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.

Accessing SMART Notebook Express on Chromebooks

Many teachers have asked about home access to SMART Notebook and/or the ability to open Notebook files on a Chromebook. SMART Notebook Express is a web-based, slimmed-down version of the desktop equivalent and does not require a download or licensing. Since it is web-based, it can be used with Chromebooks. It can also be downloaded on a Windows/Mac Desktop to access files offline. SMART Notebook Express allows anyone to open Notebook files and make minor changes. The Screen Shade, the pen, and eraser are supported and accessible, but more advanced features are unavailable. SMART Notebook Express is also great if you’ve got lesson resources in SMART Notebook that you want to share with your class, as it’s accessible for free from any computer with a web browser.

Here is a quick reference guide for  SMART Notebook Express: http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/services/quickreferences/pdf/english/nb_express_qr.pdf.

The quick start guide does point to the download button; however, you can skip this and click the blue button to open an existing smart notebook lesson or select the green button to create a new document on the web. The video link below walks through how to open an existing file saved in Google Drive.

Here is a video with directions for accessing existing Notebook files on your Chromebook: 

Depending on your browser settings and permissions, Adobe Flash may also have to be enabled in order for SMART Notebook Express to run in your browser. 

Securly Parent Portal Access

Our school uses Securly, a cloud-based Internet filter, to help keep students safe on their school issued devices.Beginning this week parents and guardians of students in grades 6-12 will have the ability to receive and review their students' home Internet activity. All parents with emails on file with the district will receive a weekly email from Securly.com that will show a preview of their child’s online activity at home.

The Parent Portal contains three categories for guardians to view:
1. Activity (shows an audit trail of  the student's online activity)
2. Flagged (shows posts made on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ that have been flagged by Securly as potentially related to self-harm or bullying)
3. Settings (allows parents to control content on the device at home only)

Here is an overview of the parent portal:

Parent Portal by Securly from Securly on Vimeo.


Here is a walkthrough of the Securly access for parents:
Parent Portal by Securly from Securly on Vimeo.

New Portal Pages & Digital Resource Review Process

In order to provide easy access to our most frequently visited district and grade level digital resources, the Technology Team has built an App Portal for staff and students. As part of this process, the team also enabled Single-Sign On (SS0) options when they were available.

The student portal pages automatically load as the home page for students when they are using Chrome.

Staff can access the portal page on the district website (Staff→Staff Tools→Staff App Portal).

Additionally, in order to comply with FERPA and COPPA to protect student data and privacy, we have created a list of digital resources that have been evaluated by our Technology Team. Websites and other digital resources that DO NOT require a student login can be used without review.

The following federal laws impact technology use and access for students.

FERPA - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

• FERPA requires that schools have written authorization from guardians to release information from students' educational records.
• This means that only with specific exceptions, staff cannot share student information with apps and websites without guardian consent.

COPPA - The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

• COPPA places restrictions on software companies about the information they are able to collect about kids under 13. 
• This means that students under 13 are not able to create their own accounts. In some cases, teachers may be able to create accounts for students; however, FERPA responsibilities still apply.

CIPA - The Children's Internet Protection Act

• CIPA mandates that districts take measures to filter internet access to protect students. 

Here is an outline of our SDMA student data and privacy practices guide: Link

If there are resources you would like to use that are not currently approved or under review, please submit an evaluation request linked on the district app portal page. Chrome apps and extensions will not appear in the Webstore for students unless they have been evaluated and approved. A complete list of reviewed apps is also linked on the district app portal page.