Instructional Technology Newsletter

If you are ever tired of trying to locate files in your Google Drive, you are not alone. Try creating a website. Google Sites are easy to use and can organize and house documents, videos, slides, pdfs and other various content. Anything in your drive can be uploaded to a Google Site. Once you have published your site, you can share it with your colleagues or students or parents. Google Sites can have collaborators so that you can co-create a website with someone else. Students can even create sites to create portfolios of their work. Here is a helpful introductory video to walk you through the process of creating your own website in Google.

Personally identifiable information (PII) includes information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity either directly or indirectly through linkages with other information. For students, they include student name, parents names, student email, student ID, student address or other linkable information. Protecting student data is a key component of Ed Law 2-D.

Ways to protect student data include:

• Make sure during screen shares that student data is not shown.
• Do not use software applications that require student logins that have not been vetted by the district.
• Do not share student login information, especially if their username includes student IDs
• Take a look at this short video on protecting student data

Many teachers use Google Slides to house classroom content and curriculum. Google Slides can also be interactive and provide formative assessment tools, collaboration tools, drawings, polls and quizzes. All teachers have access to the Nearpod Add-ons in Google Slides. If you want to turn your Google Slide Decks into engaging and interactive lessons, try the Nearpod integration feature. You do not have to create anything new. You open up the Nearpod panel and you can easily add interactive features to your already created Google Slide Lesson. Watch this four minute video to learn how to use Nearpod with Google Slides.

There is a new, updated version of Zoom. It includes some new features. Reactions are all in the same place now and there are some additional ones. Additionally, participants can determine their own breakout room members in this new version. Though you still have the choice to manually or automatically assign participants. Within Security, you can now Suspend Participant Activities.

Remember in order to keep your Zoom meetings secure, follow a few basic guidelines. Change your Zoom meeting links on a regular basis. If you use the same link over and over again, it may become compromised if it is shared. Use your waiting room. Make sure you recognize the names of the students who you are planning to let into your meeting. If students do not have the correct name, they can change it prior to entering the meeting. Here is a brief video on how students can change their name.

Also you can require registration for your meetings. You do not have to do it for every meeting, but you may want to add this feature in from time to time. This short Google Slide Deck explains how to use the registration feature.

Remember, when using Zoom, make sure you login with Google Sign On at the bottom of the sign in page under the Blue Bar. Also, if you want access to all of the setting features, use the web browser and not the app. You can access Zoom at zoom.us.

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. When building a lesson, there are many activities to add to enhance student engagement. The application includes, games, quizzes, graphic organizers and opportunities for students to collaborate. If you want more information about the online platform, take a look at this 15 min video, which will help you get started in using Smart Learning Suite.

Just a reminder that Ed Law 2-D went into effect on October 1, 2020. If you have not seen the policy go to the NYSED website for Data Privacy and Security. Here you will find District requirements that are necessary to be compliant with this law.

Remember, we can no longer support software that is not compliant with this law. The law sets out to protect student and teacher PII (Personally Identifiable Information). If you are looking to procure new software, you need to fill out the Software Recommendation Form. To speed up the process, take a look at EducationFramework.com. Login with Google and go to Privacy Quality Scores to evaluate the application's compliance with Ed Law 2-D.