Brought to you by April showers... 

this bonus EdTech Check is actually brought to you from Common Sense Education's Tools & Trends.   

Common Sense Education - an incredible resource that keeps it Student-Centered, not too-techie!

Nothing for you to do, besides read some very interesting research (light read) and expand your thinking about kids and technology...

If you don't wanna read, at least watch that video linked in the STEM section! (Sorry, I couldn't get an ad-free version...apparently CBS relies on ads.  Who knew?!)

• The Average smart phone user scrolls the equivalent of 78 Miles per Year!!!

• Evidence shows this is hurting your brain.  Brain MRI images of phone addicted brains show actual brain activity increases that reduces focus ability, increases anxiety, and often lead to depression.  This is commonly referred to as Brain Rot.

From Common Sense Education, enjoy:

Trend you can use today:

"Brain-rot" was a term first originated by Thoreau in 1854, but today it's used to describe overstimulating or low-quality internet content (or its effects). Instead of telling kids, let them discover its origins!

• ELA: Have students research and write about where the term comes from, why Thoreau used it, and how it differs from how we use the term today. 

• Social Studies: Were there concerns about the impacts of technology in Thoreau's time? Have students compare and contrast past vs. current anxieties about tech.

• STEM: What does science say about the impacts of current tech on our brains? What's the biology behind those impacts?

Gmail R&R - nope sorry, that's Rescue & Resuscitation....the real R&R was last week; did you feel it?

This EdTech Check is all about your email experience!!!

Right after this:  How do you know a joke is a Dad Joke?  When it becomes apparent.  <insert cricket gif here>

ok, sticking with the topic now.

#1 - Archiving vs Deleting messages

Do You remember how I once said I'd rather you send me a Google Chat for quick answers, rather than an Email? True confessions; this is less about the expediency of Chat than it is about Roberts's amazingly overloaded messy Mailbox!!! I've had 1000s of unread messages in every Mailbox I've ever had (or read-then unread-to be read again someday) since I started with FirstClass Email back in the '90s. If you remember FirstClass Email then pat yourself on the back BUT stretch first bc -like me- you'll prob hurt yourself just reaching for your back!

*if you remember the 90s sit down and take a breather and maybe get some oxygen: you've earned it :-)

Yeah, I've used the read-unread method for so long it's pre-dated Google Archived messages and part of my habitual (bad?) workflow.

Don't know what Email Archive means? Check out this video:

https://video.link/w/iXBLPMamKoI

point 1: if you delete a message it stays in trash for 30 days before permanent removal

point 2: archiving a message removes it from your inbox but it's still searchable-findable in All Mail

point 3: All Mail is any message you've sent or received, but have not deleted.  Very helpful when you are searching for old messages!

I know, trust me I know, old habits yada yada...plus there's a certain satisfaction to hitting DELETE. Am I right? So yeah, I still absentmindedly click delete far too often. And my inbox pays the price!

Remember:

1. Deleting only holds a message for 30 days, while Archiving hides it from your view, but you can retrieve it forever.

2. You can search All Mail and retrieve any archived message easily.

3. Do you really wanna be a slob like Robert? Do you?

#2 - Send delay.

This is repeat hint, but it's been a minute. For those of us who send something then realize we didn't a) include the attachment, b) sent it the wrong recipient, or c) really shouldn't have said what we said in print...Set a DELAY on your sent messages!

So easy:

1. Go to your email Settings (gear upper right)

2. Choose "See All Settings"

3. Click on the "General" tab and set this: 

I picked 20 seconds...use your judgement.

4. Save Settings

#3 A bunch more gmail tips!

Some we've talked about: send delay, using templates,

Some you prob already do: labels, view by unread, 

Others maybe a bit more advanced, but useful organizational tips: filtering, themes

Happy to help out with any of this, just ask...but this video does do a nice job showing the steps for several great Gmail tips.

Because I believe in rewarding anyone patient and resilient enough to put up with me this long...did you know we gain more sunlight during March than any other month of the year?  

Spring, ahhhhhhhh 

EdTech PD Opportunity 

1-hour meetings = hours may be applied to FNESU floating in-service credit, 2024-25

• All sessions will be hands-on, face-to-face in Enosburg Schools, alternating between EES and EFMHS.  Hands-on (did I mention that?) means you'll be creating & constructing & having fun => STEM

• Weekly sessions will occur, 4:00-5:00pm on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons beginning in March.

• Exact times and dates will be established based on administrator approval, and teacher availability.  I will communicate more as soon as possible

• Limit of 10 teachers per session, please use this link to reserve your spot.

Topics (*you may slightly modify based on self-design, self-directed interests)

1. TinkerCad Design Build Print - basics + tutorials, discover project ideas

2. TinkerCad Classroom Management & Methods

3. TinkerCad: 2d to 3d world, and "make it useful"

4. Glowforge: Design Build Print

5. STEM:

6. STEM: 

7. WeVideo

8. Integrate a lesson: incorporating resources covered in preceding sessions, build a standards-aligned lesson plan for your classroom/grade level.

• 3/5 , 3:45-4:45  EES Library, TinkerCad 3D Design Build Print - basics + tutorials, discover project ideas

• 3/12 3:45-4:45 EFHS Multimedia Room, 3:45-4:45 TinkerCad 3D Classroom Management & Methods

• 3/19 3:45-4:45 EES Library, TinkerCad: 2D to 3D world, and "make it useful"

• 3/26 3:45-4:45 EFHS Multimedia Room 3:45-4:45 Glowforge Laser Printing basics: Design-Build-Print

• 4/2 3:45-4:45 EES Library, STEM: Creativity and Structural Design-Build

• 4/9 3:45-4:45 EFHS Multimedia Room STEM: Engineering Challenge

• 4/16 3:45-4:45 EES Library, WeVideo: Getting Started & Classroom Management

The top 4 Edtech things you need to know right now:

#1  FNESU made the move to Google "Education Plus".  Did you feel the momentum shift?

Yeah prob not, but there are a couple of very important things that this means for YOU:

*We officially use Google Meets for video conferencing now...No More fnesu Zoom accounts.  Google Meets is awesome, but I'm sure you already read-remember my EdTech about Google Chat which included some great things about Meets, like that it's built right into Gmail/Chat, integrated with Cal/Docs etc, and of course you can do a tech support session w me so easily ;-)

In addition, Google Meets allows you to do all the same stuff as Zoom; record meetings, breakout rooms, integrate into your calendar etc etc. 

If you need any sort of Google Meet help, let me know (or just open Chat and start a meeting with me!) 

#2  MailMerge is now built into Gmail this one is a personal favorite for me!

In the "To:" menu bar of a new mail message, you'll find mail merge.  Super easy to set up.  You check the box, open a spreadsheet with your intended recipient info, follow the onscreen instructions, and away you go.

