Cyber Security Month

This week I encourage you to use Google's Security Checkup to reflect on the access you have provided 3rd party apps and extensions. Google will automatically caution you if you provide a high level of access (e.g. can view all drive files).

New Google Releases Make Collaboration Easier

Google has two updates that are being rolled out this month to help improve collaboration. First, the "Shared with Me" tab in Google Drive is becoming more predictive and will feature documents shared by your most frequent collaborators. Learn more about this feature from Google.

Second, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides will now feature an activity dashboard for more transparency into who has viewed files and when. This will help editors know when to alert collaborators when changes have been made. To learn more about this feature check out Google's post.

Both of these features will become available in the coming weeks.

Google Cast for Education

Looking for a way for students to share their screens with the class? Check out the Google Cast for Education extension. You can allow students to cast to your teacher device connected to the projector. If you use Google Classroom, giving students permission to cast to your device is quick and easy. Not currently a Classroom user, add student permissions as you need them to present.

Here's how to set it up:

1. Install the Google Cast for Education extension in the Chrome web store.
2. To open the extension, click on the Google Cast for Education Icon. 
3. For Receiver name, enter a name such as Room 301 or Ms. Krueger. Click Save. This is what students will see when they request to connect to your device when they want to cast.
4. Click Share. To invite your students to cast, enter the name of your Google Classroom class or individual student email addresses and click Add.
   
5. Choose permissions for each student or class:
• Can present—Students can cast to your screen anytime you have the extension open.
• Can request—Students can request to cast. You need to approve or deny each request.
• Note: Students who aren’t on the list won't see the extension in their Chrome toolbar.
• I recommend the request option in general; however, permissions can be adjusted as needed.
6. For students to cast to your device, make sure the extension is open. Have students click on the Chrome menu, identify your device, and choose “cast.” They can then decide to cast their whole screen or just the active tab.
7. If students have "can request" permissions, you’ll get a pop-up on your screen to grant access. Once you do, the student's screen will appear on your device.

Check out Google's Cast for Education Support Guide for more information and see how cast can be used for class collaboration in the video below.