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We hope you have enjoyed and found useful our TechNOW monthly newsletter. We will return in September with more tips, tricks, useful Apps, and FAQ. Of fice o f I nst ru ct io n al T ech no log y Mr. George Loper, CITO http://www.desotocountyschools.org/ITD
CONTENTS : ♦ Apps of the Month ♦ Frequently Asked Questions ♦ Tech Tips of the Month ♦ Website of the Month ♦ Computer 101 ♦ State Testing Information ♦ Formative Assessment ♦ Review of All Apps of the Month
On June 30 we will say goodbye for now to Stacey Moultrie the Classroom Technology Coach for the Lewisburg and Olive Branch areas. Stacey and her family will be calling Georgia home for a while. Stacey has done a wonderful job for our teachers and schools and will be greatly missed. We wish Stacey and her family the best in this chapter of their lives. May 1 means school is almost ready to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the students for a couple of months but August will be here before you can blink. Our Classroom Technology Coaches will be working with each of you to close out and store the technology tools you must have come August 1. We hope by doing this we can avoid the added expense and headaches that have come each August with lost, misplaced, or borrowed technology tools. Please help us help you by following the procedures put in place by your Classroom Technology Coach to label, pack, and store these expensive and much needed tools. I hope each of you has a fantastic close to the school year and your summer is full of rest, relaxation, and adventure. Thank you to each of you for what you do to make a difference in the lives of the boys and girls of DeSoto County Schools. George Loper
TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2016
ISSUE #7
Cassie's App of the Month : Google Keep • Capture, edit, share, and collaborate on your notes on any device, anywhere. • Add notes, lists, photos, and audio to Keep. • Organize your notes with labels and colors. • Set and forget. Get reminded about a note at the right time or place. • Record a voice memo and have it automatically transcribed. • Grab the text from an image to help you quickly find that note again through search. Cassie Sanders, CTC
WHEN AND WHERE YOU NEED IT: Need to remember to pick up some groceries? Set a location-based reminder to pull up your grocery list right when you get to the store. Need to finish a to-do? Set a time-based reminder to make sure you never miss a thing. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Next time you go to the store, share your shopping list on Keep and watch as items get checked off in real time. No need for text messages back and forth. Get things done together, faster. FIND WHAT YOU NEED, FAST: Quickly filter and search for notes by color and other attributes like lists with the label “Todos”, audio notes with reminders or just see shared notes. Find what you're looking for even faster, and let Keep do the remembering for you. ALWAYS WITHIN REACH: Keep works on your phone, tablet and computer. Everything you add to Keep syncs across your devices so your important stuff is always with you. Center Hill & Horn Lake Zones
FAQ: Did you get my ticket? ANSWER: Many, many times we are stopped and asked, “Did you get my help ticket?” When you push the red help button and complete a ticket, it is assigned based on the topic chosen. We are not able to see tickets that have not been assigned to us. Your ticket could have gone to the school’s computer technician, someone who deals with Munis or email, etc. It all depends on the topic chosen. If you chose Interactive board, projectors, iPads, or tablets, it will be assigned to your school instructional technology coach. I hope this clears up some of the confusion caused by who gets what ticket. Follow Cassie on Twitter! @cassie_e
Cassie's Technology Tip of the Month: Getting Ready for Summer This time of year, everyone is focused on state testing and getting that last bit of review in, packing up, saying goodbye to another school year, and HELLO to summer. It is so easy to just throw all electronics and cables into a bag and say “I’ll take care of it in August.” This will end up causing frustration, when you are ready to start with all your new students that first day and you're missing something very important. Be sure to label all cables with sticky notes and place in a Ziploc bag, along with any remotes, pens, receivers, or batteries you may need to make your interactive board work. It is also a good idea to label the computer you use with your board, as this has the software needed. We will be helping with this process this year, so hopefully next year will start out as easy as possible and you can focus on welcoming the new faces for a wonderful school year. Have a great summer! J 2
TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2016
ISSUE #7
Tyler's App of the Month : Unroll.me Do you get a million emails a day from companies that you don't want? Do you get newsletters from companies that you do want to read, just maybe not every day? Unroll.me is the service and app for you. When you sign up - the service will read your incoming emails and will divert newsletters, junk mail, and spam to the app. Once a day, only once, you will get an email that says your "Rollup is ready". Your daily Rollup will have all the emails you want to keep getting, like the coupons to your favorite businesses (just not everyday) and it will ask you if you would like them to unsubscribe you from any lists that you don't want emails from.
Tyler Cummings, CTC
CTCW, DCAC/Magnolia & Southaven Zones
It works great with Gmail, Yahoo, AOL and iCloud - unfortunately it will not work with our district email. Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unroll.me/id1028103039?mt=8
FAQ: Is there a way I can create a calendar event and then send it to people?
