WHS Technology Newsletter for Parents and Students

We all use multiple devices, and sometimes we want to remember what we were doing with one that isn't currently with us.  Watch this video to adjust your Chrome browser to see all the tabs open on other devices.

WHS Library, Chrome, and Canvas Corner Follow  the WHS  Tech pag e :  Check out our new FutureReady webpage  for the scoop on educational resources and information about Canvas, Chromebooks, GoogleApps, Digital Citizenship, and more:  http://bit.ly/whsfutureready .    Or, follow our blog to get the scoop on online education, scholarships, tech tips, innovations, and more :  http://bit.ly/whsfuture . WCCLS Events:   Love music trivia?  Lookin g for a fun activity to do with your friends on a Saturday afternoon?  Why not register to attend the Name That Tune competition 2/11 from 2p-4p at the Cedar Mill Library?  Compete as a team or individually in a lip synch battle.  Free for anyone ages 11-18, call 503-644-0043 x114 to register.   Are you the 'inventive' type?   Sign up for the Imagination Foundation's  2017  Inventor's Challenge.   Entries need to be submitted by 2/24:   http://bit.ly/whsinventor Digital Citizenship tip of the week :  

Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship Click  HERE  for the Application Form The deadline for this scholarship is annually by February 1 The purpose of this scholarship is to serve as a living tribute to Frank Kazmierczak, a long time migrant educator, by offering an annual award in the amount of $1,000 for post-secondary scholarship assistance to a migrant student who wishes to pursue a career in teaching. Candidates will be screened by a selection committee on the basis of the following criteria: Child of a migrant worker or a migrant worker (priority will be given to those with mobility in the last 3 years) Teaching as a career goal Scholastic achievement Financial need

What will you invent? Caine's cardboard arcade, a viral video about which hit the headlines in 2012, started an inventive revolution which led to the creation of the Imagination Foundation.    Offering opportunities for kids with inventive, creative, amazing minds a platform to share their work,  registration is now open for 'kids of all ages' to enter the 2017 Inventor's Challenge  which runs from 1/23-2/24.  Take the challenge, share it with our community!

You must enable offline access:  Go to docs.google.com (or sheets.google.com or slides.google.com). Click on the menu icon at left. Select Settings. Look for "Offline Sync" and click "Turn on." Google gives you one clear indicator: a circle icon with lightning bolt at the top of the page. It's next to the star and folder icons, and it looks like this: The moment Google recognizes an Internet connection, it will sync your changes to the cloud, and the icon will disappear. Finally, while you can edit Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline, you can't actually change any of the folder names or other details of your Google Drive account while you're disconnected from the Internet. And if the Google Drive page isn't already loaded in Chrome, you won't even be able to open it&emdash;so just start from docs.google.com or another app-specific page first. You will be able to see your Google Drive files on a mobile device, however.  (I

Many of the standardized tests nowadays include some form of analysis through media...which makes sense.  We are inundated with media sources of information, and it would be beneficial to be able to identify concepts and/or content contained in those sources.  Well, there is a application for that.   Clipchoose.com allows users to select between 2-12 videos to set up a poll regarding a question. Fun, relevant, and easy to use, Clipchoose is definitely something worth checking out.

WHS Library, Chrome, and Canvas Corner Digital Citizenship tip of the week :      Our teens live in a culture of sharing that has forever changed the concept of privacy. In a world where everyone is connected and anything created online can be copied, pasted, and sent to thousands of people in a heartbeat, privacy starts to mean something different than simply guarding personal or private information.  Click the link to learn about  not only how to protect your privacy, but how to take care of your digital footprint: :  http://bit.ly/2hMhJwa eAccess Library Cards :     Students :  gearing up for your upcoming research projects?  Try out your WCCLS library card using one of the  two online eReader programs available on  your  Chromebooks or other electronic devices.   Use  this how-to page-- http://bit.ly/2hf81zv --which will  walk you  step-by-step through how to log into  your  account and get reading!  Additionally, you can find great resources here:  http://fu

Mysimpleshow Free, able to sign in with Google Account, MySimpleShow compels you to use an argumentative outline in order to provide the 'script' to the video is creates.  Simple interface, it utilizes the nouns to populate the slideshow, and creates a movie that can be edited in the end.   Adobe Spark Super simple interface, primarily uses images as background for a template-driven storytelling.  Does not require as much prewriting, but is visually stunning.  Can be signed into with Google Account, and has blog/website aspect that can be added.   Powtoons Though I know I will be in the minority here, I would say that Powtoons is the least intuitive and most complex video/cartoon creator.  Unless you purchase the 'Pro' account, navigating to the free options becomes difficult with the web interface.  That said, you can make a fun cartoon if you have a tolerance for the glitches. 

Not sure if you are fully prepared to head off to college?   Click this link or view the registration dates on the embedded document.

Google for Education has tutorials ready and waiting.  Become a Google and Chromebook Pro by completing just a few easy tutorials. Google Training

When attempting to describe a concept or defend an argument, connecting with the visual learners in your audience is important.  Though utilizing Powerpoints or GoogleSlides is a good approach, the creation of a video explanation can take it to the next level.  You might want to try these two applications out: For a twist on normal video creation, MySimpleShow starts with writing a script. Detailing an argument or process, MySimpleShow adds graphic content and can supply the voice. Free, easy to use, and fun, MySimpleShow can be used by students and teachers alike to explain concepts, defend an argument, or present a compelling case. Adobe Spark, on the other hand,  is a free online and mobile graphic design app. Easily create beautiful images, videos, and web pages that help tell your own story.

