SMS Tech-News
Week of October 30th, 2023
Tech Updates
Reminders
- OneDrive: OneDrive is functioning again and will be in use for Windows 11 reimage.
- Cybersecurity Awareness: Reminders and directions have been sent as a guidance.
- Websites Blocked: Sites not working due to network changes, submit a ticket with details including a screen shot or PDF print out of the error code/page.
- eCLASS Changes: Older view for eCLASS is going away at end of the semester.
- District Assessments Review: Remember to review your DA content and student responses to reach mastery. Click here for instructions from the TAARC.
- Synergy Assessment: Download any remaining assessments in Synergy before it goes away in December.
- Students will lose the ability to login using their Google account to the specific applications in the Google API changes for Students document. Web app applications through Google email address to ensure the safety and security of staff and student data will lose access during phase one, effective October 23.
- Google Shared Drive Cleanup: see email sent Friday 10/13
Phishing emails have started.
Call to action:
- Click the Phishing button.
- Complete training.
- Reach out to ITI Coach.
GCPS Initiatives
DA Content Review window
District Interim assessment access will be locked soon. If you wish to review the questions and answers for each of your sections you can access instructions by clicking here. You will need to be logged in to your MS365 account.
This is a great way to identify the areas your students need to reach mastery for the DA final.
Google Bard Ai
Are you aware of the new Google Bard AI platform and that it is now accessible to teachers through GCPS accounts?
Google Bard is a powerful AI tool that can be used to enhance teaching and learning in a variety of ways. For example, teachers can use Bard to:
- Create personalized learning experiences for students
- Provide students with immediate feedback and support
- Generate creative content, such as lesson plans, quizzes, and assignments
- Automate tasks, such as grading and providing feedback
- Help students learn new concepts and skills
- To get started with Google Bard, teachers can sign in to their GCPS accounts and go to bard.google.com.
Here are some specific examples of how teachers can use Google Bard in the classroom:
- A science teacher could use Bard to generate a personalized lesson plan on the solar system for each student, based on their individual interests and learning needs.
- A math teacher could use Bard to provide students with immediate feedback on their practice problems.
- A language arts teacher could use Bard to help students brainstorm ideas for essays and stories.
- A social studies teacher could use Bard to generate a quiz on the American Revolution that is tailored to the difficulty level of each student.
- A special education teacher could use Bard to create customized learning materials for students with different abilities.
Students do not have access to Google Bard.
🎃 Below are additional resources related to technology. 🎃
Tech Pro Tips
Adobe Express Text Effects using Ai
Want a fun texture or outline on your font in Adobe Express!
Apply unique style and texture to create extraordinary text effects from only a description using Adobe Express.
Use Text effects in the Quick actions menu on the Adobe Express homepage for fast and fun results, or use the feature within the editor as part of another design in Adobe Express.
- Access through your portal under tools/Adobe or click this link while logged in!
- Click here to learn how in 6 easy steps and video instructions!
- Check out the example! SMS Tech News with stars!
Synergy Snippet
Assessing missing assignments? Need to create a focus group for your Ketchup Day? Turn on Missing assignments to get a count!
- Go to OPTIONS in your grade book
- Select the Grading tab
- Turn on Missing Counts
- View the number of missing assignments for each student.
Note: Student information in the image is fictitious.
More Tech Tips!
Bite-sized Learning
TIM: Constructive Learning
The TIM is a Technology Integration Matrix. There are 5 Characteristics of technology based on the learning environment. The third is Constructive Learning!
In Constructive learning, students use technology tools to connect new information to their prior knowledge rather than to passively receive information.
Constructive Learning | Level of Student Engagement
Constructive Learning | Adoption Level
Subject: Social Studies
Students. Students begin to utilize technology tools to build on prior knowledge and construct meaning.
Teacher. The teacher provides some opportunities for students to use technology in conventional ways to build knowledge and experience. The students construct meaning about the relationships between prior knowledge and new learning, but the teacher makes the choices regarding technology use.
Setting. Basic technology tools that allow for building knowledge are available on a limited basis to students for conventional uses.
Click to see the lesson plan for Social Studies Concept Mapping
Microsoft Teacher Academy
Bing Chat AI approved for faculty & staff use!
Bing Chat is available at bing.com/chat and is built into the Microsoft Edge sidebar where you can ask complex questions, find comprehensive answers, get summarized information, find inspiration to build upon whilst remaining in the same tab. Bing Chat integrates with Bing’s search engine and provides a paragraph summary in response to your queries. You can continue asking follow-up questions to refine the result!
- Bing Chat sites sources from its search
- It can create images
- Conduct visual searches
- Compose writing & summarize documents
GCPS Tech Tips
T.J. Krooss, Ed.S.
Snellville Middle School, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Email: tj.krooss@gcpsk12.org
Website: SnellvilleMiddle.org & http://tjkrooss.com
Location: Snellville Middle School, Pate Road, Snellville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-736-4461
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of events, check the Staff Calendar in Outlook. Click here if you have not yet joined the staff calendar. If you do not see the calendar please email tj.krooss@gcpsk12.org!
Encore Chamber Theatre (8th Grade/LA)
November 14, 2023 - Sponsor is Ms. Bowen
Tuesday, Nov 14, 2023, 08:30 AM
This week's Grade-Level Newsletter Links
Student Device Support
- Times: M-F: 9:30-10 am and at 3:00-3:30. Please DO NOT send students outside of this time.
- Location: Student Device Distribution Room 1.33. This is the same room where students picked up their devices.
- Hall Passes: Students must have a HALL PASS from the teacher, students will return with a signed pass.
- Locked Devices: These devices show a padlock on the screen. You can email 825 Team T any time with the student and device numbers. We must verify that the device has not been reported missing. (Device numbers start with a C or end with a T)
- Note: If the screen does not say notify local tech support then look at the notice above where it says "Click Here" to update your password.
- New Students: New students can be sent on their second day as they will not be in circulation for 12 to 24 hours.
Support Links
Quick Links
- SY2324 Tech-List: Click Here and bookmark it!
- Event Request Form
- Join SMS Teams Training Page
- Grade Book Resources
- Bell Schedule
- Staffing Assignments
- Who can help with Tech Support?
Looking Back: A second glance from Last week
SMS Tech News from October 30th!
Reminders
- Google Shared Drive Cleanup: see email sent Friday 10/13
- New SE process for SPED Teachers
- Parents still not signed up for ParentSquare? Another reminder was sent Tuesday October 17th. Remind your families!
- Emailed Progress Report - 500 Error Message. Remember you must select parents under the Email title.
- Phishing emails have started. If you see something suspicious all you need to do is click the Phishing button.