Tech Tips and News for December 22, 2023

Between the new phone system, getting the new app off and running, the new security camera system at the UC, and a little round of pneumonia, it looks like I missed the entire month of November and much of December. My apologies for the delinquency. To catch us up, I've included the information from week 4 of Cybersecurity month. I'm trying to catch everyone up on two months of Google Workspace updates as well. I wish you all a well-deserved and relaxing Christmas break. May your Christmas be heartwarming, and the new year bring you many blessings. As for me, I'm praying for better health in the new year!

• Cybersecurity Week 4:  Phishing
• Phishing (video)
• Google Workspace Updates
• Calendar/Tasks:  View Full Screen Tasks in Calendar
• Google Docs:  Easy Access to People, Documents, and Building Blocks 
• Google Drive:  Filter by People or Groups
• Google Drive:  New Homepage View
• Google Meet:  Raise Your Hand With Gesture Detection
• Google Slides:  Add Gifs and Stickers
• Google Slides:  Create Shareable Video Presentations
• All:  Record and Share your Name Pronunciation
• New Stickers and GIFs in Google Slides - Yay! (video)
• How to Add Google Drawings Comic Strips to Your Class
• Turn Text Into Video in Canva (video)

Cybersecurity Week 4:  Phishing

Cybersecurity Week 4:  Phishing, from National Cybersecurity Alliance

Cybercriminals like to go phishing, but you don’t have to take the bait. 

Phishing

Google Workspace Updates

Calendar/Tasks:  View Full Screen Tasks in Calendar

Google Tasks provides the ability to keep a "to do" list. You can view your list in both the Gmail and Calendar windows. Soon you'll be able to toggle between your calendar and a full screen task list in the web version of Calendar. A new set of buttons will appear between the view indicator (Monthly, weekly, etc.) and the app switcher. Simply click on the task or calendar button to switch to the view you wish to see. You should already be seeing this update. Learn how to use Google Tasks here. 

Google Docs:  Easy Access to People, Documents, and Building Blocks 

Now it will be even easier to access items available on the @ menu in a Google Doc. When you press enter to navigate to a new blank line, the @ symbol will appear. Clicking on it will allow you to access the menu to insert Smart Canvas features, such as links to people, documents, and building blocks, such as timers, dropdown menus, and more. Click here to learn more about using Smart Chips and building blocks in your Docs. 

Google Drive:  Filter by People or Groups

Now when searching for files or folders in Drive, you'll also be able to search by who the file/folder is shared with. You can search for either people or groups. To use this feature, when searching for your file, tap the People button to search by people/groups. This option is available now.

Google Drive:  New Homepage View

You may have noticed a new Home selection at the top of the left column in Drive. This home page will consolidate and display the files/folders you use most often, or have used recently, as well documents that are attached to Calendar events. Hopefully this makes it easier to find the files and folders you need. 

Google Meet:  Raise Your Hand With Gesture Detection

Now, raising your hand will not have to be done by clicking the raise hand icon. Instead with this update, as long as your camera is enabled, you be able to just hold up your hand. Just make sure your hand is visible to the camera. You should see this update by the beginning of December. You will need to turn this feature on to use it. Learn how to use this feature here. 

Google Slides:  Add Gifs and Stickers

You are now able to add GIFs and stickers to your Google Slides, just like you to any other image. Not sure how to insert images? Learn how here, or view the video in the article below. You should already be seeing this update. 

Google Slides:  Create Shareable Video Presentations

Record yourself presenting a slide show, then share that recording for others to watch when they need to. The beauty is that this will all be done within Google Slides. You'll see a Rec button in the right end of the Slides toolbar. You should see this feature in early January. Visit the Help Center to learn more about recording a slideshow, finding your recording, sharing your recording, removing a recording and more. Please note that recording-creation is only accessible using Google Chrome on your Desktop. Recordings cannot be created on mobile devices and are not accessible from the Slides mobile app. However, you can find and view your recording using the Drive mobile app.

All:  Record and Share your Name Pronunciation

Well, I will certainly find this update very useful. If you have a name that isn't obvious to pronounce, like mine, you'll now be able to record your name and share the pronunciation with other users. You'll make the recording in your Google account settings. A link to the pronunciation will appear on your person card, next to your name. We should see this update by the end of the month.

New Stickers and GIFs in Google Slides - Yay!

How to Add Google Drawings Comic Strips to Your Class

How to Add Google Drawings Comic Strips to Your Class, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

Kids love comics and Google Drawings is a built-in tool that is easy to use. What's not to love? 

Turn Text Into Video in Canva

Tech Tips and News for October 27, 2023

Wikimedia Commons

One of the easiest things you can do to keep your tech devices safe and secure is to run updates whenever the device indicates an update is available. Updates are not only for additional features, but also to patch security holes that have been discovered. I know those update notices tend to pop up at the most inconvenient times, but it's best to make time for them within a day of the notification. Run them while you're at lunch, or before you leave at the end of the day. Make sure you're looking for the Update button at the upper right corner of the Chrome screen, too! After Chrome restarts, it will open all your tabs for you...just be patient, it will take a minute or two, but they will open back up. 

