Technology Updates
May 2019
In This Issue: A lot of info as we close out the school year!
- Looking to the Future is 20-20
- Summer Technology Training Opportunities & Registration ~ GREAT opportunities coming!
- Device Collection Information
- Convert Schoology Test/Quiz to Assessment Format
- How do I setup an Out of Office reply in my email?
- Alpine Data Warehouse
Looking to the future is 20-20
You have heard the saying that hindsight is 20-20. Well in planning for the future (year 2020) with technology it is not that clear. Technology has changed all our lives in ways that we could not have imagined, and I believe the next few years will continue that trend. The use of new technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, 3-d printing, e-learning, blended learning, cloud computing, etc. are not just a fad. Now is the time for educators to seriously consider how technologies on the horizon will impact teaching, learning and the world that awaits Marshall Public Schools students in the coming years. Digital fluency is rapidly emerging as critical for workforce preparedness. I believe many of the jobs they will experience will not have previously existed. Digital citizenship is important as well, as students must understand how to live ethically and responsibly in the digital world. My hope is that we can experience higher returns on our technology investments with results that matter in education by utilizing sound pedagogical practices and opportunities for students to engage in high-value, forward-thinking learning activities. Speaking of technology investments, here is a summary of planned purchases for the coming year.
Park Side Elementary:
For the 2019-2020 school year Park Side Elementary will be receiving new iPads for 1st and 2nd grade students. These iPads will be the latest generation 9.7” iPad 32gb wi-fi devices protected with a Griffin Survivor case. These devices will support the latest iOS features and should restore the all-day battery life that is needed for students. In addition, these enhancements will better allow the teachers to utilize new features such as Apple Classroom. Classroom is an app that helps teachers guide learning, share work, and manage student devices. Teachers can launch a specific app, website, or textbook page on any iPad in the classroom and see a thumbnail view of all their classroom devices. This promotes keeping the students on task, letting you guide their learning experience.
Marshall Middle School:
For the 2019-2020 school year Marshall Middle School 5th grade students will be receiving new HP Probook x360 G3 devices running Windows 10 in S Mode. These devices are similar to the ones in place for the current 5th and 6th grade students. We have also purchased new computer cases with a new M logo in orange which looks great.
In addition, Marshall Middle School teaching staff are on the rotation for replacement this year. These devices will restore the speed and battery life critical for today’s applications.
Marshall High School
For the 2019-2020 school year Marshall High School 9th and 11th grade students will be receiving new HP Probook x360 G3 devices running Windows 10 in S Mode. These devices are similar to the ones in place for the current 9th grade students.
District Wide:
I am excited to announce a new product like Apple Classroom that we are planning for the Windows devices district wide. This tool called Netop Vision 365 allows for the students to check-in to a classroom and the teacher is then able to guide and monitor their activities. This is something new and we will have a learning curve and will take some time to fully implement, but I am excited about the possibilities. I know many of you have wanted this feature for years.
I would also encourage all teaching staff to consider allowing us to help them make more of their content digital as this will save the districts rising printing costs.
Please do not attempt to move PC’s from one room (or building) to the other without notifying us as the machines rely upon their location for printing, applications, inventory, etc.
Technology repair requests should be submitted to Marshall Public Schools Schooldude ticketing system available from our website.
And finally, security is always a top concern for us, I encourage everyone over the summer to keep their computers up to date.
If there are questions on any of these items, or anyone wishes for more information, please contact me at todd.pickthorn@marshall.k12.mn.us
Summer Tech Training Opportunities
We will be running a week full of PD opportunities beginning August 12th. We are fortunate to have a Microsoft Learning Consultant coming to us from Chicago as well as Microsoft staff from the MOA store to provide some of our training sessions. This is a great opportunity to learn more on creating a digital classroom presence using various tools and resources! All these sessions will provide a great launching pad as we begin our first year of E-Learning days.
Please feel free to register for as many of these sessions as you wish. REMINDER: you will be paid your hourly rate per your contract language for any and all successfully completed sessions. The registration link is below. Participants will be notified of session location closer to the session date.
IF none of these times works in your schedule, please let me (Karen) know and I will look at alternative options as we move into the school year. I will send out communication if additional sessions are added.
