Technology Newsletter

In this issue:

1. New Year, New Challenge
2. Annual Technology Survey
3. Minecraft EDU training opportunity
4. Padlet
5. Microsoft Forms Tutorial
6. Lost or Stolen Student Device Process
7. ChatGPT through an Educational Lens
8. OneDrive File Sharing Review
9. Are you interested in extra money?

I have a beautiful stadium blanket or stocking cap (MPS logo) - winners choice - for one lucky winner! Any classroom teacher who completes the Clever Teacher Certification will be entered into a drawing to win their choice of the above listed prizes. You can find the certification content at this link. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a certificate that you will share with me (Karen) to verify completion. Deadline for completion and submission of certificate is Friday, February 17th.

It is that time of year again (annual technology survey). Our school is partnering with BrightBytes, an educational research organization, to gather data about our school’s technology use for student learning. Our goal is to gather metrics on technology access, skills, and on our school’s technology environment, in order to further understand the connection between technology use and student achievement. This is not the same survey that we used last year, however we have used this survey in previous years (2020, 2021). Data gathered in this survey is used to steer technology decisions for our district.

We will be asking students in grades 3-12, as well as all classroom teachers and building administrators to complete this survey. Non-licensed staff will not take the survey. A guide to proctoring this survey with students is attached at the bottom of this newsletter.

Most students will be able to complete this survey in approximately 20 minutes.

A couple of important notes:

• Spanish translation is available in the survey by clicking on Languages in the upper right and choosing the preferred language.
• Microsoft Edge Read Aloud will work with this survey should you need the survey read to a student

Teachers (classroom & certified) complete survey within this timeframe: January 20th - February 6th. The link will be shared with you via your building admin newsletter and/or email.

Student Survey Schedule:

• High school students: January 25th during Ramp Up
• MATEC Students: TBD
• MMS Students: week of January 30th (grade level advisory)
• Southview Students: TBD

Your participation is important to us because it will give us a comprehensive understanding of our school’s technology use. A link will be shared with teachers and administrators via email to complete their survey. Students in grades 5-12 will access the survey link in their Tiger Tech course in Schoology. High school students will also receive the survey link via email from Deb Mitlyng the morning of January 25th .

We have the very unique opportunity of bringing a national Minecraft for EDU trainer to Marshall! If you currently use or if you have ever thought of using Minecraft in your classroom, then this may be for you! The training will be held in the district office PD room on March 14th. Attendance is limited and I am looking for representatives from each department (Math, Science, Social Studies, ELA) or grade level. If you would like to be consider for this full day training, please sign up at this link by February 10th. You will be notified of approval status by Monday, February 13th.

UPDATED: the training date will be Tuesday, March 14th.

Minecraft: Education Edition is a version of the popular open world game, Minecraft which is specifically designed for education. It contains features that make Minecraft more accessible and effective in a classroom. Educators learn how Minecraft EE can provide easy collaboration using tools like non-player characters, camera + portfolio, and chalkboards. Come learn how to help your students take crafting to the next level. Minecraft: Education Edition immerses students in a virtual landscape that fosters collaboration, stimulates problem solving, and inspires creativity while exploring subjects from art to math, history to science.

Minecraft: Education Edition is a version of the popular open world game, Minecraft which is specifically designed for education. It contains features that make Minecraft more accessible and effective in a classroom. Educators learn how Minecraft EE can provide easy collaboration using tools like non-player characters, camera + portfolio, and chalkboards. Come learn how to help your students take crafting to the next level. Minecraft: Education Edition immerses students in a virtual landscape that fosters collaboration, stimulates problem solving, and inspires creativity while.

Still thinking Minecraft is not applicable for your content or grade level area? Explore hundreds of lessons for a variety of content areas here!

For ideas on using Padlet in your classroom, take a look at this playlist of ideas and tutorials.

You may want to check out the new notification options as well:

The new notification system in Padlet adds new layers of control to the notifications you receive about your Padlet walls and about those that you follow.

As the creator of a Padlet wall you can now specify whether or not you want to receive notifications when people add new notes, new comments, and new reactions to your wall. You can also receive notifications when someone new follows your wall and when someone invites you to collaborate on a wall.

As a reminder for all staff, below is the verbiage from our Digital Learning Handbook in regard to lost, stolen, or damaged devices. Please advise students accordingly should any of these be an issue. As indicated below, all instances should be reported to the media center staff:

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Mobile Devices

Lost

If the mobile device is lost, it must be reported to the media center as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of the student/parent-guardian to recover or replace the lost mobile device. A lost device is not covered by the protection plan. If necessary, the district will assist in the recovery through the district’s Mobile Device Management tracking system.

Stolen

If the mobile device is stolen, it must be reported to the media center as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of the student/parent-guardian to report the stolen mobile device to the police. A stolen device is not covered by the protection plan. If a mobile device is stolen, a police report must be filed and a copy provided to the school. If necessary, the district will assist in the recovery through the district’s Mobile Device Management – Tracking system.

Damage

If a mobile device is damaged through normal student usage, it must be reported to the media center as soon as possible and a repair form will need to be filled out immediately. The repair will be processed as quickly as possible. If damage was caused by active misuse, abuse, neglect, tampering or was intentional, it becomes the student/parent/guardian responsibility for the entire cost of replacement or repair. Student discipline will be given to the student following existing District #413 policies.

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Todd Pickthorn

Karen Londgren

Nick Esping

Kent Powell

Email: karen.londgren@marshall.k12.mn.us
Website: https://www.marshall.k12.mn.us/domain/17
Location: 401 South Saratoga Street, Marshall, MN, USA
Phone: 507.929.2696