I know I've done this--accidentally typed my top-secret, super-secure password into the 'username' field when trying to log in to my email or Google account and then panicked a little every time I clicked into that field and saw it pop up as suggested text to be filled in. What if some scammer is looking over my shoulder? The autofill feature is convenient but can also be problematic. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to remove those suggestions from your browser's memory. Here's how to do it in Google Chrome:
First, click the 'Settings' icon (sometimes called the 'hamburger') in the top-left corner. Click 'Settings' from the menu.

Next, click 'History' in the left sidebar. Then click the button to 'Clear browsing data . . .' 

In the dialog box, check the boxes for the things you want to erase. In this case, we'll check 'Clear saved autofill form data' and leave everything else unchecked. Choose a time range to clear in the top pull-down. 'the beginning of time' is fine. Click 'Clear browsing data' and you're done!

Here's how to do it for Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Apple's new operating system, 'Mavericks' was released yesterday for free download. District faculty and staff should not update district-owned computers with the new operating system unless cleared to do so by the IT director but if you have already upgraded a personal computer, you may be running into yet another problem opening the PowerSchool Gradebook. 

One feature of the new OS is Gatekeeper, which Apple claims will help keep your computer free of malicious software. Unfortunately, Gatekeeper doesn't yet recognize Pearson as a developer so clicking to open Gradebook will generate an error message saying that the program "can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer." 

The newest Java update is causing problems with the PowerTeacher Gradebook. If you are prompted to do so at any point, DO NOT install the Java update until cleared to do so by the district IT director. Mac users who are in the habit of installing regular software updates on their district-issued Macbooks when prompted to do so should take these precautions:

In the expanded dialog, uncheck the box for "Java for OS X" before proceeding. Leave other boxes checked to install the current updates.

Lots of students are already using Twitter but now some student groups are getting into the act. Check out 'Unaccompanied Minors,' Coginchaug's student group which is posting videos of its recent performances on Twitter. 

PowToon presentations can be stored, accessed and shared through Google Drive but unlike Google Docs and files created with some other connected apps, they cannot be edited by multiple collaborators. But here's a workaround to enable multiple people to contribute to a single PowToon presentation:

1. One person in the group starts a PowToon presentation after connecting the app to Google Drive.
   
2. That person then goes to powtoon.com where they should already be logged in through their Google account.
   
3. On powtoon.com, click your name in the top right corner and choose 'Account'.
   
4. Click 'Change Password' in the top right corner of the window.
   
5. Change the password to something you are comfortable sharing with your group. In other words, don't use your email or network password.
   
6. Share the password with your group members.
   

A couple of caveats: multiple collaborators cannot work on the project simultaneously so plan ahead to avoid stepping on each other's work. Also, make sure collaborators open the presentation through the powtoon.com website, not out of Google Drive. Email Mr. Kurtz with any questions.

Students in Mr. Bajoros' or Ms. Bertz's Health classes who are having trouble exporting their autobiography videos from iMovie should check the text and title animations in their projects. Some of the text styles seem to cause iMovie to 'quit unexpectedly' during export. The troublesome text styles are the fancier ones, particularly 'Organic Main' and 'Lens Flare'. If you have these styles in your project and are also seeing the 'iMovie Quit Unexpectedly' error message when you try to export, delete these animations from your project and replace them with the simpler ones. Contact Mr. Kurtz if you have trouble. 

Remember the process for exporting:

1. Click 'Share-->Export Using Quicktime'
2. Set the filename: "Block_Your Last Name_Autobio"
3. Change 'Where' to 'Desktop'.
4. Export: "Movie to Quicktime Movie"
5. Settings: "Default Settings"

Click 'Save'.

Strong School art teacher Amy Schaefer's 7th graders used Adobe Photoshop to create surreal images of animals by blending different heads and bodies and placing their finished creatures in unusual settings. The students had a lot of fun while developing some sophisticated Photoshop skills. Click through the slideshow below to see some of their creations.

Follow Ms. Schaefer on Twitter @strongschoolart.

If their batteries drain all the way, Nexus 7 tablets can be temperamental about restarting, even after a long period on the charger. Here's how to force them to start up, as long as the battery has been charging for a little while: hold down both volume buttons (up and down) and the power button for about 10-15 seconds. (This can require a little bit of dexterity. You might need both hands.) When the green 'Android' icon appears on the screen, you'll see the word 'Start' inside a green box in the top right, near the power button. Press the power button again to force the Nexus to start. 

Let's try this again: last spring's #3tweetchallenge is back! Unsure about what action steps you can take towards your parent feedback goal? Why not help join the ranks of #StrongMS and #Coginchaug Twitter users. Either join yourself or if you're already a user, encourage your colleagues to take advantage of this powerful communication tool. 

 The rules are simple: for current Twitter users, just refer an RSD13 colleague to create a Twitter account and post 3 times, tagging each tweet with the hashtag, #3tweetchallenge by Tuesday, October 15th. (He or she should acknowledge your influence in the first tweet, by tagging it with your '@twittername'). You and your Twitter disciple will then both be entered into a drawing for a @perkonmain gift card. Tweet at least 3 times by October 15th with the #3tweetchallenge hastag and get a second entry into the drawing.

Don't forget to tag your tweets with our school hastags, #strongms and #coginchaug. It also helps to tag #rsd13ct--the best tweets coming out of the schools get picked up by the @RSD13CT account and posted to the district website (hint: it helps to tweet photos). 


Looking for good examples of #rsd13ct educators using Twitter? Check out Mr. Sadinsky, Mr. Sinusas, Magistra Reddick, Ms. Suchy, Dr. Nystrom, Ms. Broggi, Ms. Mach and Ms. Stewart.

Find more information and more colleagues by searching the district hashtags and follow the contest in the right sidebar.