Monday, December 22, 2025

Tech Tips and News for December 2025

Gemini Generated with Nano Banana
Did you know that most data breaches start with an employee falling for a phishing email? Have you fallen for a phishing attempt recently? Some of your recently received a phishing email that appeared to be from Fr. Christoper. Many of you were alert enough to realize it was not a legitimate message, but a few of you fell for it. I encourage you to review the safety and security articles below and participate in each of the Michigan Catholic Conference cyber trainings that come through your inbox. Accidentally interacting with a phishing message is exactly what they are intended to prevent. 

During our recent snow day, I had a chance to do some experimenting with Google Gemini. I used Canvas in Gemini (not to be confused with the LMS) to create two interactive lessons and an infographic all in an afternoon. Take a look at the last article below, or watch the short video linked in that article, to see how easy it was and how much time Gemini can save you. I learned so much in just one afternoon about how to better use Gemini just by playing around with it. I also linked the lessons and infographic Gemini and I produced so you can see exactly what it created. It's time to work smarter, not harder, and Gemini has made it so much easier to do. Since Gemini is part of Google Workspace for Education, it's secure to use, and I don't need to create a third party account. Since teachers are some of the most creative people I know, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this tool.  If you have a chance to experiment with Gemini, or have already been using it, please let me know what you've created and how your experience went.

Safety and Security

News

Updates

Tips and Tutorials




Before You Check Out, Read This: 10 Crucial Online Shopping Safety Tricks

Before You Check Out, Read This: 10 Crucial Online Shopping Safety Tricks, from PC Magazine by Eric Griffith and Kim Key

Is That Your Delivery Driver Calling or a Phone Scam? Don't Pick Up Until You Read This? 

Rule of thumb, If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. If it's important they'll leave a message and you can call them back. This article also explains what the caller labels on your phone really mean and shows you how to block those scammy callers. 

How to Report Phishing in Gmail (Video)



Spot Phishing Emails (Video)


Email Scams are Getting Better, What Should We Do? (Video)


I Compared the Privacy of ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity - Here's the One You Should Trust Most with Your Personal Info


This comparison is when using these chat bots with your personal account. When using your school account, Gemini is the most secure. That being said I still wouldn't share any personal information with any of them. 




14 Things AI Can Do Faster Than You, But Never Better

While AI seems like it can think - it really can't, it just predicts what it thinks we want to hear. Find out how else being a human has its advantages over AI.

Pathways to AI - Earn up to 81 SCECHs for Free

Are you ready to master AI tools? KISD is offering an Asynchronous/Self-Paced course, February 1-April 30, 2026. Explore four tailored pathways: AI Foundations, Content Creation, Classroom Instruction, or Student Engagement at your own pace with hands-on tools and vendor-backed certifications. Earn digital badges that prove your expertise, streamline your workflows, and empower students with critical AI skills. Complete one pathway or all four; you decide your journey. No cost, maximum flexibility, maximum impact. Register for Pathways to AI here.

Updated AI Privacy and Safety Checks

Kent Intermediate School District has created and maintains a comprehensive list of educational AI tools and rates their privacy and safety. This is a great place to start when you are thinking about using an AI-enabled tool for your own use or especially with students. You can find it at iamed.tech/aiprivacysafety. 

Brand-New Classroom Game from Common Sense Education

What's AI, and what isn't? In today's media landscape, kids need to know! Two Truths & AI is a 
digital literacy game for grades K–12 that teaches students to spot AI-generated content and develop important media literacy skills.

Through an engaging 60-second challenge, students try to distinguish between real and AI-generated movie posters. It's a fun way for students to test their AI detective skills, while also building their critical thinking muscles.

 Use this new game to help your students:
🔎 Learn to spot AI-generated content by noticing visual clues
✋ Explain their reasoning through thoughtful analysis and discussion
🧠 Think critically about the digital images they see

Best of all, this new game is 100% free for educators everywhere! Learn more and try it here. 



Google Classroom:  Educators Can Now Assign Public Notebooks


Teachers can attach public notebooks to assignments, in addition to the notebooks they create or own. NotebookLM is a great way for students to interact with AI, because it limits the source documents to only those included in the Notebook. Students could then ask questions about the content, create a study guide, flash cards, listen to the content, watch a video containing all the info and more. We do not currently have NotebookLM turned on for students until staff can learn about NotebookLM and plan for its use. Learn more about creating assignments with NotebookLM here. This feature will be rolling out during the month of December.

Google EDU November Update

John demonstrates how to use the latest updates in Google. 

