Tech Tips and News for June 9, 2023

We've made it to the last day of the 2022-2023 school year. It's time to enjoy some silence, and the freedom to eat lunch slowly or use the restroom whenever you want. I hope you get the opportunity to sink your toes in the sand and get some hard earned R and R. While you're recharging your internal batteries, it might also be a convenient time to learn new tech skills to share with your students. If you are looking to expand on your Google Workspace skills, this is a good place to start. You can find resources here for teaching Google skills as well as learning them yourself. If you are interested in following a learning path specifically for educators, click here. These options include basic, intermediate education fundamentals, as well as premium teaching & learning features, in addition there are sessions covering Google tools for in-person learning, chromebooks, as well as a digital citizenship and safety course. Choose one or more areas, or none at all. It's your summer, make the most of it! This blog will go on a monthly status for July and August, and possibly September. Regular posts will resume when the beginning of the school year frenzy settles down. 

• How Not to Get Hacked:  Websites and WiFi
• Hackers Are Using Pictures to Trick You Into Clicking on Phishing Links - Don't Fall For This
• Google Drive is Ending Support for Older Windows PCs
• 3 Ways to Customize Chrome on Your Desktop
• Google Screencast for Teaching and Learning
• 40 Sites For Students With Free Time On Their Hands

How Not to Get Hacked:  Websites and WiFi

Hackers Are Using Pictures to Trick You Into Clicking on Phishing Links - Don't Fall For This

Hackers Are Using Pictures to Trick You Into Clicking on Phishing Links - Don't Fall For This, from Tom's Guide by Anthony Spadafora

General rule:  Never navigate to a website from a link in an email. 

3 Ways to Customize Chrome on Your Desktop

3 Ways to Customize Chrome on Your Desktop, from the Keyword by Dan Peng

Customize your color scheme from a new tab, and change your theme from the side panel. 

Google Drive is Ending Support for Older Windows PCs

Google Drive is Ending Support for Older Windows PCs, from How-To Geek by Corbin  Davenport

If you are still using a Windows 7 or Windows 8 laptop, it's way past time to upgrade for security reasons. Now Google Drive is ending support for Windows 8 and Windows 10 32-bit laptops. If you are using an older version laptop, you may still be able to access Google Drive, but it may not be reliable.

Google Screencast for Teaching and Learning

Google Screencast for Teaching and Learning, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts

Your students are able to screencast on their chromebooks - so can you when you are using a chromebook. This webinar will teach you how, and help you teach your students how. 

40 Sites For Students With Free Time On Their Hands

40 Sites For Students With Free Time On Their Hands, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

This may be a little late for this year, but you'll have the list ready for next year. You might also share it with parents to keep kids occupied on rainy days. 

Tech Tips and News for June 2, 2023

It's almost summer break time!

It's another short and sweet post. While catching up from my unexpected absence, I feel like I'm cramming 2.5 months of work into a couple weeks. Hopefully I'll catch up someday soon! The anticipation as we close out the second to the last week of school is almost electric. I feel like the kids are just a little more excited with each passing day...I'm sure you are seeing that too, and feeling it. Students aren't the only ones counting down the days! Summer is calling, and the weather is even on board. Stay cool and hydrated during the next week. 

• How Not to Get Hacked:  Messaging and Downloads
• 10 Windows Text Entry Tricks You Should Be Using
• Google Workspace Updates:
• Google Docs:  Quickly Update text with Variable Chips
• Why You Should Be Using Google Lens:  7 Awesome Uses
• Five Good Resources for Teaching and Learning About Copyright

How Not to Get Hacked:  Messaging and Downloads

10 Windows Text Entry Tricks You Should Be Using

10 Windows Text Entry Tricks You Should Be Using, from How-To Geek by Jordan Gloor

Here are several time saving tips for entering text like a pro. 

Google Workspace Updates:

Google Docs:  Quickly Update text with Variable Chips

This is another new Smart Canvas feature. With Variable Chips, you can predefine and insert placeholders (like a document field), then by updating the placeholder in one place, it will update every appearance of that placeholder throughout the document. You can find instructions for using variable chips here. You should begin to see this new feature by mid-June. 

Why You Should Be Using Google Lens:  7 Awesome Uses

Why You Should Be Using Google Lens:  7 Awesome Uses, from How-To Geek by Joe Fedewa

I often forget about this useful tool - I've used it to both identify things and translate text. 

Five Good Resources for Teaching and Learning About Copyright

Five Good Resources for Teaching and Learning About Copyright, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

This is a lesson that needs to be repeated often.