In this session teachers learned how to add  widgets to their dashboard.. They learned to add the basic widgets that are included as well as how to download widgets from the Apple site. They even learned how to create their own widget from an existing web page.

This week we focussed at the different tools GMail has to help you get your email organized and work efficiently for you. We looked at InBox organization tools, labels, searching, and creating filters. Below you will find the handout that we followed during the session to view and/or download.

Tech Tips this week focused on the different features of Chrome and Safari. Chrome continues to evolve and add features so we wanted to show you some off new and useful features Chrome as added recently. Safari, as an Apple application, also has some good features that integrate nicely with other Apple applications.  Below is a copy of the handout that accompanied the session and the file you can download if you like.

This week's tech tip session was on Adding and Managing Your Browser Bookmarks. In this session, teachers learned how to add, edit, delete, and back up their bookmarks in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. 

This week's tech tip session was on Organizing Your Dock. We looked at how to change the appearance of your dock, how to add, delete and rearrange items, and how to add some simple actions to the applications on your dock. 

This week we looked at the different ways the Mac OS allows you to move around your computer. We talked about switching between applications, showing your desktop, moving between files in the same application and much more. How you navigate your computer is a matter of personal preference and what you are used to doing. We wanted to show you some of the different options and maybe you will find some new methods that allow you to work more efficiently.  Below is the handout that supported the session to view and download.

In this session, we looked through the options that you can change in your system preferences to personalise your computer. On the attached document is a list of the specific preferences we discussed with notes on the changes we looked at. 

This week we focused on the Finder. There was some overlap/repeated information from last weeks session but also covered some new material. We looked at the sidebar, toolbar, sorting items, finding the pathway to a folder/file, airdrop, connecting to the server, Finder preferences, and customizing your Finder.  Below is the handout that went with the session and under this a color or black and white copy of the file to download.

Staying organized on your laptop allows you to work more efficiently. There are many tricks that the Mac has to offer to allow you to create an organization system that can work for you. In this short session, we look at the the finder and ways you can modify what you see. We created folders, added colors, arranged them in different ways and looked at the variety of viewing options. We added items to the sidebar for quick access and used the spacebar to quickly view a document or folder. For those teachers who love to use their desktop we learned how to create an alias on our desktop as a shortcut. See the attached document for a description of the tips and tricks that were offered in this session.

This week's Tech Tips focused on Google Calendar basics. Google Calendars super easy to use and a great way to organize your work and personal live. As a Google Apps EDU school google calendars are being used more and more through out the school and its important to know how to view, navigate, create and use Google Calendars effectively and efficiently.

We started by distinguishing the difference between calendars in "My Calendars" and "Other Calendars", how to actively view/hide, and color code calendars. We looked at calendar settings such as notifications, reminders, and sharing. And we also looked at creating an event and highlighted the need to specify the time and the calendar the event is to go on as well as how to invite guests to attend the event.

Some ways you can use Google Calendar are:
     • Team Calendar
     • Class Events Calendar that can be embedded into your Weebly/Blog
     • Homework Calendar that can be embedded into your Weebly/Blog
     • Sign-up/Reserve shared resources.

Below are some useful shared calendars you should be able to view. If you cannot see these calendars, copy/paste the address provided into the Other Calendars area and press enter. The calendar will pop up on your calendar space and be added to your list.

ASW Elementary 2014-14 (other calendars) aswarsaw.org_aadas0hiiqe64ddd9oe5le283o@group.calendar.google.com
All School (other calendars) - aswarsaw.org_t48qd1tnu9f057mgeqgp627sg8@group.calendar.google.com
Craig Belshe (other calendars) - CBelshe@aswarsaw.org
ES Tech Tips (other calendars) - aswarsaw.org_7f5p1338j1k9388d55a4jbn8ko@group.calendar.google.com
Bruce Roadside (other calendars) - broadside@aswarsaw.org
Kris Sheehan (other calendars) - ksheehan@aswarsaw.org
iPad Cart (22) (my calendars) - contact Kris or Bruce to share this calendar with you
ES Computer lab (my calendars) - contact Kris or Bruce to share this calendar with you

Below is a copy of the hand out to view or download.