad Tips, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts. 
Learn all the touchpad gestures here, with one, two, three and even four fingers. I'll put the posters up on or near the chromebook carts in your classrooms for students who either prefer not to use a mouse, or don't have one. Feel free to move the posters wherever it's most convenient in your classroom. 

8 Google Meet Features You Should Be Using

8 Google Meet Features You Should Be Using, from How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
So many features have been added in the last year or two. This article describes them all in one place. The include live captions, translated captions, meeting recordings, whiteboarding, screen sharing, breakout rooms, polls, and Q&A sessions. 

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
This post includes a Google Slides template for the turkey. 

5 Easy Gamified Activities You Can Assign Tomorrow

5 Easy Gamified Activities You Can Assign Tomorrow, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Five examples of these easy to customize games from Genially are included in this article. These examples come complete with games to try playing, descriptions, tutorial and ideas for using them in the classroom. These are really easy to set up. Genially is both free and safe to use with your students. 
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Friday, November 11, 2022

Tech Tips and News for November 11, 2022

publicdomainpictures.net

Remember to thank a vet for their selfless service to our nation today. Of course, we should be grateful for their service and sacrifice every day, but today is the day we honor all veterans. Have you ever wondered why? Here is the background of Veterans Day courtesy of the History Channel. This week's post includes several Google Workspace updates, as well as some video ideas for Veterans Day. There is something for every age group in that article. 

5 Best Ways to Stay Secure Online with Chrome

5 Best Ways to Stay Secure Online with Chrome, from the Keyword by Mollie Bates
Learn what features you can use to help with passwords and online safety. 

How to Test a Suspicious Link Before Clicking It

How to Test a Suspicious Link Before Clicking It, from How-To Geek by Fergus O'Sullivan
Most of us know how to hover over a link on a computer, but how do you check a link on a mobile device? What if it's a shortened URL?

Google Chrome Just Got a Big Upgrade That Will Save You Time

Side panel for searching, track price feature, and pinning a tab are all new features in Chrome. 

Google Workspace Updates:


Google Drive:  Improved Flow for Expiring Files


Now when you want a file to be no longer accessible after a certain amount of time, you can set the expiration in Drive. You are also now able to set expirations for editors, as well as viewers and commentors. This feature is available now. Curious how to set an expiration date when sharing a file? Here's the help article. 

Gmail:  New User Interface Becoming the Standard Experience


Within the next two weeks, if you haven't already switched to the new Gmail look, it will automatically change. The new look places Mail, Chat, Spaces and Meet links in the left column, and Calendar, Keep, Tasks and Contacts in the right column. The right column is collapsible if you don't wish to use it. You can also customize which apps appear in the left column. Learn about the new integrated Gmail layout here. 

Google Sheets:  Manage Projects & Tasks With a New Timeline View

In the next two weeks you should be seeing the ability to insert a timeline in Google Sheets. This will help track projects and tasks with other team members. Learn how to use it here. All the details about this update are available on the Workspace Updates Blog. 

Gmail Makes Tracking Your Packages Easier Just in Time for the Holidays

This new feature should be available in the upcoming weeks. Google will prompt you to track your packages when it detects a tracking number in an email. 

20 Ideas For Exit Tickets in the Classroom

20 Ideas For Exit Tickets in the Classroom, From Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
This post includes both digital and analog exit tickets. There are ready-made templates in Google Slides. 

15 Inspiring and Informative Veterans Day Videos for Kids

There are videos here for all grade levels. 

What the Heck is a Minimalist Phone?

What the Heck is a Minimalist Phone?, from How-To Geek by Joe Fedewa
Do you wish you could just lose all the distractions from your smart phone, or want to give you child a phone without social media and unrestricted access to the internet? Maybe you have an older relative how is confused by modern smart phones? You may want to consider a minimalist phone.

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Thursday, October 27, 2022

Tech Tips and News for October 28, 2022

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It's the last week of Cybersecurity awareness month. This week's focus is Cyber Secure at Home. You wouldn't just leave the front door of your home wide open, day or night, for anyone to wander in, would you? Well, you'll want to make sure your online devices and home network are at least as secure as your physical security, if not stronger. If you work from home, it's even more important to make sure your information is secure, because you are not only putting your own information at risk, but you're also bringing along your co-workers and students. 

