Tech Tips and News for February 9, 2024

"More conspiracy theories" by Gene Hunt is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Have you ever believed or shared information on social media that was later revealed to be false? I know I have. With some of the questionable content I see shared as fact by otherwise intelligent people on social media, it's clear that news literacy is an important focus for both students and adults. I often wonder where everyone's nonsense meter has gone. We seem to have lost our common sense approach to absorbing what we see presented as news - on any news, social media, or online forum. It is so dangerous for us, as a society, to continue to allow ourselves to be manipulated by those who wish to flood our social media and news with false information designed to divide or distract us as a nation. It's time for us to step up and refuse to be manipulated. We need to open our minds to the possibility that some of the opinions we've formed might not be based on true facts. Common Sense Media has a series of lessons, for all grade levels, designed to see through media manipulation. I urge you to take a look at the Conspiracy Theory Kryptonite article below to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge to battle media manipulation. 

• Windows PC Sluggish After an Update? Try These Fixes to Speed it Up
• This Chrome Security Feature Can Protect You From Dangerous Websites and Downloads
• Find Chrome's Secret Switch to Speed Up Your Computer
• Black History Month for Kids:  Google Slides, Resources and More
• Conspiracy Theory Kryptonite: Discussion Questions and Lessons That Battle Media Manipulation
• Digital Learning Day:  14 Interactive and Digital Learning Choice Boards
• The Fastest Way to Create Video-Based Lessons
• Turn Your Lessons Into Games to Engage Your Students

Windows PC Sluggish After an Update? Try These Fixes to Speed it Up

Windows PC Sluggish After an Update? Try These Fixes to Speed it Up, from How-To Geek by Shan Abdul

This Chrome Security Feature Can Protect You From Dangerous Websites and Downloads

This Chrome Security Feature Can Protect You From Dangerous Websites and Downloads, from Tom's Guide by Anthony Spadafora

Enabling Enhanced Safe Browsing can protect you from dangerous websites, downloads and extensions.

Find Chrome's Secret Switch to Speed Up Your Computer

Find Chrome's Secret Switch to Speed Up Your Computer, from Tom's Guide by Peter Wolinski

If you always have a lot of tabs open, this tip is for you!

Black History Month for Kids:  Google Slides, Resources and More

Black History Month for Kids:  Google Slides, Resources and More, from We Are Teachers

Learn about Black History Month, and how to explain it to your students. Included are several resources you can use in your classroom. 

Conspiracy Theory Kryptonite: Discussion Questions and Lessons That Battle Media Manipulation

Conspiracy Theory Kryptonite: Discussion Questions and Lessons That Battle Media Manipulation, from Common Sense Media by Daniel Vargas Campos

There are lessons here for all grades to help students learn to navigate the online world of clickbait, conspiracy theories and fake news. 

Digital Learning Day:  14 Interactive and Digital Learning Choice Boards

Digital Learning Day:  14 Interactive and Digital Learning Choice Boards from The Library Voice by Shannon McClintock Miller

Digital Learning Day is February 15, 2024. You can use the choice boards linked in this article as is, or there is also a link so you can make a copy of them to customize the boards for your own purposes. 

Turn Your Lessons Into Games to Engage Your Students

Making a game out of  your classroom lessons or review sessions is called gamification. Students are always more engaged if they are having fun. If you are using Flippity templates, Kahoot! or Quizzizz, you are aldready gamifying your classroom. If you're not, and don't quite know how to get started, Matt Miller from Ditch That Textbook has your back. He has curated lots of explainations, tools and templates to help you understand what gamification is, how to get started, and how to turn your lessons and reviews into all types of different games. Check out the Ditch That Textbook Gamification page here. 

The Fastest Way to Create Video-Based Lessons

You supply the YouTube video URL, Twee supplies the questions. Twee has a free version with limited uses per month.