CFSD EdTech Update
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION #CFSDTECHCOACH
May ISSUE
From The Desk of the Tech Director
Sixteen years ago I entered the “real world” as a graduate from UWEC with a Masters of Science in Communication Disorders. I had idealistic notions of what the real world would hold for me and I landed my first job as an SLP at the Chippewa Falls Middle School. I met so many students with a wide variety of needs, but I was captivated by students with Learning Disabilities and comorbid language disorders. They struggled to read, comprehend, write, explain, analyze, demonstrate or summarize in classes. Do these skills sound necessary to navigate school? Duh!
So, if these students were behind their peers in these fundamental skills, how would they keep up with the mountains of information coming at them and continue to grow? How could I help? How could I teach them things to foster independence? Enter: assistive technology.
Tools and supports to read text aloud and support writing were paramount to student success. The important distinction here was that the students were using the technology to support one of their own difficulties. The technology tool was taught specifically to the student who required the support and was used for specific tasks. The purpose or outcome of using the tool was improved writing or reading, not for the purpose of learning to use a screen reader.
This advantage of assistive technology demonstrates what is essential about technology integration versus technology use. Prior to COVD-19, we struggled with technology integration with these parameters in mind. We were often using tools for the sake of using the tools. Phrases like “Lets create a Prezi” versus “Lets visually show what we learned” were common.
COVID-19 and subsequent virtualization of the school classroom required that the technology be used, but needed to work invisibly in order to gain access to the information, content and personal connection. This has given teachers the necessary experience to see how technology can and should be integrated into the learning environment.
As I thoughtfully reflect about how the years have gone since I started as a young and inexperienced “newb” who thought she could change the world in a snap, I find myself thankful for the journey. I got to work one-on-one with students who were thankful for the tools I taught them. I got to work with teachers who struggled to provide supports before the technology was readily available. I got to have deep conversations with teachers and support staff who at first didn’t embrace technology as a vital tool for success, and later changed their minds. And, most importantly, I got to learn how to work with people and technology in combination to promote real change.
In 2005 when I started here, I worked hard to get Alphasmarts to kids with poor handwriting, struggled with getting them connected to printers so that their work was able to be turned in. I worked on learning how to connect PDA’s to the district’s wireless network so that students could access online tools. (Links included for all of you too young to remember this technology! :D). I begged for laptops, even old crappy ones, to assign to students who needed technology more often than ‘computer lab time’ once per week. I worked with the Technology Department, the Board and the high school staff to roll out our first 1:1 initiative to crumble barriers to classroom technology use. I collaborated with leaders from other departments and buildings to continue to grow our student device fleet so that all students had access to personal technology in the classroom and worked with many others to move a whole district to virtual learning in a matter of weeks when it had never been done before.
I used to ask students to name careers that didn’t require technology. I would prove them wrong every time when they guessed things like garbage truck driver or mailman; cashier or waitress; construction worker or plumber. Until one day a smart middle school student said, “Amish farmer.” I had to give him credit, but unless we are turning out graduating classes full of Amish farmers, technology skills and tools will continue to be extremely important for the futures of our kids.
I am so grateful for these opportunities to serve this district and will take those lessons with me on new adventures. My greatest hope is that the success and momentum of technology integration in Chippewa Falls will continue to grow and be ignited in the teachers and learners. So, please, if you remember anything about my time here, let it be that.
My heartfelt thank you to all of you that supported, refuted, encouraged, discussed, helped, and challenged me on this journey in Chippewa Falls. I wish you all the best.
References:
https://blog.kamiapp.com/technology-use-vs-technology-integration-in-the-classroom/
Meet the Tech Department
When he's not busting his tail for us at work, Chris enjoys hiking, exploring, taking back routes to destinations, cruising Route 66, and attending various festivals in the Midwest. As he nears retirement, he hopes to get back into riding and traveling domestically and abroad. Chris has a 17-year-old daughter, Josephine who currently attends the high school, and a 14-year-old son, Ian in 8th grade. There's a 7-year-old black cat named Jack-Jack that rules the household.
Chris wants us to know that he recently began existing. Yes, he did not have a birth certificate until he was 47 years old. Up until 2013, he couldn't legally prove he existed because his parents never submitted the appropriate paperwork to the state. He had to petition the State of New York for an original birth certificate in order to confirm his existence. We live in a crazy world to say the least. We're very happy Chris exists and he is definitely one of a kind. Thank you for all you do for the staff and students Chris, we're the blessed ones.
