Tuesday Tech Tips 3-25-25

     

💡 Quick Tip 💡 This is a quick tip for everyone, and especially all new GCSD employees. But really, everyone. It's crucial that you have a signature in your emails. When sending an email to anyone, especially someone in the district, it's helpful for the recipient to know who you are, what your role is, your location, and possibly an extension to reach you by phone. Directions on how to create a signature in Gmail can be found HERE. While not included in those linked directions, we also recommend checking this box when setting up your email signature:

Do you have a tip or idea for the Tuesday Tech Tips? Or a request for a topic or question you'd like to know more about? Please let us know! You can email us at joseph.lombardo@greececsd.org with your submission. ___________________________

Change Your Drive File...But Keep the Link!

Did you know that you can update versions of non-Google files in Drive, such as PDF's and image files, without deleting the old file and adding a new one?  This is a great function to use when you want to update the version of a shared PDF without resharing the new one, and ending up with dead links to the old one.  It's a very quick process, which is shown in the video below, and also linked HERE. 

___________________________

Typing agent feedback

As part of our goal to regularly re-evaluate our digital tools, we're reviewing our K-8 keyboarding program, Typing Agent. If you're a staff member who uses Typing Agent with your students, we'd love to know what you think about it. The good, the bad, or anything in between. Please take a few moments to complete the Google Form HERE. Included in the Form is an opportunity to suggest alternative programs if you're aware of any. Thank you for your feedback- You're just our type!

___________________________

For a "light lift" intro to MagicSchool, we recommend trying out the "Top Four MagicSchool Tools for Elementary Math." You'll find four tools there that can help in your planning and instruction. Check out the image above, also linked HERE, for directions and specifics.

Or for something a little more fun, we love the Image Generator. Details in the image below, which is also linked HERE.

Have you found the benefits from using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to enhance your teaching and work related tasks? Want to guide your students to learn the benefits of using AI? Join the MagicStudent Pilot for grade 3-12 teachers! Learn about the pilot HERE and contact your ITT to get started today!

___________________________

For assistance with these topics, or anything else related to instructional technology, please click HERE to book an appointment with your building's ITT.

'

1-16-2024 Tuesday Tech Tips

 

In today's Tuesday Tech Tips, read all about a quick way to take a screenshot in Windows, a new look in Google Drive, typing by voice, Typing Agent, and a whole lot more! ➡️ ➡️➡️

💡 Quick Tip 💡 Did you know that Windows has a slick keystroke shortcut to take a screenshot?  Windows Key + Shift + S. You can click and drag for a screenshot, which then instantly gets added to the clipboard.  Then just paste it wherever you want. Find all the details on this HERE.

Thanks to the LR teacher who shared the Quick Tip with us! ⬆️ Do you have a tip, idea, or topic for the Tuesday Tech Tips? Please let us know! You can email us at joseph.lombardo@greececsd.org with your submission.

________________________________

In the January 2 tips HERE, we told you about a Chromebook troubleshooting poster for your classroom or office. By request, we've also made a version of it that can be printed in black and white. You can find the color version HERE, and the b&w version HERE.

Please note that both versions are designed to be printed on 8.5" X 14" legal sized paper.

________________________________

Unless you prefer My Drive to Home. 
Go to your Drive settings to choose.

There's a new Home view option in Google Drive

Google recently introduced the latest series of changes that accelerate user productivity across new views in Drive. A new streamlined homepage for Drive called Home makes it easier and faster for you to find files that matter most. Specifically, you’ll notice:

• Personalized file and folder suggestions with machine learning algorithms that can help you get started quickly. These suggestions utilize a variety of signals, such as what files or folders you’ve recently opened, shared or edited, or what documents are attached to upcoming Calendar events.

• Filter chips to narrow down your search and find relevant files faster across Drive, making it easy to find suggested files by type, people, modified date or the location.

• A more modern design inline that helps you navigate across Drive much more efficiently.

To set your landing page back to My Drive, go to the gear in the upper right corner in Drive and set your Start page there.

Click your heels three times and find all the details about this HERE.

________________________________

Voice Typing in Google Docs and Slides

Did you know you can type and edit by speaking in Google Docs or in Google Slides speaker notes?

• Open a document in Google Docs
• Click Tools and then Voice typing. A microphone box appears.
• When you're ready to speak, click the microphone. (You may have to click "allow" for the microphone permissions)
• Speak clearly, at a normal volume and pace
• When you're done, click the microphone again

Direction are similar in Slides notes. You can find all the details, HERE.

Of course, good ol' fashioned typing is still always an option. Which reminds us, did you know that all students K-8 have Typing Agent accounts just waiting to be utilized? Find all the details HERE, or reach out to your ITT for assistance.

________________________________

Looking for PL Hours? Be sure to check out the ITT’s page for Recommended PL HERE. You’ll find upcoming webinar and session opportunities, as well as on-going opportunities for digital tool certifications and self-paced learning. These offerings are updated frequently so bookmark the site and check back often!

________________________________

For assistance with these topics, or anything else related to instructional technology, please click HERE to book an appointment with your building's ITT.