KnowBe4 Interactive Training:  Internet Security When You Work From Home


This training will show you 10 tips for keeping your home and devices are secure, even when working. It also looks at the best practices for working from hom sucessfully. Security risks are much greater when you are away from work. Tips range from tasks as simple as closing the lid to your laptop when you step away, to using a VPN or configuring your router. 

2-Factor Authentication Attack

This video is less than 5 minutes and shows how it's possible for hackers to work around 2-factor authentication, and what you should watch out for. 

Keeping Your Passwords Squeaky Clean

These security hints and tips from KnowB4 will  help you learn why it is so important to create strong passwords, why you shouldn't reuse them on all of your accounts, and how to kep them all straight. 

Don't Become a Victim

This is a recap of everything we've learned this month. Access the quick review capsules here. It's just a 2 sheet PDF of quick takeaways. Feel free to post it, and any of the resources shard this month. 

Search Recently Closed Tabs in Chrome

Search Recently Closed Tabs in Chrome, from Chrome Story by Dinsan
Now, in addition to using the keyboard command ctrl shift T to reopen your last recently closed tab, you can now search through your most recently closed tabs. 

Five Google Workspace Tips That Can Make Your Day Better!

Tips include creating email templates, using an email schedule, stremlining meeting scheduling, creating unforgettable reminders and quickly creating helpful things with Google Sheets templates. 

Carve a Digital Pumpkin Using Google Slides

Carve a Digital Pumpkin Using Google Slides, from Chromebook Classroom by John Sowash
Have your kids carve a pumpkin in Google Slides - with a provided template. There are suggestions for modifying the activity for younger vs. older kids. 

Skittles and Google Sheets Math Activities

Skittles and Google Sheets Math Activities, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
This will cover math skills, such as estimating, counting, comparing, adding, dividing and graphing, as well as learning Google Sheets skills. There is a short video tutorial, as well as written instructions. 

Google Sheets in 20 Minutes

Google Sheets in 20 Minutes, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
When you are teaching your students how to use Google Sheets, it will be helpful to at least have a basic understanding of how to use it yourself. This will also make it easier to navigate the field trip response sheets and conference scheduling sheets. 
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Friday, October 14, 2022

Tech Tips and News for October 14, 2022

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It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month week 2! Right on cue is a warning for both the Android Play Store and Apple App Store of over 400 malicious apps, while the apps have been removed from both app stores, take a look at the list to make sure you haven't installed any of them on your device. If so, immediately remove them, and change your Facebook password. If any of your other online accounts share that password, change those too.

Did you find time to look at last week's lessons? How did you do? What did you think of them? Are they helpful? Did they waste your time? This week's theme is Watch Out for That Phish. Phishing emails are still the most common way networks and organizations are breached. This week's training will take you 2-3 minutes to complete and is worth the reminder to ALWAYS be on the lookout for suspicious email, no matter how realistic they look. When you are at your busiest and in a hurry is when it is most important to be on guard. Distractions are the most common reason that people fall for phishing emails. Check out the image at left for some quick reminders. Clicking on the link below it will display the full page version from the KnowB4 website. 

KnowBe4 Interactive Training Module:  Phishing-Don't Get Reeled In

This quick training module is designed for use on a mobile device, such as your tablet, iPad or smartphone, but can also be used on a laptop. You'll learn tips for staying safe both at work and at home. There's a quiz at the end to test what you'v learned. If you feel like you need a refresher on identifying legit URLs from bogus ones, here's a study guide for that. How did you do? 

Credential Harvesting Attack - Would You Fall For It?

This roughly four-minute video shows a social engineering attack using pretexting. Pretexting is a form of social engineering where the attacker lies to obtain restricted information or access. The attacker uses social engineering to trick an unsuspecting user to enter their email login credentials into a fake website. Would you fall for it? 

These 400 malicious Android and iOS apps can hack your Facebook — delete them now

Be sure to review the list in this article. If you've installed any of them on your Android or iPhone mobile device, delete them, then change your Facebook password right away. 

Lessons From a Professional Password Cracker

Lessons From a Professional Password Cracker, from The Markup by Julia Angwin
Sage advice from someone whose password was hacked. She has found some good processes for creating very strong passwords. 

How Does the Reading List Tool Work in Chrome?

