CONNECTING EDUCATORS FEBRUARY 2024
JCISD Technology Consortium
CYBERSECURITY
What's Your Digital Footprint?
Search for yourself and family members online in an incognito window to see what personal information is available to an adversary. Be careful about information posted on your profile or by close friends and family and don't let others tag you without permission. Photos and posts may reveal sensitive information! Be cautious with trusted individuals to avoid revealing information to adversaries. Find more information at commonsense.org/digital-footprint-tips-for-families
GOOGLE UPDATES
A New View in Google Drive
A new streamlined homepage for Drive called Home makes it easier and faster for you to find files that matter most. Specifically, you’ll notice:
- Personalized file and folder suggestions
- with machine learning algorithms that can help you get started quickly. These suggestions utilize a variety of signals, such as what files or folders you’ve recently opened, shared or edited, or what documents are attached to upcoming Calendar events.
- Filter chips to narrow down your search and find relevant files faster across Drive, making it easy to find suggested files by type, people, modified date or the location.
Awareness: Google's Upcoming New Look
Google is planning to update its sign-in pages, which includes Gmail, with a more modern design. A new pop-up message suggests that users will soon see a refreshed look and feel when signing into their Gmail accounts.
Google Drive Scanner
Users have the ability to scan physical documents, such as a receipt or passport, using the Google Drive app devices.
- Open the Drive app on your Android device > scan a document via the camera icon or scan a document via the Scan button under the “+” icon > assess/adjust the automatic cropping > scan multiple pages in a session (if needed) > apply filters > save to Drive.
- Open the Drive app on your iOS device > scan a document via the camera icon or scan a document via the Scan button under the “+” icon > > scan multiple pages in a session (if needed) > click on scan to apply filters or crop as needed > save to Drive.
Unsubscribing from Pesky Emails
it is even easier to unsubscribe from unwanted emails in Gmail on web and mobile by:
- Adding the unsubscribe button to the hover actions in the threadlist on web. When the unsubscribe button is clicked, Gmail sends a http request or an email to the sender to remove your email address from their mailing list.
- Moving the unsubscribe button from the three dot menu to appear more prominently in your email on your Android and iOS devices.
It is common for people to receive unwanted messages, despite initially signing up to receive them from brands or organizations. These messages often originate from legitimate senders, and marking them as spam can negatively impact the sender's email reputation and can potentially affect the deliverability of future emails. For this reason, Google is changing the text of the buttons to make it clearer for users to choose between unsubscribing or reporting a message as spam.
TECH TOOLS & RESOURCES
AI Literacy Using Common Sense Education
Common Sense's New AI Literacy lessons—along with their Digital Citizenship Curriculum—are a great ways to get your students thinking critically about all of these issues. These quick lesson plans (20 minutes or less!) cover a basic intro to AI (what it is, how it works), but also go further to help students consider AI's social and ethical impacts, including how AI may impact our mental health and well-being.
- Visit their website for lesson plans and additional resources!
- Looking for other lessons on AI? Common Sense Education also has a curated list of lessons and tools for all ages. https://www.commonsense.org/education/lists/lessons-and-tools-for-teaching-about-artificial-intelligence
Adobe Express for Education: Teach creativity for a digital world — free for K–12
While Adobe Express for Education offers the same creative tools found in the commercial version of Adobe Express, it also includes features designed to support student learning and safety, including safe search functionality:
- Education-specific privacy controls: Can be deployed in a way that allows schools and districts to meet student privacy obligations.
- Easier login: Ability to set up single sign-on so students can easily log in with their existing school ID.
- Premium creative assets and student-friendly Adobe Stock images are included, along with safe search for image results that are age-appropriate for K–12 students.
- There are no paywalls, ads, or popups.
- Enhanced controls to keep students safe: Schools own the accounts and exercise admin rights over them.
- https://www.adobe.com/education/express/
- Check out lessons on their K12 Teacher Hub - https://edex.adobe.com/bts
Learn More About Book Creator!
Join Wayne RESA for the first ever Michigan Book Creator Pop-Up Workshop on February 20th at Wayne RESA. Led by Jon Smith and Randi Ahrndt, discover how Book Creator fosters creativity, collaboration with peers and families, accessibility, and motivation, making it an essential component of your literacy toolkit. You will also explore practical examples and best practices for using Book Creator in diverse educational contexts to promote engaged learners. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by Book Creator.
- Date: February 20, 2024
- Time: 9:30-3:00
- Where: Wayne RESA
- Cost: FREE
Additional information can be found on the attached flyer or the link below.
Save More by Using REMC Save!
Look for updated pricing on Technology & Furniture and School & Office Supplies though REMC SAVE. These recently approved contracts include the savings you have come to expect as well as expanded items based on your feedback. Save time and money with remcsave.org!
PD OPPORTUNITIES
MACUL Conference - March 13-15, 2024
Why You Should Attend:
MACUL 2024 will be give every attendee access to cutting edge tools, classroom resources and learning strategies for today’s technology driven schools.
As an attendee, you will be able to learn, get inspired and grow from the following:
- Sessions by EdTech Leaders that are passionate about students and share the same experiences as you
- Access to hundreds of tools, technologies and resources for innovating your classroom or district in our Expo Hall
- Connections through learning opportunities, networking and unique experiences
- Register at maculconference.org
- Who is going to MACUL? We are looking for Jackson County MACUL participants!
