The Digital Buzz
Mission CISD Instructional Technology Newsletter
What's new @ MCISD?
Mango Languages
Mango Languages is a self-paced, self-directed instructional foreign language website.
From French to German to Mandarin Chinese, learn conversational phrases and sentences simply by clicking on this link:
https://connect.mangolanguages.com/mission-cisd/login?u=498748
Login --
Username: your email address@mcisd.org
Password: your email active directory
For example:
Username: dpena04@mcisd.org
Password: dpena04
Students login:
Username: I.D. #
Password: I.D. #
How to access Virtual Job Shadow...
1. Go to http://www.virtualjobshadow.com
2. Click on Login (orange button located on the top-center of the webpage).
3. Login with your email address --
Username: your MCISD email address (For example: dpena04@mcisd.org
Password: your email prefix (For example: dpena04).
Students login:
Username: I.D. #
Password: I.D. #
Click on the video below to learn more about this site.
Science Flix
(Access engaging videos that build background knowledge and introduction to a multitude of scientific topics:
http://scienceflix.digital.scholastic.com
For remote access, go to http://scienceflix.digital.scholastic.com
Username: mcisdflix
Password: science)
Freedom Flix... Pending subscripton activation
Who says history has to be boring?
Discover a new way to explore history's most fascinating moments -- from Ancient Civilizations to the 21th century.
Featuring dynamic e-books in varying Lexile reading levels that includes embedded popup features such as maps, timelines, virtual tour clips, primary source videos and audio clips.
NoodleTools
NoodleTools for your high schools students is now available! This research tool is used for note-taking, outlining, citation, document archiving/annotation, and research writing.
A customized Noodletools login page has been created for your students at: http://www.noodletools.com/logon/register_type_subscription
To create an account, login as:
Username: mcisd
Password: schools
Coming soon for secondary and elementary schools!
Atomic Learning provides online training for more than 110 of the most commonly used software applications such as Google apps, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Moodle and more. Each technology skill is comprehensively broken down into manageable and explanatory tasks with a one- to three-minute video tutorial that is accessible 24/7.
Topics include blogging, podcasting, newsletter design, presentation and more
Over 500 new tutorials added to the site every 45 days
Free Storyboard Pro software and access to Atomic Learning’s popular Video Storytelling Guide
Self-assessment tools
Closed captioning on thousands of tutorials
To login, go to the MCISD Atomic Learning link: https://www.atomiclearning.com/login/mcisd
and, use you MCISD username and password to login.Username: your email address@mcisd.org
Password: your email active directory
For example:
Username: dpena04@mcisd.orgPassword: dpena04
Students login:
Username: I.D. #
Password: I.D. #
If you should need assistance regarding Atomic Learning, please contact the Instructional Technology office at extension 5560.
Smart Apps for Kids
A safe and FREE way to access apps of all kinds including every subject and grade level.
Sign up for the FREE app of the day at:
http://www.smartappsforkids.com/
Sock Puppets
Sock Puppets app lets you create your own lip-synched videos. Add Puppets, props, scenery, and backgrounds and start creating. Hit the record button and the puppets automatically lip-synch to your voice.
Students can re-create history by recording project assignments. Switch backgrounds to take your puppets to different locations; move the puppets, props and scenery to animate them while recording.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sockpuppets/id394504903?mt=8
Tammy Worcester Tech Tips
From URL Shortener to StickyNotes to Vozme,
Tammy Worcester Tang, former classroom teacher, specializes in finding unique, creative and FREE educational resources; but, most of all, effective ways to use technology in the classroom.
Turnitin.com
High school teachers can help their students learn how to write correctly.
Create a Turnitin.com account and have your students upload their written compositions to a prescribed website for plagiarism filtering.
Simply, select the high school account that you prefer:
Veterans Memorial High School
Account Number: 102394
Join Password: MCISD15
Mission Collegiate High School
Account Number: 102393
Join Password: MCISD15
Mission High School
Account Number: 102392
Join Password: MCISD15
Then…
· Go to http://www.turnitin.com
· Click on Create Account
· Click on Instructor
· Complete the required information to establish a personal account; click on AGREE and SUBMIT.
Contact our department at extension # 5560 for guidance.
Shmoop!
Shmoop is a digital publisher known for its award-winning Test Prep and certified Online Courses.
Content includes comprehensive and engaging prep materials from English literature to Biology to History.
Create a Shmoop account by visiting: http://www.shmoop.com/login/mission-cisd/
Teachers:
Enter the Magic Word to unlock Shmoop's Premium Resources
· password: ESSENCE
Students:
Enter the Magic Word to unlock Shmoop's Premium Resources
· password: PROTRUDE
Shmoop tutorial video is also available at:
Free Rice: Play, Learn and Feed the world!
Take this word challenge; be a super hero; and, save lives!
With this word challenge, answer the questions correctly; and, 10 grains of rice will be donated to the United Nations World Food Program.
http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1548
- Click on the right answer in the middle of this page.
- If you get it right, you get a harder question.
- If you get it wrong, you get an easier question.
- Remember: For each answer you get right, 10 grains of rice will be donated to the United Nations World Food Program.
WARNING: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades, job performance and save the world!
Did you know that MCISD has a Technology YouTube Channel?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ywVmwWQ8ymt_d0i000WvA
Available Training Video's:
Setup Google Classroom
Atomic Learning
How to push apps to Tablets/Chromebooks
How to create a Google Form with Auto Grade
Preparations for Hour of Code are underway
The event will take place during the week of December 7-13, 2015 at your respective schools.
This offers every student the opportunity to learn computer science. It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path.
As of November 30th, 2015, we have a total of 15 schools in our district that have committed to this initiative.
If you would like to register your school to participate go to Hourofcode.com and click "Sign up your event".
Beyond Hour of Code
This coding event doesn't have to end, it can be a continuous learning experience for students and teachers alike. Why not use this as an enrichment activity? You can allow your students to work on Code.org and learn a new language when they have completed their classwork. It can also be a reward for good behavior or high grades on assignments or tests.
Does this target STEM courses?
No, this program targets all subjects. Let me explain, science, technology, engineering, and math may be at the core of coding/programming, but it actually targets all subjects. Coding is behind video games or mobile gaming and this is what involved:
Art for designing the look of the game, app or movie
Music/band/Sound Technicians to create the sound that you hear
Theatre/Film for the creation of a story line in some of the game/apps
Social Studies when designing the geography in games, apps, or movies
Language Arts when adding text, dialog or creating a story line for games, apps, or movies
If we can get students interested in coding through one of the ways stated above, we will be one step closer to achieving our district vision.