Thursday, May 29, 2014

Posts from September 6, 2013 - May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

Elementary Technology News has a new home!
  • We've moved the ETN page to a blog to hopefully improve our communication.
  • This is the last blog for the 2013-2014 school year.  
  • Starting this summer, we will be inputting blogs as a separate entry each week (instead of one long page), so feel free to check back with us.
  • We hope this will help with organization and searching.
  • Let us know what you think or if you have any suggestions for improving.
Office 2013 Tutorials

Check Eduphoria eCourses for upcoming Office 2013 trainings.

In addition, here are some youtube videos that can help:

Outlook 2013:
New Features in Outlook 2013 (4 minute video) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXIlTN598dM

Calendar Training (20 minute video) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2GfZAyeeBA

Word 2013:
Overview of New Features (5 minute video) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biZBl5Z0qwQ

Office 365 Information

Question:
I am considering updating to Office 2013 on my school computer.  Can I do this? Should I do this? And what are the advantages or disadvantages (if any)?

Answers:

Should you do this?
  • Updating to Office 2013 is strongly recommended for any computer running Windows 7.
  • The new features in Office 2013 can be useful, and it works well with Office 365.
  • To use Lync (which is one of the applications in the Office suite), you must have 2013 installed.

Can you upgrade to Office 2013?
  • The computer must have Windows 7 because it doesn’t work with Windows XP
  • It can be installed from the Microsoft System (Software) Center (Start—Programs—Microsoft Software Center - "Find additional applications from the Application Catalog" link in top right )
  • If you don't have Microsoft Software Center as a choice, contact the Help Desk at x-70260.
  • Outlook Personal Folders will need to be reconnected when upgrading to Office 2013.

Advantages or Disadvantages?
  • In addition to the new features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., Outlook has “a different look” that can take a little adjusting, but nothing major.
  • Lync is one of the applications in Office 2013 that allows you to connect to another person or persons with chat, audio, and/or video. (Similar to Wimba which was used in the district in previous years.)
  • By upgrading to Office 2013, you will be able to edit PDF documents in Word.


Question:
What is Office 365 and how will it affect me?

Answer:
  • It is the online services for Microsoft Office
  • This includes the web applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
  • Online (Cloud) File storage with the ability to edit, save, collaborate with others, etc.
  • It is a similar concept to Google Docs or Dropbox – files saved “remotely” in a “cloud” location rather than our network home folder or public drive.

Advantages of using Office 365:
  • Documents are stored “in the cloud”
  • You have access to the files from anywhere
  • No need for flash drives or saving to your home folder
  • You can share your files with others so they can view and/or edit them
  • Email storage increased significantly (no more “your Inbox is full”)
  • 50 gig of space

Differences you will encounter after moving to Office 365:
  • The networking department will be migrating district email accounts to Office 365 (the cloud) during the next several months.
  • When this occurs, you may need to reconnect your personal folders in Outlook 2013.
  • In  Office 365, emails deleted from your Inbox will only exist in the Deleted Items folder for 30 days. After 30 days, they are automatically expunged (permanently) from the folder.  
    • IMPORTANT NOTE: Networking does not have the capability of recovering these deleted items.  (This also applies to files that are deleted in Office 365.)
  • As a result of the 30 day time limit in Deleted Items, you may want to be more cognizant of the items you delete and consider your archiving and organization of emails and files more carefully.
  • The email server address for mobile devices (iPads, iPhones, Android devices, etc.) will change to outlook.office365.com
  • You will need to change the settings on your device to continue receiving emails, calendar updates, etc.
  • To access your mailbox in an Internet Browser, go to http://login.microsoftonline.com
  • Login using your PISD email address
  • On the second login screen, enter your PISD Username and Password


Question:
How do I access Office 365?

Answer:
http://login.microsoftonline.com

There is a link from the Staff—Resources menu on the PISD webpage



Student Network Logins and Passwords 

 On Friday, August 22, 2014, at 8:30 am, the following actions will occur:
  • All  student network passwords will be changed to your campus mascot.  
  • The passwords will be set as "change on first login".
  • A reminder email will be sent to you regarding this change at about 10:30 am on August 22, 2014.

 Reason for doing this:
  • All student passwords will expire over the summer.
  • In addition, many of your students will probably forget their passwords over the summer.
  • On the student's initial login next year, students will be prompted to enter the following:
    • A new password that meets the requirements set forth by PISD**
    • Answers to challenge questions, which will help with retrieving their password during the 2014-2015 school year.