December Google EDU Update







What to Do When Your Computer Won't Start

What to Do When Your Computer Won't Start, from PC Magazine by Whitson Gordon
It's such a sinking feeling when your computer won't start. Don't panic, try these steps instead.

Is That an AI Image? 6 Telltale Signs It's a Fake - And My Favorite Free Detectors

I've noticed some AI images and videos are so obvious, but others aren't. I appreciate the AI detector suggestions. 

Is That an AI Video? 6 Telltale Signs It's a Fake

Is That an AI Video? 6 Telltale Signs It's a Fake, from ZDNet by Elyse Betters Picaro
Learn what to look for to spot those fake videos. This article also makes some suggestions for AI detection tools. (Tip:  watch this one from home, as most of the video examples are from TikTok and blocked on school WiFi.)

Your Google Drive is a Disaster - Here's How to Fix it in Just One Afternoon

Thank goodness Drive is easily searchable, but it's even easier when you can find your files because you've organized them!

From 45 Minutes to 8: How to Streamline Assignments with This Hidden Google Classroom Feature

Were you aware of the Reuse Post feature? I wasn't. Having a Google Classroom full of assignment templates is brilliant!

8 Googley Wintertime Activities

8 Googley Wintertime Activities, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Help your students improve their tech skills with these free winter themed activities. All can be done in Google Slides, Drawing, Sheets or Docs. Templates are provided to get you started. 

I Spent a Snow Day Afternoon Experimenting with Gemini Canvas

My first Gemini Canvas project

Gemini can create just about anything you ask it to. I recently explored the Canvas tool (no, not Camvas the LMS) to create a couple of phishing lessons and an infographic (see the video here). First I used the Fast method- which took about 20 minutes to create from start to finish includeing all the adjustments I made to it. Then I tried the thinking method, which took closer to 45 minutes to create and refine due to its complexity. The Thinking option was definitely overkill for this exercise and made the assignment more of a course with modules than just a simple lesson. The thinking method would be better used when needed to incorporate images, such as when creating an infographic or if you are looking for something more complex. In hindsight, I could have shortened the time it took to refine the projects if I'd created a more detailed prompt in the first place. Your prompt can be as long and detailed as you need it to be. I've seen some that are pages long and include dot points. Neither of these lessons are ready for prime time, but are a good start considering they took less than an hour, were free, customizable, and I didn't have to know how to code to create them.  

Once the lessons were created, I then asked Gemini how I could share them. Sharing the infographic was easy, but the interactive lessons were a little more complicated, and this is where Gemini was less helpful. I had to spell out that I am not a programmer or coder, am new to Gemini Canvas, and needed specific instructions as to where to find the code file it was referring to. Turns out there's a tiny filing tray icon in the upper right corner that lists all of the files Gemini creates for a project. I also needed to switch between the preview and code views - another thing Gemini neglected to mention. (I point out the location for both of these in the video I linked above.)

You can see all three of these Gemini created projects here, including the prompts I used and what I learned. 

Here are my take-aways:
  • Start Simple - Start with a project you are familiar with, such as creating a worksheet in a Google Doc, a presentation, or an infographic and use the Fast method - unless you need Gemini to create graphics.
  • Detailed Prompt - be as detailed as possible when creating your initial prompt. Use natural language as if you were speaking to a human. Include your role, your intended audience, details about what content to include including any key terms it should use, and what kind of project you're creating (printable worksheet, interactive lesson, infographic, etc.). The more detailed your inital prompt is, the fewer adjustments you'll need to make and the faster the project will go.
  • Continue the Conversation - Usually the initial creation is just a start, and as you look through it you'll think of things you'd like Gemini to change. Consider the Gemini chat to be an ongoing collaboration. You tell Gemini what to change and it will do it. Ask Gemini for advice, and it will provide it. If you don't understand what it's telling you to do, ask questions. 
  • How to Share?  I spent the most time with the lesson projects trying to figure out how to share them. Because they were interactive lessons, it's more complicated than creating a doc or slide file to share as you normally would. Gemini was less detailed in it's instructions for where to find files it would refer me to. I eventually realized all the files Gemini creates based on your prompts are accessible via a very small filing tray icon in the upper right corner. I also didn't realize at first that there's a preview and code view, so if you need to copy and paste the code you need to switch to code view. 
  • Keep Trying! The more you work with Gemini, the faster you'll become at telling it what you want, and knowing what details to include in your prompt. 
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Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Tech Tips and News for November 2025

Now that we're well into the holiday season, make sure you know better than to fall for any holiday scams. Unfortunately any shopping season brings out lots of online shopping scams. When we're full of holiday cheer and goodwill it seems even more offensive when we encounter these cyber thieves. There are several articles listed below on this topic. Staysafeonline.org is a great organization to subscribe to for timely cybersecurity reminders and news of the latest online scams to watch out for. Just open any article on their site and hit the subscribe button. Arm yourself with knowledge to stay a step ahead of these threats. They also hold cybersecurity webinars periodically. If you have any older adults in your life who struggle with technology or online secrity, this is a great resource for them!

