Hofius Hi-Tech Highlights
October 15, 2019
In This Issue
- Snap & Read and Co:Writer Extensions
- #HawkTechTip: Student Completion Rules in Schoology
- Nearpod EL Curriculum
- Text to Speech - Schoology Assessments
- Information from the Repair Center
OctoberFest: Personalized Professional Learning
Snap & Read and Co:Writer Extensions
- Snap & Read - Text to Speech
- Co:Writer - Word prediction, Speech to Text, Translator
NOTE: The district previously recommended students use the Read & Write extension; however, this extension is now limited only to certain students according to their accommodations.
#HawkTechTip: Student Completion Rules in Schoology
Student completion rules are requirements placed on course folders and/or course material that enable teachers to structure the flow of their course, as well as to create self-paced learning for students. Here are the choices available for course folders and materials, depending on the item for which you're setting a student completion rule:
Must complete
Must view the item
Must post a comment/reply
Must make a submission
Must score at least
Note: You can place more than one completion rule on a single item, but you cannot place the same rule on the same item more than once. You cannot, for example, use Student Completion to require multiple posts or multiple submissions to a specific assignment.
Click here for more information on using Student Completion Rules
Nearpod EL Curriculum
Great news! Klein has recieved a trial license for Nearpod EL through December so all teachers now have access to Nearpod’s English Learner supplemental curriculum! This growing content library is a K-12 supplemental solution for scaffolded access to rigorous, grade-level, learning experiences and language instruction. This is great for beginners through advance ELs. Give it a try!
If there is positive feedback, licenses could be purchased for the Spring. Check it out HERE! Be sure to also check out the Nearpod EL Scope and Sequence and TX ELPS Crosswalk.
HERE is a short video on how to find EL lessons in Nearpod. You won't want to miss out on this great blog post: 5 Ways to Support New ELs with Technology
NOTE: If you were a big Flocabulary user, several videos have been incorporated into premade Nearpod lessons! Take a look at the NearPod Premium Packages in the picture below.
REMINDER: Remember to sign into Nearpod using your KISD Google account.
Text to Speech - Schoology Assessments
Exchange Article by Meaghan O'Hara
Did you know that Schoology Assessments now have a Text to Speech feature? Yes, that’s right! Schoology will read the text of a question and the answer options for your students! When you create an assessment in Schoology, there are several assessment tools you can turn on for student use during the test or quiz.
These choices include:
- Flag questions for review
- Eliminate answer choices
- Use calculator during attempt
- Use ruler during attempt
- Use protractor during attempt
- Use text to speech and screen masking
- Highlight text
- Use a notepad
While Text to Speech might be the most common tool desired by teachers, all of these assessment tools are fantastic tools to help aid our learners while they take their test or quiz. You can enable these tools on the Setup page.
Text to Speech Pro Tip #1: The text to speech feature will read pictures to students too! To do this, click on an image and select edit. You will get a pop-up box that contains the alternative text for that image. Whatever is written in the alternative text box is read aloud by the computer.
Text to Speech Pro Tip #2: When you make text to speech available to students, they can adjust the settings to change the voice they hear, the color that highlights the word being read, and the speed of the voice. Students can also adjust the screen masking which can dim their screen, except for the line they are reading, if they choose to turn it on.
NOTE: If you're primarily using the green Schoology Test/Quiz tool rather than the blue Schoology Assessment, then check out this series of videos showing teachers how to convert test/quizzes to assessments and how to adjust assessment settings for student use.
Information from the Repair Center
We are happy to announce that the Network Status has returned to KNET! If you are having network connectivity issues, be sure to check the top of the KNET page for the most resent status of the Klein Network prior to calling the Help Desk.
OctoberFest: Personalized Professional Learning
Exchange Article by Monica Shallenberger
Now that the school year has officially kicked off, and we are in the swing of things as educators, it’s time to dive into personalized learning on a professional development level!
This month there are several opportunities for you to grow your knowledge in a variety of ways.
Online options
There are four new classes offered in the “Stepping Up to Personalized Learning” series. The series will be offered in Schoology and covers the four tenets of Personalized Learning from October 1st-18th. Register for each Stepping Up Into Personalized Learning course in Eduphoria or by using the links below. Each course should take around one hour to complete.
- Stepping Up to Personalized Learning – Competency Based Progression
- Stepping Up to Personalized Learning – Flexible Learning Environments
- Stepping Up to Personalized Learning – Learner Profile
- Stepping Up to Personalized Learning – Personal Learning Paths
Personalized Learning Immersions
Beginning during the second quarter, all campuses will participate in the Immersion session covering learner profiles and establishing a culture of trust, partnership, and collaboration. Campus administration will implement the activity, so stay tuned!
Stacy Alexander
Email: salexander1@kleinisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/kleinisd.net/hofiusdls/home
Location: Office 1222
Phone: 832-375-8798
Twitter: @stacymalexander