Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Google Update Alert - 12/23/2014



Posted: 22 Dec 2014 03:02 PM PST
We’ve made it easier to add images to Gmail signatures on the web by enabling the option to choose and display images from Google Drive.

Images can be added in Gmail Settings > General. In the ‘Signature’ section, click the ‘Insert image’ icon above the signature text box and add your image from Drive.

Note: In order for this feature to be visible in Gmail, admins will need to enable external sharing of Drive files in Admin console: Drive >Sharing settings > Sharing options.

Release track:
Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in early Jan 2015

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Friday, December 19, 2014

Reflection: Connected Classroom using Mystery Skype




Sixth grade students at the William Davies Middle School, in Mrs. Green's STEM class had the opportunity to connect with a Ms. Theresa Allen's, Twitter @tdallen5, 5th grade class at Catherdral of St. Raymond in Joliet, Illinois.  For our connection, we used Google Hangouts.

The day before our connection, students were introduced to the concepts of a Mystery Skype, demonstrate proper etiquette, and job responsibilities.  Here is a link to the presentation about proper etiquette during a video call.

In addition, each student was assigned a job.  Here is a link to the presentation about job responsibilities during the video call.  The jobs were as follows:

  • Greeter - welcomes and introduces the class
  • Communicator - asks the questions to the class
  • Question Keepers - keeps track of the questions and answers from each class
  • Geographers - keeps track of the location of the school using a map
  • Photographer - takes pictures during the session
  • Videographer - takes a video during the session
  • Bloggers - summarizes the events during the session
  • Sharers -  shares state facts
  • Closer -  concludes the session
Some jobs were required the students to use their Google Apps for Education account and share a Google document to record the information.



A Google map was displayed on a laptop to help the geographers narrow down the location of the school.  They used an outline map of the United States to keep track of their location.  



Each class asked a series of Yes/No questions to each other to try to guess the locations.  After the students guessed each location, they shared state facts with us.

We learned that:
  • Chicago is the biggest city in Illinois.
  • Illinois is located near lakes, and in the middle of the country
  • Illinois has a different time zone.  They are 1 hour behind the EST
Check out Ms. Theresa Allen's blog about our connection and experience!

Here is a short Animoto video from our session.  Enjoy!



Classroom Connection using Mystery Skype





Tech Tip: How to use an external webcam on a Chromebook





I participated in a Mystery Skype connection and did not want to use my traditional laptop.  I have an external Logitech webcam that is great, but I wanted to use my Chromebook for the Mystery Skype connection.  My problem was, the Chromebook does not have a rear facing camera.  So, +Joe Knopp found a way to make it work!

In order to use an external webcam on your Chromebook, you must perform the following:

  • plug in  your webcam into the Chromebook
  • open up your browser, Google Chrome
  • go to the Menu at the top right corner
  • select 'Settings'
  • select 'Show advanced settings'
  • in the Privacy section, click on 'Content settings'
  • scroll down to the Media section, and select the webcam in the Camera drop down list box



Now your external webcam will work on your device.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Another Google Apps Alert Update



Posted: 17 Dec 2014 03:45 PM PST
People using Google Hangouts on the web can now add custom status messages and see the status messages of others in the Contacts view. Status messages can be added via the settings menu:
status_work2.png

By default, custom status messages will be displayed outside of the domain, though admins have the option to restrict them to be displayed within the domain only via Admin console at Apps > Google Apps > Talk/Hangouts > Sharing Settings.

Note: Hangouts status messages are only visible to others using Hangouts. They are not shared to people using Google Talk. Similarly, status messages set in Google Talk will not be shared to Hangouts.

This feature is coming soon for the Hangouts Android and iOS apps.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center
Google for Work G+ post

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 17 Dec 2014 12:43 PM PST
Today we announced that we’ve added Google Docs to the App Launcher for consumers, making it easier for people to get straight to Google Docs when signed into other Google products.

