Taylor ISD DuckLink #30
empowering student success and school improvement
October 10, 2014
Spotlight on Innovation
In this edition of the DuckLink, we recognize Mr. Travis Motal who is the principal of Main Street Intermediate. Mr. Motal has implemented many innovative techniques to engage students, staff, and parents. Just two of those ways include posting regular video clips on Youtube and sharing information via the new district mobile app.
Mr. Motal has shared items such as classroom expectations, procedures on using student planners, a weekly word challenge, and pep talks to the students using video clips. He also sends out push notifications that appear on parents' mobile phones once they download our mobile app.
Thank you Mr. Motal for setting a great example of innovation by taking advantage of these tools and increasing your impact on the classroom as well as connecting with parents at home.
See some of Mr. Motal's creations here. Mr. Motal's Youtube Channel
Gmail Tips and Tricks
- Apply Settings to Multiple Emails- Hold the Shift key to select a range of emails. Click the first email and the last email in the range. Then click the More button to apply various settings.
- Change Default Text- Go to Settings and then click Settings. (Gear icon in the top right corner.) Under the General tab go to the Default text style section. Make changes and click Save Changes at the bottom.
- Add an Email Signature- Go to Settings and then click Settings. (Gear icon in the top right corner.) Under the General tab go to the Signature section. Make changes and click Save Changes at the bottom.
- Remove the Sidebar on Emails- Hold down the Command key on a Mac when you click an email message. This will open a separate tab for your email with less clutter.
Facebook and Twitter Followers!!!
Have you been visiting our new Facebook page or following our Twitter feed?
In just a short while we now have 269 followers on Twitter and 386 likes on Facebook.
Campus Calendars
This handout will help. (Sign in Required)
Creating Google Forms
Google Docs: Research Tool
Items You May Have Missed
Google Apps Resources
- Taylor ISD Google Support Site (located at top of district site)
- Office Editing for Chrome Extension
- Google Drive: Organizing Shared Files
Help Desk Contact
Phone: 512-365-5015 or x1900
Be sure to visit the Taylor ISD Technology site for more information.
Contact Information
Director of Instructional Technology
Taylor ISD
Email: jphale@taylorisd.org
Website: http://it.taylorisd.schoolfusion.us
Location: 3101 North Main Street, Taylor, TX
Phone: 512-365-5015
Twitter: @edtechminute