Thursday, March 13, 2025

Tech Tips and News for March 2025

On a chromebook, access Accessibility settings
by clicking the time, then Accessibility.
I recently fielded a couple of requests for information on Chromebook accessibility tools that students can access. I've included several resources in the Tips and Tutorials section. There are numerous settings natively available on a chromebook to assist students with any kind of a disability. Another question I was asked was whether or not students are just playing around when they turn on the accessibility settings. That's really a question that only a frank conversation with the child will answer. Best practice from a Google administrator standpoint is to set all accessibility settings to allow each user to decide which settings to turn on. This is so there are no barriers for students if they need accommodations. Of course some students will play with these settings and they may be a distraction - especially the ChromeVox setting which reads everything on the screen out loud. This behavior should be considered in the same way any other classroom disruption issue would be handled - in other words, it's a behavior concern not a technology issue. Take a look at the accessibility info below, both for insight in helping your students, as well to familiarize yourself with the settings to turn them off if things go awry. Perhaps taking some time in class to teach students about the settings and allowing them some time to test them out will help alleviate the disruptions from students who are curious and accidentally turn settings on at inconvenient times. That being said, teachers definitely know better than I do how to effectively manage your classrooms. 

Security


Updates


Tips & Tutorials



FBI Warning - Delete These Texts on Your iPhone, Android Phone

Please take a moment to read this article and immediately delete any toll scam texts you receive. Even better, mark the message as spam and block it, and then delete it. I've been receiving these texts for the past month or so. As always - NEVER click links in any text message you receive from a business or government entity - go to their official website and check the legitimacy of the message there. 

Watch Out! Scammers are Using This PayPal Setting to Take Over Your PC

Fake purchase notifications are being used to trick people into downloading malware. As always, when confronted with an alarming email, call or text, never click on links, but rather open the company's website and check things from there. 

You Can Delete Personal Information Online from Google Search

Did you know you can remove your personal information from Google Search? If someone searches for you, it will limit the info they find. Now it's even easier. 

5 Easy Ways to Stop Companies From Collecting Your Data

Your device's data is very valuable to companies and criminals. Find out how to protect it and what to watch out for. 


Google Drive:  Limiting Access to Files and Folders

In Google Drive, we are now able to limit access to both files and folders in Shared Drives and My Drive. When access is limited, the user will see the file or folder, but will not be able to open it, or their access will be limited, depending on how you've set their access. For example, if you have a file or folder that has been shared with others or a group and you've given them editing or commenting permissions, but you'd like to change the access for some of those users, you'll be able to do so using one of the two following methods. 
1. Update item only: Go to your My Drive > choose a file or folder you want to limit access to for a specific user > Change the role of the specific user (e.g. from Commenter to Viewer) > click on "Update item only".
2. Limit folder access: Go to your My Drive > choose the folder you want to limit access > click the overflow menu > share > select share settings in the top right corner > click limit access to “Folder Name”.

Infinite Campus:  New Look Mandatory by July

Just a reminder, if you haven't already started getting used to the New Look in Infinite Campus, please do yourself a favor and start to do so. The current classic look will no longer be available in July - that's only 3.5 months away. There is a bit of a learning curve to it. If you put it off until the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, you will have a hard time finding everything you need when you need to start setting up your gradebook, viewing your student rosters, and checking your course standards. Learn how to turn on the new look and get used to it here. (Expand the heading to see all the text.) You must be signed in to your ASA Google account to view the page.
Pro Tips:
  • When trying to locate a tool you need, use the search field. Click on the magnifying glass. In the type field select Tool, then enter the name of the tool you're looking for, such as gradebook or rosters. 
  • When using a tool you use often, click the star next to the name at the top. This will add it to your favorites menu. The favorites menu is located next to the main menu - indicated with a star at the top. This will give you a list of just the tools you use most often. You can rearrange that list by clicking Edit at the top of the list. 

Google's Spring Updates - Here's What You Can Look Forward To!