Again, I'd be more than happy to show you more!

#3  Need more Gmail magic?  Do you ever find yourself writing the same/similar email over and over again to different people or different subjects?  Have you used Gmail Templates?  You can write an email, save it as a template, and use that the next time.  Go to the 3 dots, lower right, of an email and follow the Templates menu:

finale

#4 - Teachers, you have stuck around this long so you deserve some extra credit.  How about a local hands-on opportunity to earn that Floating In-Service Day?  Or are you that one person who wants to show up for an extra day in June???  You, I cannot help.  

But for everyone else, I'd like to offer this to you:

EdTech PD Opportunity 

1-hour meetings = hours may be applied to FNESU floating in-service credit

• All sessions will be hands-on, face-to-face in Enosburg Schools, alternating between EES and EFMHS.  Hands-on (did I mention that?) means you'll be creating & constructing & having fun => STEM

• Weekly sessions will occur, 4:00-5:00pm on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons beginning in March.

• Exact times and dates will be established based on administrator approval, and teacher availability.  I will communicate more as soon as possible

• Limit of 10 teachers per session, please use this link to reserve your spot.

Topics (*you may slightly modify based on self-design, self-directed interests)

1. TinkerCad Design Build Print - basics + tutorials, discover project ideas

2. TinkerCad Classroom Management & Methods

3. TinkerCad: 2d to 3d world, and "make it useful"

4. Glowforge: Design Build Print

5. STEM:

6. STEM: 

7. WeVideo

8. Integrate a lesson: incorporating resources covered in preceding sessions, build a standards-aligned lesson plan for your classroom/grade level.

*Sure, ask your questions, but Please don't rely on email to reserve your spot.  First come first reserved....use the form!  Does not cost a thing but a minute of your time.

Now that the late January daylight and Robert's brain have both long since faded, I'm going now to dream about Spring :-)

Happy Snow Day & New Year!!!!

I cannot believe I haven't sent out an Edtech Check since October...can you?  I must've been candy corn-comotose for a couple of months there!!!

OK, to make up for that I Resolve in 2025 to remember to send at least one EdTech Check.

"You're really setting the bar high there Gervais!"

Oh, you're also looking for an achievable New Year's Resolution?  I hear you:

You resolve to change your Google and PowerSchool Password multiple times this year.

What?  Are you already that good?  How about making it a password you have not used anywhere else!?!?

OK, my super edtechy friends, here are some EdTech Integration ideas for you:

#1 WeVideo is our Chromebook-friendly-ready video-editing suite.  If you have never used Wevideo, just let me know when I can show you how easy it is.  

If you need a WeVideo account, just reply now and request one.

If you're thinking what the heck would I do with it?  Check out the WeVideo Assignment Ideas within the app.  Things like:

• Cultivating Word Power

• Narrative Story Telling

• History Biographies

• Author Study

• Amazing Animals

• Animated Vocab words

• or one for your Students' new years resolutions: Setting Smart Goals

• Or, for Littles, how about simply recording early readers (let them record themselves and their favorite book!) and then listen back for feedback & improvement? 

• Or for Bigs; have them record a speech, news report or podcast.  Add in a green screen and let the creativity explode!

Video editing can be pretty time consuming, but with Wevideo it doesn't have to be!  The tool is already at the students' fingertips...you just need to illuminate it.  And I would love to help.

#2 Kleki - Drawing Program.  The easiest way to get started drawing on a Chromebook! All sorts of functional drawing tools.  Super intuitive.  Check it out!!!

#3 SWANK - If you ever thought "I'd love to stream this new Disney/Amazon/Netflix movie for my students.  I wonder if I can?"  Spoiler alert, you probably CANNOT due to licensing & copyright laws (before you throw things at Robert, I am not the copyright cop...but as educators we do need to model appropriate digital citizenship!) 

However you CAN (and should) check out SWANK to see if that movie is allowed and streamable through their streaming portal (sounds like a magical place that portal). 

SWANK offers 1000s of movie/show titles (I was surprised by how many recent blockbusters are actually available!).

Our wonderful EFMHS Librarian, Michelle Beaulieu has provided the attached Teacher's Guide to help you setup your account and begin streaming immediately.  Thanks Michelle!

That is all I have time for...gotta go shovel some snow

EdTech Check - October 2024: Google Chat

Happy Candy Corn Day (or “Halloween”...if you must),

I’m so excited about Candy Corn, in all it’s variations - like lil pumpkins.  But it’s especially the free kind, that I want to Chat about it.

See what I did there?  It’s called a segue…

 oh man, I kill me LOLOLOLOL.

Anyway, ahem, Google Chat.  While not quite Candy Corn, it’s still pretty great.  This incredibly handy communication tool is just sitting there waiting to make your job easier (for Free!).  Let me count the ways…

again?  Bwahahahaha…you can’t stop me, unless of course you stop reading.  

It gets better:

#1 -  See Chat?  It’s right there.  

Click n Go.

#2 - Google Chat is not limited to “text chatting”.  You can instantly start a Google Meet video conference.  

*hint hint, you do not need to have video actually on in order to “video” Meet with someone!  Audio is fine, and when you work with me you can Audio Meet and SHARE a tab to show me exactly what you need help with!

#3 - Zoom is going away.  FNESU has decided to forgo the purchase of zoom licenses, and instead purchase “enhanced Google Education services”.  Most significantly for you & I is that this means that we’ll be able to record Google Meet sessions.  A whole ‘nother thing, but I’d be super excited to show you this simple tool once it becomes fully available to us (more in my next EdTech Check).

#4 - Quick answers to those pesky IT problems (no, you cannot chat away Robert).   This DOES not replace Tech Tickets for those more lengthy and involved problems - especially the network types (which go to Josh).

But if you have a need for a password reset, a quick question about access to something, or need me to stop by if I’m available, then Google Chat is a pretty-much sure fired way to get my eyes on something.  Again NOT a replacement for Tech Tickets!

*If I’m available I answer Chat’s pretty quickly - much quicker than reading through all the emails I get.

BONUS - if you Google Chat with Robert and he’s just not understanding what you’re seeing, you can Google Meet with me, right from the Chat screen, and we can share screens so I can see the issue and hopefully provide a solution.

Four, Four Wonder Reasons to turn to Google Chat.  What?  You need Five?  So be it.  You can set your status in Chat (and Gmail etc) so people know if you’re busy, available, or just hangy:

Happy Candy Corn-ing   

Hey all, hope that subject line actually caused you to click and read more!

Full disclosure, my last June EdTech Check was named EOY (End of Year) Stuff.  So I just built on that here with BOY (Beginning Of Year) Stuff.  I almost changed that before publishing, but hey you're reading this, so I guess it worked.

