Waffle Bytes

 There are new Host Controls available within Google Meet.  These features are still rolling out, so it may take up to two weeks to see some of them. You will know that you have access to Host Controls by seeing a blue shield in the lower left corner of a Meet -  When you click on it, you see a pop-up that has some options available to you -  1. Quick access - if it is on (the default) people within your organization DO NOT need to ask to join the Meet; if it is off (slider to the left and not blue-green) then EVERYONE will need to ask to join your Meet and you will have to let them in. 2. Share their screen - does everyone have the ability to share their screen, or just you.  This will determine if the Present Now in the lower right hand corner of the Meet is displayed to others - 3. Send chat messages - does everyone have the ability to chat during the Meet.  This will determine if the chat icon in the upper right hand corner of the Meet is displayed to o...

As more educators begin to use Google Classroom, it seems as if Google keeps updating it and adding features. Here are some updated posts with the newest Classroom look. To join a classroom from an email invitation sent by the course instructor, first find and open the email in your inbox: When you open the email, you will see a message similar to the following - look for the blue Join button in the middle.  Click on that - This will both enroll you into the course and open the course up for you.  You may get a brief tutorial if it is your first time using Classroom, or if they have recently made changes.  

One of the powers of a digital calendar is that you can "share" events with other people - this means that all the information you put in the event is shared with them, from location and times to attachments and notes.  The bigger advantage of it, though, is that if you make changes to the event those changes are reflected on the other guests calendar as well!  No more emailing back and forth to ensure everyone has the most up-to-date information about an event.  (Here is a video on how to invite others to your event if you prefer.) To add guest, first either create a new event (or open an existing event).  Look on the right side for the area where Guests are managed - In the bar that says Add guests, begin typing the name or email address of the person you want to invite.  (If they are in your contacts, it will begin popping up suggestions.) - Select the person you want to add by clicking on their name (or typing in their entire email address)....

There is a new menu setting for your public calendars that makes sharing it with others easier than ever! Here is what the new option looks like if you are in a Google Apps for Education domain: Here is what it looks like if you are on your personal Google account: Selecting either, you get a strikingly similar pop-up to type in the email of the person (or persons) you want to share your calendar with, and area for an email message: (I, personally, find the differences in the suggested messages humorous.) The key to having this new option - and one to think hard about before deciding if it is worth it - is having your calendar completely public.  This includes showing all event details and making it searchable by Google: