Blog Posts

Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware

7/7/2017

To understand the differences between anti-virus and anti-malware, we must first understand the differences between viruses and malware.
Malware is a broad term that includes unwanted/harmful code such as viruses (that replicates and spreads), spyware, adware, and more.
So, anti-virus focuses on preventing/getting rid of viruses, whereas anti-malware covers a variety of threats. However, many ‘anti-virus’ programs do not just cover viruses, but rather other types of malware also.
It is important to install an anti-virus/anti-malware software that is SAFE and RELIABLE.

Here are some recommendations for anti-virus/anti-malware software:

Good video editing apps/programs

3/7/2017

Here are four useful video editing apps/programs that you can use.

Powtoon
Powtoon is a free and creative website to create your own videos. Powtoon has a guide and tutorials on how to use the website and create your videos. Powtoon is great for short animation videos and presentations for school and it is a fun way to present to your class.

How to print one sided on Microsoft Word

23/6/2017

1. Click on “File”, located at the top left.

2. Click on “Print”.

How to use Lucidchart Diagrams

16/6/2017

Lucidchart diagram is a software to enable users to create flowcharts, organisational charts, website wire frames, UML designs, mind maps, software prototypes and many other diagrams.

Printing from PDF

9/6/2017

Sometimes when printing a PDF document, the printer will print out 100’s of pages not containing the desired document. This is a problem that can easily be fixed by printing the document from a different program.

This problem occurs when you try and print from the Chrome PDF Viewer. This looks something like this:

In order to overcome the problem you need to open the PDF document from a different program.

Here are some easy steps to do this:

Settings for sharing a Google Doc

2/6/2017

Need help sharing your Google Doc? Here are some instructions to help you do so correctly and other tips of extra features and ways for people to access your doc.

1) Firstly, open up a new Google Doc or an existing one that you would like to share

2) Once on your Google Doc, click on the “share” button, which is placed on the top right hand corner of your screen

How to use Google Templates on Google Docs

26/5/2017

Templates are extremely handy for writing up professional essays, class notes, CV’s and more.
Google Docs allows you to easily use templates in order to enhance and structure your work!

Steps:
1. When you first open Google Docs Home, underneath the search bar there should be a row of suggested templates for you to use - As shown above. These are great, but if you would like to use choose from more templates click template gallery.

2. Template Gallery is on the upper, right hand corner of the suggested templates - Shown in picture above.

3. Click on General. It is on the upper, left hand corner of your screen once you click Template Gallery. You can now choose a template!

4. Once your template is chosen you can then personalise it by changing the titles, pictures and content to suit you.

If you still need help, watch this tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgw3kBbILZg

Suggested Templates:
Class notes - Classnotes Luxe
CV - Resume Spearmint
Report - Report Luxe
Essay - Blank

Written by Shaila Bhabha

Google Slides Templates & Slides Carnival

19/5/2017

Google Slide Templates:
There are two different ways to get a template for your google slide.

Way 1:

You will see templates when you go on the Google Slides site.

Click onto “template gallery” to get a bigger range of available templates.
Chose your desired template and now you may use it!

Way 2:

1. On a new presentation, click onto themes (as shown below)
2. Choose your desired theme and click on it.
3. You can now start your presentation.

Slides Carnaval:
1. Go to slides carnival at www.slidescarnival.com

2. Click onto “all templates” on the top left corner, below the slides carnival logo.

3. Scrolling down, choose a template you wish to do your presentation on.
4. Click on it and scroll down to find “use as google slides theme” yellow button.

5. This will take you to a Google Slide of the template
6. Then, click on file, then ‘make a copy’ and a new copy of the template will be made, ready for use.

Written by Amy Lim.

How to borrow laptops from the library when you don't have your own device

12/5/2017

Did you break/lose your device and worried about missing out on valuable learning now that Westlake has gone BYOD? The beneficial laptop loaning system the library has set up can help you get back on track with your ICT learning. Just follow these simple steps to benefit from this system:

Thinglink for Students

5/5/2017

Some students may have used the online tool with a one of their teachers over the past couple of years. Recently the school has purchased an education licence for this program that provides all teachers and students a school account with a lot more functions. You are able to do a whole lot more now and it is still super easy to use.

All students accounts have now been set up. If you already had an account for thinglink using your school email then there is a specific step in the instructions below that you need to complete in order to get linked to the school and get the increased functionality. If you have never used it before then thats also great, it is super easy to use.

Why did we do this?
Well this online tool enables us to begin to explore new technologies of how images are used. You are now able to use 360 degrees images and videos within thinglink to create a whole range of things. Some of the tools we currently use a lot at school are more word processing e.g. google docs etc, so in other words they focus on communication. Thinglink enables teachers to help students to develop their creative skills as well.

Please follow the instructions below for signing onto Thinglink for the first time (including those with existing accounts).

Click Here For Instructions

Here is an example of a thinglink project on Endangered Animals. Hover your mouse around the image and you will see lots of different tags appear. These tags can take you to different things, text, questions, youtube videos, sound files etc. This is a basic image thinglink project.