THE GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION NEWSLETTER ISSUE 65

Google newsletter

A few highlights from the July issue.

New Google for Education Training Course Catalog
Looking for Google Workspace for Education trainings for educators? Find the full catalog of offerings at goo.gle/teachercenter.

Journey to ancient Egypt in Return of the Cat Mummy
Students can explore ancient Egyptian beliefs, hieroglyphs, & mummies including a new game which invites users to explore and learn about the ancient Egyptian afterlife.

Play a cello inspired instrument with the help of machine learning
Viola the Bird is a way for anyone to learn about string instruments and to explore their own creativity through music. Regardless of their musical ability, users can help Viola the Bird play its cello-inspired instrument, and take a playful musical journey.

Leonardo da Vinci: Inside a genius mind
Google Arts & Culture has unveiled “Inside a Genius Mind” — the largest online retrospective dedicated to the genius of the Renaissance, showcasing his extraordinary codices alongside his artistic and scientific contributions.

Unpack Life Beyond Earth with NASA and Astrokobi
Students can hear from NASA astrobiologist Heather Graham and YT creator Astrokobi to understand what life is, where we would find it beyond Earth and what it would look like.

See past issues or sign up for the Google Education Newsletter.

Technology Checklist for Summer Break!

It’s almost Summer Break! We hope you enjoy all things summer, but as you close out your classrooms for the year, please ensure these technology items are also taken care of.

Classroom Technology

  • Please comply with the directions of your principal and main office to turn in or secure all classroom technology equipment such as document cameras, microphones, interactive pens, and remotes.
  • Please also secure or take home all District-assigned devices (laptop, Chromebook, iPad, etc.), as well as all personally-owned devices. Please consider plugging in and updating your District Laptop prior to the start of PD in the fall (sometimes updates can take an hour or two if your device is off all summer) – see this blog post about Suggested Laptop Maintenance for reference.
  • Power off projectors/IFPs, sound amps, and desktop computers. Unplug any lamps, power strips, etc. You may leave district printers and copiers plugged in and powered on.
  • If you have a cart of devices, ensure that all devices are plugged in, the cart is locked and plugged in.
  • Follow the care suggestions for classroom audio

Canvas

Rest assured, you really don’t need to do anything to your Canvas page. It will roll over to Past Enrollments and you will be able to copy the content into your new course shell in the fall. If you’d like options and considerations that you may wish to think about for next year, view this blog post.

After June 14, 2023 students will no longer be able to submit or edit any work. Teachers will have until Friday June 16, 2023 to finalize any grades.

Clever

Staff and Students will have access to all clever resources throughout the summer. Clever syncing will be on pause starting on Monday June 12, 2023 giving student’s access to their 22-23 teacher’s pages and links until around mid-August when syncing will resume for the 23-24 school year. If you’re interested in learning how to make the most of Clever in your classroom, consider looking at training and ideas here.

IXL

PCCS’s digital subscription for K-5 elementary students will continue throughout the summer. Students will have access to their NWEA skill plans (which were just updated with any spring scores) all summer. Students will have access to any current teacher starred skills through around mid-August. Students in 5th grade currently will lose access around mid-August when syncing begins for the 23-24 school year as they will then be recognized as 6th graders.

Other District Provided Subscriptions

For the most part if it is a district provided subscription the district will handle any archiving and rostering needs for you. For example, WeVideo, Newsela, BrainPOP/BrainPOPjr, Seesaw for Schools, – there is no action required on your part. If you have manually created classes for things like Epic, Seesaw (grades 3-12 who do not have the Seesaw for Schools subscription), SplashLearn, etc. You may want to archive/delete old classes.

Sharing Digital Content

Whether you are separating from service, working on curriculum, or you are teaching different classes next year there are several options for sharing digital content with colleagues.

Need SCHECH credits?

Leaving the District?

Your TIS team is available all summer to support you – simply put in a tech request at helpdesk.pccsk12.com for technology integration!

Voting for Student Doodle for Google Contest ends midnight Thursday, 5/25

Doodle for Google

Students and staff can visit https://doodles.google.com/d4g/vote/ to help pick who will go on to become the National Winner.