 **PISD Password Requirements:
  • Kinder-4th grade - must be at least 3 characters (Examples - cat, dog, 123)
  • 5th grade - must be a minimum of 6 characters, including 3 of the 4 character groups listed below
    • one or more upper case letters
    • one or more lower case letters
    • one or more numbers 
    • one or more special characters 
    • Examples: 
      • Boozswah1
      • Gr8Idea
      • Gudkid!
Questions or Concerns?
  • Contact the Instructional Technology Department for more detail or clarification. (x-78108)




Discovery Education Network - 
"Try This At Home" Science Experiments
Lesson Plans, Video Explanations, etc.
http://dlc.com/TryAtHome




House Bill 5 Reminder
One of the digital learning criteria for the House Bill 5 report is the percentage of teachers enrolled in technology staff development.
Tom will be running the report that will go to the state the morning of Friday, June 6.
Please be sure:
  1. The technology category has been checked for all  campus courses that dealt with technology this school year.
  2. If you are offering technology courses these last two weeks, that your participants submit their survey BEFORE Friday, June 6.

Star Chart NCLB Report
For those of you trying to help your principal complete the NCLB Report:
  • Attached are directions to get a list of desktops, laptops/netbooks, tablets and Promethean boards for your campus.
  • This report from Lawson may or may not be accurate, but can be used for the report.
  • The resulting report is not perfect, you will still need to do some sorting or counting, but it better than nothing. 
  • Hopefully this will save some time for you
  • DO NOT spend a lot of time trying to get this perfect!!!



Windows 8 Reading Materials:

There is now an eCourse in Eduphoria. It is in draft mode, but the link to the course for you to check it out is here:  https://eduphoria.pasadenaisd.org/wshop/default.aspx?cid=36180

Here is some interesting reading for you:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/education/archive/2013/09/03/windows-8-in-education-windows-store-apps-and-deployment.aspx

The full guide is lengthy, but good information. Download here:
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9835091

One Note Information

Microsoft OneNote is taking off in our district as an online collaborative workspace for staff and students. The IT staff will be providing training on OneNote and Office 365 during the coming months.  This application works best with Office 2013.

If you want to learn more about One Note and Office 2013, you can update your laptop/desktop to Office 2013.  Here are the instructions.
http://p4cdn1static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_80688/File/Departments/Instructional%20Technology/Office2013/Office%202013%20Install%20Instructions.pdf

This install is pretty easy.  Call the Help Desk if you run into any technical issues.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This install will not work if you are running Windows XP.

The IT staff has prepared a variety of Office 2013 and Office 365 training resources.
They are located on this page:
http://www1.pasadenaisd.org/departments/departments_f-_l/instructional_technology/Office2013/


May 2, 2014

Istation Q&A
Question - Does Istation have an iPad app?
Answer - Yes:  http://www.istation.com/About/Press20140224
Question - What does the Istation Parent Portal provide for parents?
Answer - Parent Portal allows parents to see “limited reports and resources using their student’s Istation account.” When the teacher enables this, there is a letter that can be printed with instructions for parents to download Istation at home and login with student account.
Question - Can Istation be used by students during the summer?
Answer – Yes.  The same student install that works at school will also work from home.  


Think Through Math Q&A
Question – If my student has completed all of their current pathway in Think Through Math, how can I have them begin again and what are my options for starting them on a new pathway?
Answer – The student can start over on the same grade-level pathway or on a different grade-level pathway.  The teacher can also customize a pathway for the student.
Customizing a Pathway –
http://support.thinkthroughmath.com/think_through_learning/topics/how_do_i_create_a_customized_learning_pathway_for_my_students
Customized pathways can be created by using the Manage Pathways section located in the left margin area on the HOME page section of your teacher/admin account. 
If this information doesn’t clarify this for you, contact Joda Mendoza for more assistance.  


Projector Bulb Purchasing
The following correspondence is from an email sent on Friday 4/25/2014 at 4:09pm:

Vickie McCarthy - Are you out of projector bulbs?
Michael Rodriguez - Yes, we no longer have any bulbs for the Epson 83+ projector
Vickie McCarthy - So what happens now?
Michael Rodriguez - As per Steve we don't have funds for bulbs.  The schools/depts. have to purchase their own bulbs.  They can contact Vanessa Zambrana for quotes.