Around the District
Drone Pilot Students Work with the Chippewa Falls Fire and Police Departments
Students Run the Chi-Hi Senior Awards Livestream
Mr. Sikkink's Studio Gets Put to Good Use
Mr. Gagnon and Mr. Sikkink Offer Amazing Opportunities for High School Students
Mr. Gagnon, Chi-Hi Science Department Chair offered the first-ever Drone Pilot course this year. The Remote Pilot Training for Drones course is available to students 16 and older and can earn their Commercial Drone Pilot License, sUAV certificate. This course is designed to introduce students to small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV's) and their users. The goal is to get students flying drones in a safe manner following all FAA rules and regulations. Students will be prepared to take the FAA-107 exam upon course completion. If they pass the exam, they will have earned their commercial drone pilot's license. As of right now, there are no transcripted credits available, but, the future is looking bright with CVTC.
Why would students be interested in this course? Well, the opportunities that are available include video content creation for Social Media, Influencers, Youtubers, Real Estate Agents, or assist Police and Fire departments with live search and rescue missions or high-speed chases.
Currently, there is one course this year, but, the interest of the students has lead to the creation of 2 more course offerings for the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Gagnon has also reached out to C&M Properties to help aid in Real Estate videos and most recently the Chippewa Falls Police and Fire Departments as the students assisted them with a mock search and rescue and apprehension of a burglar.
Make sure you check out the video montage of that day below.
As I said earlier, the High School keeps innovating and this next course is the epitome of innovation. When COVID-19 hit, many safety measures were put in place. From masking and social distancing to parents, grandparents, friends, family, and members of the community could not attend activities. Mr. Thompson, Chi-Hi's Activities Director turned to Scott Sikkink, the Chi-Hi Media Productions Instructor to begin putting together instructional content for Live Streaming into his CFHS Media Productions course. Since then, Scott has accruing funds to purchase cameras, lights, microphones, gimbals, tripods, and much much more. On top of that, he's been doing his due diligence to not only learn how to use all these things but, he's also been piecing together curriculum content and where it fits in his established Media Productions class. Fortunately, he was blessed with a couple of amazing student helpers that have really taken the reigns with learning the live stream software, putting the equipment together, and testing it out. Recently, Mr. Sikkink's student helpers, Brady Butak and Nick Rees ran the entire Senior Awards Live Stream that went flawless.
The course is available to 11th and 12th graders who should've taken Principles of Marketing, Publications, and Graphics prior to enrolling. The course is responsible for the visual branding and marketing materials related to Chi-Hi Activities, including senior posters, and other projects. The class also runs the CFHS Media Youtube account delivering live streaming experiences of various Chi-Hi events to viewers in Wisconsin and beyond. Mr. Sikkink has also reached out to local businesses to gather support and provide advertisements during their live streams. I'm happy to say, my company CrossFit Chippewa Falls is a proud sponsor of this amazing opportunity for students.
Unfortunately, at this time there are no certifications or transcripted credits available. But, the real-world experiences are nothing less than incredible. Students set up live streams in real-time, produce features that will be included as a part of the live stream, announce games, review viewership analytics, etc. Mr. Sikkink is currently working on creating possible internships and is working with Laura Bushendorf to see if there is a possibility for a Youth Apprenticeship program.
Finally, as much as seniors Brad Butak and Nick Rees have done to support Mr. Sikkink in adding the live stream content to his course, Mike Neary from After Ten Agency and Greg Steward/Caleb Svendsen of WOGO has been instrumental in providing their expertise.
Tech Tool Highlight: Genially
There is a premium paid account that starts at $7.50/month, but, from what I've seen, the free account is perfect because you can create unlimited content. With access to hundreds of presentation templates, there are unlimited possibilities of activities you can do with your students. See the list below:
- Interactive Presentations with the Vibrant Flipped Classroom Template
- Newsletter: Newspaper Presentation Template
- Digital Escape Rooms: Escape Game Education Template
- Infographics: Horizontal Info Mondrain
- Virtual Field Trips: Travel by Plane Presentation
- Gamification: What's Behind Template
- Training Center: Summary Subject Template
- Videos: Genially Video Presentation template
- Portfolios & Resumes: Genial CV
- Quizzes: Genial Quiz
- Choose your own adventure story: Basic Quiz
- Flyers, Graphics, Handouts, etc.: Figures and Data
- One-Page Learning Site: Visual Thinking Checklist
- Interactive Pictures: Instant Camera
- Celebrations: Cinema Screen
Mobile Mind Update
Some big things are happening with Mobilemind. Over the next 5-6 months, Mobilemind will launch their Training Scheduler which will allow us to schedule and manage our Technology PD more efficiently. Mobilemind is also working on creating an Open Source Community that will allow for Pathways to be shared between different school districts under the Mobilemind Umbrella. Make sure to check out our top 10 users!
