Week 16: Understanding and Managing Notifications

Play the Kahoot! challenge on Notifications:

Clicking on this link will take you to the page which you see. Enter a nickname and go!

You can also get to the nickname page by scanning the QR code (you know how to do that, right?)

If you are asked, the game code is: 04497178

Agenda

Last week: Cryptocurrency

Presentation

Homework:

Recording

View the recording on notifications from Tuesday's class.

Handout

Presentation

Zoom classroom: https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/9191959460?pwd=OXh0RE9ZTVZTWElTMUQ0ZzAxQzExdz09

Passcode: emeritus

What will we learn today?

Explain what notifications are and identify different types by device and source
Navigate to notification settings on their own devices
Customize notification settings for better safety and reduced distraction
Identify potentially harmful notification scams

What are notifications?

Notifications are alerts or messages from your device or apps that let you know when something needs your attention.

They can appear as pop-up banners, sounds, badges (red dots or numbers), or messages on your lock screen or notification center.

You might get notifications for:

• A new text or email

• An upcoming appointment

• A reminder to take medication

• A software update

• A weather warning

They help you stay informed without having to check each app all the time.

Devices with notifications

Smartphones: Android Phones

Types of Notifications:

• App Notifications: Messages from apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail)

• System Alerts: Updates, security alerts, low battery

• Pop-ups / Banners: Show briefly at the top of the screen

• Sound/Vibration Alerts

• Lock Screen Notifications

• Status Bar Icons: Small icons at the top

Where to Find Settings:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Notifications or Apps & notifications

3. You’ll see a list of recent apps – tap See all apps to view more

How to Modify:

• Toggle on/off for each app

• Tap app name to:

o Turn off sounds

o Hide on lock screen

o Block all notifications

o Choose Priority vs. Silent

Tip: Some Androids (Samsung, Pixel) may have slightly different menus.

Smartphones: iPhones (iOS)

Types of Notifications:

• Banner Alerts (temporary or persistent at top)

• Lock Screen Alerts

• Notification Center

• Badges (red numbers on app icons)

• Sounds/Vibrations

Where to Find Settings:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Notifications

How to Modify:

• Tap an individual app

• Choose:

o Allow Notifications (on/off)

o Where to show (Lock Screen, Banner, Notification Center)

o Sounds

o Badges

o Banner Style: Temporary or Persistent

Tip: Use Focus Mode (Settings > Focus) to silence certain notifications at specific times.

Computer: Windows 10 / 11

Types of Notifications:

• App Notifications

• System Notifications (updates, antivirus alerts)

• Toast Notifications (pop-ups near the clock)

• Action Center (notification history panel on the right)

• Badges on Taskbar Icons

Where to Find Settings:

1. Go to Settings (click Start menu > gear icon)

2. Choose System

3. Click Notifications

How to Modify:

• Toggle Notifications on/off

• Scroll down to control notifications per app

• Click an app name to:

o Allow banners

o Allow sounds

o Show in Action Center

Tip: In Windows 11, you can also access quick controls by clicking the date and time in the taskbar.

Computer: Mac Computers (macOS)

Types of Notifications:

• Banners: Appear briefly in top-right corner

• Alerts: Stay on screen until dismissed

• Badges: Red dots on app icons in Dock

• Sounds

Where to Find Settings:

1. Click the Apple Menu

2. Go to System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences

3. Click Notifications

How to Modify:

• Select an app from the list

• Choose:

o Alert Style: None, Banners, Alerts

o Allow Notifications

o Play sound for notifications

o Show in Notification Center

o Badge app icon

Tip: Use Focus (System Settings > Focus) to schedule quiet times for notifications.

Understanding notifications by source

Communication:

Includes: Texts, phone calls, emails, messaging apps (like WhatsApp, Messenger)

Where Notifications Come From:

• Phone apps: Messages, Phone, Gmail, Outlook, WhatsApp, Messenger

• Computer apps: Email apps (Outlook, Apple Mail), browser email tabs

Where to Find or Manage:

• Phone: Settings > Notifications > [App Name] (e.g., Messages, Gmail)

• Computer:

o Windows: Settings > System > Notifications > [Mail or Messaging App]

o Mac: System Settings > Notifications > [App Name]

Calendar & Reminders

Includes: Events, tasks, to-dos, birthdays, appointments

Where Notifications Come From:

• Calendar apps: Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook

• Reminder apps: Apple Reminders, Google Tasks, To Do apps

Where to Find or Manage:

• Phone:

o iPhone: Settings > Notifications > Calendar or Reminders

o Android: Settings > Notifications > Google Calendar, etc.

