November 2021 Technology Newsletter
By: Michael Kealy
Overnight Computer Updates
Computer updates are set to push out and install during non-instructional hours.
While it is good to routinely shut down your computer/laptop at the end of each day, all employees are advised to leave their computers/laptops on-site and turned on at least 1 night a week so that our systems can apply any critical updates. Computers/laptops can only receive updates when they are connected to the BCSD network.
With that being said it is also important to routinely shut down your computer/laptop fully, and not just sign out or close the device.
Want To Up Your Game? NYSCATE & NYSED Partner To Offer Free Technology Courses
https://www.nyscate.org/page/online-courses-live
Find a good variety of technology courses, from Google Courses to Digital Citizenship and Maker Courses there's something for everyone.
QR Codes May Contain Malware
From: Data Privacy and Security Service (DPSS) Digital Blast #191
Think twice when you scan a QR code for a free donut - you might get tricked with malware instead of treated.
QR codes are handy, and have become more prevalent in our lives during the COVID pandemic. QR codes can be found everywhere and we may not hesitate to scan any code we see. The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P) wants us to change that practice, and is working to teach people to think before they scan.
S.T.O.P. placed fake event flyers containing QR codes all around New York City. Scanning the QR codes on the flyers brought individuals to a website that warns of the dangers inherent in scanning unknown QR codes. S.T.O.P. hopes this campaign will raise awareness of these dangers and that their supporters will start similar flyer campaigns within their own communities.
REMINDER: Check Out The PowerSchool Performance Matters Data Dashboard
Administrators and Teachers, in PowerSchool check out the Performance Matters Data Dashboard! The dashboard includes relevant information about each of your students along with early warning indicators to help you identify students that may be struggling.
To access the dashboard a teacher should login into PowerSchool and click the square icon (pictured below) in the upper right hand corner and select "Performance Matters".
REMINDER: zSpace Virtual Reality Computers Available To Use In Any Classroom
zSpace is available for use by any teachers in the district. A Google calendar has been created so that staff can see when the zSpace computers are available. To reserve the zSpace computers for your class please submit a technology help ticket. Want to learn more about zSpace? Reach out to one of the teachers that attended previous professional development in 2019 or go to: https://zspace.com/edu
- Charles Barone
- Susan Bloomer
- Aaron Burke
- Sarah Coleman
- Jeanne Dottavio
- Renee Ferrara
- Carmen Finton
- Michael Gersh
- Lauren Gonyo
- Ashly Hala
- Mary Ann Hamilton
- Sheryl Hawks
- Zachary Joyce
- Jeanette Lynch
- Alexa Marinaccio
- Monica Paredes
- Sergio Perez
- Gloria Rosati-Peterson
- Ralph Sansone
- Shannon Varekamp
- Danielle Yeaple
More easily add citations in Google Docs with new search and automated entry function
What’s changing
When adding citations in Google Docs, you can now search for books and online sources, then automatically populate some attributes for those sources.
Citation search navigation
Who’s impacted
End users
Why you’d use it
Citations are an important aspect of many types of documents. This new search and automatic addition function makes it quicker and easier to add citations. By automating part of the source creation process, and ensuring correct formatting, we hope to save you time and reduce manual errors while managing citations.
Getting started
- Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
- End users: This feature will be available automatically. In every document, users can find the feature using the Tools > Citations menu item. Visit the Help Center to learn more about adding citations to your document.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 2, 2021
- Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 29, 2021
Availability
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers
- Available to users with personal Google Accounts
Resources