• Cybersecurity Awareness Week 3:  Software Updates
• The Importance of Software Updates (video)
• Cybersecurity 101:  Everything on How to Protect Your Privacy and Stay Safe Online
• How to Delete Your Old Online Accounts (and Why You Should)
• Does Your Computer Have a Virus? Here's How to Check
• Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners
• Personalize Learning with Explore Boards
• FigJam for Schools Recorded Webinars
• How to Find and Edit Halloween Games in Kahoot (video)
• 4 Googley Halloween Activities

Cybersecurity Awareness Week 3:  Software Updates

Cybersecurity Awareness Week 3:  Software Updates, from National Cybersecurity Alliance

One of the easiest ways to boost your cybersecurity is to always keep software and apps updated.

The Importance of Software Updates

Cybersecurity 101:  Everything on How to Protect Your Privacy and Stay Safe Online

Cybersecurity 101:  Everything on How to Protect Your Privacy and Stay Safe Online, from ZDNET bby Charlie Osborne

If you think you're information is too boring for anyone to be interested in, guess again!

How to Delete Your Old Online Accounts (and Why You Should)

How to Delete Your Old Online Accounts (and Why You Should), from How-To Geek from Chris Hoffman

Do you have any idea how many online accounts you have hanging around that you no longer use? Me either! But it's a smart idea to find out and remove those old accounts. 

Does Your Computer Have a Virus? Here's How to Check

Does Your Computer Have a Virus? Here's How to Check, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman

If you suspect your computer is infected, here's how to confirm

Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners

Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners, Shake Up Learning Podcast by Kasey Bell

No time to read yet another article? Listen to this podcast while you're working, driving, cooking, etc. 

Personalize Learning with Explore Boards

Personalize Learning with Explore Boards, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

See what explore boards are, some examples of how to use them, and even gt access to a template. 

FigJam for Schools Recorded Webinars

FigJam for Schools Recorded Webinars, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts

You may recall that Google will be ending Jamboard next year. FigJam is one of the the replacement options Google recommends. 

How to Find and Edit Halloween Games in Kahoot

4 Googley Halloween Activities

4 Googley Halloween Activities, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts

You have four options here using Slides, Docs, Drawings or Sheets. 

Tech Tips and News for October 19, 2023

Young State Park, Boyne City, MI

Mea culpa! This post was scheduled for last week, so we'll be a week behind schedule for the rest of cybersecurity month. However I'm sending this a day early, as I will off on a long weekend of rock hounding and color touring, leaf peeping, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. While I'm up north, I'll be using good cybersecurity practices, such as using a VPN on my devices while they're connected to the hotel WiFi (or any other public WiFi), using a password manager to auto enter our passwords, treating all texts and emails with a fair amount of skepticism - never clicking on the links in the messages, and not sharing our weekend plans on our social media accounts. Fortunately, someone will be at our home this weekend, so I assure you I didn't just announce to any crime seeking reader that my house would be empty for a couple days - it will be occupied. 🍁🍂

• Cybersecurity Week 2:  Passwords Are the Keys to Your Digital Castle
• How Good Are Kids at Making Passwords? (video)
• Latest Updates with Canvas New Quizzes
• Google Workspace Updates
• Docs:  Instant Access to Building Blocks
• Drive:  New Activity View
• Jamboard:  The Next Phase of Digital Whiteboarding for Google Workspace
• Sheets:  Add Emoji Reactions to Comments
• Google Drawings Manifesto for Teachers
• Turn Quiz Questions Into Online Arcade Games
• KISD (Ed)Tech or Treat 2023

Cybersecurity Week 2:  Passwords Are the Keys to Your Digital Castle

Passwords Are the Keys to Your Digital Castle, from National Cybersecurity Alliance

Long, complex passwords are better than needing to change your password regularly.

How Good Are Kids at Making Passwords? (video)

Latest Updates with Canvas New Quizzes

This explanation of the latest New Quizzes features also includes a demo video. You'll be able to migrate questions from your current question bank into new quizzes. It is also possible to create practice quizzes that don't count toward a grade or appear in the gradebook. If you haven't switched o new quizzes yet, you may be interested in the recording of the New Quizzes Webinar Track 1 for Newbies. Those of you who may already be using new quizzes, there is a recording of the New Quizzes Webinar Track 2 for Existing Users webinar. Finally, for all things relating to new quizzes, such as updates, instructor and student guides, visit the New Quizzes Hub. 

Google Workspace Updates

Google Docs:  Instant Access to Building Blocks

You should be seeing new buttons at the top of new, or empty Google Docs pages. These buttons are to help quickly add building blocks, such as creating meeting notes, composing an email, or accessing the full building blocks menu. These are the features you can add by typing @ and the building block feature you'd like to add, such as dropdown list, meeting notes, email draft, drafts for a calendar event, or a code block. If you'd like to learn more about using Smart Canvas features in Google Docs, such as building blocks and smartchips, take this self-paced lab. 

