I.T. Monthly: November Issue

DEAR TEACHERS AND STAFF!!

Since Cyber Security Month is over, we want to tell you how much we appreciate you for completing all of the surveys, trainings, as well as handling all of the phishing emails you have been hit with. All of these items are vital in keeping our organization safe and secure.

Please read through newsletter completely. Contact us with any tips, tricks, or suggestions to help improve our communication!

~I.T. Department

New Math Keyboard Added to PAPER Platform

PAPER is excited to announce the New Math Keyboard feature added to the tutoring platform.

This keyboard allows students and tutors to input functions, operations, and other characters needed during free, on-demand math tutoring sessions. Now it’s easy to write out formulas and equations in any Live Help math session. There are five variations of the keyboard, for different needs.

Students in Mississippi can access the keyboard through the “√x” button on the left side of the chat bar. From there, students can add in their formula, equation, or other math symbols as they work with their tutor. A screenshot of the new keyboard features are included below.

PAPER Trail Blazers!!

PAPER is excited to announce their new incentive program called PAPER Trail Blazers. Each month, the top teachers from schools around the district will be nominated to receive information and resources to get certified as a PAPER Pro!

Teachers will receive various resources to help other teachers at their schools get started, share ideas for using Paper with students, and of course, they’ll be rewarded with different incentives and Paper swag!

How to Use Assessment Mode in Kami

Enhance your regular assessment routine with Kami's brand new Assessment Mode. In this mode, teachers can manage instructions with ease and be able to:

Select a due date
Automatically receive students' work
Return graded work all at once, and more.

Watch the video below to learn more.

Google CS First Webinars for 3rd-12th Grade Teachers

Sessions begin Nov. 15, for 3rd-12th grade teachers to learn how Google’s CS First is enhancing its free computer science curriculum with new lessons featuring a new format for learning and creating.

The sessions will help teachers get equipped for the upcoming Hour of Code and CS Ed Week Dec. 5-11 and be ready to utilize this engaging program with their 3rd-12th grade students. No prior knowledge of computer science is needed.

Choose a session time that fits your schedule:

Nov. 15, 10-11 a.m.
Nov. 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Nov. 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 1, 10-11 a.m.

Click here to Register for your session.

Please contact Melissa Banks via email at mebanks@mdek12.org for more information.

STEAM Forward Sessions

When

Tuesday, Nov. 8th, 2-9pm

Where

This is an online event.

More information

STEAM Forward is an online conference that brings together innovative thinkers, bold creativity, and the latest trends in edtech, with virtual sessions on hybrid/remote teaching, technology integration, STEAM best practices, hands-on STEAM applications, and more.

View schedule and Register: Here

Promethean Professional Development events are hosted on a vFairs virtual event platform. You'll need to create a vFairs account to attend this and other other Professional Development events online.

FriedTechnology On-Demand Learning Opportunities

Upgrade your technology skills with these free asynchronous courses provided by friEdOnline for all Mississippi educators at NO COST!

Browse through the list of courses and register at https://www.friedonline.com/mscourses. Once enrolled, participants have 10 months to complete the course. Course completers will receive a Certificate of Completion and can apply for CEUs or SEMIs within 6 months of completing the course. For more information, please contact ms.help@fried.tech.

APPLE LEARNING VIRTUAL CONFERENCES

Click HERE to explore helpful resources, practice new skills, and reflect on ways Apple technology can support great learning and teaching.

How to Create a Cloud Assignment with Office 365 or Google Drive

You can create an online assignment that embeds a document directly from your Microsoft Office 365 (One Drive) folder or Google Drive. Assignments can be created from Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel or Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

When students open the assignment, Office 365 or Google Drive will create a copy of the file as the student's submission. Students can open the assignment and make changes per the assignment instructions.

When they are ready to submit the assignment, they can return to the Canvas assignment page and submit the assignment. The copied document is also added to the student’s OneDrive folder or their Google drive for the course. You can also view each student's document copy in SpeedGrader for grading.