I.T.S. a Tech Update
September 2020
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year
Welcome back! Yeah, we know it's not our traditional setting, but we also know that it is a great opportunity to implement all of those 21st Century tools we just haven't had a chance to use during the "normal" school setting. We will be back at school soon enough, but in the meanwhile let's enjoy the time we have with our families and do our best to stay safe and stay healthy.
This very first newsletter will give you information on some of the tools being used in EPISD by both teachers and students. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please be sure to contact your friendly neighborhood, Instructional Technology Specialists.
🐞 Ladibug Lumens Document Camera - Fix
There is a version of the software in Self Service that will now allow your Ladibug to work with your MacBook for Ladibug models DC 120, 158, 166, and 170.
Those of you that installed the incorrect version, here the fix for that -
1. Go into Self Service and install Ladibug 2.0 software.
2. If you run into a stopping point during the installation, go into System Preferences, and click on Security and Privacy and Allow software from outside developers.
3. You will need to restart your computer after this step.
***Remember - You will need to connect your Ladibug to your laptop using the USB cable, NOT the VGA cable in order for it to work.
If you have the DC 158 model, there is one additional step that you will need to complete.
- Look for the Refresh Computer app in Self-Service and click Refresh. This should allow the program to then work with the software.
As always, a restart is always recommended when updating software and installing apps 😉
👩🏽💻 Students cannot log into my class Zoom 😱
If students cannot log into your schedule Zoom session, and receive the message, “Sign In to Join – This meeting requires authentication”, then head over to the Self-Service application on your district MacBook. Look for Zoom. Click Reinstall and that will apply the latest update. Don’t forget to restart your computer before using Zoom.
Here is a helpful video our team created to show you how to do this. https://youtu.be/Y97UU9sQ4mo
On our new, EPISD-ORG Zoom domain there is a selection at the bottom called, "Only authenticated users can join: Sign in to Zoom." If you check this box, students will not be able to sign in until they have activated their Zoom accounts at https://episd-org.zoom.us. Please make sure you have guided your students on how to activate their EPISD Zoom account before you check this box. (See image)
Here are more Zoom videos:
- Video on setting up Zoom meetings from Zoom App: https://youtu.be/wNHKsclrCeg
- Video “Who can Log into my Zoom Meeting?” https://youtu.be/Dmo0dxyTM_A
- 👨👩👦 How do I enable breakout rooms in Zoom settings? https://youtu.be/GxBkdKkiIdU
- 👨🏽🏫 How do I use Zoom Breakout Rooms? https://youtu.be/jbPpdyn16sY
❓ Questions we have received at the Academics Helpdesk
You probably know by now that the Active Learning Department is currently manning the Academics Helpdesk(a.k.a. the Schoology Helpdesk) from 8:00-4:30, helping students and parents fix some of the issues with their devices and also making sure that students can log in successfully to their EPISD tools like Office 365, Schoology, and ClassLink to name a few.
Keep in mind that if the students is new to EPISD it can take anywhere from 24-hours to 4 days as Technology Services has made us aware. The most important thing is that you, the teacher, get a hold of the new student so that you can share your live conferencing link (Zoom, Webex, or MS Teams) so that students can at least join your class and engage in the learning. If the student doesn't gain access to his or her accounts until 4 days after that will be a great loss for both of you. If you are using Schoology Conferences, these students will not be able to access your conference until their access has been activated. Keep them informed of assignments via the guardian's email until that connection is made. Please advocate for your students. If they still don't have an active account by the fourth day, please contact your administration and inform them of the issue, as well as submitting a ticket via the Zendesk and/or calling them at 915-230-2601.
Remember that new students to the district must first activate their account in Office 365 before going to Schoology or ClassLink. Below you will find questions and answer to a few of the questions that have been posed to us at the Academics Helpdesk.
Help, I cannot log into ClassLink!
1. Are you logging in from EPISD’s ClassLink (aka EPISD Plaza)?
Solution - If you are using Chrome or Safari, make sure students are beginning at https://launchpad.classlink.com/episd
2. Are you using the ClassLink app on the iPad or tablet?
Solution - Through the iPad App, make sure the student is viewing the correct login screen.
(View images below)
***Note: If the student has chosen the wrong school or district in the ClassLink app, have them click on the “back” arrow in the upper lefthand corner in order to return to the page for selecting the district. Also, make sure the student logs in with the username. Do not add @episd.org to the log in for ClassLink.
3. I am receiving an error message when logging in on the correct screen on the iPad.
Solution - Try force closing all running applications (double-tap the home button and swipe up on all applications that appear).
Next, head to the Settings application and turn off the VPN. Wait about a minute and turn on the VPN. Try to log in again. (This has fixed it for many!!!)Restart the iPad if necessary.
Here is a video that shows you how to do this. https://youtu.be/3WZUw7hPtzo
Incorrect Screen
Choose Your District
Hooray! You are now in the correct login screen
Help, my students cannot log into the Class Dojo App
The current work around is to use Safari to enter Class Dojo if you wish for students to submit assignments to their Class Dojo portfolio.
***Remember - Parents should not log into their parent account on the student iPad. Students will need to scan in or use their student code to interact with assignments and the portfolio.
Help, my students cannot upload an assignment in Seesaw App
Your students should now have no trouble uploading into Seesaw. Please instruct students and parents to close all applications on the district managed iPads, turn them off and then restart. This will ensure that the changes take affect.
EPISD@Home iPad Tips
EPISD@Home MacBook Tips
Three-Minute Quaranteaching Tips
EPISD Schoology 101: Professional Development
Course Code - ZMB94-7NCS4
Macsimizing Your Mac - EPISD Teachers and Staff
3.0-Hours of CPE Credit
Course #: 202747
Course Title: AL201: Macsimizing Your Mac Online Course for Teachers and Staff
This course will guide teachers in using features and settings that will assist them every day in completing tasks on their new MacBook Air laptops. Most importantly though, it will assist them in creating great resources to use in their lessons and delivery to differentiate the learning which will allow students to achieve mastery in many different ways.
If you are in need of a district-issued MacBook Air laptop, upon completion of the course, you will download your certificate at EPISD University, and schedule an appointment via the Zendesk, or by calling Technology Services at 915-230-2601. Once you have received your appointment you will pick up your device at 2300 Murchison St.
Macsimizing You Mac - Student Edition
Please share the course code with students in grades 3-12th only - 3P9R-88K7-7CQB4
Active and Blended Learning Using Schoology LMS Academy: PD
Course code - T4XC-BCK5-N3GD3
- Bronze Cohort Active Learning 1st Coaching Session - September 28-Oct. 2. If you are part of the Bronze Cohort, please make sure you have scheduled a virtual meeting date with your ALF coach.
- Active and Blended Learning Virtual Intersession Academy - October 12-16 - Join us for continuing Active and Blended learning sessions that will help you use 21st century tools in your virtual classroom. Session information coming soon via your email and our October newsletter.
- Apple Academy Candidates Only:
- September 8 - Mac/iPad and Pages Support session
- September 12 - macOS/iPadOS and Pages Project due
- September 22 - Keynote and Numbers Support session
- September 26 - Keynote and Numbers Project due
Contact Us
We are Instructional Technology Specialists that serve all campuses in EPISD. We spend most of our time sharing ideas and teaching best practices for integrating technology as a seamless part of learning in the classroom. Please contact us if you are looking for a technology integrated session that would best meet the needs of the students in your classroom.