Drive:  New Activity View

Within the month of October, you should be seeing a new Activity option in the left hand column in Google Drive. This will allow you to see requests for file requests and approvals, as well as comments for all your files in one place. In the Access Requests section, click Manage Access next to the file to approve or decline permission. In the Approvals seection, you'll click on Review to process your pending approvals. Full details are available here. 

The Next Phase of Digital Whiteboarding for Google Workspace

With the retirement of Jamboard in late 2024, Google will be integrating other digital whiteboard tools, such as FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro, so you can use them when collaborating in Meet, Drive or Calendar. Your existing Jamboard data will be able to be migrated to these new platforms, so you won't lose any work. Jamboards retirement timeline is as follows:

• October 1, 2024 - users will no longer be ableto create new, or edit existing Jams.
• October 1, 2024 - Jamboard will operate in view-only mode - you'll be able to see your files but not edit. 
• December 31, 2023 - Jam files will be deleted and users will no longer have access to them. In the coming months there will be instructions for retaining or migrating Jam files. 

You can keep your Jam Files in Drive by saving them as PDFs, or by downloading them. 

Sheets:  Add Emoji Reactions to Comments

Just like the ability to add emoji to comments in Google Docs, we will now be able to do the same in Google Sheets. You should see this update by mid-October. Learn how to add emoji reactions to comments here. Scroll down to see the emoji section. 

Google Drawings Manifesto for Teachers

Google Drawings Manifesto for Teachers, from Ditch That Textbook

Pretty much everything you ever needed to know about Google Drawings is in this post, including why you would use it, how to use it with studnts, and ideas for lessons.

Turn Quiz Questions Into Online Arcade Games

Quizalize is an online program that will quickly turn quiz questions into an online arcade game, such as shooting hoops, making goals, racing to the flag, and several more. Now Quizalize has an AI feature, powered by ChatGPT that will make questions for you on any topic. There are also premade quizzes in a variety of subjects. Teachers can create a free Quizalize account, create a class, and share the game code with their students, so students don't have to create individual accounts. Find out how to create quiz games in this video by Richard Byrne. 

KISD (Ed)Tech or Treat 2023

This month the KISD tech team has many resources to share with you - with another fun edition of “(Ed)Tech or Treat”! You will be presented with a variety of tools, resources, or strategies that you can implement in your teaching and student learning.  There are many (EdTech) TREATS found here, as well as some hidden TRICKS!

Tech Tips and News for October 6, 2023

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so it's that time of year to really call attention to the adjustments we can make to keep our personal information secure online. Cybersecurity month was created 20 years ago as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. This week's focus is on multi-factor authentication, AKA 2-step verification. This is what you do when you sign in to your ASA Google account, and you are asked to confirm on your phone that you are logging in. Consider using this feature with all your online accounts, ESPECIALLY those that have a credit card or bank account attached. How many times have you or your Facebook/Instagram friends had their accounts hacked? Multi-factor authentication would prevent most of the social media hacks if it were turned on. Be smart and safe online, and consider using every tool at your disposal to keep your accounts and money secure. #BeCyberSmart #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth

• Cybersecurity Awareness Week 1:  Multi-Factor Authentication Allows You to Protect Yourself in Multiple Ways
• Protecting Your Accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication (video)
• 23 Great Lesson Plans for Internet Safety
• Teachers' Essential guide to Cybersecurity
• Training Course:  Teaching Digital Citizenship
• This Chrome Bookmark Trick Takes 4 Minutes to Set Up But Saves Tons of Time! (video)
• So Long, Jamboard, We Will Miss You (video)
• How to Use the New Annotation Tool in Google Slides (video)

Cybersecurity Awareness Week 1:  Multi-Factor Authentication Allows You to Protect Yourself in Multiple Ways

Cybersecurity Awareness Week 1:  Multi-Factor Authentication Allows You to Protect Yourself in Multiple Ways, from the National Cybersecurity Alliance

Seriously, if you haven't turned this on for all your accounts - especially any that involve financial information, credit cards, etc. - take a minute to do this now. 

Protecting Your Accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication

23 Great Lesson Plans for Internet Safety

23 Great Lesson Plans for Internet Safety, from Common Sense Media

There are one or two lesson plans for each grade. They collectively cover every aspect of online safety. 

Teachers' Essential guide to Cybersecurity

Teachers' Essential guide to Cybersecurity, from Common Sense Media by Laurie Salvail

Learn about the basics every educator and student should know. If every teacher and student needs to know this info, so does every human.

Training Course:  Teaching Digital Citizenship

This one hour online course by Common Sense Media can be used to teach Digital Citizenship, as well as to learn about Digital Citizenship. 

This Chrome Bookmark Trick Takes 4 Minutes to Set Up But Saves Tons of Time!

So Long, Jamboard, We Will Miss You

Keep in mind, you must use the education version of FigJam to safely use it with students. I'm working on getting ASA verified as a school with FigJam. We already have Canva set up for ASA teachers and students, so that's an option as well. 

How to Use the New Annotation Tool in Google Slides

Tech Tips and News for September 29, 2023

Wikipedia Commons

Don't be caught off guard on October 4th, FEMA and the FCC are conducting a nation-wide emergency alert test. At 2:20 pm that day, all cell phones, TVs and radios are going to play that loud emergency sound and flash the test message. I'm sure this will be a disruption to your class, so plan ahead. Similar to our lock down, fire and tornado drills, it's just a test to make sure the system works, and everyone knows what to do if a true emergency were to happen. You can find full details in the article below.

