Tech Talk
Volume 3: Issue #2
Technology Publications
For Staff:
- Tech Talk is a newsletter that contains news, updates, and other helpful information. You can generally expect a Tech Talk once a month or every other month depending on the time of year.
- TechFlix is a new publication that I'm trying in response to the need for technology integration but the lack of time (and subs). Techflix will be sent out monthly and each issue will contain a mini series on a particular technology resource. Think of it as On-Demand PD. You can watch them at your convenience. To start, I will be focusing on resources that all teachers can use regardless of content area or grade level. Each mini series will be housed on the Technology Integration Station for future viewing. Enjoy!
For Parents:
- Technology Times is a newsletter that contains news, updates, and other helpful information specific to parents. I often share this newsletter with staff as well so you are aware of what is being sent home. In many cases it mirrors what is shared with staff. This newsletter goes out 4-5 times per year depending on need.
Preparing for Emergency Days
First, everyone is going to need to be aware of the schedule. The emergency closing schedule for all buildings can be found on quick links on each schools' homepage. It is also found under the Parents channel at the top of our website under Emergency Closings.
Second, you need to be prepared to meet or check-in with your students virtually. Anyone with Google Classroom set up already has a class code for their classes. It would be a good idea to practice this with your students in advance so there is minimal confusion on a closing day. Anyone planning to use Zoom may want to create those meetings in advance and share the meeting information with students and parents. This can be done via SeeSaw or Google Classroom or it can be taped in take-home folders of our young students.
Lastly, you will need to consider what work would be appropriate for those days. Emergency days can happen suddenly and you may not have time to prepare. It would be a good idea to keep some virtual materials handy.
One last note: If you are not accustomed to bringing home your Chromebook on a daily basis, it would be a good idea to start doing so in the event of a closure. This is especially important if you do not have a device to work from at home.
Zoom Information
We recently purchased a limited number of Zoom licenses in order to maintain our Ed Law 2D privacy agreement with the company and to maintain our webinar functionality for large events.
We do NOT have enough premium licenses to assign to teachers or other staff members; however, you may continue to use your basic license. Through December you will not notice a difference but shortly after, Zoom will disable some premium features on the basic accounts. Most notably, you will be limited to 40 minutes. You will also lose a couple features such as breakout rooms and the ability to use a co host.
For many of you who really enjoy using Zoom, this may still work really well for you and I encourage you to continue using it. Please just accept the account invitation so you are protected under our lew-port.com domain.
For those of you looking for more premium features, we will soon have full access to Google Workplace Plus. This platform will allow for more premium features. More information to come.
Handy Content Filter Checker
Sometimes websites, even legit sites, are flagged because they have something in their registration that draws a red flag. There are even times when a site that was once allowed gets blocked because the developer made a change that our content filter didn't like. If that is the case, please request it to be unblocked and 99% of the time you will get approved.
What I want to share with you today is a cool way to avoid surprises with content filtering. If you click on Staff channel at the top of our site and select Content Filter Check on under links, it will bring you to the iBoss Self Service URL Lookup. Enter the URL that you would like to test in the URL box and select the filtering level on the right. Next click Lookup and it will tell you if the site will be blocked or not blocked.
2-Step Verification
I have had this set up for over a month now as have our administrators. It is SUPER easy to do and once it is done you will never even notice it. The only time you will need to use your phone in addition to your normal login is if you use a device that you've never used before (you get a new phone, you get a new computer, etc.).
What you can expect: If you are ever prompted for a 2-Step Verification , you will get a notification on your phone. It is not even a text so there will be no charge to you. Just hit accept and you're in. There are other options such as a phone call, text, or use of Google Authenticator.
I promise that it is NOT intrusive and it will protect your account. The idea is not to make login hard for you, it is to make it much harder for any intruders.
Take a look at the instructions below. They will walk you through the setup process.
Upgrading Teacher Desktops
Please be on the lookout for an email from our tech team. They will notify you when you are on deck to get your machine swapped out. In preparation for this, you should save any locally saved data to your H-drive or Google Drive. Most users are pretty good about this so it should not be a heavy lift.
Below is a video showing how to quickly and easily save items to your Google Drive.
Nicholas Hill
Lewiston-Porter Central Schools
For immediate technology needs please call (716) 821-7171
On campus technicians: Ken Bass (Monday & Tuesday); Mike Bistoff (Thursday-Friday)
Email: nhill@lew-port.com
Website: www.lew-port.com/technology_services
Phone: (716) 286-7295
Facebook: Facebook.com/LewistonPorterCentralSchools/
Twitter: @lewportcsd