Inquiry Questions
Inquiry Questions
How might I use technology to learn and communicate effectively?
Key Concepts: email signature, sync calendars, calendar invite, task reminder, edit privilege
ATL Skills
Tech Tools Scavenger Hunt
Tech Tools Scavenger Hunt
Start by
Start by
1. creating a copy of this slideshow.
2. For each task below, paste a screenshot showing your completed task into a separate slide.
3. Once done, share your slideshow with your Teacher/Advisor.
Task A1: Set up your email on your computer.
#Communication #ResearchTask A1: Set up your email on your computer.
WHY: Your high school email is like your digital locker – except instead of gym socks and crumpled papers, it holds:
Scholarship opportunities that could pay for your entire pizza addiction.
Important schedule changes that prevent you from showing up to a class that doesn't exist anymore.
And occasionally, a message from a teacher with the answers to the test (okay, maybe not, but you never know!).
Basically, if you don't check it daily, you're missing out on free money, avoiding awkward situations, and potentially losing the secret to academic success. Don't be that person.
HOW:
If you don't know your login credentials, contact the IT Team.
Task A2: Bookmark your important, frequently visited sites.
#Self-Management #ResearchTask A2: Bookmark your important, frequently visited sites.
Be sure to include:
Task A3: Customize your ManageBac dashboard.
#Self-Management #ResearchTask A3: Customize your ManageBac dashboard.
Why: Being efficient means shortening the time it takes to do routine things. 10 seconds saved everyday equals hours over the whole year.
How: ManageBac guide to Customize Your Landing Page and My Workspace
Task A4: Subscribe to your ManageBac calendar and other important calendars to your Google Calendar.
#Self-Management #CommunicationTask A4: Subscribe to your ManageBac calendar and other important calendars to your Google Calendar.
WHY: Taking control of your time and life is a first step to adulting and being a successful student. Know what assignments, events are coming up so you can plan your time well rather than reacting to nagging reminders from those around you. This also allows you to let others know what you're up to and when you may need some time to dial in.
HOW:
Your ManageBac Events and Assessments Calendars:
Senior School Calendar:
(For student-athletes) Teamsnap Calendar: Go to [My Teams] >> [Schedule] >> [Settings] >> [Sync Calendar/Export] >> [iCal] >> [Full Calendar]
Task A5: Copy your ManageBac timetable (of classes) to your Google Calendar.
#Self-Management #CommunicationTask A5: Copy your ManageBac timetable (of classes) to your Google Calendar.
WHY:
Stop letting your schedule dictate your day—take charge and make your time work for you.
Never feel lost or caught off guard again asking, "Wait, what class do I have next?"
Take total control of your daily rhythm so you can plan out your study time, free time and energy levels.
HOW: Copy your ManageBac Timetable (lessons) to your Google Calendar.
Task B1: Explore and join clubs on Managebac.
#Communication #SocialTask B1: Explore and join clubs on Managebac.
WHY: Don't let school just happen to you: Take control of your passions and build connections. Joining clubs on ManageBac puts you in the loop, syncs group events directly to your Calendar, and gives you real control over your high school experience instead of leaving you watching from the sidelines.
Task C1: Update your Google profile picture with your real photo.
#Communication #SocialTask C1: Update your Google profile picture with your real photo.
WHY: First impressions are critical. Think about how you want to come across to all those who receive your email communication (your teacher, your peers, outside organizations):
As a juvenile or as a young adult?
As someone who doesn't take things seriously or a promising IB student who can be respected?
Task C2: Create your professional email signature.
#Communication #SocialTask C2: Create your professional email signature.
WHY: First impressions are critical. Think about how you want to come across to all those who receive your email communication (your teacher, your peers, outside organizations):
HOW: Use this template
Name (pronouns)
([namedrop.io link])
[Affiliations, Identities, Titles]
3000 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4E2
E: [email]
"Situated on the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples."
FOR EXAMPLE:
Harry Potter (he/him)
IB Student, Gryffindor House, Quidditch Captain
3000 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4E2
T: 604.436.0608 x352, F: 604.436.0616
E: harry.potter@stratfordhall.ca
"Situated on the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples."
Task C3: Send your advisor a calendar event invite at a time when they are available according to their calendar.
#Communication #ResearchTask C3: Send your advisor a calendar event invite at a time when they are available according to their calendar.
Task C4: Create a calendar reminder to complete a task for an assignment with multiple parts.
#SelfManagementTask C4: Create a calendar reminder to complete a task for an assignment with multiple parts.
WHY: Your brain is a browser with too many tabs open. Calendar reminders are like bookmarks for the important stuff. Without them, you'll:
Miss deadlines and turn into a "sorry, my dog ate my homework" cliche.