Top 10 Mobilemind Users (Courses Completed)
- Monica Shear (163 Courses)
- Marcie Lindbom (106 Courses)
- Afton Sarauer (103 Courses)
- Megan Kelly (86 Courses)
- Laura Cernohous (84 Courses)
- Stephanie Albright (73 Courses)
- Margo Gramling (73 Courses)
- Stephanie Myers (70 Courses)
- Brittney Janish (69 Courses)
- Zoe Weiland (67 Courses)
Chromebook Tips & Tricks
Did you know Chrome OS is full of handy keyboard shortcuts for things like reloading a page or going to your home page in the browser? In fact, there are so many that it's almost impossible to keep track of them all. Finding out just what you can do so you know which ones to remember is easy. Press Ctrl + Alt + ?, and you'll see an overlay of the keyboard with all the key functions and shortcuts. Soon you'll be a pro and Shitf + Alt _ L -ing and Alt + Shift + B-ing all over the place.
Updates
1. To help keep track of the many links and homework assignments, Chromebooks now have a clipboard that saves the last five items copied, so educators can easily paste any or all to a new page without needing to switch between tabs.
2. When taking a screen capture on the Chromebook, it will immediately show up in Tote, a new space that keeps important files right at your fingertips.
Basic Chromebook Troubleshooting Steps:
- Turn the device off and back on again (Trust me!)
- Clear Browsing History
- Run the Chrome Safety Check that checks extensions, browsing, passwords, and updates the Browser (See the Trouble Shooting Chromebook Tips for Students at Home Document linked below)
- Check your extensions to make sure nothing is blocking what you are trying to do.
If these troubleshooting techniques do not work for whatever reason, you can send them to the building's library for further troubleshooting and the possibility of swapping the device as it will need to be fixed by the talented IT Student Interns.
Google Workspace Updates
1. Google announced their new Smart Canvas which will allow for teachers in the next few months to present Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly to an active Google Meet. Resulting in fewer clicks, the ability to view your audience and content at the same time.
2. It's final, May 15, 2021, Google no longer supports Classic Google Sites. Please contact me (Luke Short) or Cara Schueller on how to transition your old site to New Sites.
3. May 3rd, Google now allows users to view richer information on the edit history of a Google Doc. Simply highlight and right-click on a range of text and select "Show Editors" from the dropdown menu. Here, you can view a list of editors and their latest edits along with time stamps.
4. Google Tour Creator will no longer be available on June 30, 2021. Please see the Help Center for guidance on how to export your published tours. What does this mean? After June 30, 2021, you will no longer be able to access your created tours or create any new tours. However, Google is migrating many of its tours to Google Arts & Culture website. These tours will be available there as well as the iOS and Android Apps.
5. Google created and just released a Google Meet Guide for parents and guardians.
6. To help keep track of the many links and homework assignments, Chromebooks now have a clipboard that saves the last five items copied, so educators can easily paste any or all to a new page without needing to switch between tabs.
7. When taking a screen capture on the Chromebook, it will immediately show up in Tote, a new space that keeps important files right at your fingertips.
G-Suite for Education Cheat Sheets (Feel free to print these off)
Google Meet Updates
1. Google announced their new Smart Canvas which will allow for teachers in the next few months to present Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly to an active Google Meet. Resulting in fewer clicks, the ability to view your audience and content at the same time.
2. Google Meet on iOS Device allows educators access to key moderation controls, like who can join their meetings, use the chat, or share their screen. Breakout Rooms can now be set up ahead of time in Google Calendar.
3. Google created and just released a Google Meet guide for parents and guardians.
Google Classroom Update (K-8)
Coming soon, sorry, no confirmed release dates just yet:
- Classroom Add-ons (Kahoot, Adobe Spark, IXL, Nearpod, and many more) will be available in Google Classroom when teachers create an assignment.
- Rich Text Editor will allow user to bold, italicize, underline, and use bullets when creating an assignment.
- CS First will now integrate with Google Classroom.
EDU in 90: The Latest, April 2021
Canvas Corner (High School Only)
To HS Teachers regarding Canvas End of Year:
Teachers!