Welcome to EdTech Checks for 24-25.  

#1 - I try hard to keep these "somewhat monthly" newsletters as concise as possible, as useful as possible, and with a little brevity (so you know it's not all AI generated!).  So short and sweet...like me :-)

 I really do want this to be a teacher resource to help you save time and tech frustration.  If I can improve on this, please please please let me know.

#2 - Even keeping #1 in mind, often times you'll be left saying "huh".  That's ok ===> reach out to Robert.  I'm almost always happy to help! (not so much from Fri PM to Mon AM, but I prob still will if I can!  I'm also ready and willing (if I'm not booked already) to come to your classroom or office to introduce/help integrate/support/problem-solve...whatever I can do to support Technology Integration and Use.  Apparently, my bosses tell me that's what I'm hired to do.  🤷🏼‍♂️

-----now IMPORTANT tech things------

#3 - 2FA is coming to FNESU next month.  You have now been made aware...don't worry tho, you'll be getting more detailed directions and support in the next few weeks.

What does this mean? - 2FA, Two Factor Authentication uses something you know (your password) and something you have (usually a security pin, possibly on your phone ) to verify that you are really you, before it allows you to log in.  You've probably used it for years on your bank/credit card accounts (hopefully) or other high-risk accounts.  Beginning in October FNESU will require 2FA on your Google account (email, Drive/docs, Chromebook login, etc).  

*It's unclear if this first round will also include Frontline and Efinance logins...either way I would expect those will also require 2FA soon.  For now = FNESU Google account beginning Oct 15th.

**I know there will be some frustration (that IT can help you with), but after a little while you'll see this is not that big a deal and it's good "digital business".

Why?  Security vs hacking/phishing.  2FA has been the standard "universal" security check for many years.  The only "why" IMHO is why not.  Kinda like why not change your Google and Powerschool passwords, at least at the beginning of the year or even more often!

How?  Google gives you several methods to do 2FA (ie: text, phone call, one-time printable codes, authenticator apps, and the use of Google apps on another device. 
*I've been doing 2FA on my Google account for 5+ years.  My preferred method is a Google app on my phone (Photos or Gmail) then whenever I login I just click "Yes it's me" in the app.

You will be getting weekly notices about this change from FNESU as we approach the go-live date of October 15.

*If you're ready now, let me know and I'll show you how to turn on 2FA right now.  You're such a Tech Savant :-) 
Or I guess just google it!  Either way, all of us will be forced to use 2FA beginning Oct 15. 

#4 - GoGuardian - Login via https://teacher.goguardian.com/ Use your Gmail log in for access.

 *You can create a free account here https://educators-hub.northpass.com/learners/sign_in and take the teacher training course. The course takes about 30 minutes to complete and goes over how you create your goguardian classroom and how you import your students. 

GoGuardian NEW TEACHER FEATURE!!!!  Teachers now have the ability to temporarily UNBLOCK sites for students in their Class Sessions.

*this is not a lengthy process at all (super easy), but it's important enough that I will send a separate follow-up email specifically explaining the GG Unblock feature.

#5 - Need great ideas to get interactive with your sparkly NewLine Touchboards?  Check out:

PhET Simulations - PhET has been providing interactive simulations for years - Math & Science targetted, but I could readily see this applicable to Humanities discussions: "Global Warming" or "Natural Selection".

Jeopardy - Jeopardy labs has millions of pre-made Jeopardy games/questions ready to go!

Pictionary - play this classic game on the touchbaord for a motivational start to the day...maybe the objects pertain to the days lesson, or review.

Quickdraw -  build off the Pictionary idea, but let AI play too.  Very engaging & exciting game.  Who says AI can't be fun?  Try this on your touchscreen chromebook right now (sorry, not sorry Mac users!).

**You can always find previous EdTech Checks at https://sites.google.com/fnesu.org/enoedtech/edtech-check

**Please reach out to me with any EdTech questions, support, or troubleshooting.

***Use the Tech Ticket link to get additional help with all things IT.

The WCAX Meteorologist said Saturday, June 1st was the first day of Meteorological Summer, and since I'm a rule follower - Happy Summer everyone!  Apparently, meteorologists don't follow snow day schedules and school year rules...Dang.  But I did get you to read the word meteorologist 4 times!  Did you go back and count?  Gotcha.

But here are some pre-summer chores to help you flip-flop right through these last dozen -or so- days.

There is ALOT here, so please reach out to me for any questions/clarifications or help.  

I also know there will be some user-specific questions, DO NOT hesitate to contact me.

If these are your last few weeks as an Enosburg Employee...

I wish you a Happy Retirement and/or hope you find your oasis wherever you're headed, whichever the case may be!

#1 - Your School-issued device & charger can be left with Josh, myself, or at either of the front office desks.

If your device is 5 years old or more the district has a program whereby you may purchase it.  Please see the following: "... FNESU defined procedure for the sale of school owned devices.

If an employee would like to make a purchase request, here is the form to submit to Dominic DeRosia, FNESU Director of Technology. It will require a signature from a principal/director (or designee) signifying approval of the sale.

#2 - Access to your FNESU email account will cease 2 weeks after your final contracted day.  

Please make arrangements for access to necessary information and communications.  This could be:

• a Forwarding address

• an Out-of-office message

• Transfer of documents 

  • FNESU has not approved the use of Google Takeout, therefor transfers of Google Docs will need to be done "manually" (share docs to new/personal account, download/copy in new/personal account).  I can assist, if you ask! 

  • please Note:  you should not be exporting any documents that contain student data or personally identifiable student information.  

#3 - Specific to EFHS Teachers: 

Please upload important curricular materials to the shared department Drive folder.  If your department does not currently have a shared Drive folder, please create one so that materials from departing staff can be loaded into the folder for new hires to reference.  Here is a link that details how to move files into a Shared Drive. 

Returning Staff Information:

  --Summer Tech Support-- If you need tech support or if your device requires maintenance, or equipment in your room requires attention, please submit a Tech ticket prior to leaving for the summer.  By submitting your support ticket now, you will eliminate potential delays to start the school year.   

--Technology Needs - I know I know I know, you are so over s-u-r-v-e-y-s.  I apologize, BUT these two are super important (and I made mine really super-trim...one might say bathing suit ready.

• FNESU has requested all software-subscription requests go through this Form.  Please complete as much as you can, even if you don't have the most accurate data. This is what FNESU is using to make software purchases moving forward.  Think about anything you might need-want-already use throughout the year (EdClub Typing, Vocab.com, ABCya, Mystery Science, etc).  Things that are already "system wide" do not need to be added, like IXL, Desmos, STAR, etc).