For Google Apps customers, we’ll be adding all three of the Docs editors―Docs, Sheets, and Slides―to the App Launcher in early January. The editors icons will be on the first screen along with your other Google Apps products:
Screen Shot 2014-12-12 at 5.00.43 PM.png

We’ll announce in early January when the Docs editors have been added. Groups and Contacts will be moved to the ‘More’ screen to make room.

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 17 Dec 2014 07:11 AM PST
We’ve added some helpful new features to the Google Drive apps for Android and iOS.

On Android, you can now search for files in Drive from the Google app. For example, you could say “OK, Google — search for team meeting notes on Drive” and find files in the Drive app without having to open the app and type in your search query.

On iPhone and iPad, you can now get more of your content in Drive by uploading it from other iOS apps.

The Android update will roll out over the next week or so and the iOS update is already available on the App Store.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Get the Drive app for Android and iOS

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 16 Dec 2014 06:48 PM PST
With this launch, we now support importing all three major ODF (Open) file formats: .odt files for documents, .ods for spreadsheets, and .odp for presentations.

We’ve also added a few more Office-friendly improvements:

  • Support for more complex SmartArt from older Powerpoint presentations in Slides
  • Import/export support for merged cells in Word Documents and slide numbers in Powerpoint

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Reflection of the Hour of Code, Computer Science Week!



Computer Science Week, 12/8 - 12/12, was amazing! I was able to embrace a subject that I love and share it with students at the +William Davies Middle School in Mrs. Green's STEM classes.  

At the beginning of the week, students did not know the purpose of a computer program and how much Computer Science effects their everyday life. They transformed from having little or no knowledge of it into curious, confident, and enthusiastic programmers.   They were motivated to complete their program, whether is was the GUI (Graphical User Interface) activities from code.org, or writing pure code using HTML. 

They demonstrated student growth which was displayed on a 4 point scale of the Learning Goal rubric. Most of the students went from a 1 (No Idea) to at least a 3 (Knowledgeable) on the rubric. The rubric is shown below.



I introduced proper vocabulary terms to them such as:  GUI, commands, tags, test, debug, troubleshoot, execute, run, syntax, editor, work space and HTML.  

The 6th grade students used the GUI interface from code.org to drag and drop blocks to the work space to complete a task, Then, I showed them the code that is generated and executed behind the scenes.  They were surprised to see the ration of the number of blocks to the number of lines of code.  After they completed the Hour of Code Angry Birds activity, they continued to challenge themselves by completing other activities such as Frozen, Flappy Code, Code Monkey and BitsBox.  When they completed the level, I took pictures of each student with their certificate.



The 7th grade students wrote HTML code in Notepad to create a simple webpage.  They were amazed to be able to format and justify text, insert an image and link, and horizontal lines on the screen.  They quickly realized the importance of keyboarding skills.  They were forced to type syntax that they normally would not have to type. They realized every little detail was important and needed to be accurate or the program would not execute properly.  They used their problem solving and critical thinking skills to troubleshoot their programs and collaborated with each other to help one another.    

In addition, I showed them an application called Expressions Web which allows you to build webpages, and how to view source code on a webpage within a browser.  I wanted them to realize how much code it takes to make a webpage function properly.  One of students response was, "I feel bad for the Google coders because they have to write a lot of code!" 




One of my 7th grade students found a website called Best HTML Codes which allows you to copy FREE HTML code into your program.  The student explained the website to the rest of the class. They were able to copy the HTML code of a special effect and paste it into their HTML program. They were amazed with the amount of code that was required to create the special effect.  


By the end of the week, they completed their simple webpage and were proud! I am proud to say they became coders!!! 

Here are a few examples of their webpages! I am in the process of creating a presentation.  I will post it when it is completed.  




Some quotes from Students during Computer Science Week:

What is syntax? "It is grammar for the computer."