Tyler's Technology Tip of the Month: End of the Year and Batteries:
ANSWER: Yes, in Office 365, that's easy. Go to the calendar application in Office 365 and then create a new event for whatever you need to invite people to. Then click on "More Details" and you will get a ton of options to add to the event. You can add locations, reminders, durations, and most importantly - you can add attendees. Type the person or peoples' names here and when you create your event, it will email them to invite them to join your event. Have a great summer! See you in August!
As you begin to clean up your classroom and prepare for the end of the year, take all the batteries out of remotes, clickers, speakers, or whatever you have in your classroom that uses batteries. Batteries don't like to get hot and could corrode if they are left in the remotes over the summer. One more quick tip: tape those batteries to the things you have taken them out of and place all your small tech items (remotes, clickers, speakers) in a large zip lock bag.
Follow Tyler on Twitter! @tylercummings
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TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2016
ISSUE #7
Shelby's App of the Month : DuoLingo
Shelby Elmore, CTC
Spend your summer learning a new language! Maybe you can’t fly across the ocean but there’s still hope! You can learn another language right from the comfort of your own living room!
Hernando & Lake Cormorant Zones
Support for learning 11 languages utilizing a user-friendly interface motivates you to keep coming back for more! It’s learning through Gamification! It’s addictive, fun and helps you learn other languages. Using Duolingo might help you understand what your ELL students are saying. And unlike traveling to another country, this app is FREE!
Link: http://www.duolingo.com
FAQ: How can I protect my Projector/Interactive whiteboard over the summer?
Shelby's Technology Tip of the Month: CHECK IT OFF!
ANSWER:
The end of the school year is a crazy time for teachers. Packing up classrooms, Unplug electrical cords from the wall or the back of putting in grades, IEP meetings—it can be a the projector. Power surges can cause damage to whirlwind of chaos. This year, try making a equipment that might not be found until we return few lists to help keep you organized. Using to school. the Reminders app on your iOS device or an Android app like any To-Do List allows Locate and remove the filters from your projector (if you can’t find them, ask a tech coach) and technology to make your life a little easier. blow the dust off of the filter over your trash can. You can make lists of important dates, When I was in the classroom, I cleaned my filters paperwork that needs to be filed, phone every time I sent home report cards. Use a duster calls that need to be made, or even of or a towel to wipe dust off the projector surface, technology that is in your classroom. but do not touch the lens. Keeping a list of classroom technology is a Place a bag over the projector to protect it over great way to keep up with stylus pens, the summer. That way, paint, wax and dust projector remotes and other items that you particles won’t find their way into any of the vents. have been issued for your classroom. I also think that covering the board surface is a good idea. Many of our IWBs have sensors that can get clogged with those same dust particles causing them not to work properly. Covering the board with garbage bags or butcher paper is a good way to keep our technology safe over the summer months.
Follow Shelby on Twitter! @ctselmore
Prefer a paper list that you can tape on your door? Check out my End-of-the-Year Technology Closeout checklist! It’s a great way for you to document your classroom inventory. You can keep a digital copy, fill it out on your tablet and share it with others.
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TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2016
ISSUE #7
Stacey's App of the Month : ChatterPix Chatterpix can make anything talk -- pets, friends, doodles, and more! Simply take any photo, draw a line to make a mouth, and record your voice. Then share your Pix with friends and family as silly greetings, playful messages, or creative cards. And best of all, it’s FREE! • • • •
Stacey Moultrie, CTC Have students animate their favorite picture of themselves or their Lewisburg & Olive Branch group and show it off to the class Zones Create a map of the country and give each state a voice Bring to life their favorite character in history Give each element of the periodic table its own animation and biography!
Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chatterpix-kids-by-duck-duck/id734046126?mt=8
FAQ: What needs to be turned in for the interactive projector/board at my school for the end of the year? ANSWER: You will need to pack up any pens, remotes and batteries that go with either your interactive board and projector or interactive projector. Please make sure you pack these up and give them to the designated person at your school before summer vacation. This will keep the pens and accessories from getting lost over the summer.
Stacey's Technology Tip of the Month: At the end of the school year, please make sure you have backed up all files and pictures that you would like to keep that are saved on your desktop computer or MacBook. If you don’t have a flash drive to save this information, you can save it to your OneDrive. If you are unfamiliar with OneDrive and would like help in doing this, please contact your Classroom Technology Coach by putting in a help ticket.