• My Survey of Your Tech Needs.  Yes of course you can still reach out to me directly, but this really helps me plan around supporting your direct EdTech needs.  Your voice matters!  I trimmed the survey down...so much shorter than all of this EdTech blurb you just "read" through!  All questions are OPTIONAL, any feedback is helpful to me!!!

• Special Request before signing off - in last month's Edtech Check I introduced a new AI tool, https://web.diffit.me/

  • I've had at least 2 teachers request to purchase this premium tool, however its "expensive" enough that I really need more interest and traction.  Please check it out and if you think this is a tool that can help you out (I do!) please add it to the district request form.  Thanks!

Happy Summer 😎

Welcome to May-summer!

Gonna hit you like a VT Summer, short and hot (if I talk too much it'll even get muggy)  , with a couple of great resources right at your fingertips.

#1 - Wevideo - As we get close to the end of the school year I get a ton of requests for celebration slideshows or culminating class video help.  Nothing is easier than Wevideo to compile your great multimedia projects.  You can do Green Screens, voiceovers, use stock video/sound...even create templates for your students to work within.  It's so easy to get started on individual or collaborative group project!  Let me know if you need an account, or if your students do as well.  I'd love to support your end-of-year AV celebrations!!!

#2 - Diffit For Teacher - AI designed to help you differentiate your lessons and resources.  The AI helps you create resources customized to exactly what you need.  Need a graphic organizer on a specific topic?, discussion questions?, vocab drag and drop?, multiple choice questions?...

• specific grade level or reading levels

• allows you to eliminate or add specific resources (maybe you don't want Wikipedia to be included in your resources).  

• aligns to NGSS and State standards +++

• Allows you to export right to Google Classroom or Slides

• Quick video walkthrough

• Examples of teachers using Diffit

• Diffit has a free version and premium version.  You get premium for 60 days, so if I get good feedback I can pursue a school license. 

Try it out and let me know.

If you've been hesitant or resistant thinking AI is not for me in my classroom.  Have an open mind and try this out for your next lesson!!!!

Save yourself some time and Differentiate the easy way.

#3 - Chromebook Corner - I was asked about this by a teacher the other day.  Yes, Chromebooks have a "read to me" feature that could be helpful to students.  Check out the Read Aloud features and how to access: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9032490?hl=en

Hello Enosburg Educators,

I know, I know an Eclipse and an EdTech Check in the same month, only a week apart!!!  Whoa, what a wonderful world we live in.

Speaking of amazing things (the Eclipse, not so much the EdTech Check) here are this weeks top 3 Amazing things for your EdTech Check:

#3 - Did you know that Google Slides allows you to draw & annotate while you present?  I did not. (click for more)

#2 - Dynamic Landscapes May 16-17 @ Champlain College.  Flyer attached. This is an excellent EdTech Conference (pick a day, or both) for any educator.  Special bonus - Enosburg student STEAM presentations on the 17th!

#1 - Our awesome Enosburg Cyber-ALERT citizens!!!

Today I have gotten no less than 3 cyber security threats that were flagged by Eno staff that you should be aware of:

*Walmart Scam - email will say something about a delivery delay on your recent order.  Pay attention to the sending address (from packagedelivery.com not walmart.com).  DELETE, don't click any links.

*Facebook Scam - email mentions deleting your page unless you respond.  Again the email is not from facebook.  DELETE, don't click links.

*Text Message Scam - typical message will "appear" to be from a Principal or Superintendent.  Do not follow any links or numbers.  Delete, or according to the FCC you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 (or "SPAM")

Greetings Enosburg Staff,

+1 point just for opening my EdTech Check today...after I've skipped 1 or 2+ months!

+1 more point for reading the "New Help Desk" subject line and getting even a little bit curious.

-1 billion points if your immediate thoughts were something like "What's a Help Desk" or "Cool, do we have one of those?"

You can still redeem yourself, I believe in you 

Yes you read that correctly.  

There is a New Help Desk coming April 1st.  And yes, I'll say it, no fooling.

Why a new helpdesk?

The new helpdesk is FNESU-wide, so you may get support from collaborative Tech team members.  Additionally there is an option to put in Maintenance requests (more on that to come).

Our current helpdesk, Spiceworks, is super old and no longer supported.  Just for a bit of Josh-related trivia, did you know that we installed-started using Spiceworks way back when Josh was just a newbie tech dude and I had slightly more hair that wasn't grey?

Check it out, Josh's first ticket:

Not sure about the name Spiceworks....was one of us into 90s girls hiphop?  Or maybe just a Wannabe.  ok, I'll stop now.

Anyhow, NEW HELP DESK

If you have a bookmark pointing to something like 50.170.3.177

That needs to be updated to:

https://1to1plus.com/login/Franklin_Northeast_VT

-->>50.170.3.177 aka SpiceWorks, old ticket system, will NOT BE USED after April 1st!!!!

***I will send reminders Thursday and Friday and next Monday

***We will be changing links on websites this Friday, so Students and Staff can still go to eHornets.org and access the helpdesk from your school's homepage.

The new site requires you to sign in with Google

Select "Staff IT Tickets", Maintenance Tickets are not actively monitored yet.

Fill in as much info as you know.

-Very Helpful if you're specific about your ROOM location,

-Site will default to your Google-associated school, but you can change that if nec.

-As always Screenshots are super helpful.

You don't need to wait until Friday!!!  You can start using the new Helpdesk for tickets right now!  And that, my friends, is how you redeem yourself, you early adopter you :-)

Feedback is also appreciated so we can improve this Form and do a better, quicker job of resolving your Tech Needs.

Greetings, now that you've probably effectively failed at our New Year's Resolutions, let me give you something super easy that will (maybe) make you feel a little better.  If you haven't failed you're undoubtedly a better person than me, but this will still make you feel better! 

First let me see if this helps, even a little: Did you know that we've gained almost half an hour of daylight since the Winter Solstice?  There, see?  My mood instantly improved anyway.  Well, that plus it's Friday so....🤷🏼‍♂️

#1 - Now some real EdTech you can use right now; how to instantly give your Google Slides a little WOW factor:

You can now easily, and I mean very very easily, insert animated GIFs and Stickers directly into Google Slides.  GIFs, Stickers, and animation are well known to spark interest and improve the learners' engagement and retention.

How easy?  In Slides click the Insert Menu -> Image -> GIFs and Stickers, a search window will pop up on the left.  Search by key word. Double-click to insert the animated GIF or Sticker you want.  You can then resize & move the GIF just like any ordinary image.

That easy.  

But Robert, couldn't I already do this by searching the w's, copying and pasting my own freshly found GIFs?  Great question Robert.  Yes you could, but this is waaaayyyy easier.  Trust me on that.  Or just try it.  It'll take like 9 seconds to see.

