Thursday, September 29, 2016

Phising Anyone? Some Great Tips to Protect Yourself


Phishing Anyone?  Some Great Tips to Protect Yourself


Phishing is the process of sending an email falsely claiming to be a genuine email from a legitimate, and often well-known enterprise.
For example, you may receive an email from a banking institution.  The page will look EXACTLY like the banking login page. If you look carefully at the web address the domain is different and the site is being used to collect your information.

Typically, a phishing email will imitate a popular brand, and may use their company logo for a professional and authentic design. Usually, the email will contain a link to a phishing website, which will look and feel very similar to the site it attempts to mimic. From there, you may be asked to enter personal details such as passwords and bank account numbers, which the sender can then harvest for their own illegal use.
Vishing is the telephone equivalent of phishing. Someone will call pretending to represent a legitimate business, and attempt to scam the user into handing over personal details which can then be used to perform identity theft.
Please Visit These Sites for more Information:

7 Ways to Identify and Protect Against Phishing Emails in Google Apps

How to Protect Against Phishing

Voices into Action



Voices into Action is a FREE online curriculum-based resource to teach students about prejudice, human rights and social justice.  Register at no charge and you will instantly receive access to a personalized Dashboard with teaching plans, customizable hand-outs, rubrics and curriculum links to secondary courses.  



The following units are currently available: 

Unit 1: Human Rights
Unit 2: Genocide
Unit 3: Understanding Prejudice and Discrimination
Unit 4: Immigration
Unit 5: Personal Action
Unit 6: Living Together in Today's World


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Google Classroom Plays Nice with Others

Google Classroom Plays Nice with Others

Google Classroom now allows outside developers access to Google Classroom with their products.  These products can add features and productivity to you and your students.  For example, you can integrate EdPuzzle (video), Quizzlet (quiz maker), and Newsela ( leveled reading articles) to your Google Classroom.  

For more information, please check out this link for a full description from Kasey Bell.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Archiving and Deleting a Class in Google Classroom

Archiving and Deleting a Class in Google Classroom

From time to time teachers may choose to clean up their Google Classroom.  Teachers have a choice to ARCHIVE their class or Delete the class altogether.

Archiving a class removes the Class from your Google Classroom main menu but allows the user to access and reuse the materials from the archived classroom.  An archived class can be restored.

Steps to Archive, a Class


Log into Classroom.

Click on the three dots in the top right of the class you want to remove.





Choose "Archive."

The class will be removed from this menu screen of ACTIVE classes.

Permanently Removing a Class:


To permanently delete a class Click on the TOP LEFT Menu Button next to Google Classroom.

Choose Archived Classes near the bottom

Click on the three dots above the class you want to delete.



If RESTORE is chosen, the class will be brought back to the main menu.

Happy tidying!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Lessons From the Earth Storytelling, Art & Indigenous Knowledge Teacher Resource Kit

Lessons From the Earth
Storytelling, Art & Indigenous Knowledge

Digital Teacher Resource Kit



“Lessons From the Earth is a resource guide for educators that provides a practical application of Indigenous Knowledge into the classroom.  The focus of learning is grounded in a traditional Anishinaabe story, Jiig Nong Aadsookan, The Fisher Story.  Included are sample lessons and video modules that support the traditional teachings embedded within the story.  Lessons From the Earth is a provocation for student inquiry into topics such as the environment, First Peoples of Canada, Science, Social Studies, as well as important concepts such as love, respect and balance.” Jodie Williams

Led by Jodie Williams, Co-chair First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario along with The Provincial Subject Association for teachers of First Nations,Métis & Inuit Studies and Native Languages, this resource contains direct links to the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations, the Catholic Virtues as well as the 7 Sacred Grandfather Teachings of the Anishinaabek.


Students will hear The Fisher Story narrated by Isaac Murdoch,  Fish Clan, Serpent River First Nation and will deepen their understanding as they enjoy illustrations by Christi Belcourt, Métis Nation.


While there are numerous themes and big ideas throughout the story, the resources provided focus on the seven listed below.  With each big idea, you will find an explanation, supporting video and sample lesson plans,

Zhawenjige: Walking With A Good Heart
Dodem: The Clan System
Mangide’e: Courage
Zaagi’idiwin: Love
Bagijigan: Offerings
Maawanji’idiwag: Working Together in a Good Way
Omdendum: Hope For the Future

Each lesson provides teachers with an Overview, suggestions for Assessment, Minds On Activity, Action and Consolidation activities.


