Month: February 2024

Take control of your phone with ScreenZen (before it controls you!) 📴

Noela Czempik [mnc7] Digital Identity and Wellbeing, Digital Wellbeing Series Leave a comment

Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)

★★★★★

Main positives: Free. Customisable settings for different apps. Motivating.

Main negatives: Take a bit of time to set up for each app.

Nowadays, smartphone users often find themselves in a losing battle when it comes to staying focused. Access to distracting apps has become so easy and habit-forming that we get lost in the digital world before we get a chance to make a deliberate choice. This is one of the reasons I decided to try a digital detox in December, and that was when ScreenZen came to the rescue!

What is ScreenZen?

ScreenZen is a configurable app that empowers users to set boundaries with their devices. Unlike traditional app blockers that restrict access entirely, ScreenZen introduces a novel approach by increasing the barrier to entry. By providing users with time and mental space to make conscious decisions about their digital consumption, ScreenZen naturally fosters mindfulness in the interaction with technology and, therefore, better digital wellbeing.

The app is entirely free and available for both Apple and Android users.

What are ScreenZen’s main features?

What sets ScreenZen apart is its remarkable customisability, and its main features are:

  1. Allowing you to choose a specific wait time before you open each app.
  2. Interrupting you whilst using selected apps after a set time (you can set different times for your various apps).
  3. Cutting you off when you’ve reached your daily time limit or pick-up limit (i.e. how many times you open an app each day) and even preventing you from changing the settings to get around it.
  4. Displaying a motivating message or remining you of more valuable activities to you.
  5. Introducing more mindfulness into your digital habits by prompting you to do breathing activities whilst waiting for the app to unlock, which also encourages you to reevaluate your need to use the app you’re trying to open.
  6. For the goal motivated, accessing streaks and other stats to track your progress and encourage you to stay on track, but only for the apps you choose, so you can still read ebooks or use your favourite meditation app without worrying about losing your streak!
  • Set your own limits to how many times you can use each app
  • Customise the schedule for individual apps
  • Pause your distracting app for your chosen time length with a customisable message

My final thoughts on ScreenZen

Will I continue to use ScreenZen? Absolutely!

My favourite thing about this app is that it makes it easier to align my digital choices with my values and routines and can be useful to anyone. Whether you prefer strict limits or simply looking to cultivate awareness of your digital habits, ScreenZen accommodates these diverse preferences. The customisability features mean it takes a while to set up, but once set up, I found this app to be a valuable addition to supporting my digital wellbeing.

Cymerwch reolaeth ar eich ffôn gyda ScreenZen (cyn i’r ffôn eich rheoli chi!) 📴

Noela Czempik [mnc7] Cyfres Lles Digidol, Hunaniaeth a Lles Digidol Leave a comment

Blogbost gan Noel Czempik (Pencampwr Digidol Myfyrwyr)

★★★★★

Prif fanteision: Am ddim. Gallwch addasu gosodiadau ar gyfer gwahanol apiau. Mae’n ysbrydoledig.

Prif anfanteision: Mae’n cymryd ychydig o amser i’w osod i fyny.

Beth yw ScreenZen?

Mae ScreenZen yn ap hyblyg sy’n grymuso defnyddwyr i osod ffiniau gyda’u dyfeisiau. Yn wahanol i atalyddion apiau traddodiadol sy’n cyfyngu mynediad yn gyfan gwbl, mae ScreenZen yn cyflwyno dull newydd trwy gynyddu’r rhwystr i fynediad. Trwy roi amser a lle meddyliol i ddefnyddwyr wneud penderfyniadau ymwybodol am eu defnydd digidol, mae ScreenZen yn naturiol yn meithrin ymwybyddiaeth ofalgar wrth ryngweithio â thechnoleg ac, felly, gwell lles digidol.

Mae’r ap yn gwbl rad ac am ddim ac ar gael ar gyfer defnyddwyr Apple ac Android.

Beth yw prif nodweddion ScreenZen?

