Tech Tips

When it comes to making presentations that grab attention and communicate ideas clearly, Canva is a fantastic tool for students. With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of design options, you can quickly create professional-looking slides for your class presentations—whether for group projects, assignments, or even personal projects. Here's how to use Canva effectively to make your next presentation stand out:

1. Get Started with Canva through Canvas LMS

Step-by-Step Instructions to Access Canva for Education Through Canvas:

Log in to Your School’s Canvas Account:

• Go to your school's Canvas portal via.instructure.com.
• Enter your student credentials (username and password) to access the dashboard.

Access Canva for Education:

• In your Canvas Dashboard, navigate to the “Apps” section or "External Tools"(this may vary depending on your school’s setup).
• Look for Canva for Education listed under the available tools. You might find it listed as “Canva” or "Canva for Education."
• Click on Canva to launch the app directly from Canvas. If it's not immediately visible, you may need to search for it in the Apps section or ask your instructor or tech support for help.

Create or Log into Your Canva Account:

• If this is your first time using Canva, you’ll need to create a Canva for Education account. You can sign up using your school email address to activate the free education plan.
• If you already have a personal Canva account, log in with the same credentials. Canva will automatically upgrade your account to the Education plan.

Start Designing:

• Once logged in, you’ll have access to Canva’s full range of design tools and features for creating presentations, posters, infographics, and more.
• You can either start with a blank design or browse the vast collection of pre-made templates tailored for presentations, reports, and educational content.

Tip: Canva for Education gives you access to premium features like exclusive templates, stock images, fonts, and advanced design tools—without any cost, thanks to your school’s account!

2. Choose the Right Template

Canva provides a wide variety of presentation templates to choose from, making it easy to get started. Whether you need something minimalist, colorful, or professional, there’s a design for every style.

How to Use:

• Search for Templates: Once logged in, click on the "Create a Design" button, then type "presentation" in the search bar. This will give you a list of ready-made templates for different types of presentations.
• Select a Template: Browse through the options and select one that fits your presentation topic. You can always customize the colors, fonts, and images to match your style.
• Start Editing: Click on any slide in the template to edit text, images, and design elements. Canva's drag-and-drop feature makes it easy to move and resize objects.

3. Organize Your Presentation Structure

A well-organized presentation keeps your audience engaged and makes your points easier to understand. Here's a basic structure you can follow for class presentations:

• Title Slide: Start with a title slide that includes your presentation's title, your name, and the date.
• Introduction Slide: Introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of what you’ll cover.
• Content Slides: Divide the main content into clear sections with headings. Use bullet points for key ideas and limit text to make slides more visually appealing.
• Visual Aids: Use charts, graphs, or images to help explain key points.
• Conclusion Slide: Summarize your main points and provide a clear takeaway message.
• Q&A Slide (Optional): End with a slide inviting questions from your audience.

Canva Tip: Use the "Grid" or "Guides" feature to align text and images neatly across slides. You can find this in the File menu under "View Settings."

4. Use Visual Elements to Enhance Your Presentation

One of the biggest advantages of using Canva is its library of images, icons, and graphics, which can make your slides more engaging.

How to Enhance Your Presentation:

• Images: Add high-quality, royalty-free images from Canva’s built-in library. You can search for images based on your topic (e.g., "biology," "history," "technology").
• Icons & Illustrations: Use icons to highlight key points or break up text-heavy slides. Canva has a huge library of customizable icons.
• Charts & Graphs: Present data visually by adding charts and graphs. Canva lets you create pie charts, bar graphs, and more by simply entering your data.
• Animations & Transitions: Add subtle animations to text or elements on your slides for a dynamic, eye-catching effect. Under the "Animate" button, you can choose from various animation styles.

Canva Tip: Keep it Simple! While it's tempting to use a lot of flashy elements, remember that too many visuals can distract from your message. Aim for a clean, balanced design.

5. Collaborate in Real-Time with Group Projects

Canva makes it easy to collaborate on presentations with classmates, especially in a virtual setting.

