Tech Tips and News for January 4, 2019

It's a new year, so it seems like a great time to brush up on our security and maintenance skills. The latest scam going around are fake receipts that make you think you've been charged for something you haven't purchased, and then provide your personal details to resolve the issue. Another topic is about how we all unwittingly give away too much of our personal information online. In addition to these tips, are some Windows troubleshooting tips for a slow computer, and lots of Google tips for searching, various Docs features and more. I hope 2019 is a fabulous year for you and starts out with secure and safe online habits.

• PSA:  Fake App Store Receipts are Tricking People Into Providing All Their Personal Details
• Things You Should Never Post Online but Probably Are
• The Real Way to Avoid Hearing from the Same 26 Facebook Friends
• Do You Really Need to Regularly Reinstall Windows?
• EDU in 90:  More Search Tricks for the Classroom
• Ten Overlooked Google Docs Features
• How to Suggest an Edit in Google Docs
• How to Create Multiple Columns in Google Docs
• Reminder - Empty Your Google Drive Trash Bin
• Create Drawings on Canvas by Google

PSA:  Fake App Store Receipts are Tricking People Into Providing All Their Personal Details

PSA:  Fake App Store Receipts are Tricking People Into Providing All Their Personal Details, from How-To Geek by Cameron Summerson
Don't believe this fake App Store invoice, and don't login to any account via a link in an email!

Things You Should Never Post Online but Probably Are

Things You Should Never Post Online but Probably Are, from How-To Geek by Craig Lloyd
File this under one of those things you may not have considered. Do yourself a favor and take this advice.

The Real Way to Avoid Hearing from the Same 26 Facebook Friends

The Real Way to Avoid Hearing from the Same 26 Facebook Friends, from Tech & Learning by Lisa Nielsen
Here's a genuinely helpful solution, so please stop falling for and participating in the chain letter version of this topic on FB. While we're at it, please stop falling for and participating in any chain letter meme/post on social media in general.

Do You Really Need to Regularly Reinstall Windows?

Do You Really Need to Regularly Reinstall Windows? from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
This is typically the remedy for a slow computer when all other troubleshooting fails. There are simple things we can do to prevent the slow down in the first place.

EDU in 90:  More Search Tricks for the Classroom

Ten Overlooked Google Docs Features

Ten Overlooked Google Docs Features, From Free Technology by Richard Byrne
Word Art, Voice Typing, and columns are just a few of the features you may not be aware of in Google Docs.

How to Suggest an Edit in Google Docs

How to Suggest an Edit in Google Docs, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
The beauty of Google docs lies in their collaboration tools. You can share the doc and give collaborators edit rights, or if you wish to approve each edit before it is made, or you can limit access to comments, and collaborators make suggestions that you can approve or cancel.

How to Create Multiple Columns in Google Docs

How to Create Multiple Columns in Google Docs, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
Trying to create a newsletter or brochure? The column feature in Docs will help achieve that look.

Reminder - Empty Your Google Drive Trash Bin

Reminder - Empty Your Google Drive Trash Bin, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
While your Gmail trash empties itself every 30 days, the Drive in your personal account does not. Why does it matter? There's a storage limit on personal accounts.

Create Drawings on Canvas by Google

Tech Tips and News for December 21, 2018

blog.whooosreading.org

I'm often amazed by the way timely topics show up in my news feed. For example, a couple weeks ago a few of our colleagues experienced the Microsoft service scam in their browser. Within a few days, and without actively searching for them, I ran across several articles addressing this particular scam. This happens often. In addition to this phenomenon, I also tend to see recurring variations on themes in the articles I encounter. You'll notice that in today's post. There are several different tips about Google Forms. They are all from different sources, and focus on a different feature, but all focus on how useful a tool Forms can be. It has become even more indispensible for teachers with the built-in, auto-correcting quiz feature, and the recently added ability to lock down the quiz so students cannot open new tabs  or leave the quiz. In addition to Google forms tips, are some important ones for anyone who accesses more than one Google account on one device, as well as ways to create strong passwords that are easy to remember, and some Google search tips. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your hard earned break!

