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Quick Links to previous issues:
Looking for issues from before 9/16/22? Go to the Mission Control Wakelet.
08/12/2024- Google Classroom Beginning of the Year Set-UP
08/12/2024- Google Classroom Beginning of the Year Set-UP
Click on the Video made by Calvin Walters of RHS Google Classroom 2024
10/14/2022- Passwords, DigCit Week, Upcoming Canva PD! click on the caret to the right to expand the story (it looks like the head of an arrow)
10/14/2022- Passwords, DigCit Week, Upcoming Canva PD! click on the caret to the right to expand the story (it looks like the head of an arrow)
In this week's issue:
How strong is that password?
Get ready for DigCit Week!
Th, 10/20- Screencasting with Canva
External Professional Learning Opportunity from CUE
HOW STRONG IS THAT PASSWORD? PASSWORD HYGIENE- the practice of ensuring passwords are unique (ESPECIALLY for your most secure accounts), difficult to guess, and hard to figure out. Consider the following things:
Are you using a password that is easily figured out from your social media postings, such as the name of your dog or your child's birthday?
Are you using the SAME PASSWORD for many different accounts, including your most secure accounts such as your bank?
How old is your password? If it's older than a year, you should change it.
Have you looked into password managers? Here's an article from the National Cybersecurity Alliance explaining why you definitely should!
For more info on strong passwords, check out this slide from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Want to check the strength of one of your passwords? Check it on this password strength site provided by cyber.org.
GET READY FOR DIGCIT WEEK! Digital Citizenship Week starts on MONDAY, October 17th! Visit our UPDATED DigCit webpage for this year's recommended lessons!
UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: Screencasting with Canva Learn more about using the screencasting feature in Canva with Canva Learning Consultant, Tisha Richmond!
REGISTER via Zoom by clicking here.
EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: Building an Anti-Racist Organization This series of six online sessions starts on 10/18 and is offered by CUE. It is free for members (membership is $40) or $100 for non-members.
More information about the sessions can be found on the CUE website.
For more information about joining CUE, and the benefits of membership, visit this webpage.
9/28/2022- Cybersecurity Awareness Month Starts SATURDAY!
9/28/2022- Cybersecurity Awareness Month Starts SATURDAY!
In this week's issue:
Focus on Cybersafety in October
Promethean ActivPanel Pilot Update
Upcoming EdTech Professional Learning
A Focus on Cybersafety in October: click on the caret to expand the story -------------------------------------------------------->
We will be focusing on cybersecurity and cybersafety (all aspects) during the month of October, which is officially Cybersecurity Awareness Month. So... what's the difference between cybersecurity and cybersafety? Simply put...
Cybersecurity is the protection of systems, devices, information, and data from malicious threats and cybercrime.
Cybersafety is what people do to protect themselves from online threats.
Of course, the two are connected!
Also during the month of October, we have Digital Citzenship Week (October 17-21) and Media Literacy Week (October 24-28)- more on these later!
During October, we will be posting ways to keep yourself safe online, as well quick bytes of information so you have a better understanding of all things cybersecurity/cybersafety!
Promethean ActivPanel Pilot Update: click on the caret to expand the story -------------------------------------------------------->
Our Phase 1 pilot schools have had the Promethean ActivPanels since the start of the school year. Montalvin, Chavez, and Lincoln have ActivPanels in every classroom; DeAnza has 10; Collins, Grant, Harding, Lupine Hills, and Sheldon have 3 each which will be rotated every month to a new group of teachers.
Phase 2 has been approved, with a focus on secondary. Elementary schools Ford and Riverside will receive 3 each; Hercules Middle, Hercules High, Kennedy, and Soskin will each receive 4. These will be rotated every month to new groups of teachers. The order has been placed and these ActivPanels should be in the classrooms by the end of October.
Below are photos taken at Montalvin K-8 where we saw each board being used differently, and very creatively!
Upcoming EdTech Professional Learning! click on the caret to expand the story---------------------------------------------------->
October 6, 3:30-4:30: Getting Started with the R&W (Read&Write) Toolbar (click for info and registration)
October 20, 4-5pm: Screencasting with Canva (click for info and registration)
9/16/2022- Cybersafety first!
9/16/2022- Cybersafety first!
A QUICK NOTE ABOUT WHY the FORMAT OF THIS NEWSLETTER IS CHANGING YET AGAIN...
We have used Google Slides and Wakelet for the EdTech Mission Control, and I am making yet another change. Here's why:
Anything put out on a page needs to be ACCESSIBLE for all. Many people use screen readers and screen readers can't always pick up on certain fonts and images. Going forward, everything here will be accessible- I am using specific fonts, checking my color contrasts, and adding alt text to images.
Newsletters should be SEARCHABLE. How often do you remember seeing something in a newsletter, but you can't remember which issue it was in? Because much of what is shared here is not time-bound, this page will be one long, searchable page. Just use the magnifying glass!
CYBERSAFETY FIRST!
Many of you may have already heard about the ransomware attack on Los Angeles Unified School District, and that school districts are being targeted by very crafty cybercriminals. WCCUSD IT prioritizes cybersecurity for all staff and students, and there are steps you can take to ensure your personal cybersafety and to learn more.
Phishing
If you receive an email that is asking for yours or others’ secure information or that looks off, don't click on the links or open any attachments.
Immediately forward any suspicious emails to unsure@wccusd.net and our IT team will investigate, especially if you’ve click on a link or replied with information.
If it looks too good to be true, it likely is. Trust your gut and don't click!
Emails are used in phishing scams- to learn more about these and how to check “phishy” emails, watch this short video about phishing from cyber.org (also below.)
Enable 2-step verification for your Google accounts!
This will take you about 5 minutes and provide an additional layer of security. More information and instructions available in the 2-step Verification video (also below.)
Note: these instructions can be used for any of your Google accounts - personal & professional.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
We will be sending out regular facts and tips all month via the EdTech Updates group on Parentsquare. To sign up for this group, complete this short form.
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