Check out some examples

Your New Years Resolution just got revamped; I'm gonna be an incredible cool teacher with encapsulating Slides. 

#2 - Chromebook Corner - Sorry, not sunshine here, but it is important!  Run those Chromebook updates.  Typically restarting fixes & updates everything, but I have noticed that certain updates have not been running automatically, at least not all the time.  The "fix" is simply to run updates yourself:

• Click on the time in lower right corner, then click on the settings gear

• In Settings do a search for "update" and choose "check for update"

• Most likely you will need to Restart your chromebook once the update runs (sometimes it takes 10+ minutes to run)

Greetings from beyond the turkey leftovers, I know you've got some pretty important CyberMonday shopping to do so I'll make this quick.  Just 2 things plus 1 joke.  

From my Grandson Troy, 8, "Did you hear about the band called 999 MegaBytes?".  They're good, but they haven't gotten a gig yet. bwahahahahahaha.  Yeah Grandkids are really the best thing about the Holidays :-)

OK - thing 1: CyberMonday Safety = yes, I know you've heard this before... no, I'm not going to stop saying the same important things over and over again!

• Don't use the same password on multiple sites.  Just don't.

• Question any email (or Text) with a link in it, don't click it if you aren't expecting it...or just don't click it.  You can always ask me if you're not sure!

• Consider using 2 factor authentication (2fa) on any site where you've got credit card/financial/personal info.

• Keep your browser and your device Updated!

Thing 2: Back to the Chromebook corner, BUT this time it's for Chrome Browser, not only chromebooks.

My Chrome Extension pick of the month: Chrome Reader Mode.  What it does = improves readability on websites that have ads and other distractions.  But it does so much more with controls for highlighting, changing font/size/color, and a dyslexia ruler. 

If you or your students are doing any amount of reading on websites, this extension is worth installing!

 Follow this link to install on your Chrome browser (yes, it's a safe one! but good for you for asking) https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-reader-mode/adiiaeaejlpneikcmkihnimenppopden/related

Happy Cyber Monday, and save some coin for Giving Tuesday!!!

Hello Enosburg Educators,

Welcome to those new to Enos, or those who never really read Robert's rambling's last year...I try to put out these monthly EdTech Checks when I have important stuff to share.  Sometimes I might even put one out if I'm feeling lonely and just need to talk jk jk, but I do promise to try and keep it useful.  Try.

You can find past EdTech Checks on our website at ehornets.org/technology

psst, insider's tip, check out Feb 13 - Gmail Unsend...I think that one is particularly useful to lots of us!

I try to keep these short-ish, and I often fail at that, but for my first newsletter of the year there are a number of important things to get out. 

Starting with everyone's favorite, "how do I get tech help?".

#1 - Tech Tickets  - also linked in my email signature and at ehornets.org.  Thiis the OFFIICIAL way to get tech support.  This is also how the IT department can verify we're following up on all your needs.  Our goal is to respond to tech tickets within 24 hours.

#2 - Dillon Powers is located at the EFMHS Library desk, and available by phone at x1111 .  Dillon's main responsibility is Student Chromebook support, so please send students with issues to Dillon for quick troubleshooting.

*For those not located in the EFMHS building, the tech ticket is your best option.

#3 - Having WiFi connection issues, want to get your (or a student's) personal device connected to the network, phone issues, staff device problems, or printing issues???  Josh Remillard is your man for this!  Josh is located on the 2nd floor directly above the Library.  Again, Tech Tickets are the best way to get support from Josh.

#4 - Need help with Efinance or Frontline?  Sorry, those are Central Office systems and you'll need to contact Jamie McAllister to get your login or password reset.

#5 - Got a Powerschool question or any kind of "how do I?" -type of question????  Need someone to work in your classroom, with your students, embedding technology into your curriculum?  Need fresh ideas about the best way (IMHO) to use the technology around you?  Yeah, I can help you out....and would LOVE to get into more classrooms.  I'm a bit more of an enigma when it comes to contacting me.  A Tech Ticket is still the official contact method for requests, but I often respond very quickly to Google Chats.  You can also email me, but I get 100s of emails daily (so not the best if you want quick help).  I am at EFMHS Monday-Wednesday, and I'm at EES Thursday and Friday.

Haven't used Google Chat?  WELL, contact me and lets start there...I might just make your day :-)

Before EdTech Check's main message of the day, let me tell you about Chromebook Corner.  Because almost every teacher now uses a Chromebook, I'm going to try and drop some little quick tips about using Chromebooks each newsletter.  Ready? 

Chromebook Corner, episode 1:

Did you know you can easily add emoji's write into most text applications.  For instance 🙀

To do this be in a text editor (email, doc, etc) then press and hold shift+space bar+ the search symbol (right above shift on the left side of keyboard).  Now search and choose an emoji, just click it and it should go into your text.  NO 😓

Remember, this only works on a Chromebook and you need to be in a place where you are typing.

Let me know if this doesn't work for you.

Now the message of the day.  This is a repeat from last Spring, but now I'm challenging you to start out your new school year with a new Google password!

A good p@$w0rD is critical:

• Use a different password for personal vs business accounts.  Your social media pswrd should not be anything like your FNESU pswrd, which should be vastly different from your bank account or Frontline pswrds.  The more similar, same, the easier it is to crack.

• Longer is better, 8 or more characters.  With upper and lower cases, and special characters.

• Use a phrase you'll remember (I love summer vacation), add some misspellings & special characters (I lve $umr vc@shun), add some upper case iLve$umrVc@Shun and you've got a decent password. Um, don't use that one.  If you're worried that you'll forget this new pswrd, then use a trusted password manager, like LastPass. Just remember that password managers are only as good as your master lock password. I use Google's password manager for school stuff, and LastPass for personal stuff. BUT I also use 2 Factor Authentication on both accounts.  What?  You can have 2FA on your Google Account?  I can save Google account passwords?  What's password manager? Tell me more! 

  • Sure, just contact me. 😆

Where do I go to change my Google Account Password?

From Gmail, click on your Profile Picture in the upper right.

Choose "Manage your Google Account"

Click on Personal Info and scroll down to Password, then just follow the onscreen instructions.

Of course you could google or youtube this, right?

I welcome all, especially those who have not worked with me before (I normally don't bite, unless you are a candy corn, I'll eat those till I'm sick fyi), to reach out to me with any tech questions.  If I don't have a quick answer I will work with you to figure it out.  I especially want to get into classrooms and work with your students whenever it makes sense.  Please contact me and we'll set something up!

Bonus?  Everyone likes a Bonus...but what's he really up to?

I couldn't let you go for the summer without this gentle reminder anymore than my redheaded pale-white-skinned self can go a summer day without Sunscreen.  Just wouldn't be prudent!