• Nationwide Emergency Alert Test October 4th
• Can Old or Cheap USB Cables Damage Your Devices? 
• Here's What's in the Now Available Google Chrome 117 Release
• Bard Can Now Connect to Your Google Apps and Services
• How to Use Google Docs Substitutions to Save Time and Effort
• 23 Fabulous Features of Google Docs
• How to Use Google Bard to Generate Reading Comprehension Questions (video)
• 15 Reasons Why Teachers Love Their Wireless Classroom Doorbells
• How to Save a Route on Google Maps

Nationwide Emergency Alert Test October 4th

FEMA and the FCC have planned a nationwide emergency alert test for October 4, 2023. A test emergency alert will be sent to all TVs, radios and cell phones at around 2:20 pm that afternoon. So don't be alarmed when everyone's phones begin making the emergency alert noise. You may even want to give your students a heads up so they don't panic. A message explaining the test will be displayed. If the test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or "other significant events", the postponed date will be October 11th. You can read the full details about the test here. 

Can Old or Cheap USB Cables Damage Your Devices? 

Can Old or Cheap USB Cables Damage Your Devices?  from How-To Geek by Sarah Chaney

Is it just that old cables are slow, or can they actually harm your device?

Here's What's in the Now Available Google Chrome 117 Release

Here's What's in the Now Available Google Chrome 117 Release, from About Chromebooks by Kevin C. Tofel

Many changes are subtle, but there are a few warnings you'll notice. 

Bard Can Now Connect to Your Google Apps and Services

Bard Can Now Connect to Your Google Apps and Services, from The Keyword by Yury Pinsky

Bard is Google's AI chatbot, similar to ChatGPT or BingChat. It can now interact with Gmail, Google Docs, etc.

How to Use Google Docs Substitutions to Save Time and Effort

How to Use Google Docs Substitutions to Save Time and Effort, from Workspace Tips

I use this feature all the time to not only correct words I tend to mistype, but also as shortcuts. As I type the word cents, it becomes ¢, copyright becomes ©, and 1/2 becomes ½. I don't have to go hunting through the special characters menu to find the symbol I need. 

23 Fabulous Features of Google Docs

23 Fabulous Features of Google Docs, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts

I guarantee there are features in this list you didn't know existed. 

How to Use Google Bard to Generate Reading Comprehension Questions

15 Reasons Why Teachers Love Their Wireless Classroom Doorbells

15 Reasons Why Teachers Love Their Wireless Classroom Doorbells, from We Are Teachers by Jill Staake

This seems like a brilliant idea to save your vocal chords. 

How to Save a Route on Google Maps

How to Save a Route on Google Maps, from How-To Geek by Mahesh Makvana

While you're planning a fall color tour, or any other road trip, this can be a helpful tool.

Tech Tips and News for September 22, 2023

Created in Canva

What is one of your biggest frustrations in modern life? Would remembering lots of passwords make that list?  I can tell you first-hand that using a password manager makes that frustration completely disappear. I use BitWarden both at school and at home, and it has made my life so much easier. All I need to do is remember one password for BitWarden (it's free for individuals!) and it remembers the rest of my passwords. With one or two clicks, it enters my user name and password, and I'm off and running. It wasn't an inconvenience at all to set up, because it prompts me to save passwords as I enter them into the various sites and online services I use, or I can have BitWarden make up a secure password for me. In addition, if you've saved passwords in your browser, BitWarden will walk you through importing those as well. A password manager is much more secure than passwords in the browser. I've added the BitWarden extension for all the browsers I use, as well as the BitWarden app on my phone. No matter where I access a site, BitWarden is there to remember the passwords for me. BitWarden is just one of many password managers, feel free to test a few and see which one works for you. If you've found one you like, let me know in the comments, and tell me why you like it!

• Why You Should Use a Password Manager, and How to Get Started
• Canvas Webinar:  Beginning of the Year Best Practices
• Canvas Update:  Migrate Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes
• Canvas Introduces the Panda Bot
• Google Workspace Updates
• Google Slides:  Live Pointers
• Google Meet:  Add-ons Available
• 22 Killer Keyboard Shortcuts (and a challenge!) for Busy Educators
• How to Access Thousands of Free Audio Books, Thanks to Microsoft AI and Project Gutenberg
• 9 Templates for Responding to Tricky Parent Emails
• How to Use ChatGPT to do Research for Papers, Presentations, Studies, and More

Why You Should Use a Password Manager, and How to Get Started

Why You Should Use a Password Manager, and How to Get Started, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman

Once you start using a password manager you'll ask yourself what took so long! You'll only have to remember one password from that point on. Entering your passwords will be as easy as a click or two. I use Bitwarden, which is free for individuals. 

Canvas Webinar:  Beginning of the Year Best Practices

Are you interested in refining your Canvas skills? You can view the on-demaind Beginning of the Year Best Practices webinar here. This is a 25-minute recording. 