• How to Use Multiple Google Accounts at Once in Google Chrome
• How to Create Easy to Remember Strong Passwords
• EDU in 90:  Google Search Tricks for the Classroom
• Google Forms Instructional Videos:  Custom Confirmation Message, Insert Images, Customize the Form
• How To Create Distraction-Free Quizzes in Google Forms
• Hacking the Sub Lesson:  Videos IN Google Forms

How to Use Multiple Google Accounts at Once in Google Chrome

How to Use Multiple Google Accounts at Once in Google Chrome, from Make Use Of by Nancy Messieh
This is the cleanest way to juggle more than one Google account, or share a computer with others. This process will create a separate shortcut on the desktop for each user, so you don't need to worry about whose account is logged in to Chrome and which bookmarks are, or aren't, available.

How to Create Easy to Remember Strong Passwords

How to Create Easy to Remember Strong Passwords, from Medium by Christine Brennan
There's no question we all hate needing to remember so many passwords. The struggle is real to keep track of them all. This formula will help. We all have our favorite phrases from movies or books we love, or maybe it's a slogan from a jingle that's stuck in your head. Even phrases of affirmation will work.

EDU in 90:  Google Search Tricks for the Classroom

Google Forms Instructional Videos

How To Customize Google Forms Confirmation Message

How To Insert Images in Google Forms

How To Customize Google Forms

How To Create Distraction-Free Quizzes in Google Forms

Google has created this handy, dandy guide to creating quizzes in locked mode on Chromebooks. This allows you to create and give a quiz in Google Forms without students being able to exit the quiz. Google Forms quizzes will also auto-grade for you as well. 

Hacking the Sub Lesson:  Videos IN Google Forms

Hacking the Sub Lesson:  Videos IN Google Forms, From Tech & Learning by Ramsey Musallam
Here's a clever hack for a guided lesson when you have a sub,  complete with baked in accountability checks for student work.

ASA Tech Tips and News for December 7, 2018

In a follow up to last week's scam article, I've include advice directly from Microsoft about the Microsoft scams. These scams are sometimes via phone, but are increasingly in the form of a pop up or browser window that starts speaking to you or locks your device until you either respond or shut down. No vendor (Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, etc.) will never contact you with suspected infection information. A legitimate warning for infection from your antivirus or malware program will never lock your device. Never pay ransom and always back up your device. Take a look at what Microsoft has to say toward the end of this post. In addition to these warnings, are easy ways to get to your G Suite apps without opening Gmail first, several "how tos" for Docs. Slides and Calendar, and how to track progress of pretty much anything in Sheets.

• G Suite for Education Shortcuts
• How to Add Page Numbers to Google Docs
• How to Add Videos to Google Slides Without Using YouTube
• How to Attach Files to Google Calendar Events
• Microsoft's Tech Service Scam Advice
• How to Create a Progress Tracker with Google Forms and Sheets
• EDU in 90:  Apps for Creating Engaging Presentations

G Suite for Education Shortcuts

G Suite for Education Shortcuts, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Quickly access your G Suite apps without needing to open your Gmail to see the app switcher. You'll notice a pattern to the URLs. That makes it easier to remember the URL and access the app directly.

How to Add Page Numbers to Google Docs

How to Add Page Numbers to Google Docs, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
It's easily done, and very much helps with multi-page documents. You can even set a different first page.

How to Add Videos to Google Slides Without Using YouTube

How to Add Videos to Google Slides Without Using YouTube, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
An instructional video is included in this post to illustrate how to save the videos to Drive, and insert them into Slides from there.

How to Attach Files to Google Calendar Events

How to Attach Files to Google Calendar Events, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
This is especially helpful if there is an agenda, or something all attendees need to read or collaborate on before or during the meeting.

