Instructional Technology Reminders
Welcome Back!!
Reminders
As we all start to get back into the swing of things, I wanted to remind you of a few details! Please read the info below carefully and let me know if you have questions!
Professional Development Hours
Just a friendly reminder that all 3rd-8th grade teachers, and HS Core Area teachers will be getting chromebook carts in their classroom next year. Our techs are working hard to get those in your rooms and ready for you day ONE!
Things to remember:
- Everyone getting a chromebook cart will need to have taken the cart management session (30-40 minutes). If you haven't done the course yet, you will have an opportunity when we return. Those times will be announced in each building.
- 35 hours of PD are required for those receiving chromebook carts this year OR if you received a cart last year. There are many ways to obtain these hours (see #3)!
- Ways to earn PD Hours:
- Attend, watch, teach, be a part of any type of tech training (tech institute, on google hangouts, through courses, teaching each other, etc) will count.
- Being a mentor or mentee to/with someone. Link to sign up for mentor/mentee
- Participating in an online session or course within Canvas during the school year (these aren't quite ready yet).
- Any tech-related sessions before, during or after school (tech collaborations, faculty meetings, PD sessions).
- To get credit for any tech PD, you must fill out this short form
- K-2 teachers will be receiving 5 google tablets or chromebook flips (touchscreen chromebooks) so they will have a tablet management session to complete, once it is up and ready, which shows how to deploy apps, etc. We will keep you updated on when that will be ready.
Canvas
Canvas is the learning management platform (LMS) adopted by our district.
Here are a few reminders about Canvas:
- All 7-12th graders will be using Canvas as their learning platform this coming school year. Each principal will communicate the expectation with Canvas to their staff.
- Grades 4-6 librarians are using Canvas for all students this year and grades 4-6 teachers are welcome to pilot Canvas in their classroom if they so choose (no requirement).
- ALL TEACHERS have a Canvas login and are welcome to get familiar with the platform as well. ALL teachers have also been enrolled in a Professional Development Course inside of Canvas. This is where differentiated PD opportunities will be posted throughout the school year. Items like the Bloodborne pathogen video and Faculty signoff are also currently listed inside the PD course in Canvas. Some principals are using Canvas as their method of communication with their staff. Feel free to login and check it out!
- To login to Canvas, simply click on the Canvas logo on the district home page and use your Google user name and password to login (if you are already logged into Google on your device, it will automatically log you in).
Edutyping
Edutyping is our new typing software. We have made a change and grades K-2 will be receiving a tech curriculum (of sorts) with resource options instead of using the program. Grades 3-12 will use the software as planned. Let us know if you have questions over the program.