My son loves listening to music when he is working on homework.  He also likes setting time goals: 30 minutes of work, then a break.  This allows him to truly focus, and then run around a bit to get his wiggles out (he is in the 6th grade).  Though his phone could accomplish each of these separately, there is a way to combine both music and timers with your Apple phone.  Simply play music from any app and set the 'Stop Playing' timer.

Switching languages for typing or internet exploration can be tedious.  With this new Chrome extension offered from Google, it just got way easier.  Check out this Youtube video which will walk you through the installation and application of this exciting extension.

1.  The first thing you might notice is that there is now an option to give assignments to individual students or a subset of students within a class.  Just deselect the sharing option 'all students' and then select the students you want to receive the assignment. 2.  The second change will allow you to receive notifications when students either resubmit an assignment or turn assignments in past their due dates.  This doesn't seem to totally solve all some of the requests we have had for assignments, but it is a step in the right direction.

Some have asked how to receive school delay and closure information on their phones.  Here are a few ways that you could achieve that:   You could sign up with FlashAlert: https://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=104 (You can also download the FlashAlert app) You can receive alerts from SchoolMessenger: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/depts/pubsafety/Pages/SchoolMessenger.aspx Like the Beaverton School District on Facebook or Twitter Subscribe to the District's RSS Feed https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/Pages/RSS-Feeds.aspx For your safety, check out this Safe Routes to School information. Here is the Beaverton School District's inclement weather information sheets.

Whether you are planning out your assignments for the week, or you are a parent working toward a goal, calendaring due dates and creating a goal completion timeline helps.  But, it can also be time consuming.  Here is a quick way to add events to your GoogleCalendar straight from your Gmail.

As Google expands exponentially, it is harder and harder to keep up.  With this handy dandy app, you can explore questions about the interface while using it.  Installing the extension puts a "?" at the top of the screen.  When you click on it, a 40 sec + tutorial will load using your screen  as the input.  From novice to advanced, you can step up your GoogleSuite game with this extension.

It is challenging to keep track of all of the citations you will need.  Luckily, there is an app for that...AND it is approved by the BSD for your Chromebook.   Check out Cite This For Me. http://www.citethisforme.com/help You could also use EasyBib: I would love to hear back from you about which one works better.  Just add a comment below.

I generally think I am.  But even I increased my speed with this BSD approved Chrome extension: BeeLine Reader.  It color codes text which--it maintains--will exponentially increase your ability to read it quicker.

Apply to this scholarship to become a Dell Scholar.

Parents, Are you working with you student to prepare them to both to apply to college, and to be ready for the transition next fall?  As a parent myself, I can understand how overwhelming this may seem.  OSU has prepared a Toolkit to help.  Check it out below, or download it here.

Want to have a quick view of what the data in a column graphically looks like?  Try using a Sparkline.  With a few quick inputs into GoogleForms, you can receive a visual representation of your input.

As Canvas use is increasing, it may be helpful to review this helpful tutorial of the main toolbars and uses of Canvas in your courses.

Digital Citizenship tip of the week :      Our teens live in a culture of sharing that has forever changed the concept of privacy. In a world where everyone is connected and anything created online can be copied, pasted, and sent to thousands of people in a heartbeat, privacy starts to mean something different than simply guarding personal or private information.  Click the link to learn about  not only how to protect your privacy, but how to take care of your digital footprint: :  http://bit.ly/2hMhJwa eAccess Library Cards :     Students :  gearing up for your upcoming research projects?  Try out your WCCLS library card  using one of the  two online eReader programs available on  your  Chromebooks or other electronic devices.   Use  this how-to page-- http://bit.ly/2hf81zv --which will  walk you  step-by-step through how to log into  your  account and get reading!  Follow  the WHS Student Tech updates pag e : Happy New Y

Try adding the Polleverywhere Extension.  It is easy, fun, and will make soliciting active feedback to your classroom presentations fast and fun.

Prepare for the test with you friends at the library!   Click here  for the online Driver's Manual, and Click Here  for an online practice test.  Have fun, and stay safe Wildcats!

It isn't for the novice, but there is a way to share just one tab of a GoogleSheet with others.  Watch this video to learn how it is done.

With so many blogging options out there to use, which one would be the most helpful for you in your classroom?  Consider this comparison to get you started.

With so many options available, which is the best to make online quiz creation easiest for you? Check out this comparison chart to get you started. Video Tutorials Riddle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IawWhrykKp0 TinyTap - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-rGBdv-bE , https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4kNQUtOflk-qvjAThJW9SiiwMlkkRfm_ Zaption - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LghSQjBE1cs EduCanon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IVFK7V2nzI EDpuzzle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGjP7QrNo7U , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOcKBo-4hpg Blubbr - https://youtu.be/FSxkQdB_RuE Google Forms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUL9j30NYkc , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZx-zOK46Q ,