Connecting Educators
Back-To-School Edition 2021
⚠️ IMPORTANT Deadline: 2-Step Verification
With 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication), you add an extra layer of security to your account in case your password is stolen. After you set up 2-Step Verification, you’ll sign in to your account in two steps using:
- Something you know, like your password
- Something you have, like your phone
To set this up, follow the directions in this 2-Step Verification for Google Account video or check out our step-by-step guide.
Google Authenticator App: Free security to protect your accounts against password theft
Google Authenticator is a free security app you can use to protect your accounts against password theft. Google Authenticator generates 2-Step Verification codes on your phone.
2-Step Verification provides stronger security for your Google Account by requiring a second step of verification when you sign in. In addition to your password, you’ll also need a code generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone.
Video Direction for Google Authenticator App
Google Authenticator step by step guide
⚠️ Password Changes
Student computer and email passwords must be updated for the upcoming 21-22 school year for PowerSchool instances within the JCISD Tech Consortium. This new password will be populated for ALL students except current 11th and 12th-grade students. PowerSchool student portal passwords will not be affected immediately but will be updated prior to the beginning of the 21-22 school year. Teacher and admin side methods of retrieval for student usernames and passwords will not change.
This will occur immediately following the completion of the 2020-2021 school year starting at 4PM on 6/11/2021
For more information about this change, visit the student password update document.
**Make sure to check out this document with password tips for students!
Accessing student login information as a teacher has not changed and any methods used for past school years will still work. Instructions
Innovation Camp 2021 Recap
Thank you to all the participants who joined us virtually for this fantastic event and to the REMC association for making it possible with their generous donation!
Check out bit.ly/campjxn for highlights from the week of camp!
2021-2022 TEAMJXN Maker/STEAM Checkout is Officially Open!
To learn more, visit our TEAMJXN Maker/STEAM webpage!
👉 Cybersecurity: Important!
Cybersecurity for Educators - How to Become a Human Firewall
LastPass: Password Manager
The videos below will help get you started:
Google Updates
Google Drive: A security update will be applied to Drive
On September 13, 2021, Drive will apply a security update to some of your files to make file sharing more secure.
This update will change the links used for some files, and may lead to new access requests for the impacted files. Access to these files won't change for people who have already viewed them. After the update is applied, you can avoid new access requests by distributing the updated link to your file(s).
For more information: Google Drive Security Update
YouTube Changes to Student Accounts
- Create channels, playlists, stories, shorts, or upload videos
- Watch or create live stream events
- See or post comments
- Participate in live chat
- Buy channel memberships, creator merchandise, movies and TV shows, Super Chat and Super Stickers, or participate in YouTube Giving fundraisers
- Use apps, including YouTube Go, YouTube Music, YouTube Studio, YouTube TV, and YouTube VR
- Access other features, including:
- Cast on TV
- Connect game accounts
- Use Incognito mode
- Get personalized ads
- Enable or disable Restricted Mode
Autosave now available on Google Forms
YAY for AUTOSAVE on Google Forms!
- Must be SIGNED IN to your Google Account
- Expires after 30 days
- On by default, but the owner CAN turn it off
- Access by opening the same form link while logged in to the same Google Account.
To learn more about this new feature check out the Google Form Autosave update article.
Gmail: Visual update to the search box
Tech Tools & Resources
Need an Edtech Grant? Then Get Writing!
Your school needs technology resources now more than ever, but your district can’t afford them. What do you do?
Start writing your grant, says Sheryl Abshire, a veteran K-12 educator and accomplished grant writer. Read more about it here: Need an Edtech Grant? Then Get Writing!
Esports Related Professions
Michigan K-12 CS Professional Learning Network
The Michigan CS Professional Learning Network is an opportunity for educators, administrators, and stakeholders in computer science implementation to connect and receive support. This network is planning to offer monthly events, such as webinars, newsletters, and meetups, for the different audiences in the network.
Getting Connected to the Network
The network will provide updates for the events happening in the network. You are invited to get connected with the network by filling out the following form. You may indicate if you would like to receive updates only for educators, or consultants, or state-level, or multiple.
Get Connected Link - CS PLN Network Form
Khan Academy Kids Teacher Tools
Updates from Powerschool!
- Next PowerSchool workshop is for Start of Year (SOY) for administrators responsible for getting PowerSchool ready for the coming school year. Check out our training calendar and workshop website for past trainings.
- Join PowerSchool Admin Email List
- Join PowerSchool Teacher Email List
PD Opportunities
Introducing MicroPD Courses
What is MicroPD?
Text message courses that let you learn in bite-size chunks. MicroPD courses consist of an image, a 1,200-character concept, and an interactive assessment sent every weekday over a specific period of time. *SCECHs pending
JCISD Tech Consortium - FREE!
Outside the Consortium - $5/course. *Costs subject to change.
When:
Summer/Fall 2021 - You can register through Wisdomwhere at any time throughout the summer using the registration links.
Micro-PD Series:
- Asynchronous Instruction
- Remote Assessment Part 1
- Remote Assessment Part 2
- Tech Tools for Middle & High School Teachers
- Coding in the Classroom
- How to Become a Human Firewall Part 1
- How to Become a Human Firewall Part 2
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Google Classroom For Face-to-Face and Blended Classrooms
For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/jcisd.org/edtech/events/micropd
REMC: VIRTUAL COURSES OFFER FREE SCECHS
Virtual Courses are free and open to Michigan school personnel. You can take courses “just to learn” or complete the course and assignments and earn SCECH credits. All courses are facilitated by Michigan educators. Each course session lasts for three (3) weeks and requires 10 hours of time to complete the work. This work includes participating in two, one (1) hour webinars OR listening to the recorded webinar plus eight (8) hours for the reading, participation in discussion boards, and written reflection.
Virtual Course registration: http://bit.ly/2zGzMvg. Once registered, your instructor will send a welcome email with course login and other information the Monday prior to the course start date. A reminder email is also sent the Saturday before the course begins. Logging in and reviewing the course structure and calendar prior to the start date works best!
MDE Offers Up To $20,000 in Competitive Grant Opportunities For CS Standards Implementation
Title IV, Implementing Effective Use of Technology Grant (competitive)
MDE is offering a competitive grant open to all local education agencies (LEAs) in Michigan, which includes both traditional public-school districts and public school academies. Awardees may receive up to $20,000 for the implementation of computer science standards and up to $14,000 for the implementation of OERs. The grant is expected to become available to LEAs in late July or early August 2021.
An Intent to Apply form for this grant is open now and can be found here. For more information, please refer to the Title IV Grant Overview document. Questions can be emailed to MDE-EdTech@michigan.gov.
Tech support
Connect with Us!
Email: edtechteamjxn@gmail.com
Website: edtech.jcisd.org
Location: 6700 Browns Lake Road, Jackson, MI, United States
Facebook: facebook.com/teamjxn1
Twitter: @edtechjxn
Educator Spotlight! -
We'd love to hear what you're doing to make remote learning fun! Please share with us at edtechteamjxn@gmail.com.