Staff Cases

We ordered some new 14" Device Sleeves/Cases this fall. If you would like a new case for your district device, please fill out the following form and we will deliver one to your building.

Happy Thanksgiving!
The Technology Department

Cold Weather Device Care

The weather is getting colder and it's important to note that laptops and mobile devices are sensitive to cold temperatures. Safe operating temperatures range from 50-95 degrees F. Leaving devices in the cold can shorten battery life, prevent screens from displaying properly, shatter screens, or cause condensation leading to further internal damage.

To prevent damage:

1. Avoid leaving devices in cold places like vehicles, especially in trunks, for extended periods of time.
2. Keep devices in padded case to provide additional protection from the cold.
3. Allow devices to return to room temperature before powering them on again. This needs to be done naturally as applying heat too quickly can also cause damage.

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.

Adding & Managing Files in Multiple Folders Using Shift + Z

Google Drive makes it easy to collaborate and share files. While I love this aspect, I don't always appreciate being at the mercy of collaborators when it comes to organizing my files. As someone who shares many files and folders with others, one of my favorite features is the ability to place the same Google file in multiple locations.


To add existing files or folders to additional folders:

• Open your Drive and select the file(s) and folder(s) you want to add to another folder. 
• Hold the Shift key and press Z and a window will pop up prompting you to select the folder you would like to store copies of your files and folders. 
• Select an existing folder or use the folder with the + icon to create a new folder to house your files. 
• Click the green Add here button and your files have been copied to multiple folders.

This is different from just moving the file since it will not impact your collaborators' ability to access the files; and, it is different from "making a copy" of the file because any updates made in the shared document will also be reflected in your secondary location. Using Shift + Z makes organization easier because when you edit this file inside one folder, all the other copies are updated as well. It's a win-win--collaboration on your own organizational terms!

Thwart Phishing Attacks with Password Alert

In the spirit of Keeping Safe Online month, I'd like to recommend the Google extension Password Alert to help thwart phishing attacks.

Phishing attacks generally come in the form of email or social media posts that appear to come from legitimate contacts and companies and request recipients to share personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers.

I attended a few conference sessions on cyber-security last week and learned that email passwords are worth far more than credit card numbers on the dark web as they provide scammers with access to your contacts. This allows scammers to use your account to phish your friends, family, coworkers, etc.

Password Alert works by providing warnings when you enter your Google password on any site that isn't a Google sign-in portal. While the main intent is to assist in defending against phishing scams, the extension also alerts you when you have reused your Google password to setup other accounts. While you are able to click "Ignore this time" to continue logging into these sites, it does subtly encourage the best practice of having unique passwords.

Two-step account verification remains the best method for protecting any of your accounts including Google because it requires scammers to have access beyond your password. Still, Password Alert is a great secondary tool for catching scammers before they obtain your account credentials.

Digital Citizenship Week

It's Digital Citizenship Week and I encourage you to sign up for the ISTE Digital Citizenship Coffee Break email course. Each day you receive a tip like the one on the left and free resources to use in the classroom.

ISTE is also hosting two Twitter chats on October 19 to discuss digital citizenship lessons and resources. Marialice Curran will use #ISTEChat at 7pm. ISTE's Digital Citizenship PLN will focus on the role of tech coaches and use #digcit at 8pm.

To promote digital citizenship in Menomonie, our HS Student Tech Team is designing a lesson on having a positive online presence to share with elementary and middle school students. Watch for an email from Student Tech Team later this week with the option to schedule a classroom visit between October 30 and November 21.

You can also follow #DigCitWeek on Twitter to see other Digital Citizenship Week news and events.

Kajeet Hotspots for 6-12

Kajeet Hotspot 3-day Checkout for 6-12 Students 

We are excited that we received a grant that allows us to offer students the opportunity to check out Kajeet wireless hotspots. The devices have a three -day loan period and students can check them out if they have a permission form signed and submitted to the LMC. The purpose of the program is to ensure that all students are able to do homework and projects that require Internet use. 

The Kajeet Hotspots do come with pre-configured filters that limit their use to educational resources. Streaming media (YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and Pandora) and social media (Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram) are blocked by Kajeet and the filter cannot be customized by the district. 

In addition, Kajeet has time-of-day controls that restrict access from 11:00pm - 6:00am so that students have appropriate time for sleep.

We are committed to providing access to technology for all students. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Katie Krueger or the Library Media Center.