Follow Stacey on Twitter! @StaceyMoultrie7
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TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2017
ISSUE #7
Jennifer's App of the Month :
Bloomz - Teacher Parent Communication App
Jennifer Klinger, CTC CTCE & DeSoto Central Zones
Bloomz is the FREE mobile and web app that saves teachers a great deal of time in all parent communications, while creating a supportive classroom community. Bloomz makes it easy for teachers to safely share photos, classroom updates and reach parents instantly through real-time messaging, bridging the gap between home and school in a secure social environment. With Bloomz you can: - Post class updates and share pictures - Sign up volunteers in a few easy steps - Optional email notifications (SMS coming soon) - Message one or more parents, without sharing your cell phone number - Parents sign up for free with individual or class codes for privacy - Manage events and calendar, with built-in reminders - Schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences in seconds - One-click translations of content into one of 80 languages available - Send alerts notifications for urgent matters, to both phone and email in one click.
Link: http://www.bloomz.net
FAQ: How can I remove permanent ink from an interactive whiteboard?
Jennifer's Technology Tip of the Month: Keeping Your Interactive Whiteboard
ANSWER: •
• •
Use a standard or high-odor dry-erase marker. These markers contain solvents that remove permanent ink. Don’t use low-odor or non-scented dry-erase markers, because they don't contain the appropriate solvents. Cover the permanent ink with the highodor dry-erase ink. While the ink is still wet, wipe the screen with a soft cloth.
NOTE -Do not allow the dry-erase ink to dry before wiping the screen. If any trace of ink remains, spray Windex glass cleaner or Sanford Expo whiteboard cleaner on a soft cloth, and then wipe off remaining ink marks.
Follow Jennifer on Twitter! @dcsctc
Surface Clean: SMART Technologies recommends: • Use an alcohol-free household glass cleaner, such as Windex glass cleaner, to clean the writing surface. • Do not spray cleaner directly onto the surface. Instead, lightly spray cleaner on a cloth, and then gently wipe the surface. • Do not allow excess glass cleaner to flow into the crack between the lower frame and the writing surface, or into the pen tray. • For stubborn stains, use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to clean the writing surface. Promethean recommends: • Use baby wipes or a damp washcloth for basic cleaning of the board. Make sure the baby wipes are not saturated in liquid. • If permanent markers or dry erase is used on the board, clean with Expo Marker Cleaner or Windex. • Make sure to spray on the soft cloth and not directly on the board. 6
TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2017
ISSUE #7
Tina's Website of the Month :
YOUR Teacher Website: Do you know what your parents REALLY want?
Tina Streeter, Webmaster & Learn360 Video Coordinator
Time and time again, we get the same questions from parents: "Why doesn't my child's teacher ever update his/her website?" "My child lost her homework instructions...can I find it on her teacher's website?" After informally polling several of my neighbors about what they would like to see on them, they stated they would love to see the following: a long-term calendar, nightly homework and test dates, website links to practice math with their children, and a way to contact them from the teacher's website. Almost all of them said that if the teacher's website was only two weeks out of date, it's essentially useless.
So, let's give them what they want....CONTENT.
A digital classroom is strongly supported by a class website, extending learning opportunities beyond the walls of the classroom and the time period of the class. Your teacher/classroom website should include: • • • • • • • • • •
General class information Events & announcements Assignments and details Instructional materials and resources Website links Communication tools (discussion boards, blogs, journals, chat, etc.) Collaboration tools (group or team areas) Embedded content Examples and models of student work Parent and student frequently asked questions
With a simple click on each of the categories below, you will find easy, step-by-step instructions from my district website. (Note: You can also find these instructions any time by going to http://www.desotocountyschools.org, hovering over "Departments" at the top, clicking on "Instructional Technology", and clicking "Teacher Website Help" under my picture.
Logging In & Page Settings
Calendar Functions (pdf) Click here for an video demonstration
General Information Section
Adding Assignments
About the Teacher Section (Education, Experience, Bio)
Adding Hyperlinks to your Links Module
Creating the Home Page
Hyperlinking to External Files
Adding Files to the File Manager (Handouts, Study Guides, Worksheets, Newsletters, etc.)
Inserting an Image from the Image Gallery
Forms
Creating a Photo Album
Presentations & Powerpoints
Adding a Twitter Feed Adding a Remind101 Widget
CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY OF WEEBLY PROS! Click here (To learn more, be sure and take Tina's CEU entitled, "Weebly Websites for Educators")
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TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2017
ISSUE #7
Computer 101 with Mr. Hicks: Backing Up Your Data As the school year comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about keeping your data safe over the summer. Maybe your computer will be replaced before August, or maybe you are moving to a different classroom. You’ll still want access to all of your files when you return. Here are a few options. • •
•
Pete Hicks You can copy your important files to a USB Flash Drive or External Hard Drive. Asst. Director Then you can take your backup data home with you. Instructional You can copy your files to your Home folder (sometimes called the H Drive). Technology & Testing Every teacher and staff member who has a DCS Computer login has access to a Home Folder. This is a “floating” folder that follows you to any other DCS Computer when your login is used. This space is limited though, so keep that in mind when choosing what to back up. You can copy your files to OneDrive. OneDrive is cloud storage that comes with your DCS Email account. OneDrive can be accessed on any device that has internet access. This means you can open your files on your home computer, your tablet, and even your phone. This makes OneDrive the most versatile option for backing up your data.