Canvas Update:  Migrate Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes

Quizzes will be replaced with New Quizzes in Canvas. To migrate your existing quizzes to new quizzes, follow the steps outlined in this article.

Canvas Introduces the Panda Bot

A new AI tool, that leverages the official guides for Canvas in a personal way has been introduced in Canvas. Panda Bot will appear in the lower right corner of Canvas Community. This is in beta for now, which means it is being tested for several months. To access Panda Bot and ask a Canvas support question, you'll need to be logged in to Canvas Community. Full information about Panda Bot can be found here. As you use Panda Bot, be sure to offer feedback on your experience.

Google Workspace Updates

Google Slides:  Live Pointers

This feature will allow you to turn on live pointers so you and your collaborators can see everyone's mouse pointer. This allows each user to more accurately call attention to points of interest in slide. Each user will need to turn on this feature when they wish to use it by going to View > Live Pointers > Show my pointer, or by using the pointer icon in the toolbar. Your pointer will remain visible across all slides until you turn the feature off. Learn more about this feature here. Live pointers should be available anytime between now and mid-October. 

Google Meet:  Add-ons Available

Third-party add-ons are now available from within Meet, just like they are in Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. Add-ons are available clicking the Activities button in the lower right, and selecting from the featured add-ons. This feature is available now. More details about this new feature can be found here. 

22 Killer Keyboard Shortcuts (and a challenge!) for Busy Educators

22 Killer Keyboard Shortcuts (and a challenge!) for Busy Educators, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

Learn a few shortcuts and save your self some time. 

How to Access Thousands of Free Audio Books, Thanks to Microsoft AI and Project Gutenberg

How to Access Thousands of Free Audio Books, Thanks to Microsoft AI and Project Gutenberg, from ZDNet by Lance Whitney

Going on a road trip? Taking a walk? Listen to the classics for free. 

9 Templates for Responding to Tricky Parent Emails

9 Templates for Responding to Tricky Parent Emails, from We Are Teachers

These templates will get you started on those common email replies. To save even more time, create template messages in Gmail so all you have to do is tap compose, select the template and fill in the blanks. Pro tip:  If you have a signature in your email, remove the email from your template before saving, otherwise you'll have two signatures when you use the template. Need help? I'll be happy to walk you through the process, it's very quick. 

How to Use ChatGPT to do Research for Papers, Presentations, Studies, and More

How to Use ChatGPT to do Research for Papers, Presentations, Studies, and More, from ZDNet by Sabrina Ortiz

Speed up your internet searching! While these tips use ChatGPT  as an example, they will work in any AI chatbot, such as Bing Chat or Google Bard. 

Tech Tips and news for September 15, 2023

created withImage Creator powered by Dall-E

I hope your school year is off to a great start. There's been time to implement your classroom rules and routines. Students are over the novelty of a new school year and grade, and are settling in to their normal routines. The weather is even cooperating with fall-like temperatures. If only we could reduce the number of indoor recesses. As you are helping students form good classroom habits, please consider also helping them form good digital habits as well. To help with this, Common Sense Media has a few collections of lessons for grades K-5 and 6-12. See the Digital Advice and Digital Well-Being lessons below. Use them as is, or customize them to fit your needs. In addition to the collections highlighted below, Common Sense Media also has lessons on Digital Citizenship and Cybersecurity Essentials. These lessons are pretty much plug and play for teachers. Check out all their collections here. 

• Here's Why You Should Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
• Device Advice:  Onboarding for School-Issued Devices
• Digital Well Being Lessons
• Google Workspace Updates
• Google Drive:  Lock Files More Easily
• Google Drive:  Reorganized File and Folder Menu
• Google Sheets:  Get Started with Smart Canvas
• Google Slides:  Add Annotations to Your Presentations
• IXL Teacher and Student Dashboard Redesign
• REMC8 Educator Resource Center
• Tabs in Chrome:  10 Power User Tips and Tricks
• 15 Plug and Play Lesson Plans from Google
• Google Form Parent Contact Log
• Canva Teacher Cheat Sheet

Here's Why You Should Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Here's Why You Should Us Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), from How-To Geek by Jason Fitzpatrick

You should all be familiar with 2-Factor Authentication, because you use it on your ASA email account. It adds a layer of security, and should be used on all your online accounts - especially any that store your credit card or banking information. 

Device Advice:  Onboarding for School-Issued Devices

Device Advice:  Onboarding for School-Issued Devices, from Common Sense Media

There are four lessons in this collection for grades K-5, and they might be a nice supplement to the Student Tech Care video. For the students in grades 6-8, perhaps you can amend the lessons provided, have students create posters as reminders of the rules, or even having them create a video of their own may help them feel more invested in the care guidelines. Of course, reminding them that repairs start at $180 helps too. 😉 If students choose to make their own video about caring for ASA devices, I'll be happy to use them and share them with the rest of the school. Common Sense Media also has a set of lessons for Digital Well Being - see below. 

