Rum River Technology & Learning
Winter, 2016
The Latest News! New Video Distribution System is Coming!!
Safari Montage is coming to all Anoka-Hennepin schools! This is a system that brings together IPTV, live streaming and a digital component. The current video distribution system Head End Unit equipment is up to 28 years old. The need for a new system is apparent since there are no repair parts and our signal from Comcast is failing as well.
Anoka-Hennepin has been looking at new systems for the past few years. They found that Safari Montage is the simplest and easiest system that fit the needs of our staff and students.
Safari Montage features IPTV live streaming, a web-dashboard on your desktop, and the ability to broadcast channels right to your boards. Live broadcasts and remote viewing access will be simple with a switch and an iPad or video camera. Safari Montage will become the vendor for all live-stream solutions!
Four schools in the district have completed the pilot for Safari Montage, and now the system is being rigorously tested at the ESC. This new system's funding is possible through levy $$$.
In the near future our Rum River clunky TV’s will be gone; monitors in the halls will be replaced with Smart TV's, and any additional old equipment will be removed along with the Head End unit.
Thank you to the Video Redesign Committee with additional support from Network Services, Communication Services, and Technology Facilitators, for their work on this massive project. The roll-out to all schools may be before the end of the school year.
What's New in Google Maps!
Google Spheres is an exciting feature of Google Maps. You can get a 3_D view (more than street view), and even publish it and showcase it in a presentation. To explore this, go under Street View and get started.
Google Maps can be made dynamic and movable for comparison. By outlining areas, you can make fix the area and drag the image around to show size differences.
And another feature to explore is Google Treks. This section of Google Maps has several treks that are interesting and interactive. Thinking about climbing Mount Everest? Do it virtually as one of the several treks Google has loaded.
Build with Chrome!
Google has paired with Lego to help you create Lego projects! Kids of all ages can create and build mighty structures through this Google format. Become a virtual Lego Master Builder by selecting bricks, characters, and spiffy colors all through the comfort of your computer! Take a look at their site:
Google Classroom Icon Added!
If anyone is interested in finding out more about Google Classroom, please come see me or Melyssa to get you started!
Technology Tidbits, Tips & Tricks!
- To brighten up your Promethean board, click the menu button on the remote, go to Adjust Image, then Brightness. You can increase the brightness of your board for better viewing. (( do this every day!)
- Just a reminder about our Destiny eBook login. When you open anyone of our eBooks, you will be prompted to sign in to Mackin VIA. Our login is: rumriveranoka and our password is anokaremote.
- Anyone interested in AirServer? AirServer allows you to mirror your iPad wirelessly throughout the classroom to project onto the big screen. It works very similarly to a Promethean slate. If anyone is interested, please let us know. You will have to state your curricular need for the devise. When approved, your request would be included in the district license purchase. The deadline is January 22nd.
- Whether in class, in the lab, or in the flex area, please be mindful that all student access to technology needs supervision.
- Remember to store your Promethean pens tip up!
- Please! OLPA testing will be taking place in both the Down and the Up Lab during the next two weeks. Please keep students quiet in the hallways during these important tests.
- Since Chromebooks are only warrantied for one year, please report any issues ASAP.
Book Report Templates through Google
Make Book Reviews templates in Google Forms. Make the template you want and then share the form through Google Classroom with the students. You can choose to have the option for students to comment or see what others have done. Melyssa Carlson showcased this feature at our last Tech Teacher meeting.
Also, here is a handy, quick feature! Rostersyn under Add-ons can bring in your entire Google Classroom list to create other classes. Click-click and it's done.
Kids InfoBits
Kids InfoBits have been intergrated into Google Classroom. When you work in Kids InfoBits, there is now a Google Classroom icon on top . All student work can now be integrated into Google Classroom. Students can take notes, provide citations, and highlight important text that can quickly be pulled into a Google file in their Drive.
Kid's InfoBits is one of our premier Anoka-Hennepin elementary e-Resources. If you haven't worked with it lately, check it out!
Digital Footprint Suggestions
It is never too early to start a digital footprint. Students need to be shown the proper way to lead a digital life and how everything put out there should be a positive representation. Digitally, there is no real separation between a personal and professional life. It is a myth that there is a difference between a personal Facebook/Twitter account and a professional account. When it is digital, there is no such thing as privacy. It never goes away. What you post as a 5th grader may come back to haunt you when you are an adult. Remind students to be mindful of always having a very positive and impressive digital footprint.
ChatterPix Kids!
Grab your camera! Let’s ChatterPix! Chatterpix Kids can make anything talk -- pets, friends, doodles, and more.
ChatterPix Kids is a fun new app for your iPad. You simply take a picture or go into camera roll to begin. Next you can record and add sound and facts as part of a moving mouth. Simply draw a line to make a mouth, and record your voice. The picture now does the talking! Also you can add glasses, text, and other fun accessories. To finish and save your masterpiece, go into Gallery to save and export.
Share your Pix with friends and family as silly greetings, playful messages, creative cards, or even have your students do fancy book reports. And best of all, it’s FREE! AGES: 6-12. Try it out! This is a fun, free app to go and explore!
Compatibility: Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
2016 Microsoft Office now available!
can be done on the AH site or by going to this link:
http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/Page/1509
It's the machine, not me!
This will not solve the problem!
Star Wars Characters?!?
Rum River Technology & Learning Newsletter
Melyssa Carlson; Contributor
Alice Hanley; Contributor
Email: sandy.perkerwicz@anoka.k12.mn.us
Website: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us
Location: 16950 Verdin Street Northwest, Andover, MN, United States
Phone: 763-506-8205