#EMSISDITS Tech Talk

Techy Talk for Teachers

Nearpod and Slide Editing Capabilities

You can do so many things with Nearpod to engage and challenge your students. Some features include polling, having them draw out an idea, collaborating, and even playing a curriculum based game that promotes participation and competition. Did you know that you can also create custom slides AND upload your already created PowerPoints to harness the power of Nearpod? Once you upload or create your slides, you can use Nearpod's powerful editing capabilities to make slides pop. This will ramp up engagement, and get your students excited to learn. For more information about slide editing in Nearpod, check our the short video below (1:08).

Tech Tuesday is now on Nearpod!

We understand that sometimes when we least expect it, ARDs happen. As a technology team we love having the opportunity to sit down with you and your PLC to discuss new technology tools available to you, how our existing technology can assist you and your students, or simply troubleshoot problems. In case you don't get the opportunity to come visit with us, or if you don't remember what we talked about, we have started to put our Tech Tuesday info in Nearpod. These Nearpod lessons are student-paced with opportunities to ask for more information or assistance. To access the lessons simply log on to Nearpod using the O365 option and your district credentials. Simply type the following codes into the "Join a lesson" field in the right column of your Nearpod home-screen!

Training 1: YFZCK

Training 2: NFTWB

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Good news from our friends at OneNote

For a while now, Microsoft has stated that it will stop supporting the desktop version of OneNote and focus solely on the OneNote App. Users who like the robustness and the look/feel of the desktop app have had to reluctantly migrate over to the app. Well, not anymore. Microsoft recently announced that it will continue to support the OneNote desktop application. So if you like the desktop version of OneNote over the OneNote app, feel free to go back to it. Be sure to go into your default settings to reset your preferences back to the desktop application. If you need help with that, contact your friendly IT specialist today.

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Fake News- It's for real

Is it real news or fake news? Sometimes (or maybe most of the time) it is difficult to tell the difference. The internet is a seemingly limitless space for content. Media outlets have to fill that space with material that consumers want. Unfortunately, some of that data is misleading, incorrect, or just plain wrong. According to the Pew Research Center, 68% of Americans get their news from social media. Bad characters in journalism can easily exploit that statistic in order to manipulate our thoughts, opinions, and votes.

As educators, it is our job to help students guard against fake news consumption by teaching them how to think critically when reviewing a source. Additionally, students should know where to go to find credible sources. The good news is credible sources are as close and easily accessible as their school or community librarian. Not only can they assist with print materials, they are also very good at helping students find authentic and credible online sources as well.

Link, C. (2019, December 30). Fighting Fake News in the Classroom - EdSurge News. Retrieved from https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-12-27-fighting-fake-news-in-the-classroom.

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Have you tried PowerPoint Presenter Coach?

Presenter Coach helps you prepare in private to give effective public presentations. The virtual coach evaluates your pacing, your use of filler words, and culturally sensitive terms. It even detects when you are simply reading the text on the slide. To use Presenter Coach, follow these simple instructions.

Open your presentation in PowerPoint for the Web.
Sign in with your Office 365 account credentials.
On the slide show tab, select rehearse with coach.
Select get started at the lower right when you are ready to begin rehearsing.
As you speak, the coach gives on-screen guidance about pacing, inclusive language, use of profanity, filler words and whether you're reading the slide text.
When you're finished and exit the full screen view, Presenter Coach gives you a report that summarizes what it observed, and offers recommendations.

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Live Streaming made easy using Microsoft Teams

You can now use Microsoft Teams to easily live stream your next spelling bee, awards ceremony, or class project presentation. Our very own Sallee Clark has created this comprehensive Wakelet explaining how easy it is to live stream using TEAMS. Just click on the button below. Enjoy!

Live Streaming with TEAMS

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Recover Lost Web Pages in Chrome

Sometimes we accidentally close our browser by mistake, or a technical glitch occurs that closes the Chrome Browser. All is not lost. All you have to do is re open your Chrome