Digital Well-Being:  Middle School Lessons

Digital Well Being Lessons, from Common Sense Media

For grades 6-8, there are 4 lessons focusing on students' digital well being. These lessons include My Values and Tech, Digital Media and Your Brain, Thinking Traps, and Positive Tech Habits. Help your students find a balance between tech and life, and start developing healthy online habits. The lessons include handouts and posters for visual reminders. 

Google Workspace Updates

Google Drive:  Lock Files More Easily

Soon, you'll be able to lock a file in drive by right clicking on it, selecting File Information, and Lock. Locking a file makes sure reviewers can’t change a file. Edits, comments and suggestions can't be added to locked documents. In order to lock a Drive file, you must have Edit-access to the file. You can unlock a file in the same way you locked it. This update should be available before the end of September. Learn more about getting approvals on files in Google Drive here. 

Google Drive:  Reorganized File and Folder Menu

You may have already noticed the Google Drive context menu (the menu you see with a right click) has changed. It's now much shorter, but all the same features are available. Some features have been placed inside sub-menus. For example you'll now see an arrow next to Share, clicking that arrow opens the Share Sub-menu where you'll see Share and Copy Link. Likewise, Move and Shortcut are now found within the Organize sub-menu. 

Google Sheets:  Get Started with Smart Canvas

Now when opening a new Sheet, you'll see the familiar Type @ to insert that we're used to seeing in Docs. This will allow you to insert Smart Chips, such as email information, dates, calendar events, other docs, sheets or slides files, places and map directions, YouTube videos, and more. 

Google Slides:  Add Annotations to Your Presentations

While presenting your Google Slides, you will be able to turn on the new pen feature, and annotate your slides. With the pen tool, you can circle, underline, draw connections, or make quick notes directly on your presentation. To annotate your Slides presentation, ​​open ‘slideshow mode’ by clicking the ‘Slideshow’ button in the appbar > mouse over the bottom-left side of the viewer and open the three dot menu by clicking on the ellipsis icon >select “Turn on the pen”.  To erase annotations, use the eraser tool in the bottom left viewer menu. Learn more about presenting slides here. This feature is available now. 

IXL Teacher and Student Dashboard Redesign

In case you haven't had enough major user interface changes with Infinite Campus and NWEA, IXL has also joined the club with new dashboards for both teachers and students. Learn about the new Teacher Dashboard here. You'll also want to familiarize yourself with the new Student Dashboard here so you can support them. 

REMC8 Educator Resource Center

Keep in mind that the Regional Educational Resource Center (REMC) is available to help you with Ellison die cuts, Variquest Paper Cutter, which makes variable sized cut-outs and lettering on all kinds of materials, and laminating. Check out their services and online catalog here. They are located on the KISD campus on Knapp Street. 

Tabs in Chrome:  10 Power User Tips and Tricks

Tabs in Chrome:  10 Power User Tips and Tricks, from How-To Geek by Reyadh Rahaman

Save yourself some time and work smarter. 

15 Plug and Play Lesson Plans from Google

15 Plug and Play Lesson Plans from Google, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell

There are actually 21 lessons in a variety of subjects. 

Google Form Parent Contact Log

John Sowash offers this Parent Contact Log Google Form template for you to use to keep track of all your parent communications. 

Canva Teacher Cheat Sheet

Kent ISD has created a Canva Cheat Sheet for teachers with shortcuts to the most common templates you might use. If you haven't embraced the wonderful world of Canva yet, for creating newsletters, diagrams, infographics, invitations, and pretty much any other graphics based resource you can think of, you may want to reconsider. ASA has a district account, so you no longer need to create your own account and wait to be verified. ASA teachers can now share resources in Canva with each other, and safely create a class for your students so they can use Canva too. All ASA teachers have been set up with a Teacher account. You should be able to sign in using your ASA email address and signing in with Google (don't create a new account). If this doesn't work, contact me for the invitation code. There are lots of tutorials available here. 

Tech Tips and News for August 2023

Selfie card created entirely in Slides

[Of course I intended to send this last week, but we all know how those days leading up to the first week of school go!] Welcome back teachers! Here's an idea to welcome your students back and learn more about them with the Selfie Card activity. After seeing John Sowash's post below, I made this selfie card completely in Google Slides, using a photo I took with my webcam, and a photo I had for the background, a shape behind the text, which I color matched to the stones behind it, to make it more readable against the background. Using image mask, I changed the shape of my photo using the circle shape, cropping the photo into an oval, and adding a drop shadow to make it pop from the background. Finally I added a border around the "card" and was finished in about 10 minutes. The activity description, selfie card template, and its benefits are linked below. This activity can be used not only as a way for you to get to know your students, but also as a way to see how well they can navigate Canvas to complete the activity, and to find out what level of tech skills they have. If you create a selfie card for yourself, I'd love to see it, so please share. I wish you a successful start to the new school year! Please reach out if I can help in any way.