Do you keep lots of tabs open in Chrome because you intend to read something later? Or do you bookmark them and can't find them later? The reading list in Chrome is designed to help you with that. Having lots of tabs open can slow down your computer. Bookmarks are designed for sites you need to quickly find long term, not for reading an article. Ron Houtman, Educational Technology Consultant at KISD, has created this quick demo video to help you use the Reading List to find and read those articles you run across, but don't have time to finish. 

4 Googley Halloween Activities

4 Googley Hallowen Activities, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
These activities come complete with teamplates you can use. 

Why Our Voices Sound Different to Us Than to Others

Why Our Voices Sound Diffrent to Us Than to Others, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
The first time any of us record ourselves, whether it's a video presentation or just recording a voice over for a slide show, we are often surprised by how we sound. This may be your stumbling block when creating tutorials for your students, and it might be your students' reactions as well. Find out why.

How to Create Green Screen Videos in Canva

The best part? You don't even need a green screen! 😲 Think about how fun that is for a student's book report. Remember, Canva is free for educators. Your students will not be able to use Canva themselves, at this point. Keep in mind, though, if you do want to use Canva with your students, we can set up a district account to make it safe for them to do so. 
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Thursday, October 6, 2022

Tech Tips and News for October 21, 2022

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Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month week 3! How did you do with the first two lessons? Were the videos helpful? Remember, these materials are free and available only until October 31, 2022, so check them out while you can. I'll be interested in hearing if they were helpful for you or not. 

Now that we've learned about cybersecurity at work and phishing, this week we move on to More Than Just Phishing. Emails are just one tool in a cybercriminal's toolbox, so it's important to be able to recognize other types of social engineering attacks, such as tech support scams, texting scams, and how to keep info secure on a mobile device. In addition, it's helpful to know what personal information hackers are interested in, and how you can keep it private. 


KnowBe4 Interactive Training Module:  2022 Social Engineering Red Flags

Social Engineering is the leading cause of security breaches to an organization's network. How well do you recognize social engineering attempts? In this Knowb4 training module, which is free to access until October 31, 2022, see if you can recognize social engineering red flags. The module takes about 15 minutes to complete, and will explain all the warning signs to watch out for. Feel like you need a refresher before taking the lesson? This study guide will help you out. How well did you do? 

Tech Support Pretexting - Would You Fall For It? 

This roughly five-minute video shows a social engineering attack using pretexting. Pretexting is a form of social engineering where the attacker lies to obtain restricted information. Watch it here. 

Protect Your Personal Information - Hints and Tips

Check out these hints and tips about protecting your personal information from KnowBe4. Identity theft is common. You probably know someone has been a victim and don't realize it. 

20 Ways to Block Mobile Attacks

There are so many ways your phone can become vulnerable to attack. While most people are aware of voice call scams, text message scams have become even more popular than emails lately. Some WiFi and apps are gateways to a hacker's paradise. Learn all the ways to protect your information on a mobile device here. 

Google Workspace Updates


Google Sheets:  Easily Add Link to Events and Docs


Google has expanded the use of Smart Chips in Sheets to make it easier to add a link to Calendar events and Docs and Sheets files. Smart Chips are the little cards or menus that appear when a users enters @ into a cell in Sheets, or type it in a Doc. With these updates, when you enter @ in a field, you be able to choose not only a contact, but also a calendar event or a Doc or Sheets file. It will automatically add a link to that event or file, and anyone who clicks on the link will be able to see any other related info about that event or open the file. Both updates should become available around October 25th. See full details and instructions for adding events here. Information about adding a Doc or Sheets file are available here. 

Google Meet:  Transcribe Speech Into a Google Doc

This new feature will only work on a desktop or laptop computer - not on a mobile device. This update is similar to Meet recordings, but will now be available as a written record of the Meet. For meetings with fewer than 200 attendees, the meeting host, co-hosts or transcript initiator will receive the transcription document via email after the meeting ends. For recurring meetings, the transcript will be automatically attached to the associated calendar invite for the meeting. For meetings with more than 200 attendees, the transcription will only be shared with the meeting organizers, host, co-hosts, and individuals who initiated the transcription. Before joining the meeting, attendees will see a notification informing them when transcripts are active. If the host or co-hosts have turned host management on, only hosts and co-hosts can turn on transcriptions. If host management is off, anyone in-domain participants can use transcripts. This new feature should be available by mid-November. Here are the full details. 

