Tech Tuesday
September 4, 2018
Software Updates
Please note that there are several components to the NWEA MAP site.
Also please note that not all campuses have all of the following programs. I will create a software matrix and email it out so you are aware of which programs are available for your campus. For now, here are the updates for each software...
- NWEA MAP - the testing icon has been placed on devices. You should receive an email about further instructions with "this part of the application" from your admin or the curriculum department.
- NWEA MAP Professional Online Learning - You should have an invite email in your inbox ( to the Professional Online Learning site. Please email me if you do not.)
- Odysseyware - Ready and Already in Use
- Reading Eggs - Teacher accounts are ready to use
- Stemscopes - Teacher and Student accounts are ready for use (see info below)
- Imagine Learning Language & Literacy - Ready to use (see info below)
- Imagine Math - Ready to use (see info below)
- Learning A to Z - Ready for use (see info below)
From Shauntel Cooley, our district Imagine Learning rep:
Imagine Learning – Imagine Math (Ready)
- Imagine Math is ready for use. Teachers and students have all been rostered and can log in via the ClassLink Launch Pad. Some teachers may not be able to see their student data yet, but we are working to resolve that issue. Teachers can show students the videos in the “Launching Imagine Math with Students” section of their HELP tab on the right side of their Imagine Math Homepage.
Programs that are a work in progress
- Achieve 3000 - Student accounts are projected to be ready this week
- Aventa/Fuel Education - will update when I have more information
- Kurzweil - will update when I have more information
- Renaissance Learning - Vendor indicated that it may take a couple of weeks
- SEAS - Vendor indicated that it may take a couple of weeks
- MAP Skills & Fluency - will update when I have more information
- iXL - will update when I have more information
Imagine Language & Literacy Notification
FYI, you may have encountered an issue with the Imagine Learning system today. Due to a Microsoft Azure outage, the Imagine Language & Literacy site is not working properly and it was recommended by the Imagine Learning company that students do not use it. Students may get the error message. IT followed up with an email to notify all employees.
Stemscopes Update
If you do not see your students in the system, please let me know.
Learning A to Z - Elementary Campuses
If you are new to SWS, you were emailed your account info. If you are a returning teacher, your account details remain the same. If you forgot your login details, you can use the forgot my password on the Learning A to Z site or email me and I will send it to you. All accounts are ready for you to proceed with adding your students info.
Please note that the app is stored in Classlink but since students have icons as their password, they may have to enter the system that way.
Click here to access the Learning A to Z Professional Development Services. Here, you will find live webinars, eLearning Courses, recorded webinars and more.
Please note: Some webinars do not require you to be logged in to your account whereas some others do.
Add or Block a Site
Please know that all admins for your campus have the admin rights to overturn any sites you add or block. Also note that when adding or blocking a site, it is adding or blocking it for your entire campus, not just your class.
Here is the link to the add/block site on sharepoint. https://swschools.sharepoint.com/Information%20Technology/SitePages/Allow-Block%20List.aspx
Here is a quick video tutorial to add or block a website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-he5mUSMrx7MmdOb3Y0eXlLSFk/view
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Campus Monitors
Congratulations Ms. Reed!
If you are interested in applying for your classroom, please see the link below to fill out the application.
Here is the info you'll need to know if thinking about applying (info below is from the link):
Your grant application should take less than 20 minutes to complete. Before you get started, here's a quick preview of the five application questions:
- Please provide some background on your teaching experience (and tell us what grades/subjects you currently teach).
- How could focusing on math fact fluency help you address the challenges your students face in mathematics? (must be at least 375 characters)
- What methods or programs are you currently using to help students develop math fact fluency?
- How are your current methods of developing math fact fluency working?
- This grant requires an average student use of three times a week. How would you plan to implement Reflex into your instructional program to accommodate this best use case of the product? (must be at least 375 characters)
QR Codes
Wanna create your own QR Codes for class assignments, etc? Use this QR Code Generator site to make your life easier. All you do is insert the website url, click the create qr code button below that and download the qr code. Three easy steps.
Bitmoji in the Classroom
Heard of Bitmoji? It's your own personal emoji. Create an expressive cartoon avatar featuring YOU! Below I've shared several resources that show how you can incorporate it in the classroom.
Here are some of my suggestions:
1. bookmarks
2. classroom materials such as posters and signs
3. presentations
4. assignments
5. Have students share their Bitmojis and use them to identify the student work (If they use snapchat and chances are they do, they already have a bitmoji)
See more ways here...
NEA Today talks about animating your life
BISD Learning Technologies talks about instructional hooks and reinforcements.
Alice Keeler talks about using Bitmoji in feedback.
Matt Miller shows you in a video tutorial how to create them for your students
Adam Hill talks about the Chrome Extension
Send me one of your favorite Bitmoji's designs and I will have a surprise for you. This is a limited time special. You have until Friday, September 7th. If you don't have one already, you can create one using the app or visit them online here.
Music in the Classroom
Also check out TeachStarter's article on Powerful Ways to Use Music in the Classroom.
Next Week, I will share ways to use the musical app Gararge Band. The powerful app on your iPad. Stay Tuned!
Elementary Technology Conference
If you would like to attend next year conference in June or even be one of the presenters, use this link to find out more information.
Sanford Teacher Award
How It Works
- Click here to nominate an A+ inspirational teacher - it may even be yourself - by Monday, October 8, 2018.
- Fill out the form and tell us why this teacher is so inspiring.
- We will select ONE winner to receive the $50,000 grand prize.
- The selected remaining finalists will win $10,000 each - one winner per U.S. state.
- Winners will attend a special celebration in their honor in November 2018 - details to come!
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a legal resident of the United States
- Be a licensed/credentialed teacher
- Teach at a Pre-K-12 school (public, private or charter) in the United States
- Teachers of all grade levels and subject areas are eligible
What We're Looking For
We want to hear about teachers who consistently:
- Demonstrate enthusiasm for teaching
- Show empathy and warmth toward all students
- Foster positive relationships with all students
- Create positive learning environments
- Recognize student strengths
Over App
Get the Over app in the App Store here.
Other amazing creation apps are Canva (desktop and mobile for free) and Adobe Illustrator Draw (mobile only).
Student Photos
Skitch
For example, I'm sharing a photo of my 3 boys (old photo). I covered my middle son's face with an emoji. There are a few options or you could use the pixelatte feature.
Arika Moses Jordan, M.S. Ed
Email: ajordan@swschools.org
Website: http://arikaiam.wixsite.com/arikaiam
Location: 6400 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 346.571.6044
Twitter: @arikaiam