Windows 8

Interested in learning Windows 8? Try these tutorial sites:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to
http://www1.pasadenaisd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=80772&pageId=3615588
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/windows8


Research Resources for Elementary!

Research in writing is "write" around the corner! Here are some resources for teaching elementary students research and writing skills:
http://www1.pasadenaisd.org/departments/departments_f-_l/instructional_technology/instructional_technology_staff/emily_bourgeois/research_k-5/


Instructional Sites of the Week! 
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo Traditions (video)
http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=30624&CategoryID=437Guiro (music)
http://www.dariamusic.com/guiro.php
​La Bamba (music)
​http://vimeo.com/47192024 History Channel
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo#


April 18, 2014
Istation - Adding or Transferring Students
Teachers and Campus Istation Managers can add new students, as well as transfer students from another class and/or campus.  Click this instructions link to see how to do this.


Discovery Education Network (DEN) Spring Virtual Conference
(For more information, click here.)
The Theme for the event is Digital Transformations. The schedule includes three keynote presentations, and four slots for concurrent sessions. We will focus on the track “Digital by design: Integrating digital resources into the classroom”, though other presentation tracks are available online.
What can you expect from the VirtCon?
• Every session will be broadcast LIVE with a full video feed
• Live and engaging discussions on presented content both in the room and online
• All sessions will be archived
• Information about how to become a Discovery Education STAR Educator

Space is limited. Register soon!

Instructional Site of the Week! 
Share with your teachers.  Something for everyone!
Room Recess - Free Educational Games for Elementary


April 11, 2014
​Fun Websites to Share
Decorate An Egg and Share for Make a Wish donation:  http://www.heinzpaaseaster.com/

Math Basketball Games:
Comparing Numbers - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/1st-grade/Basket%20ball/Comparisons%20basketball%20game/Comparisons.swf

Counting By 2's, 5's, 10's up to 100 - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/1st-grade/Basket%20ball/Counting/Counting%20by%20tens,%20fives,fours%20upto%20100/Counting%20by%20tens,%20fives,fours%20upto%20100.swf

Even and Odd Numbers - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/1st-grade/Basket%20ball/Counting/Even%20and%20odd%20numbers/Even%20and%20odd%20numbers%20from%201%20to%20100.swf

Price List - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/1st-grade/Basket%20ball/Money/Price%20list.swf


Billionaire Math!
Addition - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/4th-grade/billionaire-games/Addition/play.swf

Area of a Square or Rectangle - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/4th-grade/billionaire-games/Area%20of%20a%20square/play.swf

Area of a Circle - http://www.math4childrenplus.com/free/games/4th-grade/billionaire-games/Area%20of%20circles/play.swf


March 28, 2014

Think Central Update
After a recent change, teachers are getting locked out of Think Central.
Please read the following information at this link and share with your teachers, if needed. There is no need for a work order. 


March 21, 2014

iStation -
Question: Is there a problem viewing the content on the netbooks?
Answer: No problems.  They don't have to scroll and can see all the content.
TELPAS -
Question: I can't seem to get rid of the Bing toolbar.  Is that a problem?
Answer: No. Once the student logs into TestNav successfully, the Bing toolbar will not be visible.

ActiVotes Not Working After ActivInspire Software Update - Question: My ActiVotes were working.  I updated ActivInspire.  Now they aren't working.  How can I correct this?
Answer: When you update the ActivInspire Software version, the ActivDriver needs to be updated too.  Do the following to update the driver:
  • Open the following location: (only available from school)
    • U:\PublicDrive---Software---Promethean---ActivDrivers_and_Updates
  • Choose the appropriate driver and double-click to install
    • If you aren't sure which one, try the 64-bit.  If it is not correct, you will be prompted that it is not compatible, and you should install the other one.
Instructional Site of the Week! 
Share with your teachers.  Something for everyone! - Technology for the Elementary Classroom

Some of the highlights from this site are:
Math Tool Chest (McGraw Hill Interactive Site)
Community Field Trip - Kinder and 1st grade
Addition Machine
Crocodile Multiplication
Crocodile Place Value
Crocodile Mixed Math Operations New Page 1
March 7, 2014

Virtual Field Trips
​​​

Is Your Passport Ready? (Virtual Field trips for all subjects)
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0-2Clyd_FInbTJTeUVXdVlBOW8&usp=sharing