If you'd like to get an advanced overview of what updates we'll be seeing this Spring, there's a handy chart in this post. We will get all features indicated with a single $ or no dollar sign, as we have the Teaching & Learning upgrade. I keep lobbying for EDU Plus, but all the participating schools in the Diocese must agree on the same plan. Regarding the AI workspace plans, right now they are too cost prohibitive for us, so I don't see us adding that license anytime soon.



Chromebook Accessibility Settings for Teachers



Chromebook Accessibility Features for the Classroom

Chromebook Accessibility Features for the Classroom, from the Chromebook Classroom by John Sowash
This video walks teachers through finding accessibility features on a student chromebook, but also what they do. He focuses on the most useful features, but also touches on the rest. 

Google Classroom for Beginners:  Start Fast (With No Experience)

Google Classroom for Beginners:  Start Fast (With No Experience), from the Chromebook Classroom by John Sowash
If you want to give Google Classroom a test drive, John explains how you can get up and running quickly. There are other, more robust features available in Classroom, but this will get you started. At the end of the post, there are links to instructions for more advanced features. 

How to Quickly Create Quizzes About Videos with Google Gemini


Why Teachers Can't Ignore AI, and How to Build AI Literacy

3 Easy Ways to Build AI Literacy, from Common Sense Media by Jamie Nunez
Students will continue to use AI whether teachers like it or can detect it. It's time to at least learn the basics. 

How to Create Substitute Teacher Plans in 15 Minutes With AI

How to Create Substitute Teacher Plans in 15 Minutes With AI, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Save lots of hassle the next time you need to take a day off.

Stop the Madness: How to Block Spam Calls and Robocalls

So you've added your phone number to the Do Not Call registry but you still get spam and robocalls? Yeah, me too. Here's what else you can do. 
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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Tech Tips and News - February 2025

Blue ice eggs in Charlevoix 2018
Hopefully you enjoyed your winter break. In spite of the very cold weather, I hope you found time to relax and enjoy the time off. Pretty cool things can happen in very cold winter weather, like blue ice, or ice eggs on the beaches of the great lakes. I recently ran across these photos from up north several years ago. Of course, these cool things are usually best enjoyed on days with no wind, or even better, from inside a warm space. Stay warm, my friends. 

Security


Tips & Tutorials


Don't Get Tricked Into Scamming Yourself

Don't Get Tricked Into Scamming Yourself, from How-To Geek by Ray Malik
How can you scam yourself? By not paying attention and installing updates from an email instead of a system message on your computer, or by downloading something on a CAPTCHA page, among other ways. 

How to Keep Your Google Account Secure (video)

Have you ever been prompted by Google to do a security checkup? This video will explain that quick process to keep your account safe. 


How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams: 5 Tips From Our Security Expert

How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams: 5 Tips From Our Security Expert, from PC Mag by Neil J. Rubenking
Well explained with screenshots. 

10 Common Dangers VPNs Won't Protect You From Online - And How to Avoid Them

10 Common Dangers VPNs Won't Protect You From Online - And How to Avoid Them from ZDNet by David Gewirtz
VPNs protect us from a lot of dangers on various networks, however nothing but our own knowledge and actions can save us from these online situations. 


AI Influencers Are All That's Wrong With Social Media Today

It's important to know who your interacting with, or from whom (or what) you're taking advice. 

ICT Math Games

If you are looking for a new math game or time filler for your K-3 students, ICT Math Games might be a good addition. It contains over 120 free educational math games for students between 5 and 8 years old. Math skills covered include numbers and place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions measurement, geometry and more. If you decide you'd like this to be an easy option for your students, please let me know and I can add it to your class's chromebook home page. 

Create Spelling & Vocabulary Games From Your Own Word Lists

This game is recommended by Eric Curts, of Control Alt Achieve. Spokabulary is a free site that allows teachers to create custom spelling and vocabulary games from your own word lists. There is no sign in for teachers or students, so there's no need to login or provide personal info. You create the game and publish it, then provide students with a link that allows them to play six different games to practice the words, meanings, and spellings. Here is a sample link to try out some games based on Eric's Landforms Vocabulary list. 

