EdTech@NSCDS
All the Tech & Innovation News You Can Use • Issue #21
Here's the 21st issue of EdTech@NSCDS, an occasional newsletter for the faculty at North Shore Country Day! Back issues can be found here.
Welcome back to school to all of our colleagues, especially new faculty members! We're excited to have you on board and to support you with all of your technology needs.
NEWS & REMINDERS
News
- If you need a specific app installed on your iPad or on your students' iPads, please send an email with your request to tech@nscds.org. Please also include Lucy and your division's academic tech integrator on this email.
- Tura is encouraging teachers to upload photos throughout the year to our Vidigami site. Contact Tura directly for any account questions and if the app is not installed on your iPad, send an email to tech@nscds.org.
Apple Teacher Information
- Apple Teacher is a self-directed, professional learning program that focuses on the use of iPads and Mac computers. Apple tools such as Garageband, Pages, Keynote, etc. are featured. Teachers at North Shore should complete the 8 modules for either the Mac or iPad track.
- We are moving towards having all teachers use managed Apple IDs. Managed Apple IDs will NOT work with the Apple Teacher program. This is because IT administrators can delete managed IDs from a school's setup and Apple wants teachers to keep their AT credentials if they change schools etc. Please use a personal Apple ID to complete the Apple Teacher program if you have not completed these modules yet. Also, do not use a shared Apple ID; this applies mainly to lower school faculty.
- Congratulations to our current Apple Teachers: Alejandra M., Ann G., Anne Marie D., Austin G., Beatrice M., Brian P., Caitlin M, Caroline M., Claire D.., Dana S., David K., Donna F., Drea G., Ellen R., Irene M, Julia M., Kathy M., Laura C., Leanne M. , Lee B., Sharon L., Stephanie W., and Susan S. If Lucy missed anyone, let her know!
- Send Lucy a copy of your Apple Teacher certificate and/or report when you've completed either the iPad track or Mac track. All North Shore teachers are required to finish one track by the end of August 2019. The other track will need to be completed by June 2019.
Reminders
- Check out the Tech@NSCDS website! This is your home base for all things technology-related. Find curated resources, app recommendations, help desk information, and more.
- The NSCDS dashboard provides important links for staff and faculty. Bookmark it (Command + D) for easy access!
- Adobe accounts! Did you know that you and your students can get a free Adobe account through the tech office that will allow you to use cloud and IOS apps such as Photoshop and Illustrator? Stop by their office or send an email to tech@nscds.org for further info.
- Do you need support with using our laser cutter? Fill out this form and the IT/ET departments will work with you.
- Breakout Edu is a platform for educational escape type games that are perfect for this time of year! We have two Breakout Edu kits plus access to hundreds of games. Some games are digital and do not require the kits. Browse or search for games here. If you need help getting started with Breakout Edu, including teacher access to the platform, send Lucy an email at lgray@nscds.org.
THE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENTS
There are two departments that work closely together around technology at North Shore Country Day. The Educational Technology Department is focused on instructional uses of technology. Our crackerjack Information Technology Department is responsible for our technical needs. See the graphics below for detailed information about each department.
The IT Department
Mike Peccia, Manager of Information Systems;
Chris Jurack, Help Desk Manager;
Froy Reyes, Help Desk Manager
Chris Jurack, Help Desk Manager;
Froy Reyes, Help Desk Manager
The ET Department
Lucy Gray, Director of Educational Technology;
Kenyatta Forbes, MS & US Academic Tech Integrator;
Jeff Shaw, LS Tech Academic Integrator
Kenyatta Forbes, MS & US Academic Tech Integrator;
Jeff Shaw, LS Tech Academic Integrator
BACK TO SCHOOL INSPIRATION
Compilation of Back-To-School Resources from Edutopia
Browse this list of curated Edutopia articles that will help you kick off the school. Find ideas for setting up your classroom, the first few days of school, classroom management, building community, and engaging families.
The First Days of School
Here's an eBook for teachers created in Book Creator by Kelly Hinton. The ideas for building community and getting to know your students can be adapted for a variety of grade levels. Take a peek!
PRODUCTIVITY POWER TOOL
Our new middle school/upper school academic technology tech integrator, Kenyatta Forbes, highly recommends Google Keep for taking notes, making lists and much more. Access it on your computer, on your phone, and on your iPad; all data is synced between devices. Below is a tutorial and a video that shows how teachers are using Google Keep in math classes.
Google Keep Tutorial 2018 - Quick Start Training
EDU in 90: Innovate with Google Keep for Math
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Reaching the Quiet Kids in Class
One of the conundrums often heard from North Shore teachers is how to engage students who are quiet in class. Learn about the experiences of another independent school teacher here and consider trying out the 3 tools that she recommends in this EdSurge piece.
This Cool Interactive Map Shows You the Most-Assigned College Texts, from Marx to ‘Frankenstein’
Dig into this fascinating Fast Company article. The Open Syllabus Project uses data from six million syllabi to figure out the most frequently assigned texts in college. For more detailed information about this project, also check out this article and this visualization.
Little Man, Little Man: James Baldwin’s Only Children’s Book, Celebrating the Art of Seeing and Black Children’s Self-Esteem
Here's a very thoughtful and detailed article from Brain Pickings on James Baldwin's only children's book which was inspired by his nephew.