• Top Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed
• Google Chrome Just Got 5 Big Upgrades
• Google Search Posters
• Selfie Card Activity
• 5 More Google Tips for Teachers (video)
• 17 Google Quick Tips for Back to School
• Back to School with Google Workspace:  6 Online Activities
• 5 Ways ChatGPT and AI Can Help You in the Classroom (webinar)
• A New Accessible PhET Simulation (math and science simulations)

Top Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed

Top Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed, from Tom's Guide by Bitdefender Total Security

This is actually the online version of an infomercial, and it is not my intent to recommend this service, however there are some good cybersecurity tips in the article. Bitdefender is just one of MANY anti-mailware products available. I recommend the built-in Windows Security on Windows PCs, or free version of Malwarebytes...just set an alarm or calendar event to remember to manually run scans regularly with Malwarebytes after the 14 day free trial has ended.

 Google Chrome Just Got 5 Big Upgrades

 Google Chrome Just Got 5 Big Upgrades, from Tom's Guide by Dave Meikleham

Chrome version 115 is out, and there are some notable updates, such as where to find your downloaded files, and expanded touch to search options.

Google Search Posters

Richard Byrne from Free Technology for Teachers is offering an infographic and a poster you can make available for your students to help them remember all the ways they can improve their search skills. Actually these resources are helpful for adults too! A PDF copy of the infographic is available here. Print the poster here. 

Selfie Card Activity

Selfie Card Activity, from Chromebook Classroom by John Sowash

This can be used as a way to get to know your students, a way to assess their tech skills, as well as a way to make sure they can navigate Canvas. Although the article mentions using Google Classroom, it can certainly be used in Canvas.

5 More Google Tips for Teachers

17 Google Quick Tips for Back to School

17 Google Quick Tips for Back to School, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell

A few of these tips refer to Google Classroom, which you may or may not be able to apply to Canvas, but the rest are quite useful. 

Back to School with Google Workspace:  6 Online Activities

Back to School with Google Workspace:  6 Online Activities, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell

Here you'll find a variety of activities to get to know your students, build relationships, do some goal setting, create and play some games. This is actually part 1 of a 3-part series. Parts 2 and 3 are linked in this article. 

5 Ways ChatGPT and AI Can Help You in the Classroom

Matt Tevlin, DOGR Educational Technology Specialist, attended this VanAndel Institute webinar this summer, and recommends it highly. Here are links to the hyperdoc and slide deck used in the webinar. Find out how you can use AI effectively in your classroom. Keep in mind, you don't have to use ChatGPT, you can use Google Bard completely free. Remember, due to age restrictions, AI tools are blocked for our students, but not for teachers. 

A New Accessible PhET Simulation

A New Accessible PhET Simulation, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

Embed science and math simulations into Canvas to share with your students. 

Tech Tips and News for July 2023

Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse - K.Szczytko 2016

I hope you are all enjoying your summer. The weather has been lovely, so I hope you've been able to soak up the sun and partake in all those outdoor activities we miss in the colder months. At school, the student chromebook carts are sanitized, organized, updated and ready for the new school year. We've also been planning upgrades for all the classrooms in both buildings that will include interactive boards or projectors and easier connections. We may  not see these improvements before the first day of school, but you may be surprised one morning to arrive to an upgraded classroom during the school year. Not to worry, there will be training for the new technology! In addition to those improvments we will be installing a new phone system. If all goes well with the supply chain (please say a prayer) this will be installed before the first day of school. Say goodbye to those princess phones! Make the most of your last month of summer, I'll be seeing you soon enough!

• FBI Warning About Malicious QR Codes
• Google Workspace Updates
• Google Calendar:  Do Not Disturb Setting 
• Google Docs:  Improving Table Placements
• Google Forms:  Email Collection Options Expanded
• Google Meet:  Quickly Access More Features During Meetings
• Google Meet:  Use Polls or Q&As during Live Streams
• Google Meet:  Simplified Access Controls Replace Quick Access
• Google Sheets:  Now Integrated with Mail Merge in Gmail
• AI Images in Google Slides
• Teaching & Learning With Google Screencast
• Ten Tools for Gathering Real-Time Feedback from Students
• Create Interactive Video Lessons With ClickView

FBI Warning About Malicious QR Codes

Example of a QR code for asagr.org

Michigan Attorney General, Dana Nessel, has issued the warning below about malicious QR codes. QR codes are the square codes that you hover your smartphone camera over to link to a website. Keep in mind all the same security rules - never enter any personal information at a website linked through an email or QR code, instead navigate to the website yourself by entering the web address (URL) into your browser.

July 12, 2023

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to make Michigan residents aware of the FBI’s warning that criminals are hijacking QR (or quick response) codes by placing stickers with codes they create over the top of the real QR code. When scanned, these malicious codes direct victims to phishing websites where their personal or financial information can be stolen.

QR codes are a common convenience used by businesses, airlines, ticket vendors, and others. This square barcode can be scanned by a smartphone’s camera to provide quick access to a website where you can learn about a product, share information, make a payment, prompt an application download, or get rewards and discounts.

The codes themselves are not dangerous. It’s when they are used to steal or commit fraud that they become problematic. Malicious QR codes can:Take you to a “phishing website.” Scammers create sites that look convincing and ask for personal information. Any information you provide on this site goes to the scammer.
Be used to download malicious software such as malware, ransomware, and trojans. These viruses can spy on you, steal sensitive information or files (like photos or videos), or even encrypt your device until you pay a ransom.
Be programmed to open apps on your device. It could open financial apps, social media accounts, and email accounts. It can compose and send messages to your contacts using your email or social media accounts.
Be used in phishing emails. QR codes are not picked up by security software, unlike attachments and links.

