Instructional Tech Weekly

The Instructional Technology Website is always being updated. Recently, the site was overhauled to feature the professional learning resources that are available to all CSDNR faculty and staff. Last spring, the Team began vetting and creating resources to help educators learn how to use software applications. The resources include step-by-step videos as well as Google Slide Decks. There are also Google Docs and PDFs. Over the last year, we have added many resources to this collection.

The Google Sheet is categorized and has live links to the resources listed. There is a description of the resource, who created it, the medium used and its length. Some resources are very general and some of very specific, such as how to rename yourself in Zoom. The Sheet is always being updated with additions on a variety of applications.

Recently, we have added support documents and videos on GoGuardian, Smart Learning Suite and accessing Micro Focus Filr. You will also find recorded training sessions about STAR Progress Monitoring and Using myON. On this Sheet, you will find over 100 resources, many of which are tailored to CSDNR.

The Instructional Tech Resources page includes training sessions listed by application. Here you will find recorded webinars and Google Slide Decks with overviews on how to use the application. There are also webinars and resources from the vendors.

The Instructional Tech Website also includes a section on Ed Law 2-D and compliance. This page includes helpful tips for keeping student data safe and protecting personally identifiable information (PII). Highlights in this section include how to keep data safe in emails and during screen shares. This section also includes information about the requirements districts must take to be compliant with the law. This includes carefully vetting all software used in the district. For approval on any new software, please fill out the Software Approval Form.

The Instructional Technology Team provides ongoing professional learning. Using this new form Request for Professional Learning Form, teachers can ask for training on a variety of applications. Just fill out the form and be sure to include details about specific goals you would like addressed in the training. We will do our best to accommodate your professional learning goals.

Specific applications are listed, but there is also an "Other" category as well. If we cannot provide training, we may be able to contact the vendor to provide professional learning for teachers.

Education Law 2-D provides extra protections for student data and personally identifiable information (PII). Ed Law 2-D calls on educational institutions to limit the amount of PII being utilized and transmitted, especially in unprotected ways. It is the job of educators to protect student PII. Take a look at this short video on protecting student data.

It is also important to limit the amount of student PII being shared in emails and sending sensitive information via an email is not always secure. Information can be breached. There are ways to mitigate personally identifiable student information from being breached via email. First, think about using student IDs instead of names in an email. Student IDs without other information are not identifiable without using a password protected application, like eschoolplus.

Additionally, Gmail has two security features built into it. One allows the sender to identify a time when that email will expire and no longer be accessible to the recipient. The other is to utilize an SMS passcode generated to a cell phone in order to open the email. Here is a brief video on how to use these Gmail security features.

Teachers can send a password protected MS Excel file or a password protected MS Word file. This is very simple to do. Take a look at this short video on how to password protect your MS Excel files. Here is a video on how to password protect your MS Word files.

Finally, you can always use Google Docs or Google Sheets to send sensitive information that you want to secure. Make sure that the document is only shared with the intended recipient and not shared with others.

Smart Learning Suite is the online platform of Smart Notebook. You can upload Notebook, PowerPoint and pdf files into a new online lesson. Lessons in the Smart Learning Suite can be created as interactive learning sessions. There are many activities to add to enhance student engagement. Check out this recorded workshop from Shannon Mulqueen and here is the Google Slide Deck from the workshop.

If you recently received a new MX SmartBoard, take a look at this video from Shannon Mulqueen on how to get started using it. She guides new users from powering on to using the tools.

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) offers free resources on Digital Citizenship. The topics of these resources includes subject matter such as; informational literacy, finding digital balances, tips for parents, copyright and digital wellness. Google also offers Digital Citizenship resources for teachers. Included in their trainings are resources for internet safety as well. Nearpod also offers ready-made lessons on Digital Citizenship for all ages. Many of these lessons are created in conjunction with Common Sense Media.

The listing of District applications can be found at this link and includes signed Parent Bill of Rights by vendors as well as other information about the application.

We have also created a guide for current applications that address their uses and similarities to other software titles. Here is Google Slide Deck that provides details on the various CSDNR Applications. In this document, you will get information on how to login, the kind of subscription we have, similar software and resources on how to use the application.

The Instructional Technology Website has information about software and applications used in CSDNR. Remember to take a look at the multitude of resources to provide support on using District software. There are videos, Slide Decks, and Documents. Some resources are full recordings of webinars, while others are short and very specific. Check out the new Ed Law 2-D section as well.