Houston Zoo Web Cam
 http://www.houstonzoo.org/meet-the-animals/animal-webcams/

Smithsonian Virtual Tour Galleries
http://www.mnh.si.edu/vtp/2-mobile/index.html World Wonders Project
http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/about/wonders/

I Learn Technology - 5 Best Virtual Field Trips
http://ilearntechnology.com/?tag=virtual-field-trips 

7 Virtual Tours
http://techedblog.tumblr.com/post/48928712981/7-good-virtual-tours-for-students

Texas Beyond History
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/index.html

 
February 28, 2014

​​​​ActivInspire Dual User Error Message
Problem - I'm getting the following error message when using Dual Pen mode in ActivInspire:
"Dual User requires an update available for Promethean Activboards only.  Please contact Promethean on your nearest Promethean reseller for your upgrade options."

Answer - You need to install the latest driver.  This driver is located here:
\\pisdcifs02\PISDShare\Promethean\ActivBoard_Install_Items\ActivInspire\Drivers_and_Updates

Instructional Sites of the Week! - share the site and the directions for using the site with your teachers!
Into the Book
This is a great interactive website that teaches things such as:
--Visualizing
--Summarizing
--Synthesizing
--Evaluating
--Inferring
--Prior Knowledge
--Making Connections

 Directions for Using Into the Book

 
February 21, 2014

YouTube Tool - ViewPure - http://viewpure.com/
Watch YouTube videos without comments, suggestions, or the 'other' things.




Think Through Math (TTM) - NEW RESOURCE PAGE!
Starting to use TTM, but you're not sure where to start?  Check this Resource Page Link with videos, handouts, and other information.

iStation - Upcoming Training

Here is an excerpt from an email sent by Richard Yoes to elementary principals re: iStation training in March. 

From: Richard Yoes
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 5:00 PM
To: _Elementary Principals
Cc: Christy Foster; Emily Bourgeois; Debi Krampen; Traci Powell
Subject: re:iStation Training

...we’re scheduling iStation training for March 17th. There will be two half day sessions.

We will try to schedule an additional training for summer for those of you for whom this date does not work or who are implementing next year. Sub codes and links to register are below. We will pay for one ½ day sub per session for campuses as needed. We should not have a problem with capacity if you want to send more folks
 
77111-22 – 8:30-11:30

77111-23 – 12:30-3:30
iStation - Transferring Students or Adding New Students - NEW!
  • Students are not auto-updated in iStation on a regular basis, so teachers or managers must be responsible for adding/transferring students.
  • Campus Managers and Teachers can transfer students into a class from another campus in the district and/or add new students to the iStation system.
Teacher-Specific Instructions
  • Scroll down to the video, Adding and Removing Students from Your Class, at this link.     
    <OR>
  • Handout (Start with Step 3) - Click here for instructions.
Campus or District Manager Instructions
Click here for instructions.


Instructional Site of the Week! - Teach Your Monster To Read
 
February 14, 2014

 SuccessMaker News

The following is an excerpt from an email sent by Vickie McCarthy re: SuccessMaker and Waterford:
Successmaker will no longer be supported by the company nor by the district at the end of the school year. PISD Admin's and Curriculum Department are researching a new product.
Waterford will remain in use. iStation and Think Through Math are also available.
The following is an excerpt from an email sent by Richard Yoes re: SuccessMaker, iStation Reading Intervention, and Think Through Math Intervention Programs:
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 11:21 AM
To: _Elementary Principals
Subject: SuccessMaker Solution
We have been experiencing SuccessMaker issues across the district for quite some time. Thank you all for keeping us well informed about the issues and being proactive about trying to fix them. We know this has caused heartache for your teachers. Unfortunately, the issues we are experiencing with Java and SuccssMaker are not going away in the foreseeable future.
At this point, we would like to offer you another option. We have an online reading intervention program available for all 3rd and 4th grade students: iStation. We also have an online math intervention program available for all 3rd and 4th grade students: Think Through Math. (These are the products provided by and endorsed by TEA through Texas SUCCESS) Campuses that have utilized these programs have provided very positive feedback and we're confident in the quality of these products and the alignment of their content to state standards.
The following is another excerpt from an email sent by Richard Yoes re: iStation:
From: Richard Yoes
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:59 PM
To: _Elementary Principals
Subject: iStation info
Principals,
If your campus is getting started with iStation and your staff has basic questions, we have some videos that may help. Emily Bourgeois in IT worked hard to piece these together from resources available online and created a website you can reach at this link.
This might help your staff get started. On the website, staff can select either “Teachers” or “Managers” to see the appropriate videos. We are working to arrange a face to face PD during the day, but that will really cover the same info available through these videos.
Learning.com App for iPads and Android devices:
The new Learning.com app offers EasyTech lessons on tablet devices for current users. Students can access lessons assigned to them using their existing credentials. Search for "EasyTech" to find the app on the Apple Store or Google Play.

