Account Security, Google Keep, Resources for Teaching Digital Citizenship

Account Security: Logged into Google on a Chromebit, Chromebook, or Desktop?

Most of us have gotten really good at remembering to log out of our Google accounts when we're on a student computer, but maintaining security on your other devices is important, too. Taking the extra 3 seconds to log out or lock your device is worth the effort.

To lock a Chromebook/Chromebit/Chromebox: Click on your avatar in the bottom right corner and click the lock. You will need to enter your password when you return to the computer.

To sign out of a Chromebook/Chromebit/Chromebox: Click on your avatar in the bottom right corner and click SIGN OUT.

To lock a teacher PC: press CTRL/ALT/DELETE simultaneously and select LOCK COMPUTER

Consider using a passcode on your phone or tablet if you have linked your Google account to the device.

If you need to remotely log out of your account, go to your email on a computer, scroll to the bottom of the page, click details, and sign out of all other sessions.

Google Keep

Last spring we talked about Google Keep in our Digital Learning sessions, but for those new to our BISD family, Google Keep is a powerful tool in your G-Suite toolbox. It can act as a digital sticky note, a place to curate resources, and a tool to collaborate with colleagues. HERE is an introduction to Keep. If you are already using Keep, check out some other innovative ways to harness the power of this oft-overlooked tool.

Tools for Teaching Digital Citizenship

Even though our students are born in the Digital Age, they come to us with a variety of digital expertise. Resource Media Specialist Susan Hefley's images of the types of technology experience our students bring to us is enlightening.

Click HERE for the full post.

While teaching digital citizenship is on-going, the beginning of the year is an excellent time to outline expectations for technology use in your classroom. Below are a list of resources to help you find the just-right tool for your students.

Be Internet Awesome is a comprehensive site offered by Google to promote digital citizenship. The site provides lesson plans, lessons that can be shared directly to Google Classroom, downloadable posters, interactive games, pledges and more.

YouTube offers many short videos on Creative Commons and copyright to support the ethical use of information.

 
 Common Sense Media offers curriculum, interactive games, lessons, and more.

Robin Limpert, an Ohio teacher who blogs at Teaching Little Techies, provides a series of posts outlining seven tips to help even our youngest students navigate the digital world more safely.

 

Elementary Research Resources, Free Icons, Digital Footprint

Getting Ready for Research in Elementary?

Many elementary classrooms are gearing up for research this spring, and teaching even our youngest students to recognize and use quality resources is important. 

All district libraries have access to databases including TexQuest, National Geographic Kids, Britannica, and more. See your campus librarian for login credentials.

Epic Books offers many free non-fiction ebooks and videos. And thanks to an awesome Alkek first grade teacher, I was introduced to Ducksters last week. Wow! The teacher said that her first grade students clicked on Science, clicked on Environments, selected their assigned biome and were able to complete their assignment pretty independently. If you are working with primary grades, this easy-to-navigate website may be just the ticket for your students.

Using G-Suite For Elementary Research

Conducting research with a class can be a daunting prospect. Add in a technology component, and teacher stress levels can increase exponentially. Let G-Suite tools take away some of that stress in three easy steps while allowing students to create, collaborate, and share in a digital environment.

1. Create a Google Classroom, if you don't already have one. Post links to resources your students can use. Customize which students see which resources by sending them to selected students instead of all students.

2. Create a Google Slide template for the assignment that includes the information you want your students to locate. Send a copy to each student when you make the assignment in Google Classroom. 

3. When the students are done, they turn in the assignment through Google Classroom, which makes collecting work a breeze.

Need some help getting started? Email me, and I'll be glad to help you get set up and be an extra hand in the classroom when you're ready to get your students started.



Free Icons: The Noun Project

When I read Brenham ISD's technology blog the other day, I wanted to do the happy dance. Gone are the days of searching Google images for an icon to insert into a presentation. Just visit the Noun Project, type in a search term, and, gloriously, you've got just what you're looking for.

This would be a great site to share with students who are sketchnoting or creating presentations, or you could provide a bank of the icons for students to use to digitally annotate text in a Google Doc or Google Drawing.

Video Spotlight: Teaching Digital Footprint (Elementary)