Digital Learning News Brief
October 13, 2015
Mandatory Password Change
In an effort to keep all BISD information and data secure, all staff will be automatically prompted and required to update network passwords on Thursday, October 15, 2015.
Please review the content in this KB article regarding the updated Password Requirements.
**Please do NOT change your password before the Oct. 15 because you will be prompted to change it again on that day.**
Don't Miss the Fall Conference and EdCamp!
Smithfield Middle School Principal, Kyle Pekurney, will be the keynote speaker to kick-off the conference. Don't miss this opportunity to be entertained and motivated by one of BISD's finest leaders!
Use the links in the schedule below to register.
8:00 AM: Breakfast, EdCamp Organization
8:30 AM: Keynote Speaker, Kyle Pekurney
9:00 AM: Sessions
- iCreate ~ Creation Apps for the iPad
- Vocabulary Variety Show
- Catch the Google Drive Wave
- Dive into the Digital Classroom ~ Google Classroom
- EdCamp 1
- Formative Assessment Gone Google
- Phenomenal & Functional Forms: Unleash the Power of Google Forms
- Perform Some Digital Learning Magic with QR Codes
- Catch the Google Drive Wave (repeated session)
- EdCamp 2
From 9:00-12:00, explore Makerspace Meets Extreme Weather. The Digital Learning Lab is a tinker’s paradise where experienced librarians will facilitate makerspace activities. They will demonstrate how makerspaces can get kids excited about STEM topics surrounding Earth Cycle and Systems, Outer Space, and reading!
*Complete session descriptions and room locations in Eduphoria Workshop.
Not a BISD Employee?
What IS EdCamp?
We want YOU to join us in BISD's 1st EDCAMP experience! Birdville employees can signup in Eduphoria to attend one or both of the edcamp sessions coming up on October 17, 2015.
BISD employees can use the following links to register today!
9:00-10:30 EdCamp 1
10:45-12:15 EdCamp 2
Tonight's Twitter Chat: Google!
Join us tonight as we talk about the following questions:
Q1- What is your favorite Google tool and why?
Q2- How does your campus and/or department use Google?
Q3- What is a Google tool that you would like to learn more about?
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
8:00 PM
@birdville_dl #bisddlp
District Tech EAs in the Spotlight!
The Tech EAs participated in the first Tech EA Edcamp, last Friday. The Tech EAs used Padlet to list the ideas they wanted to learn more about. Then someone who was comfortable sharing about that topic jumped up and talked/trained. Topics covered included Kahoot, features of Vision, Padlet, SumDog, as well as ideas for collaborating with teachers. It was a great time of sharing and learning, capitalizing on the diverse talents of this dedicated group of educators.
Other spotlights this week include:
Science Teachers, North Ridge EL
Middle & High School CTE Teachers
Debra Szosteck, Walker Creek EL
Digital Learning Lounge: Spotlight Your Classrooms!
Teachers and administrators,
Please remember to share the good technology uses that are happening on your campus on the Digital Learning Lounge blog http://bisddlp.blogspot.com/.
Anyone can send an email to dl83.digital-learning@blogger.com to submit a post. The subject of the email is the title of the post. Anything in the body of the email is included in the post, including any automatic signatures so that might need to be edited before clicking send. Images that attached to the email are embedded in the post.
This can easily be done from a smart phone in a classroom, so remember to take the time to share your digital learning successes with your BISD colleagues through the Digital Learning Lounge!
BrightByte Survey Now Open!
The Clarity BrightBytes survey window is open October 12th-23rd.
Birdville ISD has partnered with Clarity BrightBytes to survey students, parents, and campus staff on the impact of technology use both inside and outside the classroom. The results of the survey will help BISD develop appropriate digital learning opportunities to best serve the needs of all students. The District is also committed to providing appropriate digital resources, at the right cost, in order to maximize the use of existing technology. BrightBytes is a web-based, research-driven tool that will assist BISD evaluate the current digital learning approaches and technologies available to our students.
All questionnaires — student, teachers, and parents — are available in Spanish. Participants can toggle in the top right-hand corner of their questionnaire screen between English and Spanish.
Elementary Digital Learning News!
Technology Tip & App of the Week: SmartScope/iGO
Wi-Viewer is an app for the wireless iGO handheld microscope. It is available for both iPhone and iPad series.
Elementary Digital Learning Specialist
Birdville~WT Francisco~Binion~Mullendore~Snow Heights~Porter~Spicer
Toni Dowdy @technologytoni
Smithfield~Cheney~Stowe~Watauga~Foster Village~North Ridge~Walker Creek
Jeff Samuelson @jeff_samuelson
David E Smith~Richland~West Birdville~Holiday Heights~Hardeman~ACFT~Green Valey
Secondary Digital Learning News!
Student Tool of the Week: Google Keep!
Teacher Tool of the Week: LiveBinders
Secondary Digital Learning Specialists
Michael Hanson @Hansonits
Haltom HS~Haltom MS~Richland MS~North Ridge MS
Birdville HS~BCTAL~North Richland MS~Smithfield MS
Tosh McGaughy @ToshMcGaughy
Richland HS~Shannon HS~North Oaks MS~Watauga MS
Looking for the best MEME
The Technology Department is holding a contest for the best MEME illustrating the Null events from Friday. The winner will receive a $30 Starbucks gift card, courtesy of the vendor.
All entries must be submitted to Null@birdvilleschools.net by 9 AM on Friday, October 16, 2015. Good luck to all who wish to participate!
Birdville Digital Learning
Karen Teeters @karenteeters222 Online Learning Specialist
Cheryl McKnight @cherylmck Coordinator of Digital Learning
Kelli Montgomery @KelliM11 Director of Digital Learning