CPP Technology Today
A Communication of the CPP Technology Committee - Vol 2.11
In This Issue
Google Apps Access Issue - More Efficient Ways to Get to Your Google Apps Resources, and Outside Programs that Connect Easily with Apps
- Instructional Technology Professional Development
- Accessing Google Apps: Easy Access to Your Google Apps Account on Your Desktop
- Accessing Google Apps: Download Your Google Drive Onto Your Device For Easy Saving and File Access
- Resource Spotlight - Google Apps Access Issue: Synching Google Classroom with Typing Club
- Resource Spotlight - Google Apps Access Issue: Using Vizia and Google Apps to Create Interactive Video Lessons (With Other People's Videos!)
- District Technology News: Technology Skills Scope & Sequence Update
- Technology Committee - Members
- BITS Team Members
- Updates from Tech Services
- Newsletter Suggestions and Ideas
Tuesday, Mar 21, 2017, 10:00 AM
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Instructional Technology Professional Development
Unless otherwise indicated, classes run from 3:30-4:30. Teachers are welcome to attend trainings in any building. There is no pre-registration process - "drop in" when you're able! Be sure to sign in for in-service credit.
Contact the team members offering each class with any specific questions.
March Dates
3/21 - Middle School Library - Carrie Howe - Google Drive- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
3/22 - CPPHS Room E114 - Robin Robarge/Stacie Martinec - Piktochart- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
3/22 - Middle School Library - Carrie Howe - Google Assignments- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
3/28 - Middle School Library - Carrie Howe - Google Questions- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
April Dates
4/4 - CPPHS Library - Robin Robarge/Stacie Martinec - Noodle Tools: From Basics to Advanced- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
4/4 - Carder School Library - Laura Tolbert - TBA - 2:45-3:30 (All Teachers)
4/26 - CPPHS Library - Robin Robarge/Stacie Martinec - Research Databases - What is the Benefit?- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
Applying Google Apps: Access Issue
Easy Access to Your Google Apps Account on Your Desktop
Because of some features of the Google Chrome browser, it is possible to create a desktop shortcut to these accounts. Clicking that icon will enable users to access their account without having to log in every time! In addition, you can create multiple shortcuts for different accounts, so if you have a personal Google account and your @cppasd.com account, you can open separate Chrome windows and be logged into both at the same time.
Be sure to create these shortcuts only on your personal device - don't make them on a shared computer, one in a lab or one to which students have access.
The tutorial below walks through the process of creating this shortcut. If you have any problems or need assistance, contact Lori Pruyne.
Download Your Google Drive Onto Your Device For Easy Saving and File Access
The tutorial below details the process for downloading your Google Drive onto your device. Contact Lori Pruyne with any questions or problems with the process.
Resources Spotlight: Apps Access Issue
Synching Google Classroom with Typing Club
A feature within Typing Club allows a teacher to "synch" their classes with Google Classroom, automatically creating a class with the same class list within Typing Club. This makes creating classes within Typing Club even easier, enabling teachers to get students onto the program faster and more efficiently.
Below is a tutorial on how to synch your Google Classroom with Typing Club, along with some resources on how to create a class within Google Classroom, for those looking to get started with both programs.
Using Vizia and Google Apps to Create Interactive Video Lessons (With Other People's Videos!)
However, the problem with teaching with video - whether it's attached YouTube videos or a VHS tape in the TV wheeled to the front of the classroom - has been that video activities are essentially passive - students are watching, but they're not really doing, creating or engaging in any activity themselves.
Programs such a Vizia make learning and teaching with videos much more interactive.
Vizia allows users to take a video from YouTube, load it into the program, and add content such as multiple choice question, long response questions or links to other resources or websites. Vizia then generates a link that students can access individually. Vizia collects the student information (name and @cppasd.com google address) and downloads their responses into a Google Sheet that the teacher can access when the student is completed.
