CSDNR Instructional Tech Weekly

Classlink is a platform that provides the ability to roster applications and offer single sign on for software. Classlink is currently being used to roster a few applications in the District. Classlink offers single sign on access for a variety of software applications and websites. Students and teachers login to the Classlink Launchpad and from there they can access instructional and other types of software used at school. For more information, take a look at this short video on how Classlink works. The Instructional Technology Team will be providing more information about this platform before we are ready to launch. Here is a brief guide on how to use the application once it is launched. We will be launching the Classlink Single Sign On tool in March 2022.

Edpuzzle is an application that allows teachers to show videos to students. The platform allows teachers to share video content with students. Teachers can record a video, upload a video or add a YouTube video. Teachers can also add multiple choice and open ended questions to each video assigned. If you want more step by step information, check out the Edpuzzle YouTube Channel. Edpuzzle offers a 30 minute training for teachers new to the platform.

All CSDNR schools now have Pro Teacher Access. You should not see any limits on the amount of videos you can save and assign. Teachers are able to login with their Google credentials. If you are having difficulty accessing your school click on your profile icon and then click on your name. Select School from the menu and locate your school by typing in the name.

Edpuzzle offers their own videos for teachers to use with students. Edpuzzle Originals are a part of the platform. They address a variety of topics and include questions with each video. Teachers can customize each of the videos by adding, deleting or modifying questions. You can search by topic. It then will link to other videos related to that topic and provide links to those videos.

Edpuzzle works with Google Classroom. Teachers can sync their classes from Classroom into Edpuzzle. Then you can assign video lessons and post them in the Classroom. The link for the Edpuzzle assignment will be located on their Classwork page. You can also toggle the button on to prevent students from skipping questions and watching the entire video.

If you have not used Nearpod's content, take a look at what they offer for all of the holidays. Just search a specific term or the word "holiday" and you will be provided with a plethora of lessons. You can choose lessons by grade level. Once you find a lesson you like, save it to your library and then you can duplicate it if you would like to customize the lesson. Lessons cover many holidays from Ground Hog's Day to Veteran's Day. So while your on holiday, take a look at what the Nearpod Library of lessons has to offer.

While searching through Nearpod, take a look at Flocabulary. Flocabulary is a part of Nearpod that includes hundreds of videos that address a multitude of topics. Each video is a rap song that help students to understand various concepts or skills. The ELA Flocabulary videos address such concepts like; cause and effect, short and long vowel sounds, Shakespeare and irony to name a few. In Math, topics include probability, place value, equivalent fractions and pi.

In order to access Flocabulary, you only need to login to your Nearpod account. Nearpod purchased Flocabulary in 2019 and now they are part of one platform. You can access all of the videos from the Flocabulary Menu on the left side of the landing page.

Once you select Flocabulary in the menu, you can search for terms or topics. When you locate what you are looking for, you will be able to add each Flocabulary video into your own Nearpod library. This will allow the user to customize these videos.

Nearpod offers a game similar to Kahoot. Teachers can assess student knowledge on a particular topic, create an interactive exit ticket or obtain formative assessment information. Teachers can create simple Time to Climb activities and launch them a live lessons in front of a class. Students use their devices to play. Time to Climb lessons are engaging, fun and easy to create. If you are interested in creating your own Time to Climb, take a look at this five minute video. It will walk you through the steps to creating your own game.

Don't forget to check the list of District Approved Applications to see what is approved. The list is always being updated. The list includes third party vendors who have signed our Parent Bill of Rights and Data Privacy Agreement in order to be compliant with Ed Law 2D. All vendors who collect student personally identifiable information (PII) must sign these agreements. If you are interested in new software not on the list, fill out the Software Approval Form. If you are looking for training on software that is approved, fill out the Request for Training Form.

The Instructional Technology Website is always being updated. Recently, the site was overhauled to feature the professional learning resources that are available to all CSDNR faculty and staff. Last spring, the Team began vetting and creating resources to help educators learn how to use software applications. The resources include step-by-step videos as well as Google Slide Decks. There are also Google Docs and PDFs. Over the last year, we have added many resources to this collection.