CyberSecurity check-in here:

Phishing-Smishing-Vishing???  That's Phishing (fraudulent emails intended to steal your identity or pass on malware/spyware/viruses), Smishing (same thing but using SMS (texts) messages) and Vishing (more of the same, but voice messages).

Vocabulary.com says what????

Don't worry, this won't get too techie.  Just some basics, BUT let me know if you want to discuss any of this further!  C'mon you're educators, you know that the only "dumb" question is, well...don't not ask me for help. 

I won't judge (I'd be the guy pushing on the pull-only exit door!).

FIRST off - the best defense to ANY cyber attack is to "trust your gut".  If something seems "off" it probably is.  The principal, or tech dept, or bank, or the irs will not randomly email/call asking for your cell # or to click a link or change a password or intimidate you into anything.  If it looks fishy it's probably phishy.  Typos, incorrect email addresses (Google does a great job of identifying non-FNESU emails for you), randomness...all add up to suspicious.  Especially when $ or specific accounts are concerned (facebook, amazon, etc).

DON'T click any links or REPLY/ANSWER unless you're sure!

SECOND - A good p@$w0rD is critical:

• Use a different password for personal vs business accounts.  Your social media pwrd should not be anything like your FNESU pwrd, which should be vastly different from your bank account or Frontline pwrds.  The more similar, same, the easier it is to crack.

• Longer is better, 8 or more characters.  With upper and lower cases, and special characters.

• Use a phrase you'll remember (I love summer vacation), add some misspellings & special characters (I lve $umr vc@shun), add some upper case (iLve$umrVc@Shun) and you've got a decent password.  If you're worried that you'll forget this use a trusted password manager, like LastPass.  Just remember that password managers are only as good as your master lock password.  I use Google's password manager for school stuff, and LastPass for personal stuff.  BUT I also use 2 Factor Authentication.

• Use 2 Factor Authentication, or 2 step Verification.  This matches something you know (your password) with something you physically have on you (your phone or printed security code, there are others I can share with you).  Most services from your bank to FB to google allow, and sometimes require, 2FA.  I can show you how to easily setup your Google account 2FA!

• Your password is not so special, not a pet, not a comfy couch, certainly not that fashion from 10 years ago that you think still looks good on you!  So don't keep it around too long.  If you haven't changed your important passwords in the last 3-6 months...now is the time to do it!

THIRD - updated browsers (the real reason we want updated Chromebooks on our network here), updated phones, not doing "business" on public wifi, use a VPN, etc.  Keep those devices set to auto-update!

FINALLY - Pass this message along to loved ones.  I know you know that cybercriminals target senior citizens more than any other demographic (because they are not digital natives), BUT did you know that the 2nd highest cyber incident rate is among the under 20 age group?  I didn't know that!  I suppose they believe they know enough about the internet that it makes them invulnerable...silly silly kids.

Wishing everyone a safe cyber summer...apply this knowledge like Robert applies sunscreen :-)

Please reach out to me for more info on any of this.

Hello May,

Yeah it's been a minute since my last EdTechCheck ("yay" says you!).  And where did um Spring go, it's almost June?! ("hooray" says you)!

Did you know that all of the cast of Friends are now OLDER than the youngest Golden Girl from that sitcom's debut?

Now you do....AND then there's this:

Email reply pop out

Yeah, same, what the heck does that mean?

I didn't fully understand what this meant until I listened to Andrew (he's very good, great accent, and I've already subscribed to his channel on Google/GMail tips!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCM6LMx_Y6E

But, I think Andrew missed something way cooler there; the ability to EDIT THE EMAIL SUBJECT

Think about how many times you've been on an email thread (maybe with me), you go to Reply and the subject is something like "RE Fix My Chromebook".  But you really would like to change the subject a little and call it "Tried that and my Chromebook still doesn't work".  You could make a new message with that subject, but then you'd lose all the valuable stuff in the thread (like Robert's first 6 suggestions that didn't work, or what you've tried and you've told me you already tried).  Get it?

Here's how:

Go ahead and Reply to the thread, then click the "arrow dropdown" next to the senders name, upper left on the email.  It's the same dropdown where you select Pop Out Reply.  Choose "Edit Subject" and rename the subject without losing the thread!

Not sure what you think, but I think that's Gold right there.

Happy Spring,

We now have over 12 hours of daylight each day.  How are you using it?  If you’re spending any of that time in Powerschool, maybe I can add a little vitamin D to your daily intake by freeing you from some screentime?!  Perhaps.

FIRST - for anyone using a browser, everyone right?, you probably have times when you need to zoom in (especially if you’re eyes are as crappy as mine or to show your audience something readable) or zoom out (for instance if you don’t see the submit/continue button).  After we’ve zoomed in/out things can get weird if we don’t go back to 100%.  To Quickly get your browser back to the normal 100% view type ctrl + 0 (that's a zero) and the weirdness goes away - at least the zoom-in/out weirdness ;-) 

That always saves me some time!

NEXT - I’m currently at a PowerSchool conference and I’m hearing lots and lots of “tips and tricks” that are not new, but I have seen many of us (me included) wasting time bc maybe we forgot, maybe we were never shown.  Consider yourself now shown:

<note> I’ll roll these out in small small chunks and specific to 1 role (admin/teacher) at a time <note>

IF you use the Admin portion of Powerschool (Counselors, Admin Assistants, Nurses, Principals, etc) I think you’ll find this useful & time saving. 

For others, stay tuned, the next EdTech Check should have something for you.

Powerschool Admin - Manage Your Profile

Click the Profile Icon (your initials)  in the upper right corner and select Manage Profile

The most helpful settings:

*Page to Display When You Open a Student Profile 

Set the page you want to show first for you.  Do you want Quick Lookup first?  Or do you want to see Attendance first?  Choose the most appropriate screen for you…sometimes that changes depending on what you are working on.  Choose appropriate & save a bunch of extra clicks!

Check the box for  Display Quick Search Alphabet on the Start Page This will add a-z letters on the search screen and you can quickly go to a group of  students based on  by the first letter of their last name.  

Check the box for  Include Inactive Student/Staff Results = when you type the last name of a student it’ll search for them even if they are inactive in your school.  Otherwise you need to type “/” before searching…does the same thing.

Hopefully this saves you a few clicks and some valuable time.  

Look for more Powerschool hints, tips & tricks coming soon!!!

Looking for an easy way to integrate your content with supporting digital skills?

Take advantage of Google For Education's Applied Digital Skills site!

https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/

If you want to curate some lessons for your students, you can easily create a class & add students, or have students join your class with a code.  Students can then self-pace as they learn digital skills.

