Tech Snacks
Byte-Sized Treats to Transform Learning 1.7.20
New ... Send Canvas Grades to Infinite Campus!
Tired of collecting grades in Canvas only to turn around and manually input them into Infinite Campus? Well, it's time to lose that tired feeling. As of January 6, 2020, Fayette County's Canvas and IC now have the ability to sync Assignment, Discussion, and Quiz grades. To participate, teachers must set up both Canvas and IC for this function to work -- if you don't want to sync, just proceed as you usually do. Once both platforms are ready, though, teachers will decide which assignments, etc. they want to automatically sync overnight. Click on these directions to read more. For those interested in assistance, the first face-to-face PD on grade sync setup is Thursday, January 9. To find out more information and to register, go to My Learning Plan/Frontline.
Digital Tools to Improve Reading Fluency
Did you know that having students record themselves when they read is a great strategy to help them improve their reading? Several research papers encourage students to record themselves reading and document an increase in reading proficiency and in reading fluency when students use digital products to record their reading. Digital products? Yep. HMH’s Read180 program (formerly owned by Scholastic) has been using student recordings as part of their instruction for decades. Several other reading platforms and software programs include a student digital audio component as well. So, what’s the big deal? Now your class can use some free apps to record themselves!
Here’s a list of free apps and extensions to choose from for simple voice recordings and playback.
Vocaroo - oldy, but a goody. Records audio and creates a link to the audio file.
Screencastify - records audio, video, and screen capture. Easily saves to Google Drive.
Adobe Spark - the new kid on the block makes voice recordings easy.
Seesaw - get your K-1s and up recording in no time. Super easy for our younglings.
After you have chosen your app from above, be sure to learn how to use audio recording strategies correctly by following the methods detailed at the following websites. Read Melanie Zolnier’s blog post and check out the article 10 Fluency Strategies for Struggling Readers.
Looping Slideshows
Google Slides is a powerful tool that can be used in a variety of ways. Try creating a presentation that you can loop for an Open House, daily announcements, or other event.
In Slides, click on File > Publish to the Web. (Stay on the Link tab and not Embed).
Select the amount of time between slides Currently, all slides have to be the same length. If you need some to appear longer, duplicate them so that they will show twice).
Choose if you want the presentation to begin as soon as it is opened and if it should restart/loop when complete.
Shapegrams
Help your students (or yourself) become more proficient using Google Drawings while developing visual observation, spatial awareness, logical reasoning, and critical thinking with a series of Shapegram activities. While there is a $35 fee for a one-year subscription that includes more than 35 Shapegrams, the first 3 are free and you’ll learn a lot about Google Drawings from just these three. I challenge you to download the house, smiley face, or ice cream cone and take 5 minutes to give it a try - and notice the video instructions offered to the left of the drawing.
FCPS Hour of Code Winners
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Hour of Code week! We had over 60 participants across the district doing some great things in their classrooms. Students were using verbal commands to instruct a partner “computer” to create an image, unplugging and using their bodies to code, utilizing Scratch to showcase the rock cycle or thematic elements in cinema, using code.org to learn how Artificial Intelligence works, and coding robots of all shapes and sizes to perform different tasks. Remember, coding does not have to be a separate subject taught in isolation. It can be embedded into the content you are already teaching!
We are pleased to announce our three random winners of the $500 technology grant for their classrooms.
Melodie Vereen at Ashland Elementary
Tim Ferry at The Academies of Leadership at Millcreek Elementary
Sheril King at Lexington Traditional Magnet School
EdTech PD Just For You!
Google Level 1: Test Prep + Gmail and Calendar 1.8.20 with Jerry Broyles
This session is ONLY for those planning to take the Google Level 1 Certified Educator exam. We will spend time practicing for the exam as well as covering what you need to know about Gmail and Calendar.
