Tech this out!

• Google Meet Calendar Access
• Screencastify Blurring
• A Website face lift
• An Email Safety heads up
• Securly for Chromebooks
• Devices, charging, and check outs, oh my!

And, as usual, just a touch of "in case you missed it" flashback news

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They may not even be getting into trouble, but we avoid having students on campus without supervision, and we want to do the same, as much as we can, on line.

If you have ever created a calendar link with a Meet link, especially if you have used it with students, you probably want to pay attention to these steps and go to those calendar events to turn off Quick Access.

THIS IS IMPORTANT---- DELETING the EVENT does not keep students from using the Meet link later. Please don't delete the event and think it is handled. It isn't. You need to turn off Quick Access.

Want to watch a quick video to show you how it works? I got you, fam! (do the kids still say that? I don't know)

Click here to watch the quick Screencast video

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Screencastify is a great way to make quick videos that show your screen to demonstrate procedures, or record a lecture. OR, just use the webcam to make a quick selfie video. I bet many of you already do this.

But, did you know they just released a new feature, that I am so happy about?!? BLUR part of the screen. To protect student privacy, or, and hear me out, to obscure something that you are talking about and reveal it when you are ready for them to see. Picture an image with 4 blurred sections and a "guess what I'm talking about" and you unblur one section at a time.

But I may be getting ahead of myself. Need to blur a student name in a demo you are making? Don't want to reveal the student account you are borrowing? This is your tool!

Watch the video to learn more, if it sounds as exciting to you as it does to me! I'm not the only one that is nerdy about this stuff, am I?

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Our website is getting a little face lift this weekend! It will essentially look the same-- most things will be in the same place, but there are two things I want to make sure you are aware of----

(1) there is now a Q Portal link at the top of every page. You can click there to take attendance, and that is also where parents will access the Parent Portal. If your parents make use of that, please mention the change to them.

(2) Student links has a new home! That menu was getting kind of heavy, so we are making a change. There is now a STUDENT LINKS button. We left the links in the Menu for now, but will likely remove them in the next week or two, so make sure your students know. If you want a graphic to share with your students, THIS IS A GOOGLE FOLDER with an image for every school. Download yours and add it to a Google Classroom assignment or a make a Seesaw announcement.

If you happen to notice a possible website disruption this afternoon (Friday 3/12), this may be why.

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As you all know, raising security awareness is important to the safety of our district. You know--- keeping data safe, protecting passwords, etc. I went through a program to learn about how mean folks try to take advantage of kind people using email scams. It was so interesting!

I am excited to announce that we have partnered with KnowBe4, a Security Awareness Training organization. They will help us create a “human firewall” which can protect us against malicious emails.

There will be training (short little lessons you do on your own, you don't have to "attend" anything) that are engaging and do not need to be completed in one sitting. Honestly, I'm trying to keep them short for you. And they are for EVERYONE who has a district account. Not just teachers. These lessons are important for all certificated and classified parts of the Hueneme team!

Our end goal is to increase security awareness and decrease the number of clicks on malicious emails. It is available to ALL our district employees and I hope you find it helpful. More details will be revealed via email in coming weeks, just wanted to put it on your radar--- so you can--- Know. Before.

KnowBe4. Get it?

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3rd-8th grade teachers, I'm looking at you!

Securly is an exciting program that many of you know about or already use. (Here is a video that has been shared to show the basics)

Thank you to our pilot committee who has tested out options so we can get the right program for us!

I'm anxious for you to try out Securly soon, because, yes, it will let you see the screens of students who are on district devices, and monitor what tabs they have open (that's right, 11 year old watching YouTube music videos during instruction... we see you. Or, we will...). But ALSO, Securly lets you send a link to students and open it in a tab. It allows for private chat teacher to student (not student to student). And more!

The best way to learn about it? COAST!

• There is a specific mission for Securly. CLICK HERE for the first task then go to Dashboard at the top and find the Securly mission in the Wax Your Surfboard Level 1.
• Explanation, steps and videos will show you how to use all the features . Choose what you want to start with.
• The video above is a good overview, but the COAST tasks will show you a better picture of the features so you can use Securly confidently.

It is important to know that it may take a minute for you to see all screens. Give it a few tries before taking next steps. If a student isn't on a district device, you will not have access to see their screen. There is nothing we can do about that. There are other troubleshooting tips in the COAST game.

Be aware-- Securly is there for you during instructional time from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday- Friday.

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This is easy for iPad people--- you have a cart in your room with a few chargers woven in so you are ready for the possible emergency situation of an uncharged device.

Chromebook people--- there is another layer to this. You also have a cart in your room with a few charger cords woven in for emergency situation. HOWEVER, there is more than one model of Chromebook, and generally, you want to use the right charger for each specific device. It is possible that there will be some sort of "slow charging" notification.

Here is my take on it--- you know what kids have at home? The right charger for their device! Let's encourage them (of course!) to use THAT charger. Things happen, the charger cord is there, but now you have a specific reason for them why it is not idea.

FOR ALL OF YOU--- As noted in Dr. Walker's FAQ doc, in addition to the cart in your room, every school office has a limited supply of devices that will be available for check out. If a student forgets their device or brings it uncharged (and charging in your room isn't a good option that day), they can check one out from the office and return it at the end of the day.

This is, obviously, a new routine and we will refine it if needed, but it seems like a solid plan to me. I want you to see the idea now.

Knowledge is power, as they say!

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Hey, you all are doing a great job of using the tech ticket site! Thank you! Fewer direct calls and emails are helping the technicians work efficiently and meet everyones needs quickly!

This is even MORE important as many teacher head back to their classrooms with technology they have taken home. Consider getting things set up in your classroom sooner than later so that all the bugs get worked out before students arrive. Remember, many teachers and few technicians make the ticket system the way to go! They won't be able to get to everyone at the last minute. Start now!

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Okay, seriously, if you don't know about the COAST game by NOW...

That's

On

You.

And they are rocking it!

TEACHERS--- Invite your classroom paras--- it is specifically designed for them--- and let me know what kinds of things they need to learn so I can use my time in a way that is helpful to them.... crazy idea, I know!

PARAPROFESSIONALS--- you are so valuable to our students! Come play COAST and learn things that will help you confidently use the technology they need right now! You should have an email, or contact your principal and they can get you the info.

(or, go to bit.ly/hesdcoast--- this video will show you what signing in will look like---https://youtu.be/3AX0oFy_kcg)

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Yes, it's true, I am trying to put something Eduprotocol related in every newsletter. Why?

Because an Eduprotocol is an accessible idea. There are so many great lesson strategies on the internet, but I know it can feel overwhelming. All your students have devices to use with access to Google Tools. Why not teach them a learning strategy that is fun and that you can re-use with different content? Everything in the Eduprotocol philosophy aligns with what we want as teachers.

This month's Eduprotocol resource? Here you go! Check it out!

https://youtu.be/KmEGQt4ckFw

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Hueneme people are some of the best people I know! We are family, that's the Hueneme Way!

Email: lhoppe@hueneme.org
Website: www.hueneme.org
Location: The Hueneme Tech Lab
Phone: 805-488-3588 9832
Twitter: @hoppeteacher