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
• You're Selecting Text With Your Mouse Wrong
• I Asked Gmail Experts to Rewrite My Emails
• Introducing Google Screencast for ChromeOS
• 30+ Ready-To-Use Interactive Lessons
• REMC Offering New Professional Learning Opportuity
• Video Alternatives to YouTube
• Teaching and Learning Jamboard
• Comedy Relief:  Hilarious Teacher Technology in the Classroom

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.