Techtastic Teaching
Volume 02 Issue 01 Back-to-School 2016
Welcome Back!
Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! I look forward to seeing everyone and working with all of you throughout the year!
In this back to school edition of Techtastic Teaching, you will find information about setting up online resources for your class, new programs and initiatives for the upcoming school year, as well as things to look forward to in the 2016-2017 school year.
What is Techtastic Teaching?
Did you know....
Online Instructional Materials
Student and Teacher Online Instructional Materials
All students and teachers have been added to the various instructional materials used in the district with a few exceptions. Those without accounts have been notified.
You should have received an email from Cameron Bain with login information for the online instructional materials that are used in your classroom. If you have not, please email bain@rfisd.net for this information.
New Programs and Initiatives
Digital Badges Program
I am happy to announce that starting this year, there will be a Digital Badges program for all teachers, staff, and administrators!
To recognize the ways that our teachers and staff utilize technology every day, the digital badges program is our way of saying "thank you" for everything that you do to ensure our students are 21st Century learners. Feel free to look through this website to see the available badges and when you find one you feel you deserve, click on "Request the Badge." You will be given a digital badges "placemat" and a sticker to display on your "placemat." The digital badges website is located on the Instructional Technology website, which is located in the “Quicklinks” section of the district and each campus website or by visiting the direct link below.
Notability iPad App
The district has purchased each staff member and student with an iPad a license for the app Notability. Notability is an incredibly powerful notetaking app that allows users to take handwritten notes, typed notes, voice recorded notes, annotate over PDFs—the possibilities are endless! Notes can also be exported as a PDF or a “.notability” file and uploaded to Google Drive, Google Classroom, eBackpack, email, AirDrop, and many more places. For more information, you can visit the Notability website at http://www.gingerlabs.com/ or you can always send me an email.
Because we have purchased this app for everyone, this will be the exclusive notetaking app supported by the district. Should you or your students choose to use a different notetaking app, (OneNote, Evernote, Notes, etc.) it will not be supported nor will there be training or troubleshooting provided. Notability is configured to be installed on all iPads; if it is missing from your iPad, please let me know.
Professional Development Opportunities
September Notability Trainings
There will be two Notability trainings in September. We will be discussing the basics of Notability, how you can use it to organize your notes, and how your students can use it. You must bring your iPad to this training. The location is TBD but will be listed on the course registration page when it is available.
To register, login to Eduphoria and select the Workshop module. Then click on "Up and Coming Courses."
September SMART Notebook Trainings
To register, login to Eduphoria and select the Workshop module. Then click on "Up and Coming Courses."
Just for fun...
Cameron Bain
Email: bain@rfisd.net
Website: tinyurl.com/rfisdinstructionaltechnology
Phone: 210.357.2385
Twitter: @cameronbain13