Yr hyn sy’n gosod ScreenZen ar wahân yw ei addasrwydd rhyfeddol, a’i brif nodweddion yw:

  1. Caniatáu i chi ddewis amser aros penodol cyn i chi agor pob ap.
  2. Torri ar eich traws wrth i chi ddefnyddio apiau dethol ar ôl amser penodol (gallwch osod amseroedd gwahanol ar gyfer eich apiau amrywiol).
  3. Eich torri i ffwrdd pan fyddwch wedi cyrraedd eich terfyn amser dyddiol neu derfyn codi (h.y. sawl gwaith yr ydych chi’n agor ap bob dydd) a hyd yn oed eich atal rhag newid y gosodiadau i fynd o gwmpas hyn.
  4. Arddangos neges ysgogol neu eich atgoffa am weithgareddau mwy gwerthfawr i chi.
  5. Cyflwyno mwy o ymwybyddiaeth ofalgar i’ch arferion digidol trwy eich annog i wneud gweithgareddau anadlu wrth aros i’r ap ddatgloi, sydd hefyd yn eich annog i ailwerthuso’ch angen i ddefnyddio’r ap rydych chi’n ceisio ei agor.
  6. I’r rhai sy’n llawn cymhelliant, cyrchu pyliau ac ystadegau eraill i olrhain eich cynnydd a’ch annog i aros ar y trywydd iawn, ond dim ond ar gyfer yr apiau rydych chi’n eu dewis, fel y gallwch chi ddarllen e-lyfrau o hyd neu ddefnyddio’ch hoff ap myfyrdod heb boeni am golli’ch pwl!
  • Gosodwch eich terfynau eich hun o ran faint o weithiau y gallwch ddefnyddio pob ap
  • Addasu’r amserlen ar gyfer apiau unigol
  • Oedwch ap sy’n tynnu’ch sylw am gyfnod o’ch dewis gyda neges addasadwy

Fy meddyliau terfynol ar ScreenZen

A fyddaf yn parhau i ddefnyddio ScreenZen? Yn bendant! 

Fy hoff beth am yr ap hwn yw ei fod yn ei gwneud hi’n haws alinio fy newisiadau digidol â fy ngwerthoedd a’m harferion a gall fod yn ddefnyddiol i unrhyw un. P’un a yw’n well gennych derfynau llym neu ddim ond eisiau meithrin ymwybyddiaeth o’ch arferion digidol, mae ScreenZen yn darparu’r dewisiadau amrywiol hyn. Mae’r nodweddion addasu yn golygu ei bod yn cymryd amser i’w osod, ond ar ôl ei osod, gwelais fod yr ap hwn yn ychwanegiad gwerthfawr at gefnogi fy lles digidol.

TipDigidol 23: Adfer eich tabiau 📂

Shân Saunders TipiauDigidol Leave a comment

Ydych chi erioed wedi cau tab roeddech chi’n ei ddefnyddio ar y pryd? Ydych chi wedi chwilio’n wyllt drwy eich hanes i ddod o hyd i’ch tudalen eto neu hyd yn oed chwilio trwy dudalennau gwe?  

Gyda TipDigidol 23, nid oes rhaid i chi boeni mwyach.  

Oeddech chi’n gwybod y gallwch chi agor unrhyw dabiau yr ydych wedi’u cau drwy ddewis “Ctrl + Shift + T”. Bydd hyn hyd yn oed yn gweithio os ydych wedi cau ffenestr gyfan! 

Edrychwch ar y fideo isod am arddangosiad cyflym.  

I ddilyn ein TipiauDigidol, tanysgrifiwch i’n Blog Sgiliau Digidol. Neu, gallwch hefyd ddilyn y dudalen hon, lle bydd TipDigidol newydd yn cael ei ychwanegu bob wythnos!

DigiTip 23: Recover your tabs 📂

Shân Saunders DigiTips Leave a comment

Have you ever prematurely closed a tab you were using? Frantically searching your history to find your page again or even searching through webpages?  

With DigiTip 23, you no longer have to worry.  

Did you know you can open any tabs you have closed by simply selecting “Ctrl +Shift + T”. This will even work if you have closed down an entire window! 

View the video below for a quick demonstration.  

To follow our DigiTips, subscribe to our Digital Skills Blog. Or alternatively, you can bookmark this webpage, where a new DigiTip will be added each week!

6 Awgrym i gael Cyfarfodydd Ar-lein Llwyddiannus 💻

Noela Czempik [mnc7] Cyfathrebu, cydweithredu a chyfranogiad digidol, Pencampwyr Digidol Myfyrwyr Leave a comment

Blogbost gan Noel Czempik (Pencampwr Digidol Myfyrwyr)

Banner with Student Digital Champion

Yn yr oes ddigidol sydd ohoni, mae cyfarfodydd ar-lein wedi dod yn rhan annatod o fywyd academaidd a phroffesiynol. P’un a ydych yn mynychu darlith rithiol, yn cydweithio ar brosiect grŵp, neu’n mynychu cyfweliad am swydd, mae gwybod sut i lywio cyfarfodydd ar-lein yn effeithiol yn hanfodol i lwyddo.