Becoming a OneNote Ninja (6 hours) ~ Tuesday, August 13th 8am-3pm
Target audience: 3-12 staff
Are you ready for a classroom transformation? This digital binder will change the way you teach!
What is OneNote?
OneNote is like a digital binder, an online notebook where you can take notes on individual pages, then organize the pages within subject tabs. Because the binder is digital, you can also hyperlink text, embed video and audio, add drawings, insert images, and so much more.
Class Notebook starts with OneNote and adds a few extra features for educators, allowing you to create a whole notebook for yourself, set up individual notebooks for your students, and then tie them all together.
This class will follow the Microsoft Educator training track and will include a series of quizzes. Successful completion will result in Microsoft Innovative Educator status. You may wish to consider using this training toward your goals.
Microsoft Office 365 Online Suite – 3 hours Wednesday, August 14th 8am-11am
Target audience: PK-12 staff
In the session we will explore using Office 365 in the online/web environment. We will learn customization options, navigation, as well as the various tools that are available and how they translate to the desktop versions (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook).
Curating Digital Content Using Schoology or Seesaw ~ 3 hours ~ Wednesday, August 14th 12pm-3pm
Target audience: PK-12 staff
**In this session we will explore the Seesaw Activity Library and curate content to your personal Seesaw Activity Library so it is ready for classroom use during the 2019-20 school year. We will have the Activities ready to distribute to your students. Choose Activities by subject, grade level, or standard – working with your team to share the workload.
**We will also be utilizing this time to developing content and materials using the various tools available in Schoology for use in your classroom for 2019-20. We will review the process of connecting and using OneDrive with Schoology to facilitate collection of assignments.
**You should bring any resources/content with you that you wish to transform to an interactive, digital format. This will be a work session.
Creating a Digital Classroom Using Microsoft Tools & Resources (6 hours) - Thursday, August 15th 8am-3pm
Target audience: 3-12 staff
Creating a paperless classroom can be so much more than merely distributing work digitally. With OneNote, OneNote Class Notebook, and Teams you can redefine what it means to create a digital classroom. These tools can become a catalyst for collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. In both Teams and OneNote you can embed engaging live content such as Forms, YouTube, GeoGebra, Sway, Flipgrid and more. Using digital ink your students will be able to take hand written notes, highlight text, draw, and work on math problems. OneNote’s Learning Tools make the classroom accessible to all students with its immersive reader. Finally, Teams creates a digital hub for all your student’s work where they can manage their assignments, participate in online discussions, and stay organized.
**This session will focus on OneNote Class Notebook but other Microsoft Tool & Resources will be introduced. At the end of this day-long session you will join the Microsoft Educator Community and become a Microsoft Innovative Educator!
Microsoft Learning Tools (3 hours) - Friday, August 16th 8am - 11am
Target audience: K-12 staff
Accessibility is the cornerstone of every classroom. In this half day session you will learn how Microsoft includes accessibility tools in all of its products. Learn how tools like text to speech, dictation, and video response tools can help transform your classroom. You will also be learning how Forms can help you create customized assessments. At the end of the session you will earn points towards becoming a Microsoft Innovative Educator!
MMS and MHS Device Collection
Tuesday, May 28th: senior devices during RampUp
Thursday, May 30th: 9th-11th grade devices during RampUp at the end of the day.
Collection of MMS student devices will take place on the following dates and times. Erica will additional information with staff on processes, etc.
5th Grade: May 29th at 8am (during Reading time)
6th Grade: May 29th at 12:30pm (during Advisory time)
7th Grade: May 30th at 8am (during Reading time)
8th Grade: May 29th at 8am (during Reading time)
West Side devices will be collected during Technology class time the last week of school.
Park Side
1st & 2nd Grades:
Clean iPads with a wipe (wipes will be provided, 3-4 students share a wipe)
Take name label off back of iPad
Place iPad back in cart
Once this is done, teachers please bring iPad cars to the Media Center by 3pm Wednesday, May 29th
Kindergarten Classrooms
Maggie will be sending out a sign up sheet for Tuesday, May 28th. Maggie and Shelly will come to each classroom to help with iPad collection. Students will help delete pictures, folders, close tabs, and wipe iPads clean. Maggie and Shelly will then take the carts back to the media center.
Please make sure iPads are charged so they are ready on the 28th.