I.T.S. a Tech Update

If you have seen EPISD-SECURE, you already know the username and password for this network. EPISD-SECURE network is beginning to appear on most of the elementary campuses in EPISD. When you see that the network is available, simply log in with your EPISD username and password. If asked, confirm that the network is trusted.

Contact helpdesk@episd.org if you need the wifi key for EPISD-IPADS added to a campus device.

Tip- If a device doesn't need to access the wifi, consider putting it to sleep, powering it off, turning off the wi-fi, or placing it in airplane mode. When needed again, turn it back on. If we work together, devices that need better access to wifi will have stronger connectivity.

Reflection Facilitated QR Codes were discovered at Mesita in Ms. Caballero's class a few weeks ago. Check them out and see if they will help students reflect their learning in your classroom.

In what ways do you think you can improve? What did you learn that will help you most in the future? These are two of the twenty five different questions that will randomly generate when Reflection QR Codes are scanned. Read more about it and download the free resources from Tony Vincent's Blog.

Skype in the Classroom has put together some great events that feature connections with authors, as well as other literacy activities, just in time for World Read Aloud Day (February 16) and World Book Day (March 2). Take a couple minutes to check out available events on their Literacy page. Register soon before they fill up!

Be sure to follow @SkypeClassroom and #Skype2Read on Twitter to see what teachers and students around the world are learning through Skype.

In January, 1st graders in Mrs. Garcia's class at Park Elementary connected with scientist Jean Pennycook in Cape Royds, Antarctica to learn about the Adelie Penguin. Students were able to view the penguins live and ask about what Ms. Pennycook does at the penguin colony. The class studied all about the Adelie penguin and made postcards that were sent to Antarctica prior to the connection. Students received their postcards back during the first week in February with a postmark from the extremely cold continent just time for their penguin themed first grade program.
You can learn more about the research happening in Antarctica at http://penguinscience.com/

Elementary ITS will be hosting two, Movie Making 101 with the iPad, sessions this March. If you are interested in attending, mark your calendar for March 20th or March 23rd from 4:30- 6:00 p.m. Specifics will be available soon. You can register to attend in staff development.

The 2017 EPISD Student Film Festival is a chance for students in the El Paso Area to take their storytelling skills to a new level by creating new, fresh and original films in digital format. This year's theme is - THE ART OF STORYTELLING. Be creative and show the world your STORY.

Important Dates and Deadlines

January - March 2017- Begin brainstorming and creating digital videos
March 10, 2017 - Participation Form Submitted at http://tinyurl.com/EPISDfilmfestival
April 24, 2017 -Entry Packets (Cover sheet, Official Entry Forms, Video Release Forms with Parent Signature) have been mailed/emailed AND Films have been uploaded to EPISD's Film Festival File Folder
May 3-5, 2017- Film Judging
May 19, 2017- Film Festival and Awards

We are Instructional Technology Specialists that serve elementary campuses in EPISD. We spend most of our time sharing ideas and teaching best practices for integrating technology as a seamless part of learning in the classroom. Please contact us if you are looking for a technology integrated session that would best meet the needs of the students in your classroom.

Jesus Morales jmmorale@episd.org
Evelyn Corral ecorral3@episd.org
Julia Rivas-Lopez jlrivas@episd.org
Karen Wright-Balbier klwright@episd.org