Technology @ High Point, vol. 2
Tech for teaching and learning in our new space
Fill Your Toolbox!
Well-implemented technology gives classroom staff loads of tools for teaching students with a broad range of learning styles. The time investment in learning new technology will make teaching easier and assist students in advocating for their life-long learning. This newsletter PD is intended to help you learn new technologies at High Point a little bit at a time, slowly filling up your teaching toolbox throughout this chaotic school year.
This Week's Tech Feature:
BenQ Interactive Board Display Flexibility
Our new BenQ interactive boards in the High Point building will allow you to place the display of information wherever it is useful to your students. You can share what's on your BenQ board to your students' or staffs' iPads, Chromebooks or laptops. Also, conversely, what is showing on iPads, Chromebooks and laptops can be shared to the BenQ board so the entire class can see it. The BenQ Board can show the display from up to 16 devices simultaneously and you can use the touch interface to control those displays coming from laptops, but not iPads.
FYI: You will be getting more in-depth training to learn to use the BenQ boards... this is just an intro to this one feature of the boards that may be useful to you.
Event Information
Tech Demo
Stop by the Media Center this week to check out the technology, see how it's setup, allow students to try it, collect your questions to send to Jamie (jmayo@washtenawisd.org) and improve your confidence in using it in your classroom.
When?
Monday, Nov 15, 2021, 08:00 AM
Where?
High Point Media Center
Who is it for?
Flexibility in how you show information to your students can help you meet the needs of learners who consume information in many different ways. Some students do best seeing a display in a large format in front of them. For these students, provide the display on the BenQ board. Other students do best with a display very close to them. For these students, share the display to their devices in front of them. You can share one student's work on their device to the entire class by sharing it to the the BenQ board. You can get collaboration from every student by pushing out the display to their devices. This flexibility allows you to reach every student.
Setup Instructions
Helpful Vocabulary
- Mirror-- show my exact desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet screen (or an application window of the screen) and all my movements on the screen on another display in the same room
- Cast-- play video, music, or other content on another display in the same room
- Share-- show my exact desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet screen (or an application window of the screen) on displays in other locations
[BenQ FAQ] Public Display Product_How to use InstaShare to do mirroring?
Ben Q - Screen Sharing & Your BenQ Board
Maintenance
Apps for sharing these displays will be installed on computers and iPads throughout the building to make it easy for you to find. Be sure all devices are connected to the internet so they can routinely and automatically check for updates to keep them running smoothly. Occasionally rebooting devices also helps to ensure they are up-to-date and running well. Mobile devices should be charged daily so they are ready for use during class.
Ideas for Using This Tech in the Classroom
See AAC and a Video
Simultaneously, display a video from Discovery Education from your laptop and also an AAC board from your iPad to model discussion about the video. Students will be able to watch video and also see what icons you press on your iPad AAC app.
Daily Sign-in
Students can complete daily sign-in using a device that meets their needs. Maybe they will use an iPad with the notes program to draw their name with their finger or a stylus. Maybe they will type their name on the keyboard of their laptop using a big button keyboard or an on-screen keyboard with eye gaze. All of the devices can then cast to the BenQ and they can all be viewed by the class.
Tarheel Shared Reader
Cast to the BenQ while using the Tarheel Shared Reader website. You and students will be able to navigate through the book and press the communication icons on the screen to communicate about the book. The voice will come through the BenQ speakers for a crisp, loud sound.
Jamie Mayo
Assistive & Instructional Tech Coordinator
Email: jmayo@washtenawisd.org
Website: www.washtenawisd.org
Location: 1819 South Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Phone: 734-994-8100
Twitter: @JamieLynnMayo