For past Doodles, visit the Google gallery.

FAQs

What is the “Doodle for Google” contest? Doodle for Google is an annual art contest open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win some great scholarships and tech packages for their schools.

Why is Google doing this contest? Doodles are meant to surprise and delight people when they visit Google.com. Past Doodles have celebrated some of the most brilliant, talented, and passionate people throughout history. The Doodle for Google contest offers students K-12 an opportunity to display their own Doodle creativity on Google.com and win some awesome prizes while doing it!

How long has Google been doing this contest? We’ve been hosting the Doodle for Google contest every year in the U.S. since 2008, so this is our fifteenth year. This website shows details for the U.S. only contest, but the Doodle for Google contest takes place in other countries throughout the year as well.

Four of May’s newly released features in Google Workspace

Some Google Workspace Updates for May 2023

 

  • Expanding upon Gmail security with Brand Indicators in Messages – Users will now see a blue checkmark icon for senders who adopted Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) in Gmail.  Brand Indicators for Message Identification, or BIMI (pronounced bih-mee), is an email specification that enables email inboxes to display a brand’s logo next to the brand’s authenticated email messages. This will help users identify messages from legitimate senders versus impersonators. Google BIMI CNN BIMI
  • Replace images quicker in Google Slides with new drag and drop feature. Previously, to replace an image in Google Slides, you could either use the menu toolbar or right-click on the image you wanted to replace and select “Replace image.” Starting this week, you’ll have the additional option to easily drag and drop images from anywhere to replace images in your Slides presentations.
  • Add emoji reactions to existing comments in Google Docs. You now have the ability to add emoji reactions to existing comments in Docs. This new feature increases collaboration by enabling you to quickly and creatively express your opinions about document content. 
  • Coming later in May, there will be a dedicated spam folder within Google Drive to host unwanted files that are shared with you containing spam or abusive content. When an unsolicited file is moved to the spam folder, you will be unsubscribed, preventing all comment, sharing, and mobile push notifications for the file. Once unsubscribed, you will not be able to find the file anywhere in Drive outside of your spam folder.

10 Tips to Teaching with Chromebooks

In this presentation by John R. Sowash you can learn

  • Tab Tricks and tips
  • Virtual Desks
  • Keyboard Shortcuts (with free printables)
  • Tips for the Bookmark Bar/Bookmarks
  • Screen capture and record tips
  • Touchscreen Tips
  • Accessability Features
  • Extensions, Apps and More!

Click HERE to access the slidedeck!

Highlights from the March Google for Education newsletter

Google March Edu newsletter

Check out Google for Edu’s latest monthly newsletter HERE. Some highlights are noted below.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Applied Digital Skills
Looking for lessons to celebrate Women’s History Month with your students? Our Celebrate Women’s History Collection helps students learn about the contributions of women to the world while building new digital skills.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Google Arts & Culture
From the forgotten pioneers to the iconic trailblazers, celebrate women in arts and culture with the newly updated Women in Culture hub on Google Arts & Culture.

Explore AI on Digital Learning Day with Applied Digital Skills
Celebrate Digital Learning Day with our Discover AI in Daily Life lesson. Students can learn about artificial intelligence concepts using Quick, Draw!, AutoDraw, Google Translate (while you cannot use translate.google.com as the lessons show, you can use the embedded Google translate access within the search engine and forvo for pronunciation), and Google Slides.

Learn about the Maasai people from Tanzania and Kenya
Get a glimpse into the traditions and culture of the Maasai community in East Africa, from their livelihoods to architecture, craftsmanship and language, in the new dedicated hub on Google Arts & Culture.

Explore Korea’s Demilitarized Zone through its History, Nature, and Art
Learn about the history of Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a strip of land running across the Korean peninsula. Explore the natural beauties of the DMZ border and contemporary art inspired by the area.

Arts & Culture: Hot Spot Climate Change
27 international artists share their views on climate change in the exhibition Hot Spot, hosted by the National Gallery in Rome. Showcasing big ideas and questions on the future of the planet’s climate, you can explore and be inspired.

