CSDNR Instructional Tech Weekly

Google released lessons for teachers to use to integrate technology skills into the curriculum. These lessons are in the form of project-based experiences. For example, there are lessons that focus on Thanksgiving while addressing students' digital skills. Take a look at these three lessons. They include: Showing Appreciation, Creating a Digital Scrapbook and Creating a Cookbook.

All the lessons include detailed plans, how-to videos and examples. Some also include rubrics which are customizable. There are lessons that can be searched by grade band. They span upper elementary to high school. You can also search for lessons by digital tool as well as subject area. While searching, you may find projects employing various Google applications in engaging ways. Did you know that you could use Google Sheets to make crossword puzzles or Battleship boards?

Google for Education offers a host of project-based experiences and lessons that foster digital skills using a variety of curricular topics. Take a look at the integration with science and social studies, ELA, computer science and the digital art and games. Each collection provides a series of lessons and includes the approximate amount of time they take to complete with students.

Kami is a digital tool that provides students and teachers with online individual and collaborative spaces within this application. Students can respond to a text using Kami. Kami allows students to annotate, highlight and verbally comment on texts. Teachers can share any pdf or document with students. Students can respond to prompts or assignments within Kami using a variety of tools.

Kami has now added its own templates for teachers to use with students. These include a variety of graphic organizers. There are also tools to assess learning or provide opportunities for back channelling during a lesson. Kami templates can be shared with whole classes, small groups or individual students. Teachers can also provide feedback to students using a Kami lesson.

If you are not familiar with Kami, take a look at their video tutorial library. They provide teachers with step by step instructions on how to get started using Kami in the classroom. You can also take a free course and become Kami certified. The Instructional Technology Department has also created some resources for teachers to use to gain a better understanding of Kami. Check out this short video and this Google Slide Deck. Teachers can always request training by completing the Request for Training form.

Nearpod offers a game similar to Kahoot. Teachers can assess student knowledge on a particular topic, create an interactive exit ticket or obtain formative assessment information. Teachers can create simple Time to Climb activities and launch them a live lessons in front of a class. Students use their devices to play. Time to Climb lessons are engaging, fun and easy to create.

If you are interested in creating your own Time to Climb, take a look at this five minute video. It will walk you through the steps to creating your own game. Time to Climb allows 30 seconds per question as a default, but that can be customized to any amount of time. The time for each question can also vary.

In order to be in compliance, network passwords will need to be changed every 60 days. Once you change your network password, it will automatically change your Google password to the new one. In order to change your password, go to https://password.nredlearn.org/. This will only work when you are on a District network or on a District desktop. You will be prompted to put in your old password prior to changing it.

Additionally, there are no longer grace period logins for password resets. If you get a message that your password has expired, you need to change it at that point. If you do not, you will not be able to access the network. If you lose access, you can call the service desk at 914-922-3002 or you can have someone else place a help desk ticket for you in order for your password to be reset.

Don't forget to check the list of District Approved Applications to see what is approved. The list is always being updated. The list includes third party vendors who have signed our Parent Bill of Rights and Data Privacy Agreement in order to be compliant with Ed Law 2D. All vendors who collect student personally identifiable information (PII) must sign these agreements. If you are interested in new software not on the list, fill out the Software Approval Form. If you are looking for training on software that is approved, fill out the Request for Training Form.

Teachers can use Nearpod to show YouTube Videos. In order to use this application, teachers need to login to Nearpod, have their YouTube URL handy and click on Create. From there, select Video and add your URL into the YouTube dialogue box. YouTube videos will play on student chromebooks. If you want an easy tutorial on how to do this, take a look at this short video.

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.