Microsoft's Tech Service Scam Advice

In a follow up to last week's post about service scams, here is the specific advice Microsoft gives about dealing with service scams, as reported in a ZDNet article, by Catalin Companu, about Microsoft making arrests for the service scams. These are the scams that either arrive by a phone call claiming to be Microsoft needing to repair something on your PC, or via pop-up message telling you your computer is infected and to call a specific number.

Below is the tried and tested advice that Microsoft has always given out to users over the past few years in regards to tech support scams, shady popups, or impromptu phone calls:

1. Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication we have with you must be initiated by you.
2. Be wary of any unsolicited phone call or pop-up message on your device.
3. Do not call the phone number in a pop-up window on your device and be cautious about clicking on notifications asking you to scan your computer or download software. Many scammers try to fool you into thinking their notifications are legitimate.
4. Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.
5. If skeptical, take the person's information down and immediately report it to your local authorities.

How to Create a Progress Tracker with Google Forms and Sheets

How to Create a Progress Tracker with Google Forms and Sheets, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
No need to keep running totals manually! This would work for any goal - contests, reading logs, service hours, etc.

EDU in 90:  Apps for Creating Engaging Presentations

ASA Tech Tips and News for November 30, 2018

If you've never seen what it looks like when your legitimate anti-virus or malware program detects a possible infection, please take a few moments to watch the Tech Support Scams Explained video in this post. Hint:  None of them will take up your entire browser window and tell you to call a specific phone number. In happier news, a new G Suite update will finally allow users to see who the members of a group are when you hover over the address! This one has been a long time coming. Other information will also be available when hovering. Sometimes patience does pay off!

• G Suite Updates:  Google Calendar SMS Notifications Removed January 7, 2019, Learn More About Google Groups with Contacts Hovercards
• How to Set an Expiration Date When Sharing Files on Google Drive
• How to Enable or Disable Gmail Smart Replies
• How to Check Your Spelling in Google Docs
• Tech Support Scams Explained
• Learn Ed Tech From the Comfort of Your Couch
• A Digital Differentiation Model

G Suite Updates:

Google Calendar SMS Notifications Removed January 7, 2019

If you have your Google Calendar appointments set up to notify you via text message, you will need to select a different notification method before January 7, 2019. Here are the full details.

Learn More About Google Groups with Contacts Hovercards

This is a long overdue update. It will provide the ability to hover the mouse over a google group to see who the members are. In addition to seeing who the members are, you will also be able to schedule an event for the group, email them, and see more members. The G Suite Updates blog provides full details.

How to Set an Expiration Date When Sharing Files on Google Drive

How to Set an Expiration Date When Sharing Files on Google Drive, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
Did you know it was possible to temporarily share a file with others? If students have an assignment deadline, set an expiration date when sharing the file.

How to Enable or Disable Gmail Smart Replies

How to Enable or Disable Gmail Smart Replies, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Smart Reply or Smart Compose is when Google suggests a response to an email, or suggersts text while you are typing a message. Love it or hate it? Here's how to turn it on or off.

How to Check Your Spelling in Google Docs

How to Check Your Spelling in Google Docs, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
These instructions also work in Sheets and Slides.

Tech Support Scams Explained

Learn Ed Tech From the Comfort of Your Couch

Matt Miller is once again hosting Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit over Christmas break. It starts December 14, but you can either watch the webinars live, or watch them later when it's convenient for you. There will be many educators speaking about their ideas for infusing tech in the classroom. Here is more information and a link to get your ticket.

A Digital Differentiation Model

A Digital Differentiation Model, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne, Guest Blogger Danielle Lagnese
This educator created digital "playlists" for her students to differentiate their learning, and it made her life much easier.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for November 23, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are well fed and well rested from the long weekend. I took advantage of the time to finally get those leaves off my lawn...and just in time for Winter storm that shut down the midwest. With the short week, the list of tips is also short this week, but there are some very helpful ones!

