Connecting Educators
June 2021
⚠️ Password Changes Coming
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.
**Be on the lookout for 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
EdTech Kickoff Call for PRESENTERS!
Never presented before? That's okay. We're happy to help you prepare.
For more information go to bit.ly/kickoffjxn2021
Google Classroom: Do this before the end of the year!
Educator Spotlight! - Julie Baker, administrator at Jackson Public Schools.
Check out Julie's session and more by @sheldoneakins! In these ten episodes hear from Dr. Eakins & Michigan educators discussing topics surrounding equity in education including a local Jackson administrator, Julie Baker from Jackson Public Schools.
To register for the episodes, visit: http://bit.ly/3rjmTPz
We'd love to hear what you're doing to make remote learning fun! Please share with us at edtechteamjxn@gmail.com.
Google Updates
Google Docs: Create and import documents that contain images above or behind text
You can now position an image in front of or behind text in Google Docs. Additionally, this formatting will be preserved when importing or exporting documents from Microsoft Word.
You’ll see the new option for positioning an image above or below text within the image options sidebar and in the image toolbar when clicking directly on an image. New options for positioning images in front of and behind text in Google Docs.
For more information, visit: Create and import documents that contain images above or behind text
Google Docs: Insert smart chips for files and meetings, create checklists
In Google Docs you can:
- Insert smart chips for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides files, other Google Drive files, and Calendar events
- Create checklists
- Insert links more easily with intelligent suggestions in the insert link dialog
Google Slides: “Master” view renamed to “Theme Builder”
Google renamed the “Master” view in Google Slides to “Theme Builder”. This change better communicates the benefits: to help users quickly customize the font, color, and layout customization for their current theme, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the presentation.
Google Drive: Customize the color of your folders and shortcuts to folders
You can now customize the color of folders in shared drives, and shortcuts to folders. Previously, it was only possible to customize the color of folders in My Drive.
For more details, visit: Customize the color of your folders and shortcuts to folders in Google Drive
Gmail: Save photos from messages directly to Google Photos with a new “Save to Photos” button
Now when you get a photo attachment in a Gmail message, you can save it directly to Google Photos with a new "Save to Photos" button. You’ll see it next to the existing “Add to Drive” button on the attachment and while previewing the image attachment. Currently, this is only available for JPEG images.
Save photos from Gmail messages directly to Google Photos with a new “Save to Photos” button
Google Sheets: New ways to discover and navigate comments
- Review comments and conversation threads in a sidebar.
- Apply filters to find the most relevant comments for getting your work done when a document is highly collaborative.
- Page through comment threads in a document in the comment overlay.
For more details visit: New ways to discover and navigate comments in Google Sheets
Cybersecurity: What are YOU doing to protect yourself and your students?
Cybersecurity for Educators - How to Become a Human Firewall
Setup a 2-Step Verification process on your Google Account
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 learn more check out Google's step-by-step guide and the how-to video below.
Google Authenticator App: Free security to protect your accounts against password theft
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.
LastPass: Password Manager
The videos below will help get you started:
Tech Tools & Resources
Google Slides: Year in Review Poster
Students Can Create a Work of Code Art
Mathigon
This fun interactive math website has a number of unique ways to incorporate math digitally. It has some elements that would work great as a supplement to your curriculum. Give it a try!
Updates from Powerschool!
- Missed a PowerScheduler workshop? No problem! The recordings are available on our Workshop Website.
- Join PowerSchool Admin Email List
- Join PowerSchool Teacher Email List
PD Opportunities
TEAMJXN Innovation Camp
When: June 21st-25th
(A flexible 1 hour a day commitmet)
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Who: PreK-12th grade Teachers and Students
What: Teachers will join the program with a team of 2-3 students for this week-long virtual event that will cover design thinking/digital game design.
Go to bit.ly/campjxn to learn more and register your team!
virtual edtech kickoff
When: Thursday, Aug. 5th, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: FREE for Jackson County ISD Technology Consortium educators and REMC 15
*4.5 SCECHs are available at no extra cost!
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 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
- More coming!
For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/jcisd.org/edtech/events/micropd
REMC: VIRTUAL COURSES OFFER FREE SCECHS
You made it! You’ve arrived at the end of an unprecedented school year. Take some time to rest and rejuvenate, then register for one or more REMC Virtual Courses to catch up on credits or polish your skills for fall.
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!
Computer Science Workshops
Code.org
The MiSTEM Network is excited to share multiple no-cost opportunities to learn about computer science and implement the curriculum in your district. Code.org provides curriculum and professional learning for AP Computer Science Principles (HS), CS Discoveries (MS), and CS Fundamentals (Elem). These robust professional learning opportunities will equip instructors with the necessary tools to implement new courses regardless of the educators' background in computer science.
Join the growing 600+ Code.org educator network in Michigan!
Middle & High School - Summer Workshop Details.
This is a robust five-day summer series followed by four follow-up workshops throughout the school year to implement a middle or high school computer science curriculum.
Elementary Workshop - Spring Workshop
This is a 12-hour virtual learning series that instructors can learn how to implement computer science lessons at the elementary level. Great for first time computer science instruction.
Save the Date: MI OER Summitt
More information: MI OER Summitt
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