CPP Technology Today
A Communication of the CPP Technology Committee - Vol 2.13
In This Issue
- Instructional Technology Professional Development
- Applying ing Google Apps: "Adding On" to Google Docs Opens Doors to More Functions
- Technology in Our Schools - Bored with Boards, EV Turns to TVs for Interactivity - By Jen Haischer and Peggy Marsiglio
- Library Media Update - Poetry, Technology and Maker Models Converge at CPPHS for National Poetry Month By Stacie Martinec
- Technology Committee - Members
- BITS Team Members
- Newsletter Suggestions and Ideas
Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017, 10:00 AM
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Instructional Technology Professional Development
Unless otherwise indicated, classes run from 3:30-4:30. Teachers are welcome to attend trainings in any building. There is no pre-registration process - "drop in" when you're able! Be sure to sign in for in-service credit.
Contact the team members offering each class with any specific questions.
April Dates
4/26 - CPPHS Library - Robin Robarge/Stacie Martinec - Research Databases - What is the Benefit?- 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
4/25 - CPPMS Library - Carrie Howe - Chrome Extension and Useful Google Apps (Screencastify highlight) (All Teachers)
May Dates
5/6 - Carder Library - Laura Tolbert/Jamie Nicols - Technology Training - 2:45-3:30 (All Teachers)
5/10 - Gregg School Library - Rachel Ketchum - Google Open LAB! Bring QUESTIONS! - 3:30-4:30 (All Teachers)
Applying Google Apps
"Adding On" to Google Docs Opens Doors to More Functions
Add-ons to various Google Apps are side programs that run inside the app, but are created by developers outside of Google to enhance the programs.
Generally, add-ons are created to meet a need users have that isn't met by the program. For example, Google Docs doesn't have a built-in highligter tool. So, an add-on was created that, when installed, allows users to highlight text within Google Docs.
Installing an add-on is simple. See the brief tutorial below for an overview, ask your building BITS person, or email Lori Pruyne for more suggestions on using Add-Ons!
Explore Some Google Docs Add-Ons
Easy Accents
Word Cloud Generator
Highlight Tool
Technology in Our Schools
Bored with Boards, EV Turns to TVs for Interactivity
By Jen Haischer and Peggy Marsiglio
The construction is coming to a close at Erwin Valley. With this, our school has shifted a bit and our kindergarten classes are now in their new rooms. These new rooms are the first classrooms to have the new TouchIt TVs that will be present in other classrooms next year. While the ones they have are temporary until the permanent ones come in, these teachers have shared that there are some features that have been an improvement.
One of the features that they like to use, which helps gain their student’s attention, is the different styles of pens available. They also noted that the pens write a lot better and there is no need for calibrating the screen. Where you write with the pen, or your finger, is where it’ll show on the screen.
The students and teachers have liked that the students can now do their lunch count and other activities on it by themselves. This is due to the the touch is instantaneous, there are no delays, and the objects are easily moved around with just using your fingers. More than one student is able to go up at a time to use it as well, as the screens have multiple points of touch.
Some further enhancements with new displays are that the monitors aren’t as fuzzy and there isn’t a glare on them. The volume is better, as well.
Once they have a chance to explore the new technology more, and have more training, teachers believe they will likethe new devices more than the Smart boards that we all currently have.
Library Media Update
Poetry, Technology and Maker Models Converge at CPPHS for National Poetry Month
By Stacie Martinec
April is National Poetry Month, and in celebration, the CPPHS library held a Poetry Day on Friday, April 7th. English classes brought students in to participate in stations to create poems in a variety of styles, using a variety of tactile and techie tools.
Students could make Paint Chip Poems, Blackout Poems, Ransom Note Poems, Magnetic Poetry, Haikus with Haikubes, Acrostic Poems, Book Spine Poetry, Poet Puppets and more. This year we incorporated some technology using sites the Read Write Think’s Haiku Poem Interactive , Magnetic Poetry Online , The Ransomizer , and Storybird.
This is our second year doing a Poetry Day activity in the high school library; it has been a wonderful opportunity for students to have a fun creative day right before spring break. These activities are then available to students throughout the rest of the month so they can create poems during their free time.
Any of these sites could be utilized within a variety of content areas, celebrating poetry, creative and critical thinking and communication. See your library media specialist for ideas!
Summarize Through Haiku
Say It With Magnets
Write a Book: Pictures Included
Technology Committee Membership
BITS Team - Instructional Technology Support
Last week in this newsletter, the Building Instructional Technology Support (BITS) team members were introduced, and their roles were discussed. Remember that these individuals are available within your buildings to help teachers utilize instructional technology. They can recommend programs and resources, suggest ways to implement technology and tech skills instruction into the curriculum, and provide teachers with help in introducing programs to students. Any hardware-related issues should still be referred to IT, with requests sent in by emailing helpdesk@gstboces.org.
BITS representatives in each building include:
Carder – Jamie Nichols, Laura Tolbert and June Keuhn
Gregg – Rachel Ketchum and Colin Sinko
Erwin Valley – Jen Haischer and Peggy Marsiglio
Severn – Jen Taylor and Karen Cleary
Smith – Mike Clarke, Jill Mertus and Matt Cornacchio
Winfield – Kathy Rapisarda and Shari Smith
CPP HS – Robin Robarge and Stacie Martinec
CPPMS - Carrie Howe
District - Lori Pruyne
BITS representatives are also going to be conducting after-school professional development classes on various instructional technology topics after school each month. These sessions will be held around the district, but all sessions are open to all teachers - you do not have to attend only sessions held in your individual buildings. Class times and locations will be listen on the Professional Development Opportunities page of the CPP Technology website.
Newletter Information
Email: lpruyne@cppmail.com
Website: cpptechnology.weebly.com
Location: CPPHS B215
Phone: 3503