Connecting & Creating with a Chromebook (virtual training session) 1.9.20 with Josh Rayburn
Use your Chromebooks to allow students to create and connect to their world. This session will help inspire you to create on your Chromebook and look for ideas and knowledge to pass to your students. This training will be delivered by webinar via Zoom. Instructions for logging onto Zoom will be sent to participants' FCPS email addresses prior to the event. Participation can be on an Android or iOS device, Chromebook, desktop, or MacBook. Verification of participation after the webinar will confirm attendance for PD credit, and PD credit will be awarded. Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/250045912
Rock Your Canvas Teaching World: Send Canvas Grades to Infinite Campus with Grade Sync! 1.9.20 with Paula Setser-Kissick
Tired of collecting grades in Canvas only to turn around and manually input them into Infinite Campus? Well, it's now time to lose that tired feeling. Starting January 6, 2020, Fayette County's Canvas and IC will have the ability to sync Assignment, Discussion, and Quiz grades starting on January 6, 2020. Come find out how to initially set up this function and learn how little teachers will need to do going forward to get those grades into IC. We'll walk through setup and discuss handling special situations, such as cross-listed courses and differentiated items. It's time to rock in the new year and a new way to do grades!
Screencasting with Screencastify 1.16.20 with Julie Gaskin
Explore how to use Screencastify to communicate with students and parents and let's see how students can use Screencastify to demonstrate what they've learned, how they solved a problem, to give presentations.
Google Level 1 Test Prep + Hangouts, Groups and more!- Part 2 1.23.20 with Kelly Fischer
This review session is ONLY for those planning to take the Google Level 1 Certified Educator exam. We will explore Google Hangouts, Groups, and other apps not covered in previous sessions along with hands on practice tasks.
Utilize Canvas' Collaboration Tool to Increase Student Communication and Teamwork 1.27.20 with Paula Setser-Kissick
Check out a simple way to create student collaborative workspaces in Canvas using Google or Office 365. Learn about which types of tools are available, how to enable and setup Collaborations' spaces and how to manage workflow.
Steam Up the Classroom with STEAM Activities 2.3.20 with Josh Rayburn
Come learn different STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Activities that you use in your classroom. From no tech to high tech and everything in between.
RCX Robotics Training for RCX Referees 2.4.20 with Jerry Broyles
This training is for RCX Referees ONLY. To volunteer to be an RCX Referee, contact Jerry Broyles before signing up for this PD training. Training will be focused on scoring teams competing in the FCPS regional competition held in early spring and state tournament in late spring.
Little Kids can do BIG Things 2.5.20 with Kelly Fischer
Explore practical, hands-on ways to use Chromebooks with elementary students. Discover ways to engage young learners with tasks and take away strategies and activities to use in your classroom immediately and effectively.
Google Level 1 Series: Google Boot Camp, Level 1, Part 1 2.6.20 with Jerry Broyles
(This is part 1 of the 2 part series.) Google Boot Camp invites teachers to explore various G Suite tools while giving them a foothold in preparing for the Google Level 1 Certification Test. This session will cover the following G Suite Tools: Google Chrome, Drive, Docs, Slides, and Forms.
STEM in Wonders 2.12.20 with Ashley Faulkner
Geared towards 3rd-5th grade classroom teachers, but all elementary classroom teachers are welcome! Join us for some tips for increasing engagement during Wonders centers with the implementation of a STEM station aligned with the Wonders curriculum. Walk away with ideas, links, and resources you could utilize in your classroom tomorrow or during your next planning meeting.
Google Level 1 Series: Google Boot Camp, Level 1, Part 2 2.13.20 with Kelly Fischer
(This is part 2 of the 2 part series.) Google Boot Camp invites teachers to explore various G Suite tools while giving them a foothold in preparing for the Google Level 1 Certification Test. This session will cover the following G Suite Tools: Google Classroom, Sheets, Hangouts, YouTube, GMail, Calendar, Google Plus, and Groups.
Google Earth and Earth Studio; May I Help You Find Something? 3.24.19 with Jerry Broyles
Hold on tight and set your sights on the future as we take a ride on the new Google Earth! Navigate the new world while exploring lands, homes, and cultures from afar. Fly by the seat of your pants and record your journey using Google Earth Studio. Marvel at the power of Google Earth Engine and brainstorm curriculum with Outreach. Don't be a Kevin and miss the trip!
FCPS Office of Instructional Technology
Email: fcps.oit@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: blogs.fcps.net
Location: 1126 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, KY, USA
Phone: 8593814680
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Twitter: @FCPSOIT