 

PAST ISSUES of the EDU Newsletter – click HERE

Highlights from the February Google for Education newsletter

Google Edu Feb 2023
Check out Google for Edu’s latest monthly newsletter HERE. Some highlights are noted below.
Teach Black History with Applied Digital Skills
Looking for an engaging lesson to teach during Black History Month? Our Explore a Topic: Celebrate Black History collection helps students research a topic of their choosing related to Black history and create a project in Docs, Slides, or Sites to demonstrate what they learned.
Safer Internet Day tips from the CEO of ConnectSafely
This Safer Internet Day, we’re sharing tips and best practices for online safety from Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely. He recommends keeping mental health in mind, having conversations with students around the apps they use, and to always keep privacy in mind.
Celebrate Digital Learning Day with Applied Digital Skills
Save the date, Digital Learning Day is March 15, 2023! Join in the fun and encourage students to try new digital tools in their classroom with a lesson from Applied Digital Skills. To get ready for the big day, check out this collection of our most popular lessons amongst educators.
Arts & Culture: Artificial Intelligence
AI More than Human, explains, explores and examines the history, creativity and potential future of artificial intelligence. Discover art works, see videos of experts, take part in AI experiments and learn how AI is trying to save the planet.
Arts & Culture: Beethoven Fun and Games
Two new experiments, Beethoven Beats and Blob Beats, challenge you to play with and discover the work of Beethoven. Tap a rhythm to conjure one of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, or play the Blobs arcade game and score points with musical notes.

Looking for past issues of the Google for Education newsletter? Find them below, and sign up to hear from Google for Education.

2023 Newsletters

Reminder: Students must now Install Grammarly

What is Grammarly? 
Grammarly is a Chrome browser extension that reviews spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, engagement, and delivery mistakes in English texts. It detects plagiarism and suggests replacements for the identified errors. It also allows users to customize their style, tone, and context-specific language.
Why do students now have to install it Manually? 
Previously the district was able to force install this extension for students to allow ease of access. However, it was interfering with spell check in Google docs causing issues for staff and students. Now, when students install Grammarly manually they can toggle the extension on or off so it will no longer interfere with Google docs’ internal spell check features.
How to Download the Grammarly Browser Extension

Below is a direct link to where the Grammarly extension can be installed.

Grammarly Chrome Extension from Chrome Webstore

How to Turn off the Grammarly browser extension
  1. Right-click the Grammarly icon in your browser’s toolbar.
  2. Select Manage Extensions from the dropdown menu:
  3. To turn off the extension, toggle off the blue switch next to Grammarly.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the technology department by submitting a service ticket.

Highlights from the December Google for Education newsletter

Google for Edu December

Check out Google for Edu’s latest monthly newsletter HERE. Some highlights are noted below.

Introducing the Future of Education
What might the future of education look like? Check out Future of Education, our new global research report featuring insights from 94 education experts across 24 countries, conducted in partnership with Canvas8 and advised by American Institutes for Research.

Safer Internet Day Grants from ConnectSafely
Our partners at ConnectSafely are offering grants to help teachers purchase supplies or resources for student programs and activities for Safer Internet Day. Applications are due on December 31, 2022, so be sure to apply today!

Choose Your Own Adventure with Applied Digital Skills
Our most popular Applied Digital Skills lesson just got an update!: In Write an If-Then Adventure Story, students can collaborate with each other to create an interactive story using Google Slides. Check it out today.

Arts & Culture: Ukraine is Here
Explore the arts and culture of Ukraine, from architecture to traditional crafts and food. Discover music, art, design, heritage and nature conservation through stories, videos, virtual tours, and 3D models to understand the history and creativity of the Ukranian people.

Arts & Culture: La Baguette
Discover the “staff of life” in France and around the world, the French bread stick, la baguette. Explore the science, the history, what makes a good loaf, regional bread, the language, a fun game, career ideas or bake your own loaf.

New Google Sheets Tutorial for Beginners
We recently published a new video covering How to use Google Sheets for Beginners. This video covers basic functionality all the way up through VLOOKUP and pivot tables – check it out on YouTube!

Looking for past issues of the Google for Education newsletter? Find them below, and sign up to hear from Google for Education.