A Classic - How to Use Classtools.net to Create a Fake Text Message Exchange

A Classic - How to Use Classtools.net to Create a Fake Text Message Exchange, From Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This privacy-friendly site does not require creating an account. You can either reuse games that have already been created, or make your own. Then you simply share the link with students. There are so many tools on this site, in addition to creating a fake text message exchange, and they all seem to be easy to use. 

How to Set Up and Run a Classroom Escape Room

Keep in mind, there a couple of lock box kits at the upper campus for teachers to use. 

Calm Your Classroom with Classroom Zen

Have you heard of Classroom Zen? It's a simple website for teachers and parents with tools to provide calming countdown timers, daily breathing and mindfulness techniques, as well as brain breaks. You can set the sensitivity level so the timer stops if the noise level gets too high. How long can your students keep the timer going?

These 5 Big Ideas are All You Need to Teach Internet Safety to Your Students

This is a good resource to use to enhance the digital citizenship program you are already using. ASA students already have access to Be Internet Awesome, with links in their bookmarks folder and on the web landing page they see when they open their chromebooks. Tech instructors have used this at ASA for several years. 
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Tech Tips and News for October 7, 2022

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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! This is a great time to brush up on your online security skills and check privacy settings in all of your online accounts. Each post during October will contain a different cybersecurity topic. The training materials, videos, games, and graphics are courtesty of Knowbe4.com, which is a leader in cybersecurity training. During the month of October, they have made select training resources available for FREE October 1-October 31st, so take advantage of them while they are available. They are small bite-sized lessons that will really clarify how you can stay safe online and be able to recognize threats in your email, social media, websites, etc.  

This week's theme is Cyber Secure at Work. Social Engineering is the leading cause of security breaches to an organization's network and online resources, and it's so easy to fall victim. Make sure you aren't the weak link by boosting your Social Engineering knowledge with the short training game and 2 minute video below. I promise it will be time well spent.


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KnowBe4 Interactive Training Game: Classic Danger Zone

Do you prefer games to a training session? This KnowBe4 mini-game will test your security awareness by stopping the hacker from getting to a workstation before you do. It's set up like a board game. For every question you answer correctly, your avatar moves forward. Answer a question wrong and the hacker moves forward. Play it while it's available in October to see how familiar you are with cybersecurity. Want to review the info first? Here's a quick Social Engineering Study Guide to help you review the info you may need to know. 

Understanding URLs - How do you know if it's Legitimate or Harmful?

One of the cardinal rules in online security requires us to be careful about which online links we click on. But how can we actually tell if a link is safe or not? This two minute video will explain how to understand the URLs associated with a link. Details matter!

Is Putting Tape Over Your Webcam Actually a Good Idea?

Is it necessary? Is it a good idea? Read on and decide for yourself.

Trade In Your Old Devices for Amazon Gift Cards

Make sure you factory reset them first! Amazon will take Kindles, tablets, streaming media players (like Roku), Echo, bluetooth spakers and headphones, home security devics, wireless routers, cell phones and gaming equipment.

Infinite Campus Update - Grading Across Multiple Standards is Back!



The ability to grade across multiple standards (horizontal fill) disappeared from Gradebook over the summer. It has now been restored, and you can once again fill grades horizontally within an assignment in your gradebook. 

A Helpful Sheet of Google Search Modifiers

A Helpful Sheet of Google Search Modifiers, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Students often struggle with refining their searches to find the content they are looking for. This sheet shows a list of ways they can do just that. 

4 Free eSignature Options for Google Docs

4 Free eSignature Options for Google Docs, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Here are four options if you need to add your signature to a Google Doc. 

5 Steps to Gamify Your Canvas Classroom

5 Steps to Gamify Your Canvas Classroom, from Ditch That Textbook by Sarah Stef
Do your students like escape rooms? This post will show you how to create a virtual escape room in Canvas. 

Comedy Relief:  Teaching Passwords is the Same Every Year...

...and this is why we use Clever badges for grades Pre-3. That being said, when teachers first got computers, many years ago, and I was teaching them about passwords, security, and setting up their computer, I finished my password spiel and one teacher leaned over to another and asked "What are you using for your password?" 


