I.T.S. a Tech Update
November 2019
ABLE (Active and Blended Learning for Educators) Conference
We will be using the SCHED website to showcase the available sessions. Once registered then head on over to our website for more information and to learn how to select your sessions and register on EPISD University for each session. Click here for the SCHED information.
Kevin Honeycutt - ABLE Keynote Speaker
Kevin is a technology integrationist and a staff developer from Central Kansas. In his life, he’s gone from being an at-risk kid doing stints in foster care to traveling the globe talking to audiences of educators, business people and kids. As he witnessed education around the country, he collected powerful experiences that still influence his work today. Kevin has received the Making IT Happen Award and is also an Apple Distinguished Educator who continues to train students and teachers in the use of Apple’s powerful learning tools. Click here to learn more about Kevin's great work.
Apple ID's
A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away...) you were probably told that it was OK to use your EPISD email to create your Apple ID. You were shown how to do this so that you didn't have to enter a credit card by first downloading a free app from the App Store. Those were the good old days of Larry Nelson, Joe Meza, and Brian Grenier. They did, however, recommend that if you were purchasing a personal Apple device, such as an iPhone, iPod, or iPad, to go ahead and create an Apple ID with a personal email.
The district has partnered with Apple to not only purchase MacBooks for all students in 6th through 12th grade but is also making it easier for all teachers and students to log in to their iCloud account and access some great features such as:
Upgraded iCloud Storage, Access to iCloud services, Access to Schoolwork app, Institutional password reset, iWork collaboration, Online Books, and Managed iTunes U courses
So as you can see, the benefits do outweigh the issue of having to change your Apple ID.
So here's the plan...
If you are currently using your EPISD Apple ID to manage iPads in your classroom, or for your own personal devices, then you need to change the email associated with it if it's using your episd.org domain. The reason for this is that after so days of the notice, so sometime around December, you will lose access to the Apple Store, FaceTime, and Messages. That means that you will no longer be able to update or install apps on your classroom devices, or your personal ones.
This is very easy to do, but you do need to have another email ready to change it with. It is recommended that you create an email at either gmail.com, hotmail.com, yahoo.com, to name a few of the popular email sites. When creating your new email to use as an Apple ID you might want to name it in a special way so that you know it's just for work. Mark Ungos, one of our HelpDesk Technicians recommended the following format username.episd@gmail.com. I believe this is a good idea. Once you have your email created, then you just log in to your Apple ID account at https://appleid.apple.com and change the email associated with your Apple ID.
You can visit our EPISD Instructional Technology website and view instructions on how to change your Apple ID email. Click on the Apple 411 channel and then click on Apple ID from the dropdown menu. On that page, you will find instructions on how to create or change your Apple ID email.
Remember if you have any questions you can always contact your Instructional Technology Specialist.
EPISD Robotics Competition
“ONE GIANT LEAP – 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing”
Saturday, Dec. 7th
8:30 am - 1 pm
@YWA/Armendariz MS gym
WHO IS INVITED:
All EPISD Middle Schools 6-8th grade robotic programs. This is open to all students on each campus. Each campus will only be allowed to enter up to 4 teams. Each team can only have a maximum of 4 team members.
WHAT IS NEEDED:
LEGO NXT or LEGO MINDSTORM EV3 robotic kits
STUDENT KNOWLEDGE:
Students will need to know basic programming for the LEGO robotics kit. Ex.- How to make it move different directions, use different sensors, and pick up items. Students will need to have an imagination, be able to work efficiently, and especially be able to work together.
PRIZES:
1st – 3rd place awards will be given along with an award for “Best Costumes” and an award for “Best Teamwork”.
FOOD and DRINK will not be provided to each student that is competing.
Head on over to EPISD University and search keywords, Hour of Code.
More Upcoming Events
- Silver Cohort Active Learning 3rd Coaching Session - November 4-8. Have your evidence ready and contact your ALF mentor if you have any questions.
- Robotics - LEGO EV3 Training - Nov. 12 at PDC Rm. 115-116. - This course will provide a fundamental introduction of LEGO EV3 Core sets and how you can use them in your after-school program. Contact John Roach (jdroach@episd.org for more information. Register at EPISD University by clicking here
- ABLE Conference (Active and Blended Learning for Educators) - Nov. 16 at Brown MS. Register at EPISD University by clicking here. You can find more information on the EPISD Instructional Technology website.
- EPISD S.T.E.M. Night/Hour of Code - Dec. 09 at PDC Auditorium. Register at EPISD University searching keywords, Hour of Code. Bring your Apple devices.
Guided Math Learning Center Apps
Student Digital Film Festival will not happen this school year. FALSE!!! We are currently planning and working on the 2020 Student Digital Film Festival. Check your email for upcoming news!
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.