These free Resource Kits are available online at Project H.O.M.E. (Helping Our Mother Earth) under the Education Resource Kit tab or you can download these free resources from iBooks directly onto your iPad, iPhone and MacBook.

Intermediate Resource Kit


It is evident that this resource was a passion project and special recognition must be given to all those that contributed in the development and writing of these resources.  

Jerry Otowadjiwan, 4th Degree Mide, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
Lorraine Liberty, 1st Degree Mide, Nipissing First Nation
Isaac Murdoch, Traditional Teacher, Serpent River First Nation
Ray John Jr., Traditional Teacher, Oneida Nation
Mary Lou Smoke, Anishinaabe, Batchewana First Nation
MaryAnn Naokwegijig Corbiere, Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies
Christi Belcourt, Artist, Métis Nation
Nancy Rowe, Community Consultant, Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation
Wesli Day, Videographer, Serpent River First Nation

Dan Reidy, Academic Coordinator DPCDSB
Geordie Barnett, Academic Consultant DPCDSB
Jodie Williams, Department Head, St. Thomas Aquinas CSS
Kelly Crawford, FNMI Education Consultant, M’Chigeeng First Nation


Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Google Sites Is New and Improved! New Google Sites



 


Google Sites Gets a Much Needed UPDATE!


Google Sites has been completely revamped from the ground up.  NO upgrade here.  The new Sites is modern, comfortable to use and, professional.  I need to be fair in my assessment and state that Sites Classic wasn't difficult to use, but it was challenging to get a site looking professional without much effort.

The new Google Sites has a preview mode that will allow you to see how your page looks on a computer, tablet or phone.  Just click on the icon in the bottom right to change your view.  Your web page is automatically formatted for the device.

Mobile View




All Sites are automatically formatted for any computer or mobile device!





Sites will allow you to insert pictures or colours for backgrounds.  Sites will automatically adjust the image so the text will show through and make it easy for the viewer!  If you don't like the changes you can turn it off.

The White text is lost in this light coloured graphic choice.


Google Sites automatically changed the font colour and lightened the graphic to increase readability



Who can access the NEW Google Sites?

The New Google Sites is not available for the general public yet.  Only institutions or individuals with special access to the preview this tool will be able to use it at this time.  The good news is WECDSB staff and students with a MyTools2Go account have full access to the New Google Sites right away!

How Can I Get Started?


Staff and students can access the New Google Sites through Google Drive.

1) Log in to MyTools2Go

2) Access Google Drive

3) Choose "New", "More",              "Google Sites"




Full Collaboration

Like all tools in MyTools2Go (GAFE) the New Google Sites allows for complete collaboration.  This differentiates the New Google Sites from other high-quality website creators like Wix as multiple users can be working on the same page at that same time.

What about Google Sites Classic?

For now, all of your Classic Sites are fine.  You can continue to use the old interface to make new websites.  Google is working on a transition tool that will move your Google Sites Classic website to the New Google Sites.  My guess would be Google Sites Classic will be sunsetted in August of next year.

Support:

Demo Site

For Great Cheat Sheet on the New Google Sites click on HERE

New Google Sites Tutorial Video:



Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Amazing Race Global Project

Global Students Global Perspectives presents...
Amazing Race Global Project

Take your students on a global adventure and visit pit stops created by teachers and students across the globe.   

There are currently 40 pit stops featuring 16 countries with additional pit stops added daily.

How do you participate?


Click bit.ly/GSGPamazingrace to visit the Amazing Race Website. Click on a place holder of your choice:



Once you click the link you will be directed to a Google Slide Show created by students and/or teachers in each respective location. I recommend you select “Present” view for the best visual appearance.

Each presentation is slightly different but typically they will contain: a brief video, facts about the location, a brainteaser and a link to a Google Form where students will complete a very simple quiz about the information presented.   


Once the form is completed and submitted the participant will receive an email with a PDF attachment of the passport stamp for that particular location.

Where shall we travel to next?

 Stay up to date with Google Workspace Updates! Click on the icon to visit the subject-specific blog.