Safety and Security


News


Updates


Tips and Tutorials




Don’t use a single password for every site, here’s why

If hackers have your password for one site, will they have the password for all of them? Hopefully not, because they're going to try them on every possible site. 

Beware the 'Hi, how are you?' text. It's a scam - here's how it works

Don't be tempted to be friendly or helpful if someone you don't know texts you. 

This Windows Update Screen is Actually a Hacker's Trap

Beware of any screen that looks like a Windows update, but asks you to do anything other than restart your computer. True updates never need you to perform any keyboard commands to complete. The screen you are seeing in that case is usually just a website. Closing that tab in your browser can remove it. 

Is That Holiday Deal Too Good to Be True? Here's How to Tell If It's a Scam

Shopping scams are expecially prevalent during the holidays. Find out how not to fall for the new "fake seller" or any of the other scams they run.

Don't Get Tricked by Fake Amazon Reviews This Black Friday. Here's How to Spot the Real Ones

Now that Fakespot is going away, how can you spot those fake reviews? Here are some telltale signs.

Safe Online Holiday Shopping

Safe Online Holiday Shopping, from National Cybersecurity Alliance
Check out this quick list of things to watch out for when doing your holiday shopping online. Beware of those Grinch Bots!


10th Annual Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit

This annual series of webinars is a free online conference for educators, available on-demand from December 15, 2025 until January 11, 2026. You can get free certificates for professional development credits from the comfort of your couch. Register here and receive each webinar in your emailbox. This year there are eight new featured speaker sessions, which are 45-60 minutes long. There will also be 30-minute spotlight sponsor sessions. In addition to this year's offerings, you are usually able to access webinars from previous years as well. I learn something new every year from this summit.




Google Calendar:  Block Off Time to Work on a Task in Calendar


Do you use Google Tasks to keep track of your to-do list? If so, you can block out time in Google Calendar to work on those tasks. When you create a new appointment on your calendar, just select task, and choose the task from your task list. You should be seeing this new feature now. Learn more about reserving time for Tasks on Calendar in this help article. 

;">Google Drive:  AI-Powered Audio Overviews for PDFs

This update will allow you to convertlong, text-heavy PDFs—such as industry reports, contracts, or lengthy meeting transcripts—into a conversational, podcast-style audio summary. With just one click, a new audio file is saved directly to your Drive. Users can listen to the summaries from anywhere they can access their Drive files, whether they’re commuting, working out, or doing chores. Once the audio overview is generated on a desktop, the user receives an email notification that the file is ready. The audio file is automatically saved to a new "Audio overviews" folder in their Drive, which they can then access from any mobile or desktop device. Learn more about audio overviews for PDFs in Drive here. This update started rolling out on November 12, 2025. We should see it before the end of November.

;">Gemini:  Generate Presentations with a Text Prompt

This is now available to all Google users! Simply provide an idea with a simple text prompt or upload a source, and Gemini will generate a set of slides — complete with a theme and relevant images. Then, you'll export the presentation from the Gemini app directly to Google Slides to continue to refine or collaborate with others. You'll start by opening Gemini (it's available in the waffle-app switcher) and selecting Canvas in the toolbar. Then ask Gemini to “create a presentation.” You can specify a topic or upload your own source with the prompt. Learn more about using Canvas in Gemini here. This update is available now. 

Google Vids:  Create Short Videos from Images


Teachers and admins who have the Teaching and Learning Google license can now use Veo 3.1 in Google Vids to create eight second video clips from images. Provide a few images and write a prompt for the video you want to create and voila! Your video will automatically be created. Learn how to create your custom video from images from this help center article. You can also watch this video for instruction. This update may still be rolling out. Everyone should see it by mid-December. Read the update annoucement here. 



Unlock the Power of Google Drive Across All Your Devices

Take control of your Google files! This is a great tutorial for making the most of, and understanding Google Drive. 