How to Collaborate:

• Share with Others: Click on the "Share" button in the top right corner and choose whether to give edit or view-only access.
• Comment and Edit: Team members can add comments, suggest edits, and even directly modify slides, all in real-time.
• Download or Share Link: Once everyone has contributed, you can download the presentation as a PDF, PPTX, or share the link to present directly from Canva.

6. Use Canva’s Presentation Mode

Once your presentation is ready, Canva offers a built-in Presentation Mode that allows you to present directly from the platform.

How to Present:

• Enter Presentation Mode: Click on the "Present" button in the upper-right corner. This will make your slides full-screen and ready to go.
• Use Presenter Notes: If you’ve added speaker notes to your slides, you can see them in Presenter View while presenting, keeping your delivery smooth.
• Practice Your Timing: If you want to rehearse your presentation, Canva allows you to click through slides in Presentation Modeto check how long your presentation will take.

7. Download and Export Your Presentation

Once your presentation is polished and ready, download it in various formats:

• PPTX (PowerPoint): Download your presentation in PowerPoint format to present offline or share with others who don’t use Canva.
• PDF: Export as a PDF for easy sharing or printing.
• Video: You can also download your presentation as a video file (MP4), especially if you've added animations or voiceovers.

Canva Tip: When exporting, make sure your file size is optimized, especially if you're sending it via email or uploading it to a learning platform. Canva allows you to adjust the resolution during the download process.

8. Tips for a Polished Presentation

• Consistency is Key: Stick to one or two fonts and colors throughout your presentation to maintain a cohesive look.
• Avoid Text Overload: Use bullet points and short phrases. Your slides should support your speech, not replace it.
• Practice Your Delivery: A great design is just the beginning. Practice presenting with confidence, making sure to speak clearly and stay engaged with your audience.

Conclusion: Create Stunning Presentations with Canva

By using Canva, you can create visually appealing, well-organized presentations that will leave a lasting impression on your classmates and teachers. Whether you’re preparing for a group project, a solo presentation, or a visual report, Canva gives you all the tools you need to make your ideas stand out. With a little creativity, you can transform a standard presentation into a powerful visual experience. Happy designing!

As a virtual student, your digital workspace is your main hub for learning, managing assignments, staying organized, and communicating with classmates and teachers. To succeed and stay on top of your work, having a well-organized digital system is crucial. This helps you find what you need quickly, minimizes stress, and enhances your focus. Here's a comprehensive guide to organizing your digital workspace using powerful tools like calendars, cloud storage, and task management apps.

1. Use a Calendar or Planner to Stay on Top of Deadlines and Events

A digital calendar is one of the most essential tools for managing your time effectively in a virtual learning environment. It helps you keep track of class schedules, assignment due dates, meetings, and extracurricular activities. Plus, with reminders, you'll never forget an important task or event.

Recommended Tools:

Google Calendar

• Syncs with your Google account and integrates well with other apps
• Create different calendars for school, personal activities, and extracurriculars.
• Set up reminders for deadlines or classes.
• Color-code events for better organization.

Microsoft Outlook Calendar

• Integrates seamlessly with your school's Microsoft tools (like Teams and OneDrive).
• Similar features to Google Calendar, with added functionality for email integration.
• Create shared calendars for group projects or collaborative assignments.

Tips for Using Your Calendar:

• Set Recurring Events: If you have weekly or daily commitments (e.g., classes, study time), set them up as recurring events to save time.
• Add Class Links: For virtual classes, add the meeting link directly to the calendar event (Zoom)
• Time Blocking: Use time blocking to allocate specific hours for studying, homework, or breaks to keep your days structured.

2. Create Clear Folder Structures for Easy Access to Files

One of the most important aspects of staying organized is knowing where to find your work. Create a folder system on your computer and cloud storage that is logical and easy to navigate. This helps you avoid wasting time searching for documents and ensures that everything is in the right place.

Cloud Storage Options:

Google Drive

• Great for collaboration—share folders and documents with classmates and teachers.
• Organize your files by subject or project, and create subfolders for each assignment.

