Technology Update #62

Categorized in: Newsletter Posted on: Last updated on: Written by:

Issue 62

In this Issue

Welcome to issue #61! In this issue we take a look at tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your iPad. These include running updates, using Google apps and services and a reminder that you can detach the iPad from your Magic Keyboard to be more mobile. Then we’ll take a look a few new updates from Google!

iPad Corner

Like anything new, as you use your iPad, you’ll have questions! Don’t worry, we’re here to help by providing tips, tricks and best practices for you. Each month we’ll go over things to make you more productive on iPad!

Updates
With iPad, updates are handled differently than on the Mac. Please run ALL available updates on your iPad as you see them. If we need to delay an update, we can control that and it won’t appear to you. As of this email, the latest version of iPadOS is 14.7.1. Please also encourage your students to update. Each update contains numerous bug fixes, performance enhancement and security patches.

To update, go to Settings->General->Software Update

Why can’t we be friends AKA Apple and Google Together4Ever
YES! Apple and Google CAN be friends. When using Google on iPad, there is the choice between using Safari and for select services, the Google apps.

Safari:

  • Classroom
  • Docs
  • Drive
  • Sheets
  • Slides

Apps:

  • Classroom
  • Drive
  • Earth
  • Gmail
  • Jamboard
  • Keep

You’ll notice that services like Classroom, Drive and Gmail show up in both lists. That’s because there are features of those services only available in the app and NOT on the web.

Let’s take a closer look at Classroom. The Classroom website will work the same for students on both the iPad and the macBook. The App has a few additional features though, including the ability to annotate directly on PDFs, notifications for upcoming due dates and making it easy for student to submit documents directly from other apps on the iPad.

The great thing is that you don’t have to chose one! They can coexist together on iPad and students can bounce back and forth. The workflow is a little different than what students might be used to. Please take a look at this video resource on how they interact.

Be Mobile!
One key advantage of a modular computing device like the iPad is the ability to separate the device from it’s keyboard and go into tablet mode. You can use the on screen keyboard to type (and put the keyboard into compact/iPhone mode for one handed typing), or use the Apple Pencil to write like you would with paper on a clipboard.

Be Professional
Your iPad Pro is assigned to you by the district to help you with your job at Westside. PLEASE remember that it is not a toy, and not something that you should load up with kids apps and give your children to play with.

Having apps that promote or simulate illegal activities (i.e., drug dealer simulations, theft, murder), adult activities (i.e., pole dancing games, body waxing games, gambling etc.) and other similar content can and will cause distractions in the learning environment and should not be installed.

While we don’t stop staff from downloading apps on their own, please exercise professional judgement.

Keep Learning
We know the iPad is new for many so we’ve put together a packed professional learning schedule for the fall! We have a record number of session offerings and have a few more bonus sessions that we’ll announce soon!

Check out all the offerings at: https://teachers.technology/upcoming-trainings/. To register, email Deanna Laux on gmail.

Google Updates

Utilize multiple page orientations in Google Docs
You are now able to have some pages be in portrait orientation and some in landscape orientation–all in the same document!
Read more here!

Open Office Attachments from Gmail in Docs/Sheets/Slides with One Click
If someone happens to send you a Word/Excel/PowerPoint file in an email, you will now see an “Edit” icon (next to the download and “Add to Drive” icons with each attachment). That will allow you to open the file directly in the Google equivalent tool–you can then edit it from there while preserving the original file format. This update also includes new options to respond to the email thread from the File menu in Docs/Sheets/Slides once you have opened the attached file.
Read more here!

Tip of the Week

Tip of the Week
Have you received an Air Drop request from someone you don’t know? Want to
make it so only your contacts can send things? Check out how to modify your
Air Drop settings on your phone or iPad. To choose who can see your device
and send you content in Air Drop:

  1. Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open Control Centre 2. Press firmly or touch and hold the network settings card in the upper-left corner.
  2. Touch and hold the AirDrop button , then choose one of these options:
  • Receiving Off: You won’t receive AirDrop requests.
  • Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.
  • Everyone: All nearby Apple devices using AirDrop can see your
    device.

If you see Receiving Off and can’t tap to change it:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  3. Tap Allowed Apps and make sure that AirDrop is turned on.

Closing

As always, if you ever have any technology integration related questions, please let us know. We are happy to work with you to design lessons, develop workflows and even come into your classes and work with you and your students.

Thanks!

Published by Matt Lee