Wondering what to expect as the end of the school year approaches? Have no fear! We have you covered! Students will have access to this year's courses until June 4th, 2021 at 11:59 pm, unless you changed it in the settings. After that, their courses will be removed from their dashboards and they will not have access. Teachers will have access to make edits, score assignments, and make changes to grades in courses. After that, you will have read-only access. (Don't worry though, you will still have access to import that content into next year's courses so you won't need to start from scratch!). If you are leaving the district, please make sure you NO NOT DELETE YOUR COURSES!!! All your course content should be saved to your department's Shared Google Drive so it can be accessed by the incoming teacher. If it's not, get it done ASAP!
Cara and I are offering Canvas collaboration and work time on Tuesday, August 10th from 8:30-11:30 and 12:30-3:30. As everyone is familiar with Canvas now, we are hoping to have some rich conversation, share ideas, answer questions, and allow you some work time. Please register here: 2021 Summer Tech Professional Development. In the meantime, if you have are the type of person who is a self-learner and is looking to get some more training, feel free to check out their Training Services Portal. This was designed at the beginning of the Pandemic and is a great online tool for Canvas. If you are planning on working on your Canvas Courses over the Summer to get a jump start on next year, here are a few ideas on where to start!
Training Services Portal: To access the Training Portal, simply click the link or once you are in the Canvas Platform, click “Help” located in the lower left-hand corner, then click “Training Services Portal”, then “Authorize”.
Share to Commons If you'd like to share your course content to Commons privately, with others in the district, or with the public, you will need to do so before your course is concluded. (Don't worry, you can still import the content without sharing it to Commons if you choose. See below.)
Create a "Sandbox" Course Since you won't have your course shells for next year's classes until closer to the fall, you can create a new course to begin preparing. Teach multiple preps/courses? You can create as many Sandbox Courses as your heart desires (just make sure to name them appropriately to avoid confusion).
Import From Commons Import content from courses you have shared to Commons or resources shared by other educators into your new Sandbox Courses.
Copy Course Content From Past courses You can import all of your course content from the previous year or select specific content from past courses. Here (in your Sandbox), you can make any additions or edits to prepare for next year. Make sure to select the box to include completed courses to get a full list. We will meet in room 209 at Korger Chestnut. Click the link to our Registration Form and we hope to see you there.
If you need any assistance with Canvas, please contact shortlc@chipfalls.org, buhrowmj@chipfalls.org, or schuelcc@chipfalls.org.
P.S. Luke Short's Youtube Playlist will constantly be updated with new videos weekly, but make sure you check out the videos on how to integrate Edpuzzle and the Google Assignments LTI tool. With the district upgrading to the Google Enterprise for Education, account teachers should be taking advantage of the unlimited Originality Reports when they assign research reports via the new Google Assignments LTI tool.
DyKnow
Remind
Chippewa Falls Middle School and High School have access to Remind! If you're not already familiar with Remind, it's a classroom text messaging tool that helps you engage students and parents every day. This is an optional way for teachers to communicate with students and families. It is so easy to use that we know you will love it! The full version of Remind and all of the features are available to you.
Teachers are using Remind to send out reminders to their students for quizzes, events, assignments, deadlines, announcements, etc. Remind also integrates with Google Classroom and Canvas. Plus, it's quite simple to invite parents. But, these parents have all been invited, they just have to add the app to their mobile device.
Class rosters have been uploaded, you should've received an email back in September from Remind. Find it and click "Log in". If you deleted that message, just go to www.remind.com. Click "Log in". Then "Log in with Google". Like I said above, class rosters are already entered, have your students add the Remind App and have them sign in with their CFSD Credentials and they will receive the reminders you share. This of course is the real simple condensed version of getting started with Remind. Please see the link to further instructions for getting started.
Class Dojo Update (Elementary)
Click the Class Dojo Resources link to access ClassDojo's Youtube Channel, Live PD/Training, or get into contact with their support team.
Sarah Radcliffe
Email: radclisa@chipfalls.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/chipfalls.org/techcoach/smart-resources
Location: 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: (715)726-2417
Twitter: @thinkbigmuch
Cara Schueller
Email: schuelcc@chipfalls.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/chipfalls.org/techcoach/smart-resources
Location: 1130 Miles St, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: (715)726-2417
Twitter: @caramcs
Luke Short
Email: shortlc@chipfalls.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/chipfalls.org/techcoach/smart-resources
Location: 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: (715)726-2417
Twitter: @cr05fitechcoach