OneDrive

• Offers 5GB of free storage with integration into Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ideal for students using Microsoft-based systems and apps.

Tips for Organizing Your Folders:

Create Subject-Based Folders: Start by creating main folders for each subject (e.g., "Math," "English," "History").

• Create subfolders for assignments, notes, and project files inside each subject folder. For example: "Math > Algebra > Homework" or "English > Essays."

Name Files Clearly: Use clear and consistent naming conventions for files. Instead of "Homework1.docx," name the file like "Math_Homework_Chapter5_ProblemSet."

Use Dates: For ongoing projects, add dates to the folder names to keep track of versions and deadlines (e.g., "History_ResearchPaper_01-05-2024").

3. Task Management Tools: Break Down Your Work for Better Focus

Managing assignments can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when multiple deadlines are approaching at once. This is where task management apps come in. These tools help you break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, set deadlines, and track progress.

Recommended Tools:

Todoist

• Simple yet powerful task manager that allows you to create tasks set deadlines, and organize them by project or category.
• Set priorities and due dates, and receive reminders so you never miss a deadline.
• Syncs across devices to keep you on track no matter where you are.

Trello

• A visual project management tool based on the Kanban method, which uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks.
• Great for tracking progress on group projects or multi-step assignments.
• Add deadlines, labels, checklists, and attachments to each task for clarity.

Notion

• All-in-one workspace for note-taking, task management, and organizing study materials.
• Use Notion's flexible templates to create task boards, track homework assignments, or even build detailed study schedules.
• Customize your workspace to fit your study habits, including calendars, to-do lists, and reminders.

Tips for Using Task Management Tools:

• Break Down Big Tasks into Smaller Steps: Instead of writing "Finish History Paper," break it down into smaller tasks like "Research Topic," "Create Outline," "Write Introduction," etc.
• Set Deadlines and Prioritize: Use deadlines to create urgency and prioritize tasks that are due soon. Most tools allow you to set deadlines, so you get reminders in advance.
• Daily Review: Spend a few minutes each day reviewing your to-do list and updating tasks. This helps keep you on track and prevents last-minute stress.

4. Additional Tips for Staying Organized

• Use Search Functions: Digital tools often have powerful search features. In Google Drive, OneNote, or Todoist, you can search for files, notes, or tasks using keywords to find what you need quickly.
• Keep Your Desktop Clean: Avoid clutter by keeping only essential files or shortcuts on your desktop. Create a "To Sort" folder to store files temporarily until you organize them into appropriate folders.
• Set Weekly Review Time: Schedule a weekly review to reorganize files, check your calendar for upcoming deadlines, and update your to-do list. This helps you stay ahead of tasks and assignments.

5. Sync Everything Across Devices

To stay on top of your digital workspace, ensure your tools sync across all your devices—your laptop, tablet, or phone. This ensures that your notes, calendar, tasks, and files are always up-to-date and accessible, no matter where you are. Most calendar apps, cloud storage services, and task management tools offer seamless synchronization.

Example: Syncing Google Calendar, Drive, and Tasks

• Use Google Drive for storing and organizing your files and documents.
• Sync your class schedules and assignment deadlines in Google Calendar.
• Use Google Keepor Google Tasks for quick to-do lists and reminders that sync with your Google account.

Conclusion: Stay Organized, Stay Ahead

By setting up a digital workspace with a solid calendar system, logical file organization, and task management tools, you can avoid unnecessary stress and stay ahead of your assignments. The key is consistency—spend a little time each week organizing your digital tools, and you'll be amazed at how much easier it becomes to manage your workload and succeed in your virtual high school.

Effective note-taking can make a huge difference in your ability to stay organized and retain information in a virtual high school setting, where lessons, assignments, and discussions occur online. With the right strategies and tools, you can keep track of key ideas, reinforce your learning, and make studying for exams much more manageable. Here's a guide to help you develop effective note-taking techniques for a virtual environment.