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Friday, September 30, 2022

Tech Tips and News for September 30, 2022

Watching the devastation in Florida due to Hurricane Ian makes me think about what we would do in those circumstances. At least with a hurricane, there is enough warning to make a plan. With the storms or tornadoes that sometimes occur in Michigan, there isn't usually much advance notice. We rely on technology so much in our everyday lives now, we don't even think about it. Have you ever thought about what would happen if tech was suddenly unavailable - either due to a catasrophic event or a major outage? How many phone numbers do you have memorized? How would you pay for something you needed? What if you couldn't access your electronic files? Do you have a backup plan to continue teaching if the internet is out? No one likes to think about these situations, but they do occasionally happen. These emergencies become far less stressful if we have a plan in place ahead of time.

Preparing for Sudden Tech Failures

Preparing for Sudden Tech Failures, from Screenagers by Delaney Ruston, MD
While this article focuses on your personal tech data and family plans, it could also apply to your professional life as well, and the methods are sound. Do you have your necessary info backed up? Do you have any critical contact information memorized? Do you have a plan to continue teaching without internet? Do you know how to connect to the internet if the WiFi fails? Fortunately we don't have tech outages often at school, but they do occasionally happen, and it's wise to have a back up plan.

Why Rebooting Your Router Fixes So Many Problems (and Why You Have to Wait 10 Seconds)

This includes your WiFi router and cable box - just in case you ever wondered why support will always tell you to turn it off, then back on. 

Five Google Search Products Students Overlook

Five Google Search Products Students Overlook, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Great ways to refine searches, along with video demonstration. Some options are geared toward older students, but there are several good suggestions for all students. 

Google Sheets in 20 Minutes

Google Sheets in 20 Minutes, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Have you ever wished you had a better understanding of how to use Google Sheets? Especially when checking the field trip or conference scheduling sheets? This 20 minute session will hlp you with sorting, filtering, formulas, charts and graphs, sparklines, conditional formatting and pivot tables. 

New Classroom Resources:  Power Up Teaching and Learning

The REMC Association is excited to introduce a new educator resource: Power Up Teaching and Learning. Power Up Teaching and Learning is created to help professionals “power up” their common teaching practices using educational technology and includes guiding questions, learning activities, ideas and resources. Both new and veteran teachers can benefit from these resources. Learn more here. 

20+ Sources of FREE Digital Content for Your Class

20+ Sources of FREE Digital Content for Your Class, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
So many good, quality resources to use with students on their chromebooks, and we certainly love FREE, don't we?

A Great Place to Find Free Images for School Projects

A Great Place to Find Free Images for School Projects, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Not only are the images appropriate, but this site also automatically adds the attribution information in the footer of the image. The image at the top of this post is from Photos for Class. 

Comedy Relief:  Newest Erducational Technology



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Thursday, September 22, 2022

Tech Tips and News for September 23, 2022

This week includes a mix of new as well as some review, highlighting some new tricks for old tools. For example, we've all been using email for so long, that we have some ingrained bad habits (myself included). In addition, we might not be aware of some of Gmail's recent enhancements, or how we can use them to our advantage. While we're on the subject of new tricks, did you know there's a better way to select text instead of the tried and true click and drag method we've always used? I've also included some video source alternatives to YouTube that may work better with students. Of course, no one has the vast number of videos that YouTube has, but at least we know the videos on these sites are all appropriate for students. They are video sharing sites, so you can always upload or suggest your own videos as well

6 LinkedIn Scams to Watch Out For

6 LinkedIn Scams to Watch Out For, from How-To Geek by Tim Brookes
Another week, another scam warning. For those of you who use LinkedIn for professional networking, you'll want to be aware of these common scams. 

You're Selecting Text With Your Mouse Wrong

You're Selecting Text With Your Mouse Wrong, from How-To Geek by Joe Fedewa
I'm always leaving out a letter when I click and drag, so this method is very helpful! I love learning new tricks. There are even simple keyboard commands so you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard when selecting text. 

I Asked Gmail Experts to Rewrite My Emails

I Asked Gmail Experts to Rewrite My Emails, from The Keyword by Molly McGugh-Johnson
We've all been emailing for a long time, so it's now one of those things we don't think too much about. Turns out there's always room for improvement and clarity. 