Yn y blogbost hwn rwyf am rannu rhai awgrymiadau i’ch helpu i lywio cyfarfodydd ar-lein, a gallwch chi hefyd edrych ar y dudalen hon i gael cwestiynau Cyffredin a chanllawiau hyfforddi ar ddefnyddio MS Teams.

1) Paratowch fel y byddech chi’n paratoi ar gyfer cyfarfod wyneb yn wyneb

Mae cyfarfodydd ar-lein yn darparu’r cyfleustra o beidio â gorfod gadael eich cartref. Daw hyn gyda’r demtasiwn o neidio allan o’r gwely 5 munud cyn dechrau’r cyfarfod. Er mwyn sicrhau eich bod yn rhoi’r cyfle gorau i’ch hun lwyddo:

  • Gwisgwch fel y byddech chi’n gwisgo ar gyfer cyfarfod wyneb yn wyneb
  • Rhowch ychydig o amser i’ch hun i baratoi’n feddyliol i osgoi teimlo eich bod yn rhuthro.
  • Manteisiwch ar y cyfle i fynd dros eich nodiadau, paratoi unrhyw gwestiynau neu gasglu unrhyw ffeiliau y mae angen i chi eu rhannu.

2) Cysylltwch yn gynnar

  • Bydd hyn yn rhoi cyfle i chi ddatrys unrhyw broblemau technegol. Profwch eich meddalwedd, rhag ofn y bydd angen ei diweddaru, sy’n golygu y byddai angen i chi ailgychwyn yr ap neu’r ddyfais.
  • Gallwch ddefnyddio’r amser ychwanegol hwn i sicrhau eich bod yn gyfarwydd â’r holl nodweddion sydd ar gael yn MS Teams, megis y blwch sgwrsio, codi-eich-llaw, rhannu sgrin a nodweddion capsiynau byw.

3) Curadwch eich deunydd gweledol

Dyma’r prif awgrymiadau ar gyfer gwneud argraff gadarnhaol, broffesiynol:

  • Dewiswch liniadur dros ffôn neu lechen os yw’n bosibl. Gall hyn helpu gyda sefydlogrwydd delwedd, yn ogystal â chaniatáu i chi gymryd nodiadau yn haws. Os na allwch gael gafael ar liniadur, ystyriwch ddefnyddio stand ar gyfer eich dyfais.
  • Gosodwch eich camera ar lefel y llygad, gan y bydd hyn yn arwain at y ddelwedd fwyaf naturiol.
  • Edrychwch ar y camera yn hytrach na’r sgrin wrth siarad, yn enwedig mewn cyfarfodydd grŵp. Dyma’r peth agosaf i gyswllt llygaid ag y gallwch ei gael.
  • Gwnewch yn siŵr bod gennych oleuadau da.
  • Dewiswch y cefndir iawn. Dilynwch y Cwestiwn Cyffredin hwn i gael cyfarwyddiadau ar sut i ychwanegu cefndir rhithiol.
Screenshot showing the various virtual background that can be added in MS Teams
Opsiynau ar gyfer cynnwys cefndir rhithiol yn MS Teams

4) Optimeiddiwch eich sain

  • Dewiswch ystafell â charped a dodrefn, os yw’n bosibl. Bydd hyn yn arwain at sain gynhesach, mwy naturiol heb effaith adlais.
  • Os yw’n bosibl, defnyddiwch glustffonau yn lle’r meicroffon adeiledig i helpu i wella ansawdd eich sain.
  • Diffoddwch eich meicroffon pan nad ydych chi’n siarad i atal unrhyw sŵn diangen.

5) Lleihewch ymyriadau

  • Dewiswch fannau preifat, tawel dros fannau cymunedol neu gyhoeddus.
  • Diffoddwch unrhyw negeseuon hysbysu a rhowch wybod i eraill nad ydych eisiau cael eich tarfu os oes angen.
  • Efallai y bydd adegau pan fydd angen i chi adael y cyfarfod (e.e. os bydd rhywun yn canu cloch y drws), os felly gadewch i’r bobl yn y cyfarfod wybod trwy adael neges fer yn y blwch sgwrsio.

6) Meddyliwch am beth yr ydych yn ei rannu

Os oes angen i chi rannu’ch sgrin yn ystod y cyfarfod, mae bob amser yn well rhannu ffenestr benodol yn hytrach na’ch sgrin gyfan, ond efallai y bydd adegau pan na ellir osgoi hyn. Yn yr achos hwn:

  • Caewch unrhyw dabiau amherthnasol.
  • Mudwch neu gaewch raglenni i osgoi hysbysiadau neu naidlenni eraill. Neu, trowch y modd ‘peidio â tharfu’ ymlaen.
  • Symudwch, ailenwch, neu ddilëwch unrhyw lyfrnodau neu ffeiliau sensitif
  • Ystyriwch ddileu eich cwcis a’ch hanes chwilio os yw’ch porwr yn dangos chwiliadau blaenorol neu’n defnyddio awto-lenwi.

