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September 15, 2025 • read
Technology Tips: September 2025 Edition
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Skyward IT Services Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists |
Skyward IT Services
Real? Fake? Try spotting deception instead
As AI tools make it easier and easier to modify, enhance, and edit media online, try to move beyond assessing whether something is “real” or “fake.” Instead, challenge yourself to determine whether this image or video is trying to deceive you.KnowBe4 recommends using the FAIK process, interestingly a homophone for FAKE. It offers a checklist you can use when looking at digital media.
F stands for “Freeze and feel.” What emotion is the media eliciting?
A stands for “Analyze”. Consider the story or claim, the creator’s goals, and emotional triggers they used.
I stands for “Investigate.” Can the claim be replicated by multiple news sources? Who is the original information attributed to? (Hint: if you cannot replicate the claim, suspect deception.)
K stands for “Know and confirm.” Keep vigilant about what is fact and what is a partial truth, symbol, metaphor, or a distortion of partial truths. Knowing the context of the image is important.
Managing so many tickets for back to school
Are you an IT team of one? An established team starting a ticketing process for IT calls? How’s it going? That bad? Ok, let’s run down a little advice from the veteran IT teams.Back to school is tough, but you are tougher. And if you don’t take care of you, who will? Do not hesitate to use focus tools:
- Set your phone to DND.
- Add an automatic reply directing needs to the ticketing system (“You may think an email gets an answer faster, but I assure you, submitting a ticket is faster.”)
- Put on your human hat and bring a few to share this reminder: IT is doing their best and under a lot of pressure, just like every teacher right now.
- Most of all, set boundaries when you go home to ensure you actually rest and recharge. Resist the urge to check messages outside of school hours.
- Know your support options, training options, and bookmark the Help Center for your vendors and solutions.
AI, VR < DC?
Think of her as the cool descendent of the warm glow of an overhead projector: document cameras are beloved in the classroom even today. So while the focus might be on flashy artificial intelligence or virtual reality, don’t sleep on the OG.Document cameras take a printed sheet or book and project it onto on a screen for the whole class to see. Because this method is flexible and multi-use, teachers can use it to work alongside their students or even display what one student is thinking through to model for their peers.
These pieces of tech are fairly affordable (one model is $89 a pop), but if you’re looking to reuse existing tech, consider setting up older iPads as document cameras.
Malware of the month: exploiting current events
Recently, as protests flared in Nepal, bad actors infiltrated cyberspace to hook a few new victims. Hackers sent out convincing emergency response notifications promising updates to the situation, when all they delivered were impersonations of the country’s leaders along with malware that gathered sensitive information.Essentially, bad actors and hacker groups can prey on sensitive situations and push spoofed sites, all while banking on non-technical users acting before thinking. Stop, think, and seek out trustworthy sources on your own.
Thinking about edtech for your district? We'd love to help. Visit skyward.com/get-started to learn more.
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Skyward IT Services Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists |
