SDPC TechSavvy Bits & Bytes
September 2022
Welcome Back!
This monthly newsletter is designed to share information and ideas for SDPC instructional leaders, techie teachers, and the amazing support staffers that keep us all going! Our Coaches’ Corner contains information about how we can help to provide support as you seek to engage students in your classroom. In the center of this newsletter, you’ll find information about the SC Instruction Hub and Discovery Education hosted in SAFARI Montage. As you keep scrolling, you’ll discover our Tech Savvy Tips, which provide information and instructions for making tech work. Second grade teachers won’t want to miss out on Mrs. Britton’s Tech Time Lesson this month!
We hope that you'll find this monthly newsletter to be a helpful resource for all of your instructional technology needs! Our team is here to serve you and your students, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Coaches' Corner
R.I.S.E Technology Challenge
How can we help you?
SAFARI/ Instruction Hub
Discovery Ed - August/September Resources
Timely Resources
Whether you are looking to celebrate Constitution Day, or learn more about the voyage with the Pilgrims as they leave their homes and journey to what they consider a new world during September, we have the right resources for you and your educators.
Back to School Resources
- Self-Paced Interactive Courses: Learn more about DE through these courses and receive a certificate of completion at the end for credit.
- Community Favorites: Hear how other educators in the Discovery Educator Network are using DE in their classroom.
- Educator Supports: Find resources to support integration of DE into the classroom, no matter what level of understanding you have.
- Help Center: Find articles and support for every aspect of the product.
Monthly Calendar Activities:The May Activity Calendars are LIVE. These ready-to-use activities will help teachers plan their lessons while providing engaging experiences for students. View the May Activity Calendars (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) or see all past calendars in the Activity Center.
Discovery Ed is now in Schoology
Teachers can now pull content from Discovery Ed into Schoology for students. Here is a quick video on how to do this. Please contact Kimber or Katie if you would like some training on using Discovery Ed.
Technology Updates
Schoology
- Annotate Feature
- Respondus Lockdown Browser inside of Schoology
- Some students have had updates to their username. Those students will possibly need to connect their new login Google account in Schoology. Here is how this can be done.
LanSchool
Teachers in grades 6-12, there has been an update to LanSchool! You will now access LanSchool Air through Launchpad. Your classes should be automatically rostered. This new update includes easier navigation and the ability to transfer classes easily. Read this TeachSavvy Tip to learn more about using Lanschool Air. Reach out to Kimber or Katie if you need any additional support! Teachers in K-5, you will continue to use LanSchool Classic on your desktop.
Grades 6-12 teachers without classes scheduled in PowerSchool should continue using LanSchool classic.
Student Username and Password Updates
Many stuents had usernames updated at the beginning of the school year. They will need to go into their Classlink settings to update this new username. They will also need to reconnect their Google Drive in Schoology.
High School & Middle School Audio Enhancment in the Classroom
Each classroom is equipped with an Audio Enhancement System that allows teachers to connect to the speaker in the classroom, alert administration of emergencies, and access the intercom system in the room.
Webex Updates
The Webex Meetings app that you were used to was auto removed off your laptop by the update. Your laptop should now have the Webex app only. How to use Desktop app
TechSavvy Tips for August
We share TechSavvy Teacher Tips to communicate important updates, new features, and/or information about troubleshooting regularly used tech tools. You can find links to our most recent TST below along with the link to the TechSavvy Tips Index where we house all the tips, troubleshooting, and training presentations. To receive TST as they are shared, join our Schoology TechSavvy group by using the Group Access code of TX5TP-CWQSM. You do not need to be tech savvy to join!
- TST Classlink Launchpad - Password Locker
- Checking for Computer Updates
- TST: Personal Streaming Accounts in the Classroom | Copyright and Alternatives
- We are starting to see students whose Google Drive has been disconnected in Schoology. Please use this TST to connect it back.
- Disappearing apps on Classlink?
- TechSavvy Tips Index
- TST: Audio Enhancement
- TST: Digital Resources 2022-23
- TST: Lanschool Air
- TST: Respondus
- TST Updating Chrome OS on Chromebooks
- TST: Using Incident IQ to Change Your Password
Tech Time Lesson of the Month
Let's Focus!
This year I will focus on utilizing technology to support the implementation of the 2021 Science Standards. Read below to find out more about the Tech Time Lesson of the month.
Upcoming Trainings
September 7th Offerings:
- SAFARI Montage Just what is it and what can it do for you? (8:00am-9:00am and 10:00am -11:00am)
- Getting Started with Discovery Ed and the Instruction Hub (9:00 am -10:00 am and 12:30am -1:30 am)
- Fostering Creativity with Discovery Ed (10:00 am - 11:00 am and 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm)
- ClearTouch Panels: Beginner Session (Elementary ONLY- 8:30 am- 10:00 am)
- ClearTouch Panels: STEM and Project-Based Learning: The Clear Touch Solution (Elementary ONLY- 12:00 pm-2:00 pm)
October 4th (3:30 pm- 4:30 pm): R.I.S.E Challenge: Creativity
December- Tech the Halls
Meet Our Team
Katie Britton
This is my 9th year in education. My background is in Special Education- Multicategorical and Elementary Education. I most recently taught in a 2nd Grade classroom and taught virtual school. I am excited to be a member of the Pickens family and have loved meeting so many wonderful educators. I am passionate about combining strong instructional practices with collaborative technology tools. Please feel free to reach out if you need assistance with tech, want to introduce a new tool to students, or want support planning technology integration into your lessons.
Email: katiebritton@pickens.k12.sc.us
Phone: 864-397-1121
Twitter: @KatieBrittonITC
Kimber Nelson
I have been in education for 26 years. For the past 4 years, I have been in this current role. I love working with our SDPC staff and students in helping them with any and all instructional technology needs. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need assistance in any way. I look forward to hearing from you.
Email: kimbernelson@pickens.k12.sc.us
Phone: 864-397-1108
Twitter: @knelsonteach
Jessica Preisig
This is my 19th year in public education and 6th year here in SDPC. After ten amazing years teaching 6th graders Math and Science, I served as an Instructional Technology Coach for K-12 teachers in ASD1. In that role, I discovered a passion for working with adults to make magic happen in the classroom. My journey led me to RC Edwards Middle to serve as Assistant Principal among the most amazing faculty and staff. Though I miss my #RCEfamily, hugs, high fives, and Spirit Week, I'm very excited to be a part of the magic-making team here at AITS.
Email: jessicapreisig@pickens.k12.sc.us
Phone: 864-397-1104
Twitter: @PreisigJessica