6 Tips for Successful Online Meetings 💻

Noela Czempik [mnc7] Digital communication, collaboration and participation, Student Digital Champions Leave a comment

Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)

Banner with Student Digital Champion

In today’s digital age, online meetings have become an integral part of academic and professional life. Whether attending a virtual lecture, collaborating on a group project, or attending a job interview, knowing how to navigate online meetings effectively is crucial for success.

In this blogpost I’m going to share some tips to help you navigate online meetings, and you can also visit this webpage for FAQs and training guidance on using MS Teams.

1) Prepare as you would for an in-person meeting

Online meetings provide the convenience of not needing to leave your house. This comes with the temptation to roll out of bed 5 minutes before the start of the meeting. To give yourself the best chance for success:

  • Dress as you would for an in-person meeting.
  • Give yourself some time to get mentally ready to avoid feeling rushed and get into the right headspace.
  • Take the chance to go over your notes, prepare any questions or gather any files you need to share.

2) Connect early

  • This will give you a chance to resolve any technical issues. Test your software, as it might require updates, causing you to have to restart the app or device.
  • You can use this additional time to ensure that you’re familiar with all the available functions in MS Teams, such as the chat, raise-your-hand, screen sharing and live captions functions.

3) Curate your visuals

Here are the top tips for making a positive, professional impression:

  • Choose a laptop over a phone or a tablet if possible. This can help with image stability, as well as allows you to take notes more freely. If you can’t access a laptop, consider using a device stand.
  • Position your camera at eye level, as this will result in the most natural-looking image.
  • Look at the camera rather than the screen when talking, particularly in group meetings. This is as close as you can get to making an eye contact.
  • Ensure that you have good lighting.
  • Choose the right background. Follow this FAQ for instructions on how to add a virtual background.
Screenshot showing the various virtual background that can be added in MS Teams
Virtual background and effects available in MS Teams

4) Optimise your audio

  • Opt for a carpeted and furnished room, if possible. This will result in a warmer, more natural sound without an echo effect.
  • If possible, use a headset instead of the built-in microphone to help improve with the quality of your audio.
  • Keep your microphone muted when you’re not speaking to prevent any unwanted noise.

5) Minimise distractions

  • Choose private, quiet spaces over communal or public spaces.
  • Silence notifications and inform others not to be disturbed if necessary.
  • There may be times when you need to step away from the meeting (e.g. if someone rings the doorbell), in which case let the people in the meeting know by leaving a brief message in the chat.

6) Mind What You Share

If you need to share your screen during the meeting it’s always better to share a specific window rather than your entire screen, but there may be occasions where this is unavoidable. In which case:

  • Close any irrelevant tabs.
  • Mute or close programs to avoid notifications or other pop-ups. Or alternatively, turn on the do not disturb mode.
  • Move, rename, or delete any sensitive bookmarks or files.
  • Consider deleting your cookies and search history if your browser shows previous searches or uses auto-fill.

O le i le gydag Ap LinkedIn Learning! 📲 

Shân Saunders LinkedIn Learning Leave a comment

Blogbost gan Shân Saunders (Cydlynydd Datblygu Sgiliau a Galluoedd Digidol)

Gallwch ddefnyddio LinkedIn Learning i ddatblygu sgiliau amrywiol megis dysgu codio, gwella eich sgiliau Microsoft neu hyd yn oed ddysgu rhywbeth hollol newydd.  Gallwch nawr ddysgu wrth fynd o le i le gydag ap symudol LinkedIn Learning.  Mae hyn yn golygu y gallwch ddysgu ar eich ffôn lle bynnag a phryd bynnag y dymunwch.  Efallai fod gennych egwyl am awr ar y tro ac am ddefnyddio’r amser hwnnw i ddysgu sgil newydd heb lwytho eich cyfrifiadur.  Trwy ddefnyddio ap LinkedIn Learning gallwch barhau â’ch cyrsiau ar eich ffôn a chael cynnwys hawdd a hygyrch.   

