A monthly newsletter for parents, grandparents, families and the community dedicated to updates and information on how McKinney ISD uses technology in the classroom.

• Tinder- a location-based dating and social discovery service application (using Facebook) that facilitates communication between mutually interested users, allowing matched users to chat. Tinder is anonymous until 2 users "like each other". The Tinder app facilitates the face to face meeting by revealing a user's location and the option to message one another. Users are asked their birthday when setting up a Tinder account. Users must be at least 17 to purchase.
  
  
• Omegle- This app's catch phrase is, "Talk to Strangers!..." The app puts two strangers together in a chat room. Although both are anonymous, the option to share personal information and video chat is available. Links to adult only sites are embedded in the app.
  
  
• Ask.fm is an anonymous question and answer platform website. It allows anyone to post anonymous comments and questions to a person's profile. The app site is unmonitored, so any comments are accepted. The terms of service ask that users be 13 years old or older.
  
  

*The descriptions here are informational only. This is not an evaluation or endorsement of app choices for students, but a tool for parent involvement.

78% of MISD students who responded to the BrightBytes survey said that they had a SmartPhone. Of those students, 8% said it was a shared device and 92% indicated it was a personal device. Using McKinney ISD's BYOD option is a great way for students to connect to learning outside the four walls of their classrooms. See the MISD BYOD Handbook for more information on students bringing their own technology to school.

76% of MISD students who responded to the survey say that they play a video game on a computer or a phone weekly. "Neurological research shows that video games contribute to neural plasticity because games provide a multitude of complex motor and cognitive demands" (Shapiro, 2014).

Freshman laptops will be deployed during the school day at each high school campus on the dates below. More details to come concerning fees and paperwork. Please see the 1:The World website for the most current information and contacts.

McKinney North High School- Wednesday September 7

McKinney High School- Monday September 12

McKinney Boyd High School- Thursday September 15

The MISD Department of Instructional Technology spent a day at Google- Austin with other IT leaders from around the metroplex. The day included opportunities to speak to Google recruiters on what they look for in new hires (called Googlers) out of college or high school and what it takes to work for Google. Some of the takeaways from the day included:

What are some characteristics you look for in a new hire?

• Unique and authentic

• Collaboration skills critical- “If an applicant can’t collaborate with a team, there is no job with Google for him.”

• Pushing the boundaries

• Performance and leadership obvious

• Ability to fail and learn over and over again.

Describe the profile of a new "Googler...

• Have they done something innovative?

• Do they lead people and work with people?

• Authentic, put their own spin on things.

• Generalists and quick to handle change

• Flexible

• Handle ambiguity

• GPA is not a predictor of success with Google

• Problem solving skills crucial

• Not afraid to fail- The ability to fail and learn is more important than class rank or GPA

• Innovative and creative idea people- not everyone is a coder

• College pedigree is not an indicator of success with Google

Salary

• Above 100K with Google perks (Austin area)

• Equity in the company

• Bonus

Email: llindsey@mckinneyisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/mckinneyisd.net/misd-instructional-technology/
Location: 1400 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney, TX, United States
Phone: 469-302-4085
Twitter: @laralindsey