If you need help backing up your data, be sure to fill out a Help Ticket Request so one of our Technology Support staff members can come help you before school is out. When copying and pasting your files, don’t forget that you can use keyboard shortcuts to save yourself some time.
Upcoming State Assessment Windows 4/7/16 - 5/12/16
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Post Test
4/25/16- 5/17/16
MAP
QUICK TIP: To view any of our past newsletters, please visit our Instructional Tech Dept. website at: http://www.desotocountyschools.org/ITDept 8
TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2017
ISSUE #7
Formative Assessment with Mr. Putnam
It has been a very good year for DCS students and teachers. Here are some Case21 performance highlights. These are based on the Percent Projected Proficient numbers, or the amount of students who would or should score Proficient or Advanced on the MAP state tests based on the released blueprints. Michael Putnam Formative Assessment
Elementary Language Arts grades 3, 4, and 5 improved an average of 21% from the first administration comprehensive assessment to the final administration comprehensive assessment. This means 21% more students are now projected to be Proficient or Advanced!
Elementary Mathematics, comparing prior year data for a true comprehensive-tocomprehensive comparison, improved 34% comparing final administration to final administration. Though changes were made year to year, we can still compare those Projected Percent Proficient numbers as those are calculated, in part, using the published blueprints and nationally recognized cut scores. Middle Language Arts improved an average of 2% from the first administration to the final administration. It should be noted that Middle School Language Arts already had a very high 44.3% Projected Percent Proficiency rating. Middle Mathematics, comparing prior year data for a true comprehensive-to-comprehensive comparison, improved 22% comparing final administration to final administration. Again, though changes were made year to year, we can still compare those Projected Percent Proficient numbers as those are calculated, in part, using the published blueprints and nationally recognized cut scores. High School Language Arts increased an amazing average of 34% from this year's first administration to the last. Looking at year-to-year and comprehensive-to-comprehensive improvements of all other courses lumped together, students showed a 3% increase in performance. It should be noted that, though this seems small, this encompasses thousands of students and an extremely high 61% Projected Percent Proficiency rating. Everyone has done such a fantastic job this year! Way to go! Now let's finish the year strong!
DON'T FORGET: CEU's are now posted at http://www.desotocountyschools.org/CEUS Have a great summer! Sincerely, The DCS Instructional Tech Department 9
TECHNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2017
ISSUE #7
REVIEW: OUR FAVORITE APPS OF 2015-16! NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY Apps:
A pp s: GarageBand i-nigma Paper by 53 Puffin Socrative
W ebs ites : Weebly for Education Edshelf Graphite The Kid Should See This
Click here for complete November newsletter
Epic! Fantastical Goog le Ea rt h Padlet Simply Yoga Free
Websites: DeSoto County Schools District Office Website DCSD Quick Links Homepage Free Music Archive Glogster Learn360 Quill Oh! Noah! Ted-Ed Wonderopolis
Click h ere fo r co mplet e F ebru ary new slette r
DECEMBER
MARCH Apps:
A pp s: Hoopla Kakooma KeyNote Plickers SeeSaw the Learning Journal
Websites: DCSTeachers.com Blended Technology Lessons CK-12 Virtual Textbook Kathy Schrock's Bloomin' Apps
Click here for complete December newsletter
Ap p Port al Day One Doodle Buddy MyScript Calculator NearPod
W ebs ites : T wit te r GeoGeb ra Inst ruct ional G ame s & We bs ite s by DCST eac her s.com N ati ona l Ge ogr ap hi c for Ed ucat ion PBS Kid s Go! T eac hing Shak es pe ar e T ina's T ea cher W eb sit e He lp Pa ge Clic k her e for c om pl ete M ar ch new sl ett er
JANUAR Y Apps: Google Translate iMovie Periscope PicCollage Quiver
APRIL Apps: Docs Te ach Ele me nt s 4D Fry W or d s P ro Ma th Concent ra tion Zi pGr ad e
Websites: Edmodo Tagxedo
W ebs ites : Mult UR L N etS mar tz
Click here for complete January newsletter
Clic k her e for c om pl ete Ap ri l ne ws le tte r
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