- TeamJXN wants to meet up on Thursday evening for the fun (and free) reception. More details to come, but please fill out this form and we will contact you in a few weeks about the event! MACUL Conference Meet-up
CS Professional Learning for Middle School & High School Teachers
AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, & Computer Science Discoveries
- Whether you are new to teaching computer science (CS) or have previous experience, the Code.org Professional Learning Program prepares you to teach with confidence and offers year-round support. No computer science experience is needed! The professional learning series will allow you to explore the curriculum and learning tools, practice new teaching strategies, discuss classroom management, and be a part of a community of teachers.
- The workshop is a nine day professional learning series where participants from all around the state spend five consecutive days in Summer 2024. The remaining four days will be during the school year in localized regions. These high-quality workshops offer year-round support for educators as they implement courses that are aligned to the Michigan Computer Science Standards. All facilitators are certified Code.org facilitators, educators, and CS experts. In addition, there are scholarships available for Michigan educators.
For more information - https://www.mi-coding.com/summer2024.html#HowtoApply
Check out the GenCyber Camp for Teachers being held in Grand Rapids July 15th-19th
No Prior knowledge of computers and cybersecurity is required. The GenCyber camp is designed to help teachers deliver cybersecurity content into their curricula more effectively. This is designed to introduce more students to cybersecurity fundamentals, concepts, and ethics, and the emerging world of virtual reality.
- The GenCyber teacher camp is open to high school teachers with diverse backgrounds in the U.S., with preference given to STEM teachers.
- Each teacher participant will receive a stipend of $1000 for attending and completing GenCyber activities.
- Each teacher participant will develop lesson plans and implement them in classroom teaching.
- Each teacher participant will be able to use the activities to count for Michigan State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) after completing the program and upon approval.
- GenCyber is offered at no cost to all participants and lunch will be provided for all participants.
The camp includes 30 hours of pre/post camp activities and 30 hours of camp activities including instructions for lesson plans.
The pre and post camp activities will be hosted virtually. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the activities live, but we plan to record the activities in case a participant must miss one.
Click the link for more information:
https://www.gvsu.edu/gencyber/2024-teacher-camp-information-5.htm
Girls Who Code Clubs & Summer Programs
Clubs are programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade students to join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. Clubs are completely free and offer fun activities through a flexible curriculum that adapts to your unique needs. Clubs can take place after school, on weekends, or during the summer, and they can be held in-person or entirely online.
Sign up to access Girls Who Code’s Club resources at girlswhocode.com/clubsapply. As the Club Facilitator, you’ll get access to everything you need below to successfully run your Club, no computer science experience required!
Girls Who Code offers free virtual programs for high school girls and non-binary students to learn the computer science skills they need to make an impact.
- 2-week Summer Immersion Program for current 9th-11th graders. Eligible students can apply for laptop or hotspot access and $300 grants for financial support.
- 6-week Self-Paced Program: Students can choose from four learning tracks and earn beginner-level certificates of completion in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript for web development or intermediate-level certificates of completion in Python for cybersecurity, data science, or artificial intelligence.
Fill out the interest form at girlswhocode.com/summerapply to be one of the first to know when the application goes live in mid-January.
REMC: VIRTUAL COURSES & Webinars - Beat the winter blues with knowledge and skills from REMC!
Beat the winter doldrums with a REMC course and enhance your instructional practices
Don’t let the long winter get you down, register for a REMC Course and learn new tech skills, connect with other educators and explore ways to increase student engagement. All REMC courses offer 10 FREE SCECHs and can be taken from the convenience of your home and when the time is right for you.
Registration deadline is Thursday, February 29th, each course begins on Monday, March 4th. Through the support of REMC SAVE’s vendor partners, all courses are FREE and there are no SCECH fees. Don’t miss out, register today!
Check out March 2024 courses here:
Register by Thursday, February 29th. You will receive a welcome email with the course information prior to the course start date. If you have questions or need further assistance with your course registration, please click here.
TeamJXN News
STEM Checkout Item of the Month: Egg Incubator & Brooder
Having an egg incubator in a classroom is an amazing experience for teachers and students! It offers a unique opportunity for students to witness the process of egg development, hatching, and early stages of life, fostering a deeper understanding of biology, and responsibility.
The experience promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and empathy, while also aligning with a variety of standards.
Please see the guide below for a more detailed overview of the process - Egg Incubator Guide
Note: Because of the 21-day period for hatching there may be an extended wait for the incubator. Please see the calendar for approximate checkout dates.Interested in using this with your students? Schedule a time to check this out on our website - https://sites.google.com/jcisd.org/edtech/makersteam-education/makersteam-checkout?authuser=0
☕️ Coffee and Canva ☕️
Are you curious about starting to work with Canva, or diving a bit deeper? Ask your principal to set up a Coffee and Canva session with TeamJXN. This one hour workshop will help introduce those who are interested in trying Canva, or it can help the Canva users dive a little deeper. This before or after school session will be held at right at your school!
TECH SUPPORT
CONNECT WITH US!
Email: edtechteamjxn@gmail.com
Website: edtech.jcisd.org
Location: 6700 Browns Lake Road, Jackson, MI, United States
Facebook: facebook.com/teamjxn1
Twitter: @edtechjxn
Instagram: @edtechteamjxn