• How to Service Your Own Computer:  7 Easy Things Computer Repair Places Do
• EDU in 90:  The Latest, November 2018
• Can You Show Netflix in Class?  Copyright for Teachers Made Simple
• How to Access and Use the Blurring Tools in YouTube's Video Editor
• Real or Fake? Factitious is a Breakthrough Tool for Assessing Student Online Literacy
• The Origins of Ingredients in Thanksgiving Meals

How to Service Your Own Computer:  7 Easy Things Computer Repair Places Do

How to Service Your Own Computer:  7 Easy Things Computer Repair Places Do, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Save your money and feel empowered!

EDU in 90:  The Latest, November 2018

Can You Show Netflix in Class?  Copyright for Teachers Made Simple

Can You Show Netflix in Class?  Copyright for Teachers Made Simple, from EdSurge by Eva Harvell
As educators, it's important to not only teach students about copyright and fair use, it's imperative that we model it.

How to Access and Use the Blurring Tools in YouTube's Video Editor

How to Access and Use the Blurring Tools in YouTube's Video Editor, from Free Tech for Teachers by Richard Byrne
You've just taken a delightful video of your students, and wouldn't you know it, the child who doesn't have a media release is front and center. Should you scrap the whole video? No, just blur the little darling's face! I promise, it won't hurt a bit.

Real or Fake? Factitious is a Breakthrough Tool for Assessing Student Online Literacy

Real or Fake? Factitious is a Breakthrough Tool for Assessing Student Online Literacy, from Tech & Learning by Glenn Wiebe
It's hard enough for adults to discern trustworthy, unbiased news from untrustworthy and biased information. Here's a game to help students learn the difference.

The Origins of Ingredients in Thanksgiving Meals

Weekly Tech Tips and News for November 9, 2018

publicdomainpictures.net

Thank goodness the elections are finished, and the annoying political ads are in our rear view mirrors...until next time. The political season has passed, and apparently so has the Fall season. We seem to have surged straight to winter. There's snow on the ground, and I was caught with a yard full of leaves still on the grass. I can only hope for a thaw so I can take care of them before the next snowfall. We can also be caught unaware with our computers. Just because your computer still works, doesn't mean it is safe to use. The operating system (OS) on all computing devices (phones, tablets, iPads, PCs, laptops, etc.) has a finite life cycle. Just like the leaves under the snow are not healthy for my lawn, using a device with an operating system that is no longer supported is not safe for you. Please take the time to read all the details about what this means in the first article. Although the article is specific to Microsoft, it is true with all devices running any OS. Tip:  If your computer is running Windows 7, it will no longer be support in January 2020. How can you tell which version your device is running? When you first turn it on, it will display the OS version.

• What it Means when Microsoft Stops Supporting Your Version of Windows
• G Suite Updates:  Use the Paint Roller to Copy Formatting to More Than One Object in Slides
• Protect your Google Account with 2-Step Verification
• Chrome 70 has Picture-in-Picture Now, Here's How it Works
• EDU in 90:  Innovative With Google Slides
• Escape to Flippity.net
• ytCropper - Share a Section of a YouTube Video
• Full Bleed - Finding Balance Between Technology, Work and Life

What it Means when Microsoft Stops Supporting Your Version of Windows

What it Means when Microsoft Steps Supporting Your Version of Windows, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
When your version of Windows is no longer receiving updates, it's seriously time to upgrade your computer. It will no longer be safe from harm online. Windows 7 users, your deadline is approaching in January 2020, at that point it's time to either upgrade to a new version of Windows, or replace your aging hardware.

G Suite Updates:  Use the Paint Format Tool to Copy Formatting to More Than One Object in Slides

If you have not discovered the joys of the Paint Format Tool, it is a huge time saver. Basically you format text and highlight it. To copy that formatting (not text) to another section of your slide, click the Paint Format Tool (looks like a paint roller), then just highlight the next section of text and the formatting will be applied. This has always been available, but you could only copy the formatting to one section at a time. The new change is that now you can format several different sections, not just one. Here are the full details.