What is a computer program?  "It is ones and zeros!"  "It tells the computer what to do!"

"I can't believe it takes all that code to be able to change the color of a word."

"I would hate to be a Google coder. They must write a lot of code!"

"Wow, this is cool!"

"This website, Best HTML Codes, is really cool!"

















Google Apps Update Alert




Posted: 15 Dec 2014 09:58 PM PST
New versions of the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps for Android are now available on Google Play.

The Docs app now has line spacing controls that let you choose single, double or fractional line spacing, the Sheets app has new scrollbars for faster navigation, and the Slides app now supports inserting, moving, resizing, and rotating text boxes, shapes, and lines.

All three apps are now even friendlier with Office files with easier file creation and other updates, and we’ve added better accessibility options.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Get the Google DocsSheets, and Slides apps on Google Play


Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 15 Dec 2014 09:43 PM PST
Currently, when composing an email in Gmail, people have the option to share Google documents and other files stored in Drive via links by clicking on the ‘Insert files using Drive’ button.

With this launch, we’ll enable the option to share files in Drive as attachments, allowing the file owner to remove the source file from Drive if so desired, without needing to worry about also removing access to the file from recipients.

When clicking on ‘Insert files using Drive,’ you’ll now see the buttons below in the lower right corner of the insert window. Clicking the Attachment button will add your selected file as an attachment. Inserting files as Drive links will be the default option:

Screen Shot 2014-12-12 at 2.23.47 PM.png

Notes: 

  • This feature only applies to files that weren't created in Drive (so Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc will not work)
  • Gmail attachments have a 25MB limit

Release track:
Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in early January 2015

For more information:
Help Center


Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Friday, December 12, 2014

Google Apps Alert Update!



Google Apps update alerts


Posted: 11 Dec 2014 03:45 PM PST
A few weeks ago, we launched the capability for Google Apps admins to give individual users a Google+ profile, in order to connect with other employees and encourage collaboration and sharing in the organization. We’re now extending this capability so that admins can perform automatic profile upgrades for an entire organizational unit (OU).

From Apps > Additional Google Services > Google+ > Sharing settings, admins can simply select an OU that has been enabled for Google+ and check the box in Profile Creation settings to automatically create Google+ profiles for all members of the OU.

After confirming that all people in the OU are older than 18 (and that no users under 18 will be added to the selected OU), Google+ profiles are then automatically created for all existing (and future) members of the OU. These members are then sent a Google+ welcome email explaining the action taken by the administrator.

Notes
  • Today’s launch applies to Premier, Gov and higher-education EDU domains only (K-12 EDU domains are excluded).
  • People using Picasa or with a public chat photo are not eligible to be upgraded by an admin, and must create their own profile.

Release schedule:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center (admin)
Help Center (user)
Google for Work G+ post


Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 11 Dec 2014 11:55 AM PST
Earlier this year, we launched a new iOS Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution known as iOS Sync for Google Apps, which integrates Google mobile apps with native iOS device management.

We’re now launching several new features and improvements for iOS Sync, including:

Security policies

  • Backup policies
    • Require encrypted backups
    • Allow user to back up to iCloud
    • Allow user to back up docs and key-values to iCloud
    • Allow user to back up keychain to iCloud
  • Lockscreen policies
    • Allow user to show control center on lock screen
    • Allow user to show notifications on lock screen
    • Allow user to show “today” view on lock screen

Reporting

  • Updated reports in the Admin console UI:
    • Managed Devices (7 day, 30 day active)
    • Managed Users (7 day, 30 day active)
    • Managed Android devices (7 day, 30 day active)
    • Managed iOS devices (7 day, 30 day active)
iosv1-1_01.png
  • New reports features:
    • New line charts to help admins see trends in OS version and Sync-type reports
    • Added new sync type: iOS Sync
    • Added support newer versions in reports (e.g., iOS 8)
  • Device info refresh to include IMEI, OS Version, device model and serial number
    • See Device management > Mobile > Managed devices in the Admin console to view refreshed information for individual devices

From the Admin console, the updated 7/30 day active reports can be accessed from Reports > Aggregate reports > My Reports drop-down. By default, three of the new reports are selectable from the drop-down, and more may be added to the selection list by visiting Select reports > Mobile.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center
Google for Work G+ post

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

whatsnew.googleapps.com
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Posted: 11 Dec 2014 10:22 AM PST
Today we’re introducing two new features to help make working together even easier in Drive and the Docs editors.

