Using Spotlight Like a Pro!

This is a great tool, especially when you cannot remember a document’s name after a long and relaxing summer. Simply click on the blue magnifying glass in the top right corner of your screen. In the box next to the word “Spotlight”, type in a word that appears in this document. It does not even have to be in the title!!

This feature will automatically divide your data into different categories, such as documents, PDF files, images, and even bookmarks. If you know the piece you are looking for in a word document, check under “Documents”. If you are looking for a folder, look under “Folders” and so on. This is such a great way to find those resources that you cannot find by looking through all your folders.

A different way to use spotlight is to find answers to your questions about Macs! First, click on the blue apple in the upper left-hand corner and select “System Preferences”. Then, type what you are curious about in the blank next to the spotlight. Your computer will then highlight areas in “System Preferences” that may help you to accomplish your goal. For example, if you type in “Change Background”, your computer will put a spotlight on “Desktop and Screen Saver”.

Try this out by typing in a word that appears in your documents, and see this amazing tool at work! You’ll never have to search through folder after folder again!

Software Updates

Making updates on your computer is important, but can take a good bit of time. I like to do this when I do not need my computer, because it can take up to a few hours.
Click on the blue apple in the top left corner of your screen.
Choose “Software Update…”
Your computer will search for new updates and alert you to what needs to be updated.
Click on the blue key that says “Install ___ Items”

iMovie for FCTM

I asked Zak Champagne to send me a link for his iMovie focusing on the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference, because I wanted to share it with all of you. He created this using iMovie, and it is a neat way to get information across not only to other teachers, but can be used to teach your students, as well. Some of you participated in an iMovie workshop last year, so don't forget about this great tool as we start a new school year. The video also provides information about the FCTM conference that will take place in Jacksonville this year, which sounds great. Thanks, Zak!

Go to the FCTM website: http://www.fctm.net/
Click on the TV in the 56th FCTM Conference block

Making a Faculty Distribution List

Now that we are back from summer, this is a great time to update your Faculty Distribution List. Distribution lists are great tools for sending out e-mails to the whole faculty, your grade level, math teachers, etc. This posting will focus on our faculty distribution list, but please check the earlier postings for how to make a different distribution list, such as for your grade level.
To make a distribution list for the faculty:
• Open up your e-mail
• Click on “Contacts” on the left side of your window.
• Under the web address, you will see the word “New”. Click on the arrow on the right-side of the word "Contact", and change this word to “Distribution List”.
• Next to “List Name”, type in MOE Faculty.
• Click on “Find Names”
• Next to “Office”, type in “Mandarin Oaks” and click “Find”. This will pull up anyone whose e-mail shows that they are employed by Mandarin Oaks.
• Put a check next to the teacher’s name, and then when you reach the bottom click on “Add recipient to Distribution List”.
To send an e-mail to this distribution list, click on "Contacts", select "MOE Faculty", and then click on the third icon from the left that looks like a letter and envelope.

Be sure to check in for the next posting focusing on how to use "Spotlight" on your Apple. You will be glad you did!