THS Tech Update
September - 2017
Supercharge your Classroom
Each Tech Update will include resources tied to the CIA process (curriculum, instruction or assessment). Value added tech integration is the focus - using technology to supercharge your classroom!
Curriculum Resource - Discovery Education
If you are new to TISD, you may not realize that we have access to all of the videos, music and lesson plans available through Discovery Education (formerly United Streaming). Email me for the school pass code.
Instruction Resource - Technology Bell Ringers
Matt Miller, author of the phenomenal book, "Ditch that Textbook", has some great ideas for digital bell-ringers. Check it out.
While you are there, you might want to check out some of his other ideas for taking your classroom beyond the traditional textbook.
Curriculum & Instruction Resource - TED Ed
Most of you are probably familiar with the awesome videos known as TED talks. Some of these videos have been tied to teacher created lessons that you can modify and use. The lessons generally include knowledge check quizzes as well as questions that require deeper thinking. Customize them, share them with your students and they can respond on your personal TED Ed lesson page. Check them out at TED Ed.
There is a related channel, TEDxYouth, that includes high school students speaking on various topics. Interesting ideas presented in an engaging format.
WiFi and Cell Phones
If you or your students are experiencing issues with connection, first MAKE SURE NO ONE HAS TURNED ON A CELL PHONE HOT SPOT. If the WiFi connection is going in and out - that is usually the culprit. If you check your WiFi signal and don't see any non-TISD connections (i.e. someone's hot spot), send me an email or otherwise let me know what time the outage occurred. Please do this even if it later comes back on. This information helps us track down any issues.
Blocked Videos on You Tube
You may have noticed that some videos show up as "video not approved for tatumisd.org". As a teacher, YOU have the ability to approve videos for your students to watch. As long as you are logged in to your TISD account, you will see a ribbon under any blocked videos that allows you to approve it. Use your best professional judgement as once you unblock a video, it is unblocked for ALL TISD students - including those at the primary and elementary school.