iStation for Reading
K-2nd – Available in English and Spanish (for schools who want to purchase it)
K-2nd - Available in Spanish (currently free for the PISD schools who are piloting the Spanish version)
3rd-4th – Available in English with Bilingual support (currently free for all PISD schools)
Lawson Employee Job Application Link Not Working? – call help desk and they can assist you

Free Online Learning - http://www.gcflearnfree.org/topics
Doodle4Google -
Contest for K-12 students to create artwork for Google search homepage. http://www.google.com/doodle4google/ 

Chrome Extensions vs. Eduphoria -
Have you had teachers say they can't view their workshop portfolio list, or administrators that  can't see their PDAS appraisals? The problem could be Chrome extensions. Some Chrome extensions (Evernote seems to be the most popular) don't play nice with some eduphoria lists. If you go into the Chrome Settings - Extensions and dis-able extensions 1 by 1 you can find the extension that is causing the problem. Once identified, the user has to decide if the extension is 'worth' the issue it causes or not (or they can start using Internet Explorer for eduphoria again).




December 13, 2013

Looking for a Handout or Video Tutorial? - We've reorganized our handouts and videos.
Check out these sites or call for assistance.
Links to Online Handouts and Videos (alphabetized)
Links to Online Handouts and Videos (categorized)
Other Training Resources


Reading Discovery Streaming Event with Barbara Bush
This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 10:00 – 11:15 a.m. CST.  While supplies last, Pasadena ISD students and teachers who view the event (or an archived recording of the event) will receive a copy of the book Liberty by Lynn Curlee, published by Simon & Schuster.  All grade levels are welcome to participate. However, the content will be focused on grades 3-8.
Pasadena ISD participants will not need to register in advance for the event. Rather, they will need to access the event from the following link (which is only available from within the district network.)
http://pisdnet/it_intranet/ipvideo/2013_2014/Bush_Story_Time/2014_entry.htm
Additional details (including references to the addressed TEKS) can be found in this flyer.


Instructional Sites of the Week! - share with your teachers
Find these and other fun and interactive holiday sites at the Winter Holiday Resources page.
YouTube Tool - ViewPure - http://viewpure.com/
Watch YouTube videos without comments, suggestions, or the 'other' things.




Think Through Math (TTM) - NEW RESOURCE PAGE!
Starting to use TTM, but you're not sure where to start?  Check this Resource Page Link with videos, handouts, and other information.

iStation - Upcoming Training

Here is an excerpt from an email sent by Richard Yoes to elementary principals re: iStation training in March. 

From: Richard Yoes
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 5:00 PM
To: _Elementary Principals
Cc: Christy Foster; Emily Bourgeois; Debi Krampen; Traci Powell
Subject: re:iStation Training

...we’re scheduling iStation training for March 17th. There will be two half day sessions.

We will try to schedule an additional training for summer for those of you for whom this date does not work or who are implementing next year. Sub codes and links to register are below. We will pay for one ½ day sub per session for campuses as needed. We should not have a problem with capacity if you want to send more folks
 
77111-22 – 8:30-11:30

77111-23 – 12:30-3:30
iStation - Transferring Students or Adding New Students - NEW!
  • Students are not auto-updated in iStation on a regular basis, so teachers or managers must be responsible for adding/transferring students.
  • Campus Managers and Teachers can transfer students into a class from another campus in the district and/or add new students to the iStation system.
Teacher-Specific Instructions
  • Scroll down to the video, Adding and Removing Students from Your Class, at this link.     
    <OR>
  • Handout (Start with Step 3) - Click here for instructions.
Campus or District Manager Instructions
Click here for instructions.


Instructional Site of the Week! - Teach Your Monster To Read
 


 


December 6, 2013

321 Free Tech Tools for Teachers
http://elearningindustry.com/321-free-tools-for-teachers-free-educational-technology

The Hour of Code (An easy way to incorporate programming into your curriculum!)
http://csedweek.org/ has all the introductory videos and tutorials you will need – no experience needed! Just set aside some time for students – and even parents – to try their hand at coding. 