BUT you don't even need to do that!  If what you want is to find digital skills that support your content, and learn along with your students, you can:

• browse lessons by grade level, subject, or digital tool

• select a lesson that matches your search parameters

• click Start

That's it.  Each lesson contains grade/level-appropriate tutorial videos to help you and your class learn & practice your digital skills.  The videos are very concise and super helpful while teaching specific digital skills.

Browsing lessons you will see topics such as "create Quizzes in Forms", "write an if-then adventure story", "create a resume in Docs", "annotate text in Docs", "create a budget in Sheets", "Evaluate credibility of online resources", "Introduce yourself in Slides".   There are literally hundreds of applicable lessons to almost any content, subject or digital skill.

Don't take my word for it.  Listen to Edith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yizFrAyEmsM

And explore Google's Applied Digital Skills.

As always, if you'd like me to work directly with you or your students on anything EdTech, just reach out!

As you take that deep breath that'll get you through the week before BREAK week... I've got an easy, "quick hitter" today: 

By easy, I mean so little to read or think or do!

By quick hitter I mean you can start using this tip and immediately make an impact on your Google Docs!!!

Want to make your Google Docs a little Fancier and eye-catching?

check out -> Insert Drawing

If you'd rather listen to me tell and show you what to do (you're really that desperate & ready for Break, huh?) check out my screencast.

That's it.  QuicknEasy no-bake Google Doc restorations!

*As always, if you need further EdTech support, please reach out.

Is this you?

Me: "I'm so proud of this email, and Send!"

Me-5-seconds-later: "Oh, did I attach that file I needed to send?" or "Did I say Tuesday or Wednesday in the subject line?"

I do that all the time, and that's why I turn on "Undo Send" on my emails!

In Gmail go to Settings - See All Settings:

Undo Send: Send cancellation period:  5   10   20   30        seconds

You can set a "pause" on your Send for 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds.  I've found 20 seconds to be my sweet spot.

Now when you send an email you'll see a small black box in the lower left corner that gives you that preset time to Undo your send!

Just click Undo & go back to keep editing!

Today's EdTech check is very specific and targets one resource:

Vocabulary.com

Of the dozens and dozens (and 1000+s if you really want to go there) of great resources we have at our fingertips Why am I highlighting vocabulary.com?

Well, Jason and Lan both said it was pretty great, and they're upstanding humans!

Still have doubts?  Ok, check it out.

EFMHS has just renewed our site license.  Many of you have existing accounts, and can proceed to those.  If you're just starting click Login & Sign in with Google. 

*let me know if you need assistance

**If you are an EES Teacher and thinking this would be a great resource for my kids also, just reach out and we'll get you setup!

It's so easy to get started, there's even a Getting Started vid:

https://help.vocabulary.com/hc/en-us/articles/214499497-Getting-Started-as-a-Teacher-Video-

Feel like you need more info?

Vocabulary.com is an adaptive learning program that helps your students learn the essential vocabulary that is part of your curriculum.  Each student follows a personalized learning path that is designed to optimize vocabulary acquisition and retention. Teachers direct students’ learning by assigning activities based on word lists, monitoring student progress, and providing targeted assistance in areas where Vocabulary.com identifies them to be struggling.

Greetings Educators,

You may not have noticed the beaming sun this morning, but did you know that we've gained 1 hour and 38 minutes since the Winter Solstice?  That's a plus in my book!  No Tech there...I'm just happy to see more daylight :-)

*2 quick tips in today's EdTech Check

#1 - Google Suggested Files - When in Google Drive, have you noticed the "Suggested Files"?  They show up at the top of your Drive location and take up lots of space.  Like this.

If like me, you don't see those suggestions as "all that helpful", you can turn them off in Drive-Settings.

#2 - Screen Mirroring: Any computer (Windows, Mac, Chromebook) that is connected to a projector will "see" it as an external monitor.  The default setting on most devices is to use the projector as an "extension" of the main screen.

Many of us are familiar with going to Settings and turning on Mirroring so the projector screen has the same display as the computer. However, I've seen this question pop up a few times recently.

On a Chromebook: click the time icon in the lower right, select the gear icon, go to Device, and choose mirror.  But there's an easier way: the keyboard shortcut to toggle displays with the projector is "alt + full display key".  This key is the 5th key in the top row, above the '5'.  It is also used to put your device into full screen mode.

On a Mac: go to system preferences, displays, and mirroring.  Depending on the OSX version there are differing options (for instance at one point you could add displays to your menu bar, but that's not available on all OSX versions)

Closing tidbits:

-For EFMHS folks who are looking for me, to take advantage of an excellent teaching space, I have moved to the MM LAB, at the top of the stairs from the gym, near JrROTC and Art rooms.

-If any of these tips are different on your machine, or you just need some additional support (with most things EdTech!) please reach out and schedule a visit with me.  I'm always happy to assist you and your students!  You can reach me by Tech Ticket, Email, Calendar Invite, or Google Chat (preferred).

Happy New Year,

Is 2023 the year Terminator came from, or was that the far-distant future of A Space Odyssey?

No, I'm just kidding...HAL 9000 is not lurking behind you, probably.

A little heads-up on today's topic, "EdTech Tools & AI", it can get a little in-depth and technical (aka nerdy).  There's ALOT to this topic, but I thought it was important to at least start this discussion with Educators!  I'm really interested in hearing/seeing your comments & thoughts on the shared doc. 

BUT, nerdy and technical or not, 2023 is the year that Chat GPT AI made, actually is making waves and forcing Educators worldwide to take yet another deep look at how Technology is changing our jobs and students' lives.  AI is here...make no mistake, and don't blame Alexa ;-)

For good or bad (depending on whichever view you take) there is no doubt our students (and us too), from PK to 12+, are impacted daily by the technology in the world around us.

I'm not going to try to describe Chat GPT here.  Instead, I'd invite you to take a look at my "organizing doc" of some of the significant tech interrupters I've seen throughout my career.  This is totally my unofficial, unsanctioned, and not-very-comprehensive view...just something that helps me put into perspective, or maybe context, some of the sequential and significant changes in EdTech.  Enjoy and Comment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18yWrkyEPwGbUrtV1RfiUGuTeigosP_-Woa_IJJDkHfM/edit?usp=sharing

I was going to have a column called Educational Benefit and another called Educational Concerns, but I firmly believe that the smartest person in the room is the room (what do I know? you're the educational experts!) so I'd LOVE for you to DISCUSS your educational perspectives, fears? and thoughts here. Or even toss out some questions for all of us to consider...

Please make a Comment and join the discussion.

btw, Grammarly told me to change "major" to "significant"...and then she/he told me I sound so much smarter now!

Tis the Season...for Jingle Bell scams and a Jolly Holly Identity theft!!!

The rise in cybersecurity crime at this time of year matches the rise of online shopping & credit card use.  Duh, right?