Protect your Google Account with 2-Step Verification

Protect your Google Account with 2-Step Verification, from Control Alt Acheieve b y Eric Curts
Why should you use it? How do you use it? How do you set it up? It's important, read on!

Chrome 70 has Picture-in-Picture Now, Here's How it Works

Chrome 70 has Picture-in-Picture Now, Here's How it Works, from How-To Geek by Cameron Summerson
Chrome is in the process of updating to 70 now. You may already have it and not know it. With that update, you'll be able to use Picture in a Picture, just like on a TV. You can keep the video on top and still be working on something else.

EDU in 90:  Innovative With Google Slides

Escape to Flippity.net

Escape to Flippity.net from A Lever and a Place to Stand by Amy Roediger
Interested in creating your own breakout or escape game for your students, but thought it would be too complicated or expensive? It's Flippity to the rescue! You can easily create your own breakout game for free, without the expense of the box and locks.

ytCropper - Share a Section of a YouTube Video

ytCropper - Share a Section of a YouTube Video, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
If you only wish to share a portion of a YouTube video, this tool easily allows you to do that.

Full Bleed - Finding Balance Between Technology, Work and Life

Full Bleed - Finding Balance Between Technology, Work and Life, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Do yourself a favor by reading these words of wisdom. We all need time to recharge our batteries.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for November 2, 2018

This weekend it's time to end Daylight Saving Time and move our clocks back one hour. Hooray, we get an extra hour on Sunday! It's time to make the big decision:  Do I pull out my car manual to change the time on its clock, or should I just let it be an hour off until March? Have you ever wondered about the history of DST, or why we change our clocks twice per year, or even why not everyone observes it? The last article in today's post provides two short videos explaining the whole mess. Other topics include what iPhone and iPad users can expect in the next update, more shortcuts to help you and your students become Chromebook power users, PDF editing in Word, G Suite tips for math teachers, ways to use Google Earth on Chromebooks, and other helpful tidbits. Enjoy your extra hour this weekend!

• Here's What's New in iOS 12.1
• EDU in 90:  More Chromebook Shortcuts
• How to Edit PDFs in Microsoft Word
• How to Create a Storyboard With Google Slides
• The "Secret Menu" for Google Slides, Docs, Drawings and More
• How to Insert Equations and Special Characters Into Google Documents
• 7 Tips for Google Earth
• It's Time to Change the Clocks

Here's What's New in iOS 12.1

Here's What's New in iOS 12.1, from How-To Geek by Cameron Summerson
Your iPad, iPhone or Mac computer may be receiving an update to iOS 12.1 soon. Here's what you can expect.

EDU in 90:  More Chromebook Shortcuts

How to Edit PDFs in Microsoft Word

How to Edit PDFs in Microsoft Word, from PC World by JD Sartain
Previously I've posted about how to edit PDFs in G Suite. If you have Microsoft Word, you can also edit PDFs there.

How to Create a Storyboard With Google Slides

This is a great way for your students to plan out their videos before creating them. 

The "Secret Menu" for Google Slides, Docs, Drawings and More

The "Secret Menu" for Google Slides, Docs, Drawings and More, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Learn how to copy formatting, watch your students collaborate real time in Google Slides, lock in your Slides backgrounds, skip through YouTube videos and more!

How to Insert Equations and Special Characters Into Google Documents

How to Insert Equations and Special Characters Into Google Documents from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
You can insert symbols for math equations, arrows, stars, emojis, and much more in a Google document without any add-ons, extensions or apps. Need that copyright symbol? No problem! Need to create a math test? Still no problem!

7 Tips for Google Earth

7 Tips for Google Earth, from Sustainable Teaching by Tom Mullaney
Google Earth has been completely overhauled and now works on Chromebooks. It's not just for Geography, my friends! There are practical applications for ELA, Science and Math as well.

It's Time to Change the Clocks

It's Time to Change the Clocks, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

If you or your students wonder how Daylight Saving Time got started, why we use it, and why some states don't, here are two videos explaining it.