MediaCast Embed Code Instructions - http://www1.pasadenaisd.org/departments/departments_f-_l/instructional_technology/resources/mediacast/

Need Memory Cards for your CyberShot Digital Camera? 
Mushkin BGB Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Flash Memory Card, Class 20, Model MKNSDHCC10-8GB (Approx. $7.98 each)

Prime Systems
10402 Harwin Drive
Houston, Texas 77036
Telephone: 713-933-0956
Fax: 713-933-1030

Instructional Sites of the Week! - share with your teachers
Winter Holiday Resources
Keyboarding Resources
Whiteboard Drawing Site


 


November 22, 2013

20 Basic Rules for Digital Citizenship - "Manners Matter" poster - the Do's and Don'ts for being a good digital citizen.  http://www.teachthought.com/technology/20-basic-rules-for-digital-citizenship/

Instructional Sites of the Week! - share with your teachers
Creative Writing Web Tools 

PowerPoint 2010 Tip - I can't find the Play CD Audio Track button anymore.  How do I play music from a CD?

How to add the "Play CD Audio Track" command to the "Insert" tab

If you want to add the Play CD Audio Track command back to the Insert tab, you must create a custom group and then add the command to the new group. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click the File tab, and then click Options in the navigation pane.

2. In the navigation pane of the PowerPoint Options window, click Customize Ribbon.

3. In the Customize the ribbon column, in the Main Tabs list, expand Insert, and then select Media.

4. Under the Main Tabs list, click New Group. The new group named New Group (Custom) is inserted under the Media group.

5. Click Rename, type CD Audio, and then click OK.

6. In the Choose command from drop-down list, select All commands.

7. Locate and then select the Play CD Audio Track command, and then click the Add button. The command appears under the new CD Audio group.

8. Click OK.

The new group CD Audio together with the command Play CD Audio Track is displayed on the right side of the Media group.


Need to Convert a File? - Convert Files.com
Use this site to convert an iPhone video (.mov) to a Windows format (.wmv) or to convert most audio files to .mp3 format.

 


November 15, 2013

Computer Science Education Week (December 9, 2013) observed each year, in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).

Computer Science Education Week has all the introductory videos and tutorials you will need – no experience needed!


  • Tech Apps Teachers – take students through the tutorials as a class or let them tackle them on their own
  • Technology Clubs – make coding the topic of your meeting that week
  • After School – invite parents to stay after school to work through some tutorials with their kids
  • For You and your Family – Come to the Instructional Technology department between 4:00-6:00pm on Monday, December 9th. The labs will be open for you and your kids to try it out for yourself. Sign up in eduphoria.



Instructional Sites of the Week! - share with your teachers


Pup Talk - Create your own story with a beginning, middle and end. (requires a microphone)
Skits in the Park - Identify items and sniff them out at the park.
Town Crier - Create your own newspaper!
Martha's Stories - Three read-aloud stories
Martha's Circus Spectacular - Word games
Martha Speaks Videos 


November 8, 2013

New Discovery Education Tools

Board Builder - The Board Builder was released for students this past summer, but now it’s available for teachers too. The Board Builder allows you to create media-rich interactive online pages, or “boards” (similar to Glogster) that can be assigned to your students as well as shared other Discovery users. I’ve posted a brief video tutorial on my website at www.esc11.net/discovery to help you get started using this cool tool.

Progress Zone - Progress Zone is a robust assessment builder that is fully integrated into the Discovery Education platform, allowing you to take advantage of the student integration platform and tools that your teachers are already using in their classroom. The tool provides a vast library of assessment questions, correlated to the Texas Standards, as well as other frameworks such the Common Core, National Standards, and College and Career Readiness Standards. Teachers are able to incorporate questions into quizzes, or “probes”, selected by standard, as well added directly by the teacher. Added questions and developed “probes” or assessments, can, then, be shared across a campus or district, as well as assigned to students through the Discovery Student Center. Student results are then made available through the teacher’s Discovery Classroom Manager along with all other assigned Discovery media and activities.

