Thursday, April 21, 2022

ASA Tech Tips and News for April 22, 2022

Wikimedia Commons
In this rollercoaster of a spring we've had, at the moment the sun is shining and it's 60 degrees. It feels like a heatwave since it's not snowing. Hopefully spring will arrive and stay sometime soon. If you are doing any spring cleaning, be sure to get rid of any old devices with lithium batteries, or make sure you are taking the time to maintain the batteries properly. To get rid of them, make sure you do a factory reset to wipe your personal info from them first. I've listed several local electronic recycling locations so you'll know where you can properly dispose of them. Electronic devices should never go to a landfill. 

PSA:  Your Old Gadgets Are a Fire Hazard, Here's What to Do

While you're doing your spring cleaning, be sure to properly dispose of those old mobile devices. Don't throw them in the trash...factory reset them and take them to a tech recycling place, such as the Kent County Recycling and Education Center, Comprenew or Valley City Electronic Recycling.

How to Make Sure a File is Safe Before Downloading It

Be sure to bookmark the VirusTotal website and add it to your bookmarks bar for quick access. The next time you are unsure about a link or file download - use it!

Stop Using Flashlight Apps

Stop Using Flashlight Apps, from How-To Geek by Joe Fedewa
These were handy before flashlights were built in to smart phones, but now they are a huge risk.

Google Workspace Updates


Google Calendar:  Set Up Host Controls and Assign Co-Hosts Ahead of Meetings

When in Google Calendar, you'll be able to set up breakout rooms, turn meeting safety features on/off, such as chat lock and present lock, as well as designating co-host before the meeting. You could even take care of these settings when you are creating the event in Calendar by selecting Add Google Meet video conferencing, selecting the gear icon, then selecting Host controls or co-hosts. This feature should be available in the next two weeks. Check out all the details here

Google Sheets:  Intelligent Corrections for Formulas

In addition to the formula suggestions that were launched last year, Sheets will now have in context formula corrections, that analyze the data in the sheet to suggest corrections, such as VLOOKUP errors, missing cells in a range, and help locking ranges when applying formulas. Whenever you enter a formula, a suggestion box will appear with ways to improve it. You can accept or reject the suggestion. This feature began rolling out last week, so you should see it soon. 

Check the Facts With These Google Features

Google is adding some features to their search results to make it easier to check facts. 
  • New or developing information:  During a search Google will include a notification if the information is new and search results are changing very quickly. It lets you know to search again later for more info.
  • Top Stories:  In addition, if a news story has been widely reported, it will be labeled as Top Stories, where you will be able to find other stories, including the original report about that topic. Google has also added a fact check tool that will return results from many different fact checkers. 
  • Learn More About Any Page Online:  In search results, clicking the three dots next to the link for any websites will give you more information about that source.
This is just a very brief overview of these new features. For full instructions on how to use them, take a look at this blog post from the Google Keyword

5 Useful Google Features for Teachers



Tips for Designing Classroom Activities in Google Slides

Tips include adding a background, semi transparent text boxes, duplicating, arranging/aligning, distributing items equally, and infinite sticky notes.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

ASA Tech Tips and News for April 15, 2022

Pixabay.com
I hope those of you who were able to take time off during Spring Break enjoyed a well-deserved break. As usual the lower campus was a busy place, while the upper campus was peaceful and quiet. For anyone who has ever seen my cluttered office, it will be instantly obvious how I spent much of my time. 😉 The cleaning and purging has left me feeling refreshed and renewed, and I hope you feel that way after Spring Break. As we experience the solemnity and joy of Holy Week I hope you have the opportunity to find inspiration by the ceremony and rich heritage of our faith and find a place of renewal as well. Upon returning next week there are only 8 weeks left to this school year that has been more challenging than any of us expected. As we all know, that time will fly by, so let's enjoy the time we have left this year with the renewal we find in the coming Spring and Easter miracle. 

Google Workspace Updates


Google Docs:  More Assistive Writing Suggestions

When this feature appears, you'll begin to see more suggestions for word choice, active voice, conciseness, inclusive language and word warnings. Instructions for disabling the feature can be found here. You can accept or reject the suggestion. This feature will be on by default, but you can disable it if it is not helpful for you. I can also disable it for students if you wish. You should begin to see this feature in the next two weeks. Get all the details here

Google Docs:  Comment with Emojis



You will be able to add comments to a Doc using emojis when this update appears. It is scheduled to roll out by the end of April, although you may see it sooner. Simply highlight some text, and instead of clicking the comment or edits button, click the emoji button. Click here for the full details.

Google Meet:  Additional Improvements

Google will be pushing out two new features in Meet within the next two weeks. 
  • Prompt to leave a meeting when you are the only one remaining: If you are the only one left in the Meet, you'll see a prompt to leave the meeting after 5 minutes. This is so your video and audio aren't accidentally left on. If you do not respond within 2 minutes, you'll automatically leave the meeting. 

                                        
  • Consolidate host and co-host controls:  Currently host controls, such as determining whether or not participants can share their screen, chat, turn on their microphones, etc., are scattered all over. This update will group all those controls into one place so you can find them easier.

New Reading List Feature in Chrome

This is another feature that will help you close some tabs, but still be able to retrieve the site quickly. I've really been enjoying this one. I use it for those sites I need to take a look at, but don't want to permanently bookmark.


How to Crop an Image Into a Shape in Google Slides


How to Crop an Image Into a Shape in Google Slides, from How-To Geek by Sandy Writtenhouse
This built-in feature will really enhance your slides by turning a square image into a different shape. 

Remove Intrusive Ads From Websites and YouTube Videos

Ron Houtman from KISD demonstrates two ways to remove intrusive ads. Don't you hate it when you're trying show your class a YouTube video and you have to wait for an ad to play? Incidentally, UBlock Origin has been pushed out to student accounts for several years. I also use it myself.


Interactive Digital Notebooks 3 Ways



There is both mobile app and online access to Kikori. You can create your own activities or use the SEL activities available on the site. 

Seven Activities for National Poetry Month

Seven Activities for National Poetry Month, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
April is National Poetry Month! Looking for something new to do with your students to celebrate? There are plenty of ideas here. 

PSA:  Remedy For Those Supply Chain Issue Woes

This is another gem I picked up at MACUL last month. If you've been having trouble buying items you just can't live without because they are never in stock, then nowinstock.net is your answer. This is a free service that monitors online retailer websites to see when items are in stock, or available for pre-order. Then it will alert you when the item is available by email, web browser alert or text message.