Mae LinkedIn Learning ar eich ffôn hefyd yn rhoi’r opsiwn i chi newid eich cyrsiau i ddefnyddio’r nodwedd sain-yn-unig ac felly os ydych chi’n hoff o bodlediadau, gallwch nawr wrando ar eich cyrsiau LinkedIn Learning wrth gerdded neu ymarfer corff.  Mae’r ap hefyd yn rhoi cyfle i chi lawrlwytho cynnwys eich cwrs i’w ddefnyddio oddi ar lein.   Nawr, os ydych chi’n teithio’n bell ar drên gallwch lawrlwytho eich cwrs a gwylio wrth i chi deithio.  Os ydych chi’n gyrru, gallwch lawrlwytho’ch cynnwys a throi at y nodwedd sain-yn-unig i wrando a dysgu wrth yrru!  

Sut ydw i’n defnyddio LinkedIn Learning ar fy ffôn?

  1. Ewch i’ch siop apiau symudol a chwiliwch am ‘LinkedIn Learning’  
  1. Lawrlwythwch yr ap LinkedIn Learning  
  1. Mewngofnodwch gyda’ch manylion PA  
  1. Ewch ati i ddysgu!

Rhagor o gwestiynau?

Am fwy o wybodaeth darllenwch ein blogiau eraill LinkedIn Learning.  Os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau neu yn cael trafferth cysylltu ag ap LinkedIn Learning, cysylltwch â’r Tîm Sgiliau Digidol (digi@aber.ac.uk). 

Get mobile with the LinkedIn Learning app! 📲

Shân Saunders LinkedIn Learning Leave a comment

Blogpost by Shân Saunders (Digital Capabilities and Skills Development Coordinator)

You may use LinkedIn Learning for a variety of skills development, it could be learning to code, improving your Microsoft skills or even to learn something completely new. You can now learn on the go with the LinkedIn Learning mobile app. This means that you can learn wherever and whenever you want on your phone. Maybe you have hour breaks and want to use that time to learn a new skill without loading your computer. The LinkedIn Learning app means that you can continue your courses on your phone for easy and accessible content.  

LinkedIn Learning on your phone also gives you the option to switch your courses into audio-only meaning if you’re a fan of podcasts you can now listen to your LinkedIn Learning courses during walks or while exercising. With the app, you can also download your course content for offline usage. Now, if you’re travelling on a long train journey you can download your course and watch as you travel. If you’re driving, you can download your content and turn on the audio-only feature to listen and learn while you drive! 

How do I access LinkedIn Learning on my phone? 

  1. Go to your mobile app store and search for ‘LinkedIn Learning’ 
  1. Download the LinkedIn Learning app 
  1. Sign in with your AU details 
  1. Start learning! 

Further Questions? 

For more information read our other blogposts about LinkedIn Learning. If you have any questions or problems accessing the LinkedIn Learning app, please contact the Digital Skills Team (digi@aber.ac.uk).  

TipDigidol 22 – Pinio eich hoff wefan ar eich porwr gwe 📌

WordPress User [jpl11] TipiauDigidol Leave a comment

Ydych chi’n aml yn teimlo’n rhwystredig wrth orfod sgrolio’n ôl trwy hanes eich porwr i ddod o hyd i’ch hoff dab? Neu hyd yn oed yn cau’r tab yn ddamweiniol a methu cofio’r wefan?

Gyda TipDigidol 22, gallwch nawr binio eich hoff dabiau ar y rhyngrwyd a’i gael yn barod i chi pan fyddwch chi’n agor eich porwr nesaf.

Ar gyfer porwyr rhyngrwyd megis Chrome a Firefox, gallwch ddilyn y camau hyn:

  • Agorwch eich porwr rhyngrwyd a theipio eich URL dewisol
  • Cliciwch fotwm de’r llygoden ar eich tab URL a dewiswch yr opsiwn “Pin“

I ddilyn ein TipiauDigi, tanysgrifiwch i’n Blog Sgiliau Digidol. Neu, gallwch hefyd ddilyn y dudalen hon, lle bydd TipDigidol newydd yn cael ei ychwanegu bob wythnos!

DigiTip 22 – Pin your favourite website on your web browser 📌

WordPress User [jpl11] DigiTips Leave a comment

Do you often feel frustrated with having to scroll back through your browser history to find your favourite tab? Or even accidentally closing the tab and not being able to remember the website?

With DigiTip 22, you can now pin your favourite internet tabs and have it ready for you when you open your browser next.

For internet browsers such as Chrome and Firefox, you can follow these steps:

  • Open your internet browser and type in your chosen URL
  • Right-click on your URL tab and choose the option “Pin”

To follow our DigiTips, subscribe to our Digital Skills Blog. Or alternatively, you can bookmark this webpage, where a new DigiTip will be added each week!