Technology Updates
January 2020
As a reminder ~ our technology team (Todd, Nick, Kent, Karen) are available as a support resource on any E-learning day. Please feel free to email or call any of us with questions or issues you or your students run into. You can reach Karen via phone or text at: 507-401-4005, and please contact Todd, Nick, Kent at their office phones or via a tech ticket submission.
Also - please remind any of your students who do not have Internet access at home that we have the wireless hotspots (Kajeet) available for checkout at the middle school and high school. Should an e-learning day be anticipated, encourage these students to check with their media center should they need to check one out. If you have any questions about these, please feel free to ask Karen or Erica for more information.
In this issue:
- TIE (Technology & Innovation in Education) Conference Opportunity
- This is IT2 - SWWC Technology Conference Opportunity
- Do you need assessments read to students?
- How to edit a PDF in Word
- Microsoft Forms now supports file uploads
- Scavanger Hunts using Goosechase
- Student instructions for checking grades on Campus
- Spring online training opportunity - Microsoft Teams
- Language Translation App
- Educators Guide to Student Privacy
Are you interested in attending the TIE conference (Technology & Innovation in Education) in April?
I would like to extend you the opportunity to attend the annual South Dakota state-wide technology conference called TIE being held in Sioux Falls on April 21 & 22. Many of you have attended the TIES conference in Minneapolis in the past gaining valuable skills and knowledge to bring back to your classroom - enhancing your curriculum and engaging your students. This conference is a very similar format, so we have decided to explore the South Dakota option. This is a great opportunity to learn from other educators what they are doing in their classrooms. Below is a brief summary of the conference. If you would like to be considered to attend, please complete the form at this link by Friday, February 14, 2020. Our technology team will review the applications and determine attendees. If you have never attended this conference, I highly recommend you consider it!
What is the TIE Conference?
While a lot has changed since the first annual TIE Conference in 1987, the overall subject remains the same: Technology & Innovation in Education. Hosted by the region’s most trusted education organization. It is the largest event in the region with the specific focus of sharing innovative teaching materials and techniques, featuring research-based instructional practices, and highlighting cutting-edge technology applications for school administrators, teachers, computer/ tech coordinators, librarians, and media specialists. It brings 1300-1500 educators from South Dakota and neighboring states, and exhibitors from all over the nation.
This is IT2 Technology Conference Opportunity in Redwood Falls
On March 16, 2020, IT2 2020 will feature keynote speaker Alice Keeler, an Education Technology Integration expert, internationally renowned speaker, and author. Alice’s sessions are sure to motivate and leave attendees with tools and practices that can be applied in their daily work immediately!
IT2 2020 will also feature dozens of local EdTech experts and emerging leaders who will share their stories of how technology has enhanced pedagogy in their classrooms. For technology leaders and support staff, IT2 will continue to offer sessions and workshops that are technically focused and provide you with a cross-section of sessions that allow for collaboration with classroom educators to help further enhance the ways that technology can inspire all learners ages 1 to 101!
If you are interested in attending, please complete the form at this link by Tuesday, February 11th.
Need quizzes, tests, or assessments read to your students?
Edit a PDF in Word
To edit a PDF, simply open it in Word. This works best with PDFs that are mostly text.
- Go to File > Open.
- Find the PDF, and open it (you might have to select Browse and find the PDF in a folder).
- Word tells you that it's going to make a copy of the PDF and convert its contents into a format that Word can display. The original PDF won't be changed at all. Select OK.
Microsoft Forms - supports file uploads!
Do you like scavenger hunts or BreakOut Activities for your classroom?
Student Campus Portal - instructions below:
Microsoft Teams Online Training/Course
Language Translation Apps
Each app features real-time translation (with a network connection) conversation Mode, typed and spoken entries as well as a photo mode to translate text on signs or other printed documents. There are benefits to both apps, and with a fairly small footprint - you can have both on your phone to test out which one you like best.
Educators Guide to Student Privacy
Technology tools and apps are making it possible for educators and students to collaborate, create, and share ideas more easily than ever. When schools use technology, students’ data—including some personal information—is collected both by educators and often the companies that provide apps and online services. Educators use some of this data to inform their instructional practice and get to know their students better. It is just as essential for educators to protect their students as it is to help them learn.This guide is meant to help teachers utilize technology in the classroom while protecting their students’ privacy.