With this tool, videos become more interactive - students pause during the watching to answer questions or complete activities that help focus their attention and direct them to important points. Additionally, the video becomes a formative assessment tool that enables teachers to check their students' learning and understanding of the content in the video.
Vizia is another program that synchs with Google Apps for Education accounts. To access Vizia (https:/vizia.co) and choose the "log in with Google" option. If you are already logged into your Google Account, it will automatically log you in. If not, just enter your @cppasd.com login information.
You can add a video from YouTube or Wistia, then create interactive questions, polls and responses within it. Once completed, your video will generate a link that you can share with students via Google Classroom or any other medium (webpage, Symbaloo tile). When they access the link, they'll be asked to enter their name and email (the @cppasd.com login). This will identify their answers for you in the Google Sheet. Students will not need to log into Vizia to work with the interactive video you've created for them.
Brush off your Saturday morning "Shoolhouse Rock" memories with the "Conjunction Junction" Vizia below to get a sense of how Vizia works for students, then check out the screencast beneath that to see how you can use Vizia to create interactive, media-rich lessons for your students!
District Technology Updates
Updates to the District Technology Scope & Sequence in Progress
As part of the 2015-2020 Master Plan, the Technology Committee developed a K-12 Scope & Sequence of Technology Skills to be taught and learned at CPP.
These skills are divided into different categories (Basic Operations, Keyboarding, Information Gathering...) and broken into the levels.
Skills marked with an "I" at a specific grade level indicate that the skills are to be Introduced in that grade - teachers should not assume students have any knowledge of that skill.
If an "R" is marked for a specific skill, that skill has been taught before, but will need to be Reinforced - it is unlikely that students have had enought practice to fully master the skill.
Those skills marked with an "A" indicate that students should be able to Apply that skill readily, with minimial or no re-teaching required.
The committee is in the process of revising those skills, due to new programs and technologies that have been introduced into the district since they were written two years ago. Any input on the skills would be appreciated. You can contact Lori Pruyne, or any of the BITS members listed below with your thoughts and suggestions.
Technology Committee Membership
BITS Team - Instructional Technology Support
Last week in this newsletter, the Building Instructional Technology Support (BITS) team members were introduced, and their roles were discussed. Remember that these individuals are available within your buildings to help teachers utilize instructional technology. They can recommend programs and resources, suggest ways to implement technology and tech skills instruction into the curriculum, and provide teachers with help in introducing programs to students. Any hardware-related issues should still be referred to IT, with requests sent in by emailing helpdesk@gstboces.org.
BITS representatives in each building include:
Carder – Jamie Nichols, Laura Tolbert and June Keuhn
Gregg – Rachel Ketchum and Colin Sinko
Erwin Valley – Jen Haischer and Peggy Marsiglio
Severn – Jen Taylor and Karen Cleary
Smith – Mike Clarke, Jill Mertus and Matt Cornacchio
Winfield – Kathy Rapisarda and Shari Smith
CPP HS – Robin Robarge and Stacie Martinec
CPPMS - Carrie Howe
District - Lori Pruyne
BITS representatives are also going to be conducting after-school professional development classes on various instructional technology topics after school each month. These sessions will be held around the district, but all sessions are open to all teachers - you do not have to attend only sessions held in your individual buildings. Class times and locations will be listen on the Professional Development Opportunities page of the CPP Technology website.
Updates From Tech Services
Finding "Global" Email Addresses
In the newest version of Outlook, the “All Users” address book is selected by default…..
This list isn’t automatically updated to include all email recipients, and it doesn’t include any out-of-district addresses.
If you would like to make your default list be the “Global Address List” like in previous versions:
- Open the Address Book (top right of Outlook screen)
- Select Tools
- Choose Options
- Finally, choose “Global Address List” under “When opening the address book, show this list first."
Newletter Information
Email: lpruyne@cppmail.com
Website: cpptechnology.weebly.com
Location: CPPHS B215
Phone: 3503