After you add an email address to the sharing dialogue, you’ll see profile pictures for everyone you’ve added. This can come in handy when you need to confirm that you’re inviting the right contacts, especially if you work with people that have similar names.

We’re also making it easier to add people who you typically share with. Once you add two collaborators, you’ll see suggestions for related people who you frequently email or share files with:


Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates
Posted: 11 Dec 2014 09:08 AM PST
Sometimes Calendar events change―like an event being deleted or updated, the removal of a booked room, or a change to a list of invitees―and it’s not clear how those changes came about. Starting today, admins can use the new Calendar audit feature in Admin Reports to see details of specific user actions within Google Calendar.

You can see changes to primary calendars―like deleting or creating a new calendar―along with changes to events like description, time, name or guest list, and even changes to notifications and reminders.

To access the Calendar audit reports in Admin console, click on Reports > Audit > Calendar:


Note: this feature is not available for Google Apps for Government customers

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 11 Dec 2014 07:14 AM PST
People using Gmail now have the option to view the Gmail UI in Irish (Gaeilge), the 72nd different language offered. Language settings can be changed from the “display language” drop-down in Settings.

Note that one’s display language doesn't affect the language in which messages are sent and received.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Gmail Blog post
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Posted: 11 Dec 2014 06:55 AM PST
The Google account settings pages now have a refreshed look and feel, aligned with Google’s material design principles, and a new url: myaccount.google.com. Tabs have been removed in favor of a simple, single landing page that links directly to existing account resources. All other functionality is unchanged.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
http://myaccount.google.com/

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Google Apps Update Alert!




Posted: 09 Dec 2014 09:20 AM PST
The SPARKLINE function in Google Sheets creates a miniature chart contained within a single cell, providing a quick visual depiction of data trends. With this launch, we’re adding two new types of sparklines - column and winloss - joining the existing line graph and bar chart options:

Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 10.35.23 PM.png


See the Help Center for details on using the SPARKLINE function.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Drive G+ post
Help Center

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A better place to manage your apps
Posted: 09 Dec 2014 09:25 PM PST
To make it easier to find and manage your apps, we’ve introduced a new Apps icon in the Admin console. The Apps icon is the one place to manage Google Apps, Additional Google services, and Google Marketplace apps. To check it out, simply login to admin.google.com, and click on the Apps icon:

Clicking on the Apps icon above takes you to the screen below:

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Tech Tip Tuesday: Restore Data in GAFE


A student who is using Google Apps for Education at the +William Davies Middle School, accidentally deleted all of her files and folders in her Google Drive.  Being the Google Apps for Education administrator, I was able to restore her data successfully.  If you are in a situation similar to this, you would need to contact your Google Apps for Education administrator.  

Note, this is only valid for an account within the Google Apps for Education domain, not in a personal gmail account.

Here are the steps to complete this task:
  1. Login to the Google Apps for Education Administrator Dashboard
  2. Find the user in the domain
  3. Open up the details screen about the user, (the student name has been blocked out)
  4. Click on the 'Restore Data' button as shown below 
  5. Enter a date range to restore from.  You are limited to a 10 day time span.
  6. When it is completed, all of the user data specified in the date range is restore.




