Tech Talk Tuesday
March 23, 2021
If you'd like to share information to be added to the Tech Talk Tuesday, or if you have any questions, please contact Rachel Evans at revans@mcssk12.org or X61285.
March 25 - Schoology Webinar (register below)
April 1 - STEDTRAIN Grant Due (See below)
April 22-23 - Virtual learners take ACAP Summative on campus/ E-Learning Day
April 30 - Self-Paced Free Schoology Course Expires
June - 2021 North Alabama Teaching Conference (NATC)
(more info coming soon)
Self-paced Schoology Course for Educators
Expires April 30th!
Schoology will be our online learning platform next school year.
Success with Schoology: Spring Training
Start getting ready for a successful 2021-2022 school year with an overview of newly released functionality in Schoology Learning! Register for the webinar on March 25th HERE.
Schoology ALSDE Livebinder
Export Content from Canvas to Schoology
The Canvas contract with Madison County Schools ends on June 30, 2021. If you have content in your Canvas LMS that you'd like to use next school year, be sure to watch THIS VIDEO to learn how to export your content over to Schoology.
Chromebook and MiFi Device Return Dates
All Seniors
Return devices/chargers at the conclusion of your last final exam and no later than Monday, May 24th
(Graduations are May 25-26)
Must return devices/pay for lost or damaged devices before graduation
All Remote Students Grades PK-11/HS Students Grades 9-11
Return devices/chargers between May 24-27th
Traditional Students in Middle and Elementary School Grades PK-8
Return devices/chargers by Friday, May 21st
*IT Tickets need to be submitted for broken Chromebooks and missing components as they come in.
*Please keep a checklist of missing components as devices are turned in. This will need to be shared with IT. Original memo can be found HERE.
Using Google Drive Offline
If you aren't connected to the Internet, you can still view and edit files, including:
- Google Docs
- Google Sheets
- Google Slides
Save and open Google Docs, Sheets & Slides offline
Before you turn on offline access
- You must be connected to the internet.
- You must use the Google Chrome browser.
- Don't use private browsing.
- Install and turn on Google Docs Offline Chrome extension.
- Make sure you have enough available space on your device to save your files.
Open Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline
- Open Chrome. Make sure you're signed in to Chrome.
- Go to drive.google.com/drive/settings.
- Check the box next to "Create, open, and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline."
Save Google Docs, Sheets & Slides for offline use
- On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
- Right click the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides file you want to save offline.
- Turn on "Available offline."
To save multiple files offline, press Shift or Command (Mac)/Ctrl (Windows) while you click other files.
Preview offline files
- On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
- Make sure you turn on offline access first.
- At the top right, click Ready for offline .
- Click Offline preview.
If you use a Google Account through work or school and have installed Drive File Stream, learn how to save files offline on your computer.
Thank you to Nikki Rodman, Computer Operations Manager, for sharing this information!
Future City Contest
Central School's #FutureCity2021 team made it to the finals and the winner of the People’s Choice Award might come down to YOU! Vote for Team Zarathustra Complex today and join us for @DiscovereE.org’s Future City Awards Celebration on April 7 at 1pm ET to find out who wins. The deadline is April 2 – vote today! Vote.FutureCity.org
STEDTRAIN STEM GRANT DUE NEXT FRIDAY
Middle School Computer Science Training
Middle schools are required by the ALSDE to offer Computer Science course opportunities. Below are the training opportunities to ensure Computer Science teachers are appropriately trained.
A+CR is happy to announce our training plans for the upcoming summer! Please read all of the information below so that you may make the most appropriate training selection for your situation! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Contact Gina McCarley gina@aplusala.org.
We will be offering training in our existing MSCS Year 1 - Computer Science Discoveries-Alabama course as well as an additional course for MSCS Year 2 Computer Science & Society.
Course Descriptions:
MSCS Year 1 Computer Science Discoveries - Alabama
This course is an introduction to computer science for 6-8th grade students, designed with a focus on building computational thinking skills. The course covers a wide range of computer science topics such as problem solving, design, programming, web development, data, and physical computing. The Alabama DLCS 6-8th grade standards are embedded in the course curriculum.
MSCS Year 2 Computer Science and Society
This course is designed to enhance middle school students’ knowledge of computer science and how it affects society. It is designed to be a follow up course for students who have completed the Computer Science Discoveries - Alabama course. The course units include: Computing Innovations, App Development with a Purpose, Scratch, and Ethics and Cybersecurity.
Program School Teachers ONLY: CS Training
If your school is listed on the list of schools (Links to an external site.) you may find out more about your registration options here. (Links to an external site.)
PARTNER or NON-AFFILIATED Teachers: Virtual CS Training
Virtual Training, funded by ALSDE
Available at no cost to Alabama public school teachers
June 22 - 25 Registration: ALSDE Sponsored Computer Science Training (Session 1) (Links to an external site.)
July 6 - 9 Registration: ALSDE Sponsored Computer Science Training (Session 2) (Links to an external site.)
Note: If you are a current Program School teacher (Cohort 12,13,14 or MISTIP) and you choose to register for this virtual training, you will NOT be eligible to sign a Letter of Agreement and will NOT be eligible for the subsequent instructional funds and stipends.
Note: Teachers who complete the MSCS Year 1 - Computer Science Discoveries - Alabama entire course, including pre-work, will be eligible to apply for a course-specific permit add-on to their existing professional certification.
- For CS Course specific permit questions contact CS4Alabama@ALSDE.edu
Thank you to Jen Taylor, Middle School Resource Specialist, for sharing this information!
High School Computer Science Training
Virtual CS Training
June 22 - 25 Registration: ALSDE Sponsored Computer Science Training (Session 1) (Links to an external site.)
July 6 - 9 Registration: ALSDE Sponsored Computer Science Training (Session 2) (Links to an external site.)
Thank you to Liz Smith, High School Resource Specialist, for sharing this information!
Official Madison County Schools Podcast!
Mrs. Jen Taylor, Middle School Resource Specialist for Madison County Schools, has become a podcast extraordinaire! She has created a podcast for our school system called Edventure Series. The episodes feature MCSS educators sharing about their schools and their journeys toward high levels of learning for all students. Listen as they describe the path they chose for improvement and growth, the obstacles they faced along the way, and the solutions they found to meet the needs of their students.
Get your collaborative team(s) together and enjoy listening and learning from other educators in our district by clicking on one of the following links.
Some helpful links are below:
- The Schools PLP Video Resource Catalog can be found HERE
- SchoolsPLP support email address: support@schoolsplp.com
SchoolsPLP Knowledge Base: https://schoolsplp.helpscoutdocs.com
Eduzzle
Pear Deck
Screencastify
Google Enterprise
iPads
MiFis
Chromebooks
Swivl Cameras
Teacher Laptops
Archived Tech Talk Tuesdays
Click HERE to view previous Tech Talk Tuesday newsletters.
Contact Me
Email: revans@mcssk12.org
Website: www.mcssk12.org
Location: 1275 Jordan Road, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: (256) 852-2557
Twitter: @RachelEvansEdD