Teachers:  Guided Learning for Gemini Won't Complete Homework for Students

We have not yet turned on Gemini for students yet, but this is a compelling reason to think about it!

Gemini for Teachers - Essential Classroom Guide


Using, Creating & Sharing Gems in Google Gemini

Using, Creating & Sharing Gems in Google Gemini, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
If you've spent much time using Gemini or Chat GPT, you know there's an art to creating a good prompt that gives you the results you're looking for. There's usually a lot of trial and error involved before you get what you want. Gems take all that guesswork out of the equation and provides you with a prompt to do a certain task - that you can usen over and over again. In addition, Eric Curts has curated quite a collection of Gems for teachers to use. 

7 Ways I Use NotebookLM to Make My Life Easier

7 Ways I Use NotebookLM to Make My Life Easier, from How To Geek by Jorge A. Aguilar
I've used NotebookLM so many times to teach me a new process or summarize a long article. I've even used it to compare two different products/services to work through a pros and cons list. Now you can completely interact with it and ask questions as it goes. This tool is quickly becoming the swiss army knife of my life. 

Getting Started w/NotebookLM Infographics and Slide Decks!



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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Tech Tips & News for September-October 2025

This ended up being a combined September and October issue, since we were a little short-staffed during those months. Once again, I've done my best to catch us up with all Google updates - and there have been a lot! Most of the updates have revolved around AI enhancements to Classroom and Notebook LM. If you haven't explored the usefulness of Notebook LM, do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to see the new features. I've also posted a tutorial video in the Tips and Tutorials section. Need a video for some classroom content?  Notebook LM to the rescue. Need to quickly learn a new section you need to teach? Notebook LM is your friend. Need to create a study guide for your students? You guessed it - Notebook LM! This tool is now a core Google Workspace for Education app, and is also available for students as well, although we have not yet made it available to them at ASA. As we become more familiar with it, we can start that conversation. To find Notebook LM, in either Gmail or Drive, tap the app switcher and scroll down until you see Notebook LM. (see image at left.)

Safety and Security


Updates

News


Tips & Tutorials


Ditch Your Passwords: Why Passkeys Are the Future of Online Security

Have you noticed the prompts by many of your online accounts to set up a passkey? This article explains why, and how to start using them. Pro tip:  store your passkey in your password manager instead of on a device. Otherwise, when the device is lost, dies or is replaced, you lose your passkey. 

Text Messages Can Be One of the Best Ways for Scammers to Take Your Data

We've all received them. Learn what to do when you get one. 

Could Your Phone Have Malware? Here's What to Look For and How to Remove it

Sometimes it's hard to tell if your device has been compromised. Find out what to look for and how to fix it.

AI-driven scams are preying on Gen Z’s digital lives​

The elderly aren't the only ones at risk - Gen Z and Millenials are increasingly falling victims to mobile extortion. Find out how to protect yourself. 


Google Classroom Read Along:  Generate Stories Using Gemini

Generate a New Story in Read Along

Now, in addition to being able to upload your own content in Read Along, educators will also be able to create their own stories in Read Along using Gemini. This will allow you to create stories based on the student's interests, or using a specific vocabulary list. From the assignment creation screen, open Read Along, and select “Generate.” From there you select a target grade for the story, add in a topic or plot, list any additional details like length of the story or learning goals, and add any keywords you want in the story and click “Write with AI”. Gemini will create a story that can be reviewed and further edited by the educator, and then assigned to students. Learn how to use Read Along in Google Classroom here. 

Google Classroom:  Create and Assign Notebook LM and Gems

Now, educators can instantly create interactive AI learning experiences for students using NotebookLM and Gems right from Google Classroom – and using their class materials. They can then be assigned to students for extra practice, support, and learning opportunities. Once created, students will be able to access the teacher-created notebook or Gem on their Classwork page in Classroom, either as a “Class learning resource” at the top of the page, or as part of an assignment. 
  • Using NotebookLM, educators can select resources from their class to instantly create an interactive study guide and other learning aids like podcast-style audio overviews, mind maps, and more – grounded only in the materials educators upload. See examples. 
  • Educators can create a Gem, which is a custom version of Gemini, for their students to interact with. Teachers can select class materials to inform a new Gem, whether they create one from scratch or select one of the templates in Classroom (Study partner, Quiz me, Brainstorm partner, or Real-world connector). See examples.
Teachers can learn how to create assignments with Notebook LM and Gems in Google Classroom here. Student instructions can be found here. Currently students do not have access to Notebook LM or Gems at ASA. Interested in using these resources with your students? Let's start a discussion!