1. Choose the Right Tool for the Job

The first step is to pick the right platform for taking notes. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between digital apps that sync across devices or use a cloud-based document for easy access.

• Notion: Great for creating structured notes with templates for specific subjects or study goals. You can organize content by topics, create checklists, and embed images or links.
• OneNote: Ideal for organizing notes into notebooks and sections, with the ability to draw, highlight, and add multimedia. It's perfect for subjects that require a mix of text and diagrams.
• Google Docs: Simple and effective for real-time collaboration with peers on group projects. You can organize notes by headings and easily use tools like voice typing to capture ideas quickly.
• Evernote: Useful for organizing detailed notes with tagging, voice memos, and clipping web pages for additional resources.

2. Use Active Note-Taking Methods

Rather than simply transcribing everything the teacher says, focus on engaging with the material to help reinforce learning.

• Cornell Method: Divide your note page into three sections—Cue Column, Note-taking Area, and Summary. During class, write notes in the central area. After class, use the cue column to jot down keywords, questions, or important concepts. Finally, summarize the lesson in your own words at the bottom. This method encourages review and helps you grasp the main ideas.
• Outlining Method: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to organize your notes hierarchically. This method helps you categorize information and see relationships between topics, which is especially useful for subjects with a lot of content.
• Mind Mapping: For visual learners, creating a mind map can help you connect different concepts and ideas. Tools like MindMeister or Lucidchart allow you to make easy digital maps to revise and update.
• The Sentence Method: If you're a fast-paced learner who needs to capture information quickly, write each idea as a separate sentence. This can be effective for lectures with lots of details.

3. Be Selective: Focus on Key Ideas

During online lessons, you easily feel overwhelmed by the information coming at you. Instead of trying to write everything down, focus on capturing the key concepts:

• Look for signals from the teacher: Teachers often emphasize essential points by repeating them, using phrases like "This will be on the test," or writing them on the screen. Make sure to note these!
• Highlight Key Terms and Definitions: In subjects like science or history, write down definitions, formulas, and other critical terms in bold or a different color to make them stand out.
• Use Abbreviations: Develop your own shorthand for commonly used terms (e.g., "w/" for "with," "=" for "equals," etc.). This will help you keep up during fast-paced lectures.

4. Incorporate Multimedia

Take advantage of the digital environment to enhance your notes with multimedia elements:

• Screenshots & Snippets: Capture diagrams, charts, or equations from your virtual classroom. On a Mac, use Command + Shift + 4 to select an area to screenshot. On a PC, use Windows Key + Shift + S. Insert these images into your notes to support your learning visually.
• Links to Resources: If your teacher provides links to articles, videos, or interactive content, include them in your notes for easy reference later.
• Record Audio: If allowed by your school, consider recording the lecture (via Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) or voice notes to review later. Tools like Otter.ai can also transcribe your recorded audio into text for easier reference.

5. Use Digital Organization Strategies

One of the best advantages of taking notes online is the ability to easily organize, search, and sync your notes. Here's how to maximize that:

• Tagging & Labeling: Use tags or keywords to organize your notes. For example, label your notes by topic (e.g., "Math: Algebra," "History: World War II"). This makes it easy to find specific content when reviewing.
• Cloud Storage: Store your notes in a cloud service (like Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive) to access them from any device. Make sure to back up essential notes regularly.
• Use Templates: Many note-taking apps like Notion and OneNote have templates for different subjects (e.g., "Math Formula Sheet," "History Timeline," etc.). These templates can save time and help you structure your notes more effectively.

6. Review & Revise Your Notes Regularly

Effective note-taking isn't just about writing during the lesson—it's about reviewing and reinforcing that knowledge.

• After Class: Immediately after class, review your notes and fill in any gaps while the material is fresh. This is also a great time to highlight or color-code key points.
• Daily/Weekly Review: Set aside time each day or week to review your notes, especially before exams. Digital notes allow you to search for terms or phrases, so reviewing concepts is much faster than sifting through notebooks.
• Active Recall & Spaced Repetition: To cement your learning, try active recall (testing yourself on what you've learned without looking at your notes) and spaced repetition (reviewing notes at increasing intervals).

