Thursday, October 26, 2023

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

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

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)

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. 

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Thursday, October 19, 2023

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

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!

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Thursday, October 5, 2023

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

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

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




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