Teach Your Students to be Cyber Savvy

Looking for new resources and activities to teach your students about cryptology (keepting data private), AI, and online safety? Girls 4 Tech has lots of activities and resources for you to use with your class. 

8 Tips to Personalize Chrome to Suit Your Style 

8 Tips to Personalize Chrome to Suit Your Style, from How-To Geek by Shan Abdul
You probably haven't thought much about your computing style, but everyone has their own way of using a computer. Here are 8 suggestions for customizing Chrome to make it more pleasing and efficient for you. 

5 Simple Steps to Purge Digital Clutter

5 Simple Steps to Purge Digital Clutter, from PC Mag by Jill Duffy
Is it getting harder to find a file or an app you need? Are you getting nag notes from Apple or Google that you are running out of storage space? Are you unable to take more photos or add any apps you need because your phone is full? It's time to start clearing the clutter!

7 Gemini 2.0 Hacks to Maximize Its Full Potential - Here's How to Try Them


>Use Google's AI Studio to Learn Specific Processes

I ran across this tutorial demonstrating using Google AI Studio to learn how to create a pivot table with your specific data. While you may, or may not, have the need to analyze data in a pivot table (or even know what one is) this is a great example of using AI to help you complete any specific task. As you can see in the video, while AI Studio doesn't always get the steps right, you can easily correct it by asking follow up questions. I also tried this prompt in Google Gemini. It gave me step by step instructions but didn't walk me through the process they way AI Studio did. So the next time you're trying to figure out how to do something new, give AI Studio a try.

>Boost Student Learning with Brisk Teaching

Boost Student Learning with Brisk Teaching, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Brisk has added Boost activities for students. Learn how to use it here. Brisk is committed to student privacy and safety, so this is a safe AI tool to use with your students. 

Can You Cite AI in Classwork? Should You?

Can You Cite AI in Classwork? Should You?, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Is AI a sufficient source, or should we be digging deeper?

Feeds Full of Junk? How to Reset Your Social Media Algorithms

I don't know about you but my social feeds have been full of ads and pages I don't subscribe to, rather than posts by friends and pages I do subscribe to. If you are sharing this frustration, follow these steps to reset your feed algorithm. 
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Thursday, January 16, 2025

Tech Tips and News for January 2025


January 27-31
National Cybersecurity Alliance
There are some very important updates or news for you to make note of this month. First is Data Privacy Week, January 27-31. There are many helpful resources linked below to help you understand why this is so important, and how you can protect yourself. Second is the recent update to Google Forms. I learned the hard way, after sending a couple field trip permission forms and immediately receiving numerous requests for access. Turns out the responder permissions have moved to a new place in forms, (I clearly missed that update notice) and the settings do not save from one copy of a form to another. You can read about this update below as well. The third very important piece of news is that if you wish to use your Windows laptop at ASA next school year, it must be running Windows 11. Windows 10 will no longer be safe to use by October 2025, so you'll need to either upgrade it, or if it can't be upgraded you'll need to replace it. Please keep this in mind when the employee tech purchase window opens in June. See what's happening with Windows 10 below.  

Safety & Security 
Updates
News
Tips & Tutorials



5 Million Americans Just Had Their Credit Card Details Leaked Online - What To Do Now?

I know it's starting to feel like these happen every other month or so, but we really can't become complacent about the warnings. That's how our bank accounts become empty. Take a look at the article to find out how to:
  • Spot personalized scams aimed at getting the rest of your info
  • Protect others you know (think teens and the elderly)
  • Monitor your bank card activity
  • Protect your credit 

Chinese Telecom Hack:  How To Protect Your Messages

Chinese Telecom Hack:  How To Protect Your Messages, from National Cybersecurity Alliance
Learn how to protect your calls and texts following the Chinese telecom cyberattack. 