7. Stay Consistent with Your Note-Taking Routine

Create a habit of taking organized, efficient notes during every class. This way, you'll stay on top of your assignments and avoid the last-minute scramble when it's time to study.

By using the right tools, strategies, and techniques for digital note-taking, you can enhance your learning experience in a virtual high school environment. Remember, your notes should help you remember what you learned and make studying more effective and efficient. With consistent practice, these techniques will help you stay organized and improve your academic performance in the short and long term!

Keeping your school and personal Google accounts separate is essential for staying organized and maintaining your privacy. Here’s how to manage different Google profiles, especially if you're using a Chromebook.

Why Keep Profiles Separate?

• Organization: Helps you keep schoolwork and personal projects apart.
• Privacy: Protects your personal information and keeps your school-related data secure.

Using Google Profiles on a Chromebook

If you're using a Chromebook, it's important to remember:

• You must sign in with your NYCStudents.net account. Personal Google accounts are not allowed. This ensures you have access to all school resources and tools.

Steps to Manage Your Google Profiles

Set Up Your School Profile:

• Log in to your Chromebook using your NYCStudents.net credentials.
• This account will automatically give you access to Google Classroom, Drive, and other educational tools.

Create a Personal Google Account (if you don’t have one):

• Use a different device (not your Chromebook) to sign up for a personal Google account at google.comLinks to an external site..
• Make sure to use a different email address from your school account.

Accessing Your Personal Account:

• You can use your personal account on your phone or another computer. Just log in using your personal credentials.
• Remember, never mix these accounts on your Chromebook!

Switching Between Accounts(On Other Devices):

• On personal devices, you can switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of Google services (like Gmail or Drive).
• Select the account you want to use; make sure you’re aware of which account you're logged into.

Use Different Browsers or Incognito Mode:

• If you need to access both accounts on the same device, consider using different web browsers (e.g., Chrome for school, Firefox for personal) or incognito mode for one of the accounts.

Important Reminders

• Stay Signed In: Always sign out from your personal account when using a school device or Chromebook.
• Respect School Policies: Follow your school’s guidelines regarding account usage to avoid any issues.

By keeping your Google profiles organized, you’ll find it easier to manage your schoolwork and personal projects without confusion. Happy studying!

Keeping your school and personal Google accounts separate is essential for staying organized and maintaining your privacy. Here’s how to manage different Google profiles, especially if you're using a Chromebook.

Use a Clear Subject Line

• Be Specific:Your subject line should summarize the email’s content (e.g., “Question About Assignment Due Date”).

Use a Professional Greeting

• Start with a Salutation:Use “Dear [Name],” or “Hello [Name],” to address the recipient formally.

Introduce Yourself (if necessary)

• Identify Yourself:If the recipient may not know you, briefly introduce yourself (e.g., “I am [Your Name], a student in your [Course Name] class.”).

Be Clear and Concise

• Get to the Point:State your purpose clearly and succinctly. Use short paragraphs or bullet points if needed.

Use a Professional Tone

• Stay Respectful:Avoid slang and casual language. Be polite and maintain a formal tone throughout.

Include a Closing

• Wrap Up Professionally:Use phrases like “Thank you for your time,” or “I appreciate your help.”

Use a Formal Sign-off

• Choose an Appropriate Sign-off:End with “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Thank you,” followed by your name.

Proofread Before Sending

• Check for Errors:Always read your email for spelling and grammar mistakes before hitting “Send.”

Example Email

Subject: Question About Assignment Due Date

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am in your [Course Name] class.

I have a question regarding the due date for the upcoming assignment. Could you please confirm if it is due on [specific date]?

Thank you for your assistance!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Student ID] (if applicable)

If you have any questions about sending emails, feel free to ask!

Here are step-by-step instructions for students to disable pop-up blockers on a Mac and a Chromebook when using the NWEA testing site:

For Mac (Using Google Chrome):

Open Chrome:

• Launch the Chrome browser.