“QR codes are widely used in so many different ways that it’s not surprising bad actors would develop the means to use them to scam us,” Nessel said. “This is another area where we need to protect our personal and financial information by practicing caution when using these convenient codes.”

The FBI offers several ways QR code users can protect themselves:Do not scan a code if it is on a sticker, looks like it has been replaced, or is covered up.
After scanning the code, see if the URL you are taken to is a secure one that begins with “https.”
Download a QR Code Scanner app that can help you recognize a suspicious code.
Rather than scanning a code that will take you to a specific website, if possible, just type in the URL for that website.

Anyone who uses QR codes should be aware of the potential risks and always be on the lookout for malicious codes. Typically, victims of such scams do not become aware of the scam until the monetary theft is perpetrated, which can occur a considerable time after the identity theft, at which point it can be difficult to pinpoint how their information was compromised.

If you believe you have been a victim of QR code fraud, report the fraud to your local FBI field office and to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. More information about QR code fraud can be found on the Attorney General’s website.

Further, to file a consumer complaint or get additional information, contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Google Workspace Updates

Google Calendar:  Do Not Disturb Setting

The new Do Not Disturb feature can be used together with the Focus Time setting in Calendar. When you need undisturbed time, create a calendar event and select Focus Time. Your calendar will indicate you are busy during that time and automatically decline calndar events. If you do not want any interruptions during that time, you can now also turn on Do Not Disturb in Calendar, which will block any chat notifications and display to others that you are not available. Full details can be found here.

Google Docs:  Improving Table Placements

When viewing a document in Pages format, you will be able to drag tables and place them where you want in a document. Just like images, you also be able to wrap text around the table, and se4t a fixed position for the table on the page. If you aren't familiar with using tables to make your text look more orderly and professional, learn how to use tables here. You should already be seeing this new feature. Here are the full details. 

Google Forms:  Email Collection Options Expanded

Previously, collecting email addresses was just an on/off toggle, but now you will find the following options:

• Verified email collection (previously known as automatic email collection) will require the user click a checkbox to confirm which email address is being automatically collected.
• Responder input (previously known as manual email collection) where the user will manual enter their email address
• Do not collect

Google Meet:  Quickly Access More Features During Meetings

By hovering the mouse over your own video feed in a Meet, you can access video affects, such as immersive backgrounds, fun filters and a reframing option. You can also turn off the video from other participants by hovering over their video feed. You should already be seeing this new feature, and can read all about it here. 

Google Meet:  Use Polls or Q&As during Live Streams

When live streaming meetings, it is now possible for hosts to use Polls or Q&As. This is a great way to get feedback or answer questions.  Find out how to conduct polls here. Q&A instructions can be found here. These features will be available in the first half of July.

Google Meet:  Simplified Access Controls Replace Quick Access

Quick Access controls, where you could turn on quick access while others were joining the meet and turn them off once everyone was in the meeting are going away. They will be replaced with new Meet access settings. Beginning in the second half of July, Meet organizers will be able choose the Meet level of access in either the Calendar invite or from within Meet. The leveols of access are:  

• Open:  Anyone with a link can join the meeting, no one has to ask to join.
• Trusted:  Anyone within the organization can join without asking, anyone outside the organization can be invited to join with a calendar invite or from within the meeting w"ithout asking. Anyone else will need to ask to join (aka "knock").
• Restricted:  Only those invited from a Calendar invite or from within Meet will be able to join, all others mus ask/knock to join. 

In addition, meeting hosts can decide if guests can join the meeting before the hosts. 

Google Sheets:  Now Integrated with Mail Merge in Gmail

I have been waiting for this feature since we started using Google Workspace 11 years ago. By using the multi-send feature in Gmail, you can now add merge tags to personalize your messages for each recipient. Click the multiple people icon in the To: field and select mail merge, then add the sheet with the recipient data. Merge tags can be added by typing @ and selecting the merge field you'd like to add to the message. Your spreadsheet can contain up to 1,500 recipients. Find full details and instructions here. 

AI Images in Google Slides

AI Images in Google Slides, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts

Similar to Dall-E 2, you will be able to describe an image and create it inside Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet and Gmail. It is called Duet AI. Check out the demonstration video in this article, including ways to use it in the classroom. This feature is still in beta testing, so watch for it to become available in the near future. 

Teaching & Learning With Google Screencast

Teaching & Learning With Google Screencast, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts

This is an expanded, in-depth webinar describing how to use the built-in Chromebook feature. in 41 minutes, you and your students will be pros. 

Ten Tools for Gathering Real-Time Feedback from Students

Ten Tools for Gathering Real-Time Feedback from Students, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

There are several options for seeing where your students are on a particular topic. These can help bot the shy student as well as the chatty students. 

Create Interactive Video Lessons With ClickView

Create Interactive Video Lessons With ClickView, from Free Technology for Teachrs by Richard Byrne

This looks like a very versatile tool, with options for every grade level.