I Found a Malicious Chrome Extension on My System - Here's How and What I Did Next

As critical as it is to know how to prevent a hack or malicious activity on your accounts, it's just as important to know what to do if you do fall victim to a compromised site or extension. Honestly, this gave me flashbacks to last spring when I discovered my personal info had been included in three separate leaks in the span of 2 weeks. It's a lot of work to protect yourself, but it's a good feeling when it's done. 

Learn How to Protect Yourself During Data Privacy Week 

Data Privacy Week is January 27-31, 2025, because a single Data Privacy Day isn't enough when it comes to our data privacy, or digital footprints! Everything you do online contributes to the data generated about you, and is available to others. You may just throw your hands up and think it doesn't matter, but it does matter for both your online, financial, and physical safety. You can learn how to control the flow and availability of that data with this information from the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

Drowning in Spam? Stop Giving Out Your Email Address - Do This Instead

This is such an easy solution!

Why You Shouldn't Sign in With Google or Facebook

Why You Shouldn't Sign in With Google or Facebook, from How-To Geek by Fergus O'Sullivan
It's so easy to sign in to an online service with Google or Facebook. It's one less password you need to remember. BUT, what risks are you taking?

AI Privacy and Safety Checks

Sarah Wood, from Kent ISD and My EdTech World blog has curated a spreadsheet full of privacy and safety checks for popular AI apps. You can view it here. Select the tool from the list (or the tabs along the bottom of the sheet) to find out if an AI tool is safe to use with your students, or safe for you to use. 



Google Docs:  40 New Templates

Google has been on a template tear. They added new templates to Slides last month, and this month they have added 40 new templates to Docs. These pre-made pageless templates consist of several new features that make your documents visual and effective. Document tabs keep your documents organized, placeholder chips make it easy for you and your collaborators to add data, and building blocks, pre-set layouts and styles give your document a premium look and feel.To select a template, just select the Templates button at the top of a newly created Doc, or by selecting File > New from the template gallery in an open document. Full details are available here. You should be seeing this update now. Learn how to use templates in Docs here.

Google Drive:  Prevent File Downloading, Printing or Copying For All Users


When sharing a Doc, we've had the option to block commenters and viewers from downloading, printing and copying the file. Now we'll be able to activate those same restrictions for everyone with whom we've shared a file. If you give someone edit permissions to a file, but add the restrictions, they will be able to copy and paste document content, but only within the document. These restrictions will allow us to prevent sensitive information from leaking. We should see this option by the end of January. To use this feature, when you are sharing a file, click Settings at the top, and uncheck the Viewers Can See The Option to Download Print and Copy box. Here are instructions for sharing files in Google Drive.

Google Forms:  2 Important Updates Affecting Your Recipients

I just learned the hard way that one of these updates has moved the setting for how you make your form available to recipients. So before you send your next form and find out others can't access it, take a minute to watch this quick video. 





Resources for Safer Internet Day, February 11

Safer Internet Day (February 11th) is focused on empowering students to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically, and creatively. ConnectSafely has a host of free classroom lessons, activities and resources to encourage students to help create a better and safer internet. 

If You Are Still Using Windows 10, Your Computer Will Soon Be At Risk

Windows 10 will no longer receive security patches starting next October. If your laptop cannot upgrade to Windows 11, it's time to replace it. 



5 AI Extensions for Teachers 

5 AI Extensions for Teachers, from Chromebook Classroom by John Sowash
These 5 extensions will save you so much time!

Google Sheets for Educators (or Anyone)

Google Sheets for Educators, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
You already have to use Google Sheets for field trip permissions, conference schedules, and tech inventories. Wouldn't it be helpful to feel comfortable when using it? In addition, it can help you with things like tracking student progress, tracking your classroom book library or classroom inventory, tracking student behavior, creating interactive games and activities, making pixel art with your students, and so much more. 

Missing JamBoard? Here's an Overview of FigJam



Google Keep’s 5 Best Feature Updates—So Far

Google Keep’s 5 Best Feature Updates—So Far, from How-To Geek by Bobby Jack
Google Keep is my go-to note taking, list making, app. My husband and I even maintain our shared grocery list in Keep. It can be a very useful tool for you and your students. 
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