Monday, December 8, 2014

Symbaloo for the Hour of Code


I wanted to share my Symbaloo that has resources to participate in Computer Science Week, the Hour of Code movement.  Just scroll to the last two rows of the Symbaloo to view the coding resources/websites.  Also, I am attaching a direct link to it too.  Enjoy!!! 





Saturday, December 6, 2014

Computer Science Week - Hour of Code 2014



Computer Science Week, starts on December 8th until December 12th. It is a movement to introduce students to computer programming or coding in grades K-12.  The Hour of Code website is a great place to start.  It provides videos, tutorials, activities and lessons to help students and teachers to participate in this movement.  

The New Jersey Department of Education has announced that more than 600 school districts have signed up and are participating in this event. Unfortunately, computer science is not implemented enough in schools.  So, as a former computer programmer, I embrace this opportunity and teach middle school students at the +William Davies Middle School HTML programming using an editor and pure code.

This year, in STEM class, I will be teaching 7th grade students to write an HTML program to create a simple webpage.  Some concepts will include proper vocabulary, HTML syntax and commands, required tags, title a webpage, formatting text, insert an image and a hyperlink, a bullet and ordered list. Some other concepts will include, line breaks, comments, and horizontal lines.  Sixth grade students will use the Hour of Code website's videos, tutorials and activities to learn coding using a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

In addition, students in LMT class, will be using the Hour of Code website and Scratch, which is a GUI, to create an animated holiday scene or card.  

Another website I will introduce to students is Made with Code.  This website offers students beginner and intermediate projects using a GUI interface.  One of the projects I suggested to all the math teachers at my school was the avatar project.  The students use code and interact with an xy coordinate grid to move and size the shapes to create an avatar.  

In conclusion, I feel computer programming is an important concept to teach students. I witnessed students use their critical thinking skills and problem solving skills to test and execute their programs. More importantly, they collaborated together to help each other debug their programs.  I witnessed timid students take ownership of this lesson and help other students be successful.   Student were proud and had an appreciation of how much code needs to be written to change the font color to green.

I will post a follow up after Computer Science Week is over.     

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Tech Tip: Export Bookmarks from Chrome




Although your bookmarks can be synced to your Google account, there may be a time when you need to export your bookmarks from the Chrome browser.

Follow the steps below to export your bookmarks from Chrome:  

  • Start Chrome
  • Click on the Menu icon at the top right corner  
  • Click on 'Bookmarks'
  • Click on 'Bookmark Manager'
  • Click on 'Organize' at the left side of the screen
  • Click on 'Export Bookmarks to HTML File'



  • Select where you would like to save the html file
  • Assign it a name and hit 'SAVE'
You did it! All of your bookmarks are now saved into an html file on your computer.  If you would like, you can import them into another browser or just keep them up to date as a backup.





Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Google Apps Update Alert!


(This is a Google Apps Update notification.)

We know some of you work with Office files regularly, so we’re adding conversion support in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for 15 new Office file formats.

New formats supported include:
  • dot, dotx, dotm*, docm* conversions to Google Docs
  • xlt, xltx, xltm*, xlsm* conversions to Google Sheets
  • pot, potx, potm*, pptm*, pps, ppsx, ppsm* conversions to Google Slides

We’ve been listening to your feedback and along with the ability to bring in these new formats, we’ve also added better conversion support for charts, SmartArt, and merged table cells in your Office documents.

After the conversion, you can edit, collaborate on, and share your file online. When you convert a file, the original file will remain intact and accessible from Google Drive.

*Note: Macros will be removed from macro file formats upon conversion

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center
Drive G+ Post

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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In Gmail, with a single click on the pencil icon in the attachment card, you can now convert any Office files sent as attachments to Docs, Sheets, or Slides. You can then start editing and enjoying the full benefits of a single document to keep track of, access from anywhere, and full revision history.
Screen Shot 2014-12-01 at 11.22.14 AM.png


Release track:

Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks

For more information:
Help Center
Drive G+ post

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

whatsnew.googleapps.com
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