Access Settings:

• Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
• Select Settingsfrom the drop-down menu.

Privacy and Security:

• In the left sidebar, click on Privacy and security.
• Then, click on Site Settings.

Pop-ups and Redirects:

• Scroll down and find Pop-ups and redirects.
• Click on it.

Allow Pop-ups:

• Toggle the setting to Allowed.
• Alternatively, you can add the NWEA site to the Allowlist by clicking on Addnext to Allow and entering https://test.mapnwea.org.

Close Settings:

• You can now close the settings tab. Your changes will be saved automatically.

For Chromebook (Using Google Chrome):

Open Chrome:

• Launch the Chrome browser.

Access Settings:

• Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
• Select Settings.

Privacy and Security:

• Click on Privacy and securityin the left sidebar.
• Then, click on Site Settings.

Pop-ups and Redirects:

• Scroll down and select Pop-ups and redirects.

Allow Pop-ups:

• Toggle the setting to Allowed.
• To specifically allow pop-ups from the NWEA site, click on Addnext to the Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirectssection and enter https://test.mapnwea.org.

Close Settings:

• Close the settings tab to save your changes.

Additional Tips:

• Restart Chrome: After making changes, consider closing and reopening Chrome to ensure settings take effect.
• Check Other Extensions: If pop-ups are still blocked, check if any browser extensions are interfering with pop-ups.

Following these steps should help you disable pop-up blockers on both Mac and Chromebook for the NWEA testing site. Good luck with your assessments!

• At this point, everyone should have gotten their DOE email and password ( if you are seeing this, you did!). So, you must learn how to set a PIN to change and reset your password. Please click the link to watch the video: Resetting Pin Instructions.
• Logging into Zoom the right way with nycdoe credentials. To ensure authorized entry into Zoom meetings, you must sign in with SSO when signing into Zoom.

How to sign in with SSO

Zoom web portal

• Go to your Zoom
• Click Sign in.  You will be redirected to the in page to sign in; select SSO, and it will ask for the company domain. This is nycdoe
• After signing in, you will be redirected back to the Zoom web portal.

Zoom desktop client

• Click Sign In with SSO.
• Enter company domain: nycdoe
• Click Continue. You will be redirected to your single sign-on provider to sign in. After signing in, you will be redirected back to the Zoom Desktop Client.

Zoom mobile app

• Tap SSO.
• Enter your
• Enter company domain: nycdoe
• You will be redirected to your single sign-on provider to sign in. After signing in, you will be redirected back to the Zoom Mobile App.

Finding and Favoriting Your Courses on Canvas

Log In to Canvas:Start by logging into your Canvas account through your school’s portal.

Access Your Dashboard:Once logged in, you’ll be directed to your Canvas Dashboard. Here, you’ll see all your courses listed as tiles.

Finding Your Courses:

• If you don’t see all your courses, click on the “Courses” tab in the left sidebar. This will display a drop-down menu with all your enrolled courses.
• You can also click on “All Courses” to see a complete list.

Favoriting Courses:

• To favorite a course, click on the star icon next to the course name in the “All Courses” section. This will move it to your Dashboard.
• Favorited courses will show up prominently on your Dashboard, making them easier to find.

Reordering Your Classroom Tiles:

Drag and Drop:

• On your Dashboard, simply click and hold the course tile you want to move.
• Drag it to your desired position and release the mouse button to drop it in place.

Organizing by Preference:

• Arrange your tiles by priority, perhaps placing your most challenging classes at the top or grouping similar subjects together for easy access.

Customizing Your View:

• You can also change the Dashboard view (e.g., “Card View” or “List View”) for better organization based on your personal preference.

Quick Recap:

• Log into Canvas, find your courses under the Coursestab, and favorite them using the star icon.
• Reorder tilesby dragging and dropping them into your preferred layout.

Keeping your Canvas organized helps you stay focused and makes it easier to access important resources! Happy studying!