Technology Talk
MPCS Secondary Campus Newsletter, Vol. 1, Issue 2
Canvas Selected as Learning Management System (LMS)
In December, the school board approved the purchase of Canvas by Instructure as MPCS' first Learning Management System. This will come to replace our current teacher websites and provide many more ways for teachers to deliver instruction digitally.
What's an LMS?
An LMS is used to manage and deliver instructional material, along with assessments, communications and other functions in a blended or hybrid way over the Internet with features for online collaboration. Having an LMS will help grow our students to have 21st century skills they can use in a future workforce.
Curious About Canvas
Using an LMS is going to be new for everyone and we will have to work together to help each other learn and use it effectively. If you are curious about what Canvas can do, take a look at their YouTube Channel and find out some more information. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKAGO__0NI1AgZBnMqp1qgBWHdSENL8cj
More news will be provided as we take the next steps into implementing Canvas across the two campuses.
Google Drive is Changing
Google Drive is being updated and many users have already been "forced" into the new design. One of the many changes, is "Shared with Me", which is being replaced by "Incoming". This function will still work the same as documents created by others and shared with you will be still be stored here. If you also like putting documents "shared with you" in your "My Drive" for easier organization this has changed, as well. This can now be found next to the specific document when you hover over it, as well as other tools and actions.
Because of these changes, the Google Ninja Training site is also being updating with new resources. The new drive training tab will be up and running by the end of this week (Feb. 6). You will still be able to access the old documents through the end of the school year.
Cool Tool Alert
The Air Scanner app is a cool new tool that allows you to turn your iphone or ipod touch into a document camera like an Elmo! Easily present hard copy materials from books, magazines, or physical objects during your lessons. Your phone will wirelessly connect with your computer allowing you to show a live image through your phone and be projected onto the screen. Your computer also has to be on the wireless network for this to work. But it's so easy!
So hurry and go download it from the Apple App Store for $.99. Sadly, it is not yet available on android devices.
For more information, visit http://www.qrayon.com/home/airscanner. Thanks Anthony Vargas (6th grade History) for this awesome cool tool!
Air Scanner for IOS as Document Scanner
Google FYI
Some Google focused articles and how to's for your viewing pleasure:
- Create your own themes in Google Forms (new feature!) http://www.thegooru.com/customize-themes-in-google-forms/
- Improving Google Classroom Around the World http://googleforeducation.blogspot.com/2014/10/improving-google-classroom-for-students.html
Teacher Tips: Using the research tool within Docs to quickly add citations
Save the Dates!
Register and sign up for these technology PD sessions here: https://sites.google.com/site/technicationresources/pd-training-calendar