Introducing Google Screencast for ChromeOS

Introducing Google Screencast for ChromeOS, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Screencasting was added as a Chrome feature at the end of last school year. To refresh your memory, here's a useful tutorial by Eric Curts. This means students, and anyone else using a chromebook, no longer need to add a third-party extension, such as Screencastify, to make a screencast or video. 

30+ Ready-To-Use Interactive Lessons

30+ Ready-To-Use Interactive Lessons, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
These lessons are plug and play from Google's Applied Digital Skills, PBS Learning Media, and Google CS First. 

Teaching and Learning Jamboard

Teaching and Learning Jamboard, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
This is a 47 minute deep dive training video for using Jamboard. Jamboard is Google's virtual whiteboard. It gives you and your students a common online whiteboard to use, along with the ability to draw, add sticky notes, shapes, images, textboxes and backgrounds. 

Video Alternatives to YouTube

As we know, YouTube is not included with Google Workspace for Education because it is not designed for users under the age of 13. It doesn't protect them from harmful content, or protect their privacy online. After trying Google's workaround of approving individual videos and channels, we've learned sometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn't. I can appreciate how frustrating it can be when several students can access the video and move along at their own pace, and others cannot. I realize there isn't a platform that is as plentiful as YouTube (which is actually part of its problem), but here are a few alternatives:
  • SchoolTube.com A free vido sharing platform for K12 Districts, teachers, students and their communities.
  • MIStreamnet A free REMC-provided video sharing platform
  • TeachFlix A new repository of teacher suggested, classroom ready videos from Ditch That Textbook

REMC Offering New Professional Learning Opportuity

Do you want to meet the needs of EVERY student in your classroom while making it manageable for you? The REMC Association is partnering with the Modern Classrooms Project to bring you the Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan (SLAM) project. Read more about the offering and register here.

Comedy Relief:  Hilarious Teacher Technology in the Classroom

Check out this funny teacher created video on SchoolTube. Hopefully you don't feel this way about ASA tech. 😏 SchoolTube has lots of video resources for educators that your students should be able to access as well. 

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Thursday, September 15, 2022

Tech Tips and News for September 16, 2022

Courtesy of publicdomainpictures.net

Often when I'm looking for various articles and blog posts to share, a common theme begins to develop. Not this week! They say variety is the spice of life, right? Well, this week's offerings are a bit of a smorgasboard of tech tips. There are chromebook tips for you and your students, browser help, Canvas LMS tips, as well as helpful nuggets for various apps and platforms. Hopefully there's something that can inspire or help you. 


10 Chromebook Features You Should Be Using

10 Chromebook Features You Should Be Using, from How-To Geek by Joe Fedewa
Here are some tricks to share with your students on their Chromebooks. Are they frustrated by the lack of a backspace key? There's a solution for that! Do they need to see two different tabs at once? There's a solution for that too! For teachers who use a chromebook, there are even more features for you. 

Two Tips to Make Chrome Run a Little Faster

Two Tips to Make Chrome Run a Little Faster, from Free Technology for Teachers, by Richard Byrne
Does Chrome seem to be running slowly for you? Here are two settings to take a look at. 

20+ Tips for Using Canvas LMS

20+ Tips for Using Canvas LMS, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
These tips were amassed from teachers who know and use Canvas.

What Does the 'Shortcuts Simplify My Drive' Message Mean?


Are you seeing a message at the top of Google Drive about shortcuts simplifying Drive? Here's what it means, and why it's happening. Users used to be able to save the same file in more than one folder in Drive. Many of those duplicate files still exist in our Google Drives. Then last year Google imposed storage limits on all Google Workspace users. In order to reduce the amount of space your files are taking up, Google will be automatically replacing those duplicate files with shortcuts that link to the original file. You'll still have access to those files in those additional folders, but they won't take up as much space as a duplicate file. An important note:  After those files are replaced, permissions to the original file won't automatically update, so you'll need to add anyone who had permissions to view, comment or edit the duplicate files. Here are all the details and FAQs about this change.
Only a couple of these are repeats from last week, so that's 8 new YouTube skills.

A New Kind of Flashcard - Flexcards!

A New Kind of Flashcard - Flexcards!, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Think flashcards with multiple sides. So many ideas for these!


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