Video Overview of Progress Zone - www.esc11.net/discovery 

Additional Tutorial Videos for ProgressZone - www.esc11.net/discovery
(available in the next couple of weeks)

Creating Desktop Shortcuts That Open in Specified Internet Browser
Example: a Lawson shortcut that opens in Internet Explorer in contrast to a Gradespeed shortcut that opens in Google Chrome. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c33RInxtciw

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts and Tips

Five Best Tips for Using Office 2010
Many teachers still struggle with the "ribbon" in Office 2010 (specifically MS Word).  Share these tips with teachers to help increase their productivity when using MS Word and other Office 2010 products. 
Handout
Technology Liaisons: This topic (and the Windows 7 tips) could make for a great 30-45 minute workshop!)

Learning.com – Free MarketPlace Resources
Reference page 2 of this handout - http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=755811
In Learning.com, you can do the following:


    MediaCAST
    • Teachers can now request MediaCAST Cable TV recordings via the Eduphoria Help Desk. 
    • After accessing the Help Desk module, teachers will need to click on the Technology icon, then click on Assistance or training from a Technology Trainer, then click on the MediaCAST Recording icon. 
    • The request will then be directed to your queue, and someone on your campus will need to schedule the recording. 
    • In addition to you, the campus librarian and administrators have rights to schedule recordings. 
    Instructional Sites of the Week! - share with your teachers

    The Story of Thanksgiving by Zebtoonz on Youtube
    The Story of Squanto - video, quiz and printable activity
    Paint a Turkey
    Turkey Puzzle


    November 1, 2013
    iPads, iPhones and PISD Mail
    Networking did some maintenance on our Exchange email server this week that caused issues for employees that use iPads or iPhones to check their PDAS email.

    • For most users deleting their current Exchange account and adding it back in will fix the issue
    • For those with older models, or those that have not updated to iOS6, they will need to enter their full email address (include the @pasadenaisd,org) in the username field.
    Instructional Site of the Week! -
    Activities for Veterans Day (November 11):     http://www.va.gov/kids/k-5/games_activities.asp


    October 25, 2013

    Successmaker vs. Java
    The main issue with successmaker not working is Java. Here are directions for removing and re-installing Java.
    Java update 45 install

    iStation in Spanish - Can an Elementary get this?
    • As a district, we have iStation Spanish licenses for 100 students on 4 different elementary campuses (total of 400) in grades K-2 as a pilot program.
    • We only have English for all others.
    • If any campus wants to purchase the Spanish component, the cost is $35 per student. 
    • This info applies only to 3rd-4th grade iStation users. 
    • If this does not work, please contact Traci Powell at x-70906.


    iStation Default Domain requested when installing

    • This info applies only to 3rd-4th grade iStation users. 
    • If anyone is installing iStation from the Microsoft Software Center, you will be prompted for a “Default Domain”. 
    • If this does not work, please contact Traci Powell at x-70906.

    Education Sites for Halloween:
    Another pumpkin carvin site     - http://www.spookathon.com/halloween/pumpkin-carver.php
    Pumpkin Multiplication - http://www.mathplayground.com/mathgames/SL_PumpkinMultiples_secure.swf



    October 18, 2013





    • Trouble with links in Forethought (ELA/RDG at Elementary Level)?
      • Accessing curriculum documents and copying links to documents has been a challenge recently for some elementary teachers.
      • Watch this video (5 min) to find a method that might work for you and/or your teachers. - video
      • If you think this might work, here is a handout with instructions for the initial setup and steps to access and/or copy the files. - handout
      • Contact (email or phone) Emily Bourgeois if you would like a demonstration of this and/or would like to me to help any of your teachers.  x-78102



    • Successmaker Not Working Well?
      • If you continue to have trouble with Successmaker, turn in a work order to Technical Services (as they are aware of the issues and working to resolve them).

    • iStation Install 
      • iStation install is now in the Microsoft Software Center
      • Here are instructions for accessing this:  instructions
      • When prompted for the "Default Domain", it should be the following:
        • campusname.pasadena.tx
        • Example: matthys.pasadena.tx



    • Instructional Sites of the Week!
      • Story Starters - http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/
      • Battle Ship Number Line - http://playpowerlabs.org/bsnl/v21/brainpop/BSNL.swf 
      • Math Facts Game - http://www.additionblocksgame.com/AdditionBlocksGame/ 
      • Pumpkin Carving -  http://www.ncs-tech.org/pub/carve_pumpkin.swf



