Weekly Tech Tip - backup

Happy Holidays! This tech tip comes from a conversation that I had with another colleague the other day and it is one which happens at least once a year. The question: "Does the organization back up our computers off site?" Simply stated, do we have a way of backing up every computer off the main site where you work. For example, if you work in Auburn, do we back up your computer to a server at NCECBVI and vice versa? The answer is no. We do, however, have backs up in place for most of you, if not all of you. Those external drives on your desk serve as a back up. In case of a tragic event, where your computer and your external drive is gone, then nothing would be available for you to retrieve.

So, how can this be resolved? There is no simple way to make sure that all your data is valid even if you do back up. We cannot, with 100%, guarantee that your backups will work should you lose your hard drive on your computer. However, I would suggest that you back up your important documents to Google Drive. We have been using Google for a few years and Google for Education just announced that all accounts get unlimited storage. You can check out your google drive settings to see your results (your result will be unlimited storage if signed into your domain account). So, my suggestion would be to create a folder on Google drive and call it 'Important'. Then, simply make copies of your important documents and drag them to google drive. If you download the google drive app, and sync your documents to your hard-drive, it will be even easier.

My suggestion always has and always will be to make sure your important files are safe somewhere. We rely on software to perform scheduled backups and that does not always work.

Until next time,
Gregg

Flash Cards and Jeopardy using a Google Spreadsheet

In reading through some of my online articles, and learning from my PLN on twitter, I came a cross this website called Flippity.net. It is pretty simple, yet elegant. As a classroom teacher, you can create flashcards for your students using a google spreadsheet. Or, better yet, your students can create flashcards for themselves.

Just recently Flippity announced that is now offers a Quiz show (very much like a Jeopardy board). You can have control over the topics and the questions. You just simply download the Google Spreadsheet and your off and running in a few simple steps. 

So, as you work with students and teachers, give Flippity a try. I know I will.

Happy Holidays,

Enjoy,

Gregg

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on an iPad

You can now download and use Word, Excel, PowerPoint on an iPad. Microsoft just announced that

you can get a free subscription to it's office based suite - Office 365.

To do this, go the app store on your iPad and search for Word. Find the app that is built by Microsoft office. Do the same for Excel and Powerpoint.

Once downloaded start the app, and sign up for a free Office account. This will allow you to create and edit documents. If you do not create an account, you will only be able to view documents.

For more information, please check out this article.

Enjoy,

Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Countdown Timers

I'm always trying to find quick and easy tech tips that I think might be useful to those working with students as well as those of us who work with teachers. One of the items that I use for some of my workshops are countdown timers. When I give folks five or ten minutes to work on a website or talk about a particular strategy, I want to give them the full five or ten minutes. Countdown timers come in handy for that very purpose.



If you go to Google and you type "timer 1 minute" where the 1 can fluctuate to any number, you will automatically get a countdown timer. Give it a try!

If you want some timers that have a little more flare, those that include graphical representations, then you might search youtube for a specific timer. There, you can find tons of timers to suite your needs.

Enjoy,
Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - "Ok, Google"

This week's tech tip comes from the Official Google Blog. I was reading an entry about teen's use of voice search. Google has found that teens use the voice search more than adults. Why? If you read entry below, the entry shows statistics and reasons why teens use this option.

After I read this, I thought about how I relate to my own kids. We use google a lot to find things for us - directions in the car, the hours of a particular store, to text each other, etc. As we talk with our kids, it also brings home the point of searching with a purpose. Use the voice commands necessary and efficiently to get your desired search outcome.

Here is the entry should you choose to read it:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/omg-mobile-voice-survey-reveals-teens.html

If you are not sure how to use Google's voice search, here is the help page to get you started:
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2940021?hl=en

Happy Thursday,
Gregg

Mobile Printing - Technology Tip #2

A question has come up many times to me about printing from the iPad/iPhone. While I am not a big fan of printing from these devices, there have been improvements to iPad printing. First of all, not all apps support printing from the iPad, but most of the office documents, google documents, pdf's, and web pages will work.

So, if you need to print to a network printer inside your district and you have Canon Networked Printers or Samsung Printers, then below are some steps for you to print to a network printer. If you have other networked printers in your district from a different vendor, then you may want to search the Apple Store to see if they have a mobile printing app.

Here is how it works.

1. Go to the App Store
2. Search for Samsung Mobile Printing or Canon Mobile Printing
   
3. Find and install the correct app
4. Set up the printer - it should search the network and find the printer - note that you must be on the same network as the printer is on. If not, then the app will not be able to find your printer.
5. Try to print a document - I did print to both printers using the app. 

For more reading, here is the Canon help page for mobile printing:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/office/products/software/mobile_solutions/canon_mobile_printing_app_for_iphone_and_ipad

Here is the Samsung help page for mobile printing:
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile-print-app/

Until next time,
Gregg

Welcome to 2014 - Technology tip #1

I'm back at it again and I hope you are too! Here is the first technology tip for this year.

One of the things that I mentioned last year was that the ESU's across the state are working to implement a content management system called Safari Montage.

ESU 4 does have it's server ready and I've been training other districts on how to use it. I am slowly getting more comfortable with this system and will gladly show you how to get started with Safari Montage.

So, what exactly is Safari Montage? It is several things, but what I like most about it is that you can manage all your content in one place. For example, it has all the Learn360 videos tied to it, it has other video series tied to it, and you can add your own content such as youtube video links, pdf's, word and/or powerpoint files.

Here is a short introduction to Safari Montage. If you are ready to try it, please let me know and I will get you set up with an account. I will also take some time to walk you through some of the screens that you may see while inside Safari Montage.

 Enjoy, Gregg