• Computer:

o Mac: System Settings > Notifications > Calendar

o Windows: Settings > Notifications > Outlook or Calendar app

Tip: Most apps let you set how long before the event to remind you (e.g., 10 minutes, 1 hour).

System Notifications

Includes: Software updates, battery warnings, storage full, security alerts

Where Notifications Come From:

• The device’s operating system

Where to Find or Manage:

• iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update or Settings > Battery

• Android: Settings > System > Software Update or Settings > Battery

• Windows: Settings > System > Notifications or Security & Updates

• Mac: System Settings > General > Software Update or Notifications

Tip: These are usually important and should not be turned off completely.

Health & Wellness

Includes: Step counts, heart rate, sleep, medication reminders, workout goals

Where Notifications Come From:

• Health apps: Apple Health, Samsung Health, Google Fit

• Medication apps: Medisafe, CareZone, built-in reminders

• Wearables: Smartwatches like Apple Watch or Samsung Watch

Where to Find or Manage:

• Phone: Settings > Notifications > [Health App]

• Health app settings: Open the app and go to settings or alerts

• Watch settings: Check watch settings or companion app on the phone

News & Information

Includes: News headlines, weather updates, traffic alerts

Where Notifications Come From:

• News apps: Apple News, CNN, BBC, Google News

• Weather apps: Weather Channel, AccuWeather

• Traffic/navigation: Google Maps, Waze

Where to Find or Manage:

• Phone: Settings > Notifications > [App Name]

• App Settings: Open the app and adjust what kind of news/weather you want

Tip: You can choose topics (e.g., local news only) in many apps.

Subscription & Service

Includes: Shopping updates, order confirmations, package tracking, banking alerts

Where Notifications Come From:

• Retail apps: Amazon, Walmart, Target

• Streaming services: Netflix, Spotify

• Banking apps: Chase, Bank of America, PayPal

Where to Find or Manage:

• Phone: Settings > Notifications > [App Name]

• In-app settings: Many services let you manage alerts inside the app

Tip: You can often choose email or text instead of app alerts.

Emergency & Public Safety

Includes: Government alerts (e.g., AMBER alerts), extreme weather, evacuation notices

Where Notifications Come From:

• Built-in government alert system

• Weather and alert apps (e.g., FEMA, Red Cross, MyShake, Weather Channel)

Where to Find or Manage:

• iPhone: Settings > Notifications > scroll to bottom for Government Alerts

• Android: Settings > Safety & Emergency > Wireless Alerts

• Windows/Mac: Alerts may come via browser pop-ups or email (not system-level)

Note: You can’t turn off all government alerts (e.g., Presidential Alerts), but you can usually toggle weather and AMBER alerts.

Pop-up or Scam?

Sometimes, a message or alert pops up on your screen asking you to take action—like updating your software, clicking a link, or calling a phone number.

But not all pop-ups are safe. Some are scams designed to trick you into giving away personal information, downloading harmful software, or paying money.

In this section, you’ll learn how to tell the difference between a real message from your device and a fake one—so you can stay safe and avoid online traps.

Step 1: Ask "Where did this Pop-Up come from?"

Step 2: Look for Red Flags

Trust Your Gut

If it seems suspicious or confusing:

• Don’t click anything

• Don’t call any number listed

• Close the window (tap the “X” or press the Home button)

Extra Safety Tips:

• Keep software up to date through Settings only (never from a website).

• Never give out bank info, passwords, or Social Security numbers from a pop-up.

• Use antivirus or security software if possible.

• Turn on two-factor authentication for important accounts (email, bank, etc.).

Trustworthy or not?

Hands on Activities (in class or outside of class)

iPhone Tasks

Find and count how many unread notifications you currently have

Change the notification style for one app from "Persistent" to "Temporary" (or vice versa)

Find where to turn Emergency Alerts on/off

Locate the setting that hides notification previews when your phone is locked

Set up a Focus mode to silence notifications during specific hours

Android Tasks

Open your notification drawer and clear all notifications

Find an app that sent you a notification in the last 24 hours

Locate the "App notifications" settings page

Change notification importance level for one app

Find where to customize Do Not Disturb settings

Computer Tasks (Windows/Mac)

Find the notification center on your computer

Locate where to turn on/off notifications for a specific program

Find the setting to show/hide notification previews

Schedule quiet hours when notifications won't disturb you

Change how notifications appear (banners vs. alerts)

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