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The point of this tip is to switch between applications. For instance, you have chrome open and you want to quickly switch to Word. Of course, this is only useful if you have more than one application open. My experience is that some teachers only ever use Chrome, so this tip is no use for them.
What to do:
You’ll see all your open applications. If you touch tab again, you’ll go to the next application. If you let go of alt, you will switch to that application.
This is my most popular tip. It enables you to take a screenshot and paste it into a document very quickly. For instance, you might see something in a web-page and you want to email someone about it without making them search through the website.
That’s it!
Do you get frustrated trying to find the scroll bar? This tip works 99% of the time.
You’re almost certainly scrolling. And you’re welcome!
This is a bit controversial. Here goes: I HARDLY EVER READ EMAIL IN A BROWSER. Phew!
The app I use depends on the mail system. Most NZ schools have Outlook OR Google Mail. If your schools mail is in Outlook, I’d use the Outlook app. It’s very powerful and does almost everything I need. Here are my essentials:
But more schools use Google Mail. I’ve been using Spark Mail recently. It works. It looks beautiful, and it does everything in my essentials list. And it’s free.
The point of this tip is to switch between applications. For instance, you have chrome open and you want to quickly switch to Word. Of course, this is only useful if you have more than one application open. My experience is that some teachers only ever use Chrome, so this tip is no use for them.
What to do:
You’ll see all your open applications. If you touch tab again, you’ll go to the next application. If you let go of alt, you will switch to that application.
This is my most popular tip. It enables you to take a screenshot and paste it into a document very quickly. For instance, you might see something in a webpage and you want to email someone about it without making them search through the website.
That’s it!
This is a fast way to select your data projector if it’s plugged in to your laptop.
Do you get frustrated trying to find the scroll bar? This tip works 99% of the time.
You’re almost certainly scrolling. And you’re welcome!
This is a security tip. It enables you to quickly lock your laptop so that no one can use it while you’re at the other end of the room. Here’s what to do:
That’s it. Your laptop is now locked – but not logged out. To use it again, simply enter your password. If you hate the thought of entering your password, take a look at the next tip.
Windows hello is a feature in Windows 10 that uses the fingerprint scanner and/or the camera to unlock your laptop instead of a password. This feature is commonly turned off, so you might need TTS to turn it on for your school.
First check that it’s available. Touch the windows key and start typing “hello.” When you see “sign-in options, select it.
My laptop has the following options:
This is a bit controversial. Here goes: I HARDLY EVER READ EMAIL IN A BROWSER. Phew!
The app I use depends on the mail system. Most NZ schools have Outlook OR Google Mail. If your schools mail is in Outlook, I’d use the Outlook app. It’s very powerful and does almost everything I need. Here are my essentials:
But more schools use Google Mail. I’ve been using eM Client recently. It works. It looks nice, and it does everything in my essentials list. And it’s free for up to two email accounts.
This is (by far) the most popular tip I’ve shared this year. Once enabled, it shows a history of everything you’re ever copied to the clipboard. The report comment that you used a hour ago? Check. The phone number you found last week? Check. Websites, screenshots, paragraphs…
I have been working for TTS for the past 7 years assisting schools with their technology infrastructure and digital alignment with the MoE.
Before that I was completing a Batchelors of Business with a major in Management and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, I worked in Massey University tutoring, relief lecturing, and marking in the business college while also being a director of a small software company. I also previously held roles as sales manager in the corporate world.
Within the professional learning environment, I specialise in assisting schools with strategic management, change management and leadership. These are all challenging areas that often require specific planning and implementation. Change is not only synonymous with technology but is part of the daily environment in education and embracing change can be a daunting. My goal is to assist schools to feel comfortable and accepting of necessary change.
I am a graphic and digital designer with nearly 20 years experience designing for the digital realm. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication, a Certificate in Computer Engineering and am a certified Adobe Creative Educator.
I am passionate about using technology to bring ideas to life and love encouraging learners to look for new ways to answer old questions. As a life-long learner myself, I always enjoy trying out new creative tools and exploring the impact they can have on students’ learning outcomes.
I am excited to be part of the TTS team and continue to help schools make the most of their websites and support teachers and students in creating engaging graphics, presentations, videos, websites, and more.
I’m a teacher with 20 years of classroom experience in a range of schools, locations, deciles and age groupings. I have background in technology education with a specialisation in Food and Material Technology.
I am passionate about technology education. So much so that it lead me to complete a Masters and PhD in Education qualifications where I explored communities of practice, teacher pedagogy and defined technological food literacy. I believe that many hands make light work, and networking and collaboration are key tools in the teacher kete.
I am currently part of the Subject Expert Group working with the Ministry of Education on the Review of Achievement Standards project.
I am a primary trained teacher with over 20 years’ experience finding new ways to effectively implement digital technologies into the classroom. I have always been passionate about finding and utilising digital tools within my class, and I enjoy exploring the internet to find new tools and learn about new ways in which other educators use digital technologies to best support their students.
I believe that is it important to find the right tools for you and your students as every class and school is different. Digital tools and technologies change rapidly and what may not have been suitable in the past could be just what you need now. I look forward to working with and supporting you to find and implement the best digital technologies for your specific learning environment.
I am a specialist teacher and PLD provider of creative writing, drawing on 20 years’ hands-on experience in the primary classroom teaching years 0-6, and as literacy leader, ALL teacher and CoL teacher.
In addition to my classroom experience, I bring my own experiences as a creative writer to my PLD sessions. I have published over 100-chapter books and 9 novels. Much of my published content is for the education market in NZ, Australia, the U.S, U.K and China. Publishers include Macmillan, Pearson, Oxford University Press, Capstone, Lift education, Sunshine books and Cengage. In addition, I have written several assessment and comprehension guides as well as books on how to teach creative writing (Essential resources). I hold a Doctorate in Education (EdD), where I investigated how primary school teachers teach creative writing, often focusing on the use of digital technology. As well as education and teaching qualifications, I also hold a Masters in Creative Writing.
I can provide individual hands-on modelling and feedback, as well as whole staff PLD. In addition, I examine the potential of new media (technology) in creative writing pedagogy.
I am a primary teacher of 30+ years experience covering all year levels from 1-8. I believe in “lifelong learning” and am passionate about encouraging teachers to be facilitators of their learning, and that of their students. I believe knowing when, what, why and how to implement digital tools to fit the purpose of “the teaching and learning” is essential today. I believe relationships are intrinsic in education, connecting people with tools/resources for teaching and learning, and how they support creativity, collaboration and innovation.
Michael is a teacher with 8 years classroom experience, and has taught students from years 1 through to 8. He has a bachelor of teaching and continues to learn through post-graduate studies. Michael is passionate about literacy education, and how reading and writing can – and should – be made accessible and interesting for all learners in schools. As a teacher, he recognises the need for resources that engage, enable, and empower students so they can achieve a meaningful, successful, and sustainable education.
I am an MoE Accredited PLD facilitator with a BEd (Hons) Degree in Education. I have over 20 years of experience in teaching 11 to 18-year-olds, with the last fourteen years being in New Zealand. I believe in empowering teachers to be confident in a modern learning environment and to discover new ways of inspiring students. I am a firm believer of continuous improvement in the skills of a teacher to deliver a more interactive, productive and engaging experience. I am extremely skilled with Google Suite/Apps and Microsoft.