Double-book yourself and end up sprinting between band practice and the dentist, looking like a caffeinated squirrel.
Forget that you promised your best friend you'd help them study, and then spend the next week in the "doghouse."
Basically, calendar reminders are your personal assistant, preventing chaos and ensuring you actually remember that you have a life outside of scrolling through social media.
Task D1: Create a Google doc. Create a list of the top 10 things you're looking forward to this year. Share the doc with a partner at your table. Enable Commenting privileges.
#Communication #SocialTask D1: Create a Google doc. Create a list of the top 10 things you're looking forward to this year. Share the doc with a partner at your table. Enable Commenting privileges.
Task D2: Use the Commenting function in Google Docs to write a comment in your partner's Top 10 List.
#Communication #SocialTask D2: Use the Commenting function in Google Docs to write a comment in your partner's Top 10 List.
Task E1: Set up printing at school from your laptop.
#Self-Management #ThinkingTask E1: Set up printing at school from your laptop.
Build your Digital Distraction Firewall
Build your Digital Distraction Firewall
WHY: Your phone and computer's notifications are like tiny, dopamine (i.e. pleasure chemical)-dispensing gremlins, systematically dismantling your attention span. Research shows they're turning your brain into Swiss cheese – full of holes, and definitely not as delicious. If you don't fight back and banish those digital distractions, you'll end up with the focus of a goldfish and the memory of a fruit fly. Plus, you'll probably miss out on actually living your life, which, trust me, is way better than another viral cat video.
Don't let will power or motivation be what keeps these distractions away. Design your study/learning environment so that your default action is the easy/focused/productive/valuable action.
Task X1: Download a different browser for doing all of your school-related stuff.
#Self-ManagementTask X1: Download a different browser for doing all of your school-related stuff.
In this different browser, DON'T log into:
your social media accounts,
your gaming app logins.
your time wasting sites.
Task X2: Limit notifications in Google Chat.
#Self-ManagementTask X2: Limit notifications in Google Chat.
WHY: Don't let every hello and message disrupt your train of thought. Research suggests it can take up to 15 minutes to refocus every time we are disrupted. Think of all the focus time you'd lose from all the messages you receive!
HOW
Desktop notifications: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXob6XasA_0
Do Not Disturb: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EIAx1aHWXjA
Mute specific people/groups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaGzt85V0IA
Task X3: Selectively turn off notifications on your school browser.
#Self-ManagementTask X3: Selectively turn off notifications on your school browser.
WHY: Remember that notifications are like gremlins set on destroying your attention span.
HOW:
While you're at it, you could:
turn off notifications for other apps on your windows/mac computer
or fine-tune your focus modes so you block certain notifications at certain times of the day on your windows/mac computer.
Task X4: Block websites/apps that don't help you.
#Self-ManagementTask X4: Block websites/apps that don't help you.
WHY: Sometimes, just making the tempting action just a little bit harder to do is all it takes to help you stay focused and productive.
HOW:
This is a very popular option, known for its ability to sync blocking sessions across multiple devices (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS). It allows you to block websites, apps, and even the entire internet.
Great for those who want a comprehensive solution across all their devices.
Primarily designed for mobile devices (Android and iOS). Allows you to block specific apps, websites, and even notifications.
Offers customizable blocking schedules and a "strict mode" to prevent you from bypassing restrictions.
Available as an app, and as a browser extension. It allows for the blocking of apps and websites.
Task X5: Install a Pomodoro app.
#Self-ManagementTask X5: Install a Pomodoro app.
WHY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FjIuPMQzxo
HOW:
Web-Based Pomodoro Timer: Pomofocus:
This is a clean and simple web-based Pomodoro timer. It's accessible from any browser. It allows you to add tasks, customize settings, and even integrates with Todoist.
Desktop Applications: Focus To-Do:
This is a comprehensive time and task management app that incorporates the Pomodoro Technique. It's available for Windows and Mac, as well as mobile devices.
It offers features like task lists, reminders, and detailed reports.
Task X6: Create email filters
#Self-ManagementTask X6: Create email filters
WHY: If you have ever spent too much time clearing emails you don't need or missed important emails that get buried...
Why you should care
Why you should care
More Ways to Increase Your Productivity
More Ways to Increase Your Productivity
using email
using email
Email is not text.
Learn how to communicate using email to get a quick, positive response.
Do more in less time with your gmail.
Manage email overload with filters and folders.
using calendars
using calendars
Taking control of your calendar. Organize your life. Free up your brain's RAM.
Use Google Tasks to manage your life and get information when you need it.
by notetaking
by notetaking
Overloaded with notes and information?
Build a digital second brain.
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