Google Classroom:  Convert Rubrics from Drive or Local Files


Eucators can now quickly adapt existing rubrics from Drive or local files for Google Classroom assignments with Gemini's assistance. From the Rubric menu in the assignment creation screen, educators can now select “Convert from file” to instantly turn existing rubrics from various files and use them in Google Classroom, without the need to enter the information manually. This feature is available now. Learn how to use Rubrics in Google Classroom here. 

Gemini:  New Study Tools for Adults and Students


In addition to the ability to create quizzes in Gemini, three new options are now available. 
  • Guided Learning:  The Guided Learning feature in Gemini is designed to be an interactive study partner that focuses on helping users achieve a deep understanding of a topic, rather than just providing quick answers. When Gemini is turned on for students, they could use the Guided Learning as an interactive study guide. Gemini will ask the student open ended questions to test their mastery of the topic.
  • Study Tools:  In addition to quizzes, you can now customize the number of questions as well as the question type - for example, multiple choice or short answer. You can also ask Gemini to instantly create flashcards and study guides based on your quiz results or other class materials, providing a simple and effective way to review key concepts and reinforce your learning.
  • Integrated Visuals and YouTube Videos:  To make learning more engaging and effective, Gemini will now automatically integrate relevant visuals, like high-quality diagrams, images, and YouTube videos, directly into its responses to help you learn. 
These features are available now, although Gemini is currently turned off for students at ASA. Learn how to use use the learning tools in Gemini here. 

Google Sheets:  Condensed Version History

When viewing the version history in a Sheet, by default it will now show only the rows with cells that had changes in each version. This should make it easier to tell what info was changed in each version. If you prefer to see the entire sheet, you can click the checkbox to show unmodified rows. You should start to see this updated by the end of September. Learn how to see earlier versions of a file here. 

Notebook LM:  Now Create Flashcards, Quizzes and New Reports

Notebook LM will now allow you to create flashcards, quizzess and customized reports based on the information you have loaded into it. This update is available to both students and teachers, however at ASA we have turned AI features off for students until we develop an AI implementation plan for students. You should begin to see this update by mid-September. Read the full details of this update here.  Learn how to create assignments with Notebook LM & Gems in Google Classroom here. 

Notebook LM:  Video Overviews


Users can now turn documents, slides, charts and more into engaging explainer videos that are narrated by an AI voice. Video Overviews are visual walkthroughs of the content you provide, pulling in images, diagrams, quotes, and numbers from your source material. Similar to Audio Overviews, you’ll also have the option to customize your Video Overview by specifying topics to focus on, indicating your learning goals, describing the target audience, and much more. At this time, Video Overviews are only available to users over the age of 18, however once the video is created you can share that video with your students. Can't find the instructional video you need? Load your content into Notebook LM and have it create one for you. Need to quickly learn the content you need to teach your students? Create an audio overview to listen to in the car, or a video overview to watch and learn. Learn how to generate video overviews in Notebook LM here or watch the video (above) I asked Notebook LM to create based on these instructions. The video did take about 30 minutes to generate, but I was able to do other things while Notebook LM was taking care of that for me. This update is available now.

Notebook LM:  Now Available to Users of All Ages

Notebook LM is now available to all users, not just to those over the age of 18. While we have not yet made this available to ASA students, we now can. NotebookLM is covered under the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service for all Workspace for Education users. Those terms include enterprise-grade data protections, so your data is not reviewed by anyone or otherwise used to train AI models. NotebookLM also supports compliance with industry regulations like FERPA and COPPA. This update is already available. Get started with Notebook LM here. I've also included a video tutorial below.

Notebook LM:  Build a Deeper Understanding of a Topic with Learning Guide

Turn on Learning Guide mode in Notebook LM Chat

In addition to being able to ask Notebook LM about the sources you've curated in a notebook, you can now chat in Learning Guide mode. This encourages participation with probing, open-ended questions. Instead of just giving answers, it helps you break down problems step-by-step and adapts explanations to your needs, building a deeper understanding of the subject. Simply tap the settings button in the Notebook LM Chat window, and select Learning Guide. You'll enter into an interactive session to learn about the topic. Learn about 6 ways to use Notebook LM to master any subject here. 



How Schools Can Use AI While Protecting Student Equity, Privacy and Inclusion

Students need to learn about AI because it's their future. So how do we protect them at the same time? 

