ASA Tech Tips and News for April 15, 2022

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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
• Google Docs:  Comment with Emojis
• Google Meet:  Additional Improvements
• New Reading List Feature in Chrome
• How to Crop an Image Into a Shape in Google Slides
• Remove Intrusive Ads From Websites and YouTube Videos
• Interactive Digital Notebooks 3 Ways
• Kikori App - Social Emotional Learning Activities for All Ages
• Seven Activities for National Poetry Month
• PSA:  Remedy for the Supply Chain Issue Woes

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.

Full details about this update can be found here, in the Workspace Updates Blog. 

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

Kikori App - Social Emotional Learning Activities for All Ages

Kikori App - Social Emotional Learning Activities for All Ages, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

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.