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
• How to Make Sure a File is Safe Before Downloading It
• Stop Using Flashlight Apps
• Google Workspace Updates:
• Google Calendar:  Set Up Host Controls and Assign Co-Hosts Ahead of Meetings
• Google Sheets:  Intelligent Corrections for Formulas
• Check the Facts With These Google Features
• 5 Useful Google Features for Teachers
• Tips for Designing Classroom Activities in Google Slides

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

PSA:  Your Old Gadgets Are a Fire Hazard, Here's What to Do, from How-To Geek by Jason Fitzpatrick

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

How to Make Sure a File is Safe Before Downloading It, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman

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.