Book It! Starts in October

I was surprised to see in the latest Control Alt Achieve newsletter that Book It! is still around. Pizza Hut still rewards students in grades PreK - 6 for reading books. The program begins October 1st. Teachers can sign up here. After signing up, teachers will be able to access the dashboar, where they can manage their classes, students, goals and progress. As students read books and meet their goals, they receive digital reading award certificates, which they can redeem for a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza at Pizza Hut. 


Is That Video Real? 5 Tips for Spotting AI-Generated Content

With AI generated video services, it's getting so much more difficult to tell a genuine video from an AI-generated video. How well can you spot the AI video? 

These 7 Bad Habits Are Destroying Your PC

These 7 Bad Habits Are Destroying Your PC, from PC Magazine by Whitson Gordon
We're all guilty of at least one of these. 

How to Catch Sneaky Students on Their Chromebooks (Video)

This is a follow up on the podcast I posted last month. This video shows the specific student behavior discussed in the podcast. 

Starting Strong:  4 Google Classroom Organization Hacks Every Teacher Must Know


27 Free Gemini AI Tools for Educators

27 Free Gemini AI Tools for Educators, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
These are easy to use and available right in Classroom - and will save you lots of time. In this article, there is a detailed video tutorial to watch to learn how to use these resources. 

Google Gemini 101 for Teachers:  Getting Started with Google's AI Assistant

If you're not sure where to start with Gemini, here's a good place. If you've aleady dabbled with Gemini, you can pick up some new features. Gemini is available in the waffle with the rest of the Google apps or as a standalone app on your mobile device.

The Ultimate Guide to NotebookLM - All 2025 Features Explained



TechFlix:  Read Along in Google Classroom



20+ Sources of Free Digital Content for Your Class

20+ Sources of Free Digital Content for Your Class, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
These open educational resources are reliable, up-to-date lessons.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Tech Tips and News for August 2025


Have you survived the first couple weeks of school, or are you hanging on by your fingernails? Hopefully this upcoming long weekend will give you a chance to catch your breath. The first two weeks are behind us, with all their new schedules and procedures. Enjoy the long weekend and soak up the last bits of summer - you deserve it!



Safety and Security

Tips & Tutorials




Gmail Security Alert for all 2.5 Billion Users - Steps to Take Now

You will not be contacted by Google Support - do not respond to emails, texts or phone calls claiming to be them. I'll also remind you again - NEVER reset your password for any online account using a link in an email or text, and NEVER share your 2 factor authentication code with anyone. I suspect this threat is mainly for personal Gmail users, but I'm sharing the info just in case it also involves business and education users. With education accounts, there is also some additional security layers in place in our infrastructure, but no system is fool proof. Our students should be isolated from this threat as their accounts are within a "walled garden" where only authorized senders can contact them. So continue to be ever vigilant with both your school and personal online accounts. 

Verify a Security Alert is From Google

This article from Google Guidebooks explains how Google uses security alerts, and how to confirm a security alert is, in fact, from Google. 

Warning: Instagram Users Targeted by Sneaky New Phishing Scam

This is another variation of the usual phishing attempt we all receive. Protect yourself, regardless of the current flavor of the month scam, by following these hard and fast rules:
  • Never login to any account from an email or text link - go to the website itself through its app or a browser to verify the legitimacy of the message.
  • Never click on ANY links in an email or text - see above
  • The more urgent the message, the more likely it's a scam - ignore or report it
  • If any payment is requested in gift cards or Bitcoin, it's a scam - ignore or report it

FBI Issues Warning to All Smartphone Users — This Dangerous New Scam Could Be At Your Door

Let's add to the list of not clicking on links from people we don't know - don't click on QR codes unless you know what they are for. Definitely don't click on any QR codes on random packages. 
 

Why Every School Should be Using Gemini - Data Privacy

Why Every School Should be Using Gemini - Data Privacy, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
This is a nice privacy endorsement from Eric Curts. 

Unplugging These 7 Common Household Devices Helped Reduce My Electricity Bills

I don't know about you, but the peak hours electricity rates in the summer usually send me running around my house every Monday morning unplugging anything that doesn't get used on a daily basis. Learn which devices you should definitely be unplugging. 

A Teacher's Guide to Chromebooks (video)

Just as a Windows laptop is different than a Mac laptop, chromebooks are a little different than both. Help your students make the most of their Chromebook by watching this video. Many of the tips will help you using Chrome on any device as well. 



Combating Sneaky Students

Combating Sneaky Students, from Chromebook Classroom by John Sowash
Do you have students who always seem to find a way to bypass GoGuardian? Listen to this podcast by John Sowash and Eric Griffith.

