page background

Digital Learning News, Sept. Ed.

By Sarah Kline, Campus Technology Leader (CTL)

Digital LearningNews, Sept. Ed.By Sarah Kline, Campus Technology Leader (CTL)

Digital Awareness Week

The time is quickly approaching when we, as a district, focus on digital awareness. Our students are growing up in a time when technology is widespread and continually evolving. Labeled as digital natives, students often are regarded as being in the know of how to utilize technology. Are they really, though? It is our mission as educators to teach proper use and responsibility when it comes to the tools we have on our campus. The eye-opening question is: Are we fulfilling that mission, or are we simply placing a contract in front of the students and expecting them to follow our rules and procedures without fully understanding such concepts as being safe online, what to do when asked to meet an online contact in person, how to determine if an email or picture sent should be accepted, how to analyze information for reliability, or who to tell if cyberbullying commences?


Throughout this week, students will receive bookmarks, and posters will be posted throughout the building. We also are asking each of you to implement some component of digital awareness into your curriculum. How? Keep reading for some awesome resources, lesson plan ideas, and games you can use to educate our students on what it truly means to be SMART when it comes to technology!

zoom_out_map

Digital Awareness Googlink

Resources come in all shapes and sizes, and this one happens to come in video! Check out the secondary Googlink here! This document is interactive and fun to use, so give it a try during Digital Awareness Week!
zoom_out_map

SMORE

It's no secret SMOREs are one of my personal favorite tools. Here is one for you to use during Digital Awareness Week!
zoom_out_map

Ditch That Textbook

Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook and creator of the site bearing the same name, has very useful ideas for teaching our students about digital citizenship. Check out his stuff here!
Software Center How-to
It's out with the old "Installer" password and in the with the new "Software Center!" Do you need to download or update software? This document will tell you how to do it!
Printer How-to
Are you confused about how to print these days? This helpful document will explain!

Technology TEKS

Did you know TEA has specific TEKS for technology? Did you also know that all teachers are responsible for knowing and teaching them? It's true! Familiarize yourself with them when you read below and click the picture.
zoom_out_map

Badges

How are you using technology in your classroom? Proudly displaying your digital badges is one way to show your mastery of such tools as Smart Notebook, Nearpod, Google Apps For Educators (GAFE, formerly G-Suite), Chromebooks, Google Classroom, Padlet, Kahoot, and so many more! Click here to view which badge challenges are available to you! Submit some of your projects and receive your badges to display! Be sure to follow all 4 steps in the picture! (By the way, if you are having trouble seeing the smaller pics in this newsletter, just click the pic to enlarge it!)
zoom_out_map

Content Focus Connection

You've probably heard of these cool techy tools in your content focus sessions . . . But, have you tried them? Make teaching more interactive and engaging by implementing Google Classroom, Pear Deck, Padlet, and/or SMART Learning Suite into your everyday lessons! And when you do, be sure to submit your project for a digital learning badge!
zoom_out_map

Missing a Badge?

Remember that if a badge goes MIA, you can submit a simple form to replace it. Instructions are in the pic above!

8th Grade Technology Assessment

Every year, we are required to conduct an assessment over our 8th graders' mastery of basic computer and Internet skills. This test traditionally takes place during the first semester. Some changes are being implemented this school year to make the assessment more applicable to the students we serve. More information is coming in the near future, but please keep in mind that we will have an assessment this year.
zoom_out_map

Updating Chromebooks

Please make sure to keep your Chromebooks up to date. Follow the simple instructions above!
zoom_out_map

Notebook 18.1 is here!

If you haven't updated to the newest Smart Notebook software, you should! 18.1 brings some changes you'll want to see. However, if you're dependent upon the document camera, you may want to hold off on installing this latest version, as they do not play well with each other.
zoom_out_map

Brainpop and Discovery

Be sure to note that Brainpop and Discovery Education now work even better with Google! Access them in your 9-square grid when you're logged into your Google account.

Do you want Vision?

I think the simple answer is yes. Vision is a way to monitor student activity on Chromebooks. An email was sent out earlier this year by Mrs. Blodgett giving information about this pilot program. Please be sure to sign up if you are willing to attend a training, use Google Classroom regularly, and are committed to utilizing the program at least twice a week. Since it is a pilot program, they do not have a limit on the number of participants at this time.