Over 250 million phishing attacks have already occurred in 2022!!!  On average every American will receive 14 phishing emails.

That's the scary stuff meant to reel you in (get it phish-reel?)  Hello? Is anybody reading this?

OK, how easy is it to avoid being said "average American"?  In short, no problem, you got this...even without icing-blocking that credit card or avoiding Amazon altogether.

#1 - Almost all phishing attacks come via email.

The message could be from a scammer, who might

• • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t

  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t

  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t

  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake

  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware

  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam

  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

#2 - DON'T use the SAME password on multiple sites.  Yeah, I most of us do it :-(   and NEVER NEVER NEVER use a repeat password on a site connected to anything financial (credit card, bank, insurance).  Financial sites should definitely be tied to 2 Factor Authentication...it's way easier than you think.

#3 - Passwords should be looonger than 8 characters, complex, and contain random letters & special characters.  I like to use a phrase I won't forget (ie: "I'm an Enosburg Hornet"), then change a few things that I'll remember, like always mispelling a common word (Enosburg =  Ennosbrg.  Make some swaps of letters for special characters s = $ and @ = 2, you get the idea!  Maybe even have the last letter be a capital instead of the first.  Mind blown?

#4 - Your bank or the IRS will never email asking you to respond with any sort of account/personal info.  Nor will Enosburg or FNESU IT folks.  Any site that does is suspect...at the very least find their number and call customer service to complain about that!  They prob will ask you to validate your email if you've just signed up for an account with them, but never to enter personal/financial info!!!

#5 - You can report Phishing attempts:

• If you got a phishing email, forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org.

• If you got a phishing text message, forward it to SPAM (7726).

• Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

#6 - If you've clicked on a link and then a milisecond later thought "this may be a phishing email" please IMMEDIATELY contact Robert or Josh or Dominic.  We will guide you from there.  Please don't wait!

AND it's always good practice to change any related passwords.

Wishing you a Digitally Safe Holiday season.  You've got this :-)

EdTech Check - education technology you can use. now!

Greetings Enosburg Educators!!!

I'm only 3 months late with this newsletter, but I promise to be Better Than Me Yesterday and keep up a more routine (when it's worthy of your time) EdTech newsletter.

My #1 priority is to improve your relationship with technology.  "huh?"

That just means I want to give you a little assistance, in bite-sized amounts, in non-techie language, that I think will interest you, save you some time, and make educational technology a little easier, more useful, more applicable, more efficient, and more interesting.

No small goal, right?

Some categories of things I'm thinking right now would be:

• Important Tech changes or updates

• How to Troubleshoot tips, or How to get IT Support

• Making Gmail or Calendar or Docs or Drive work better for you

• Engaging students with Technology

• Technology Standards for Students and Teachers (and Admins)

• Why I like Change & what the heck is TWADDI?

If you ever want to know more about a "tech thing", want assistance in the classroom, or just want to discus and/or share...please reach out to me

robert.gervais@fnesu.org (or Google Chat works GREAT)

**I'm also looking for YOUR suggestions, shortcuts, advice, or musings.  Sharing is, well, sharing & we're all smart enough if it's useful to us.

I know this Intro is much longer than my actual newsletter normally will be (I promise).  

But, are you READY for your first EdTech Check useful content?

#1 - Why I use Google Keep

#2 - Do you know about 3 finger swipe?

#3 - Still watching video at regular speed?

Google Keep is one (of many) notetaking apps that you could use.  Why do I use it?  My top 3 reasons:

#1 - It's right where I expect it to be.

I used to be a slave to my iphone Notes app.  It's always (ok, "was always") with me, I can take a quick note from my iphone or macbook or ipad, and it would always be right there where I expected it to be.

Well, after 28 years of consistently having my Powerbook or Macbook at my side, I've migrated to a sweet Chromebook (spoiler - future EdTech Check about this migration).  This means I needed a replacement for Notes.  Oh, I still have the habit of defaulting to it when I'm on my phone, but little by little I've transferred anything that is really important to Google Keep because like Notes used to be, it's just always right there where I expect it. 

#2 - Chrome.  In case you haven't noticed, Google Chrome is kind of everywhere & not just for those of us using Chromebooks.  Chrome does a great job of keeping my digital life o-r-g-a-n-i-z-e-d and super searchable; browsing, email, calendar, productivity tools, etc etc etc.  So why not Notes too?  Anywhere I sign into Chrome, my notes follow.  Synched and Simple.  Done.

#3 - But wait, I said "3 reasons"...Save to Keep extension in Chrome.  I probably shoulda led with this.  Search it, add it, use it, love it.  Reach out if you need help adding or using.  Watch this vid for more great Google Keep tips"https://youtu.be/-HZkasJcbGA?t=33

In short, as I'm browsing websites and thinking I want to remember this great stuff, I just hit the Keep extension and start taking notes right then and there.  I really love that it pops up "on" my webpage so I don't have to switch my page or view in order to take my notes!

Watch the Video.  Talk to me.  Or just try Google Keep yourself. You won't be disappointed.

• Still watching video at regular speed?

Yeah I know, this is probably 2nd nature to almost everyone in the youtube age, or if you've done any video-heavy online learning, but just in case, it is worth mentioning, even if it helps even one person get more done quicker!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, use this with that Google Keep youtube video above.  While in youtube (and yes this works on many other embedded video sites) click the little gear in lower right, select Playback speed and choose a speed.  I usually go with 1.25 or maybe 1.5.  You could try 2.0, but my brain doesn't work quite that fast! 

• Do you know about 3 finger swipe?

If you don't you gotta give it a try.  On almost any device with a trackpad, unless the default has been changed, you can swipe up on the trackpad with 3 fingers and it will separate all of your various windows, allowing you to pick the window you need.  For instance right now I have 2 desktop folders open, Youtube, and 2 different Chrome windows (not tabs, I've got an embarrassing number of tabs open).  If I 3 finger swipe up I can choose the right window and quickly get to the files or pages I need!

btw - did you know that having many tabs open uses more memory and kills computer performance?  Note to self = topic for another day.

Thanks for reading, and please reach out with your EdTech questions!

robert.gervais@fnesu.org

• BONUS: from the EFMHS Library - Julie Morris

Here is the SWANK Teacher's Guide . You can get to the login page by following the link inside. The User Login is EnosburgTeacher . The PW is Hornets1 after logging in, you choose the movie you want and start watching it. Movies can be requested and also shared with a link to students. The user login for students is EnosburgStudent and the PW is Student1 . 

The user name and PW info is not to be shared with students unless there is a link for them to watch in their Google classroom. Also, (obviously) we can't make any money by streaming the videos and charging admission. They are only free for educational purposes.