Google NotebookLM for Teachers:  10 Things to Know for Educators

This is a very useful tool that is baked right into Google Workspace for education. Find out ten ways it can help you. It is currently turned off for students. 

Gemini's Guided learning - Moving from Answers to Understanding for Students

Gemini's guided learning for students will support learners, but not do the work for them. Find out how. 

Vault Learning Games Library

This site contains a collection of educational games from the Field Day Lab at the Wisconsin Center of Education Research. On the Vault Game Library site, you'll find 75 games for grades K-12, covering a wide range of subjects and topics, from creators, such as iCivics, PhET, Learning Games Lab, and more. You can easily filter the games by grade level, subject, topics and maker. 


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Thursday, July 24, 2025

Tech Tips and News for July 2025

Image generated by Gemini
Well July is certainly a major Google update month! Many were announced via the normal channels, but many more were announced at the ISTE conference at the end of June/early July. They are listed below in the Updates section, and wow, it's a long list! Some updates have already been released, and others are coming soon within the next two months. Teachers, you will definitely want to take a look at the many updates and added features to Google Classroom. If you're currently using MagicSchool or SchoolAI, many of those tools are now available right in Classroom within the Gemini tab. Check out the video in the update article below. There are so many time saving tools for teachers! I also added tutorials for the new features where I could find them. Of course there's always the new Google training platform, also listed in the updates section, to learn all the Google Workspace for Education apps. More will come as the new features roll out. I wanted to share this info with you now to give you time before school starts, in case you wish to check out all the new tools. If you are still savoring every last bit of summer before you return to school in three short weeks, save this info for later. See you soon.

Security 


Updates


Tips and Tutorials




How Hackers Steal Passwords


Watch Out:  How to Stop Your Smart TV From Spying on You

As with most online services, convenience comes at a cost and with possible risk. Learn how to protect your data and privacy. 

Core 4 Online Safety Basics

Core 4 Online Safety Basics, from National Cybersecurity Alliance
It doesn't have to be complicated - just remember 4 good habits. Simplify them further by using a password manager. With this tool, you can stop stressing over remembering all your passwords or thinking up new ones. It also speeds up the login process. I use Bitwarden free version, and it works like a charm. 

What to Do When You Get Hacked: Follow These Steps Now

What to Do When You Get Hacked: Follow These Steps Now, from PCMagazine by Neil J. Rubenking
This article not only covers what to do after you get hacked, it also discusses the ways you can get hacked and how to avoid them. 



Google's Biggest Workspace EDU Updates Ever (video)

As a reminder, we have the Teaching & Learning ediction of Google Workspace for Education. Most of the Classroom updates he mentions will be coming to our version soon, if it's not already there. 

Google Classroom:  New Capabilities for Student Groups

Teachers can now email groups, sort by groups on the Student work page, and edit student groups when creating an assignment. Group names are not visible to students. You should see this update now. Learn how to manage student groups here. 

Google Classroom:  Gemini in Classroom Available to All Adults

Gemini in Classroom was only available to Education Plus users, but has now been made available for all Google Workspace for Education versions for users who are 18 and over. You'll now have access to many of those teaching assistant tools right in Classroom. Those features include
  • Create a rubric
  • Brainstorm project ideas
  • Translate text
  • Build a choice board
  • Write an iniformational text
  • Write a story
  • Tackle common misconceptions
Teachers can also ask Gemini to refine content it has generated, and then easily add it to an assignment with the Add to class button. In addition teachers can also use starter prompts to help with things like brainstorming real world examples, gamifying an activity, generating differentiation strategies, drafting an exemplar and non-exemplar, as well as creationg depth of knowledge qustions. Watch the video below for ideas. Learn more about Gemini in Classroom here. 



Google Classroom:  Upload Standards and Add Them to Assignments

It will be possible to upload state standards via Case Network 2 to your Google Classroom. Once uploaded, you be able to tag assignments with the standards to gain insight into goal proficiency. More information about this update will be coming when it becomes available, so stay tuned. 

Google Classroom:  Analytics Tab Coming to Teaching & Learning

Soon you will see an additional tab on your course page for Analytics. This tab will allow teachers to receive relevant, real-time insights about your class, such as alerts on grade drops or changes in assignment completion. This will help you identify students who may need support. This update should also be available in the next couple months. 