     
    October 4, 2013
    • Setting up new netbook carts
      • Instructions
      • District is hiring outside helpers to set up (may take a while)
    • Netbook Video Training for Students - All of you are getting new netbooks for your students to use. Feel free to use this video to train students on proper care and use of the netbooks.
      Student Portal at Elementary Level
      Teachers, Liaisons, and/or Tech Apps teachers can (in mass) change their class or grade level student passwords to something that is easier to type (like 123, abc, …)
      • Several campuses have worked with 3rd and 4th grade students during the last few weeks with success
        • Students log into portal
        • Change password
        • Set challenge questions
        • Set passwords in the portal for Learning.com and Think Through Math. 
      • Benefit of this?
        • Student passwords for the portal are easier to type
        • Student challenge questions are created to help them if they forget their password
        • Once Application Tile passwords are entered in the portal, students can click the Tile and no longer have to type their passwords to access the application. 
          • Learning.com is working (but has had some minor issues here and there)
          • Think Through Math password lockbox works
        • I will be working with Kindergarten today (Friday, Oct 4) – should be interesting!
      • Instructions for Liaisons and/or Tech Apps teachers have been created on the process of changing student passwords in mass, and then students logging into the portal, changing passwords, updating challenge questions, etc. (Thanks to Alise Lamoreaux for her information re: this.)
        • If you are interested in doing this, let me know and I will send you the instructions.
        • IMPORTANT NOTE – These instructions ARE NOT for mass distribution as it provides information about mass changing passwords. Not everyone condones this type of solution (even though it makes the process MUCH EASIER for elementary students), so I suggest you keep these instructions CONFIDENTIAL. If a teacher would like to do this for their class, I suggest you help them individually. DO NOT SEND THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR ENTIRE STAFF.
        • IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER - The portal (as I’m sure you know) is still not without its problems and glitches. My statement is: “When it works with little or no glitches, it will be great!” Right now, however, there are still some issues. 

      Think Through Math Update
      • Contact persons for Think Through Math 
        • How to use it – Joda Mendoza – x-70938
        • Student accounts – Christy Foster
      • Students are (or can be) already working in the system
      • This program is for grades 3rd through Algebra I (8th or 9th grade)
        • Username – first initial lowercase + last initial lowercase + student ID with leading zero (i.e. - xx0123456)
        • Password - same

      iStation Update
      • Contact persons for iStation
        • How to use it (including install information) – 
          • Debi Krampen – 5th-8th grade – x-70046
          • Traci Powell – K-4th grade – x-70906
        • Student accounts – 
          • Christy Foster – x-70143
      • Student and Teacher Accounts
        • Christy Foster uploaded 3rd and 4th students and teachers into the system with accounts on October 7
        • 3rd and 4th grade teachers have (or will soon) be notified via email about their teacher accounts (login and password)
        • Student Account Info:
          • Username – first initial lowercase + last initial lowercase + student ID with leading zero (i.e. - xx0123456)
          • Password - same
        • iStation Teacher Information
        • Currently, iStation is (or will be) used as a Pilot Program with Richey, McMasters, Jensen, Pomeroy 
          • 100 students 
          • K-2 Bilingual
          • The usernames and passwords are being entered by the persons on the campus who are involved in the pilot program. Therefore, they might not follow the same pattern listed above.
        • Instructional Site of the Week! - Share with your teachers!  Thanks Alise Lamoreaux!


           
          September 27, 2013

          • Teacher Portal Information and Handouts
            • Click here for news and information
          • Student Portal News - Recently, several classes, grade levels and campuses have had their students log into the portal, change their passwords and establish their challenge questions WITH GREAT SUCCESS!  Check back on Monday for handouts, tips and more information you can share with your teachers.  
            • Want to try this with YOUR classes? Know a teacher who wants to do this? Contact your Instructional Technology Specialist.  We'll be happy to help!  x-78108
          • Google Chrome Pop-Up Blocker - Can't click fast enough to disable the pop-up blocker? Using Chrome to access GradeSpeed, and the pop-up blocker is a problem?  Click here to see how to correct this problem.
          • Think Through Math
          • iStation
          • Netbook Tip - Turning Off Pinch and Zoom - Wonder why your netbook screen zooms out to such a small display that you can barely read it?  How does that happen?  Click here to turn off the Pinch and Zoom feature of the Glide Pad.
          • JAVA Install/Update Issues?
          • Instructional Site of the Week! - Share with your teachers!


          September 20, 2013

          September 13, 2013


          September 6, 2013


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