Google Classroom Read Along:  Create a Story with Gemini + More

These updates were previously only available in Workspace Plus, but will soon be available to our Teaching & Learning version. 
  • Right within the Classroom flow, teachers can create a story with Gemini that will turn into a Read Along Activity.
  • Phonics Skills Dashboard
  • Heggerty Decodables Library Expansion
  • Silent Reading and Listening Modes

Google Drive:  Video Engagment Insights



Google recently enhanced the video play experience in Drive with a new look and feel, enhanced functionality, automatically generated captions, and video transcripts. With the latest update, you'll now be able to measure the engagement on videos uploaded to Drive with the ability to see the total number of times a video is opened. You can see this information in a new Analytics section in the Details panel. To see a video's "open count", open a video file in Google Drive > click the three dot menu > click on Details > open the new Analytics section. Learn more about storing and playing video in Google Drive here. This update became available in early June. 

Google Gemini:  Now Available for Students Under 18

Google has now made Gemini (Google's LLM like ChatGPT) available to all students under 18. It is considered a core application in Google Workspace for Education, and as such, it complies with the same privacy laws as the rest of the apps. Common Sense Media has recently awarded Google Gemini with their privacy seal. For now, we have disabled this for students until we can have a planning conversation as a staff to approach it thoughtully and intentionally. When activated it will allow teachers to assign Gems and Notebook LM in Classroom.

Google Gmail:  Manage Email Subscriptions From a Single Location

When this update arrives in late July, you'll be able to all of your email subscriptions in one place, and more importantly unsubscribe from any you no longer wish to receive. This is available now in a new Manage Subscriptions view that will also allow you to see which subscriptions send the most emails, and the number of messages they've sent in the past few weeks. Right now it is only available in Gmail on your mobile device.   Learn how to manage your subscriptions in Gmail here.

Google Notebook LM:  More Languages Supported and Video Overviews

This update is two treats in one. Now in Notebook LM, you can upload sources in over 50 languages. In addition, Notebook LM has created audio overviews of your resources, much like a podcast. Now it will also create video overviews. This tool is only available for users over 18, but will be available to students in the coming months. With NotebookLM you can upload resources, videos, and support articles to keep them in one place. Once uploaded, you can ask NLM anything you want about the topic, create a study guide, a timeline, listen to a podcast overview, or watch a video overview. Long articles? No problem, let NLM summarize it for you. Learn how to use NotebookLM in this Google Support article, or watch this video.

Google Training:  New Platform for Applied Digital Skills

Google for Education's Applied Digital Skills platform has been updated and has a new URL. ASA/DOGR bookmarks have been updated to reflect this. You may (or may not) recall, the Applied Digital Skills platform has interactive courses and lessons for learning how to use the Google tools, as well as other topics. This platform can be used by adults, but it is also designed so teachers can use the lesson plans and interactive classes with students as well. 

Google Vids:  Now Available to All Google for Education Users

Google introduced Vids last year to Education Plus users, they have now made Vids available to all Google Workspace for Education users. Google Vids is an AI-powered video creation and editing tool that is integrated with Google Workspace. You should already see Vids as a choice in your Google app switcher (9-dot menu), or you can access it a vids.google.com. Learn how to use Vids with Google's self-paced online training course, or see Vid features in this PDF. This help center article is also available to get you started. This will be an easy way for your students to create a video demonstrating their knowledge.


Meet the New Google for Education Learning Center

Google has replaced the Applied Digital Skills Teacher Site with the Google for Education Learning Center. This site provides free, online, on-demand training for teachers, school leaders and students related to Workspace, Chrome and Gemini. With the course catalog, you can filter courses by role, expertise level and specific Google products. In addition to Google products, there are also courses for Chromebooks, AI, Accessibility, and digital citizenship. This is also where you'll take training courses and test for Google certifications, such as Google Certified Educator levels 1 and 2. If an entire course seems daunting, I've linked many individual lessons (under 10 minutes each) on the Resources page of the Employee Tech Guide, under the Google Workspace for Education section. There, they are broken down by product.

Using Gemini in Google Classroom (video)



Beginner's Guide to Google Vids (video)


AI Introduction Videos & Lessons for You and Your Students

Google has made Gemini safe for students under 18 to use - we have not yet turned it on for students until we can have some conversations as a staff. Whether or not we do open Gemini up for students, it is important to include AI literacy in your Digital Citizenship lessons. Common Sense Media has lesson plans for you to use with your students in grades 6-12, as well as an AI Basics course for K-12 teachers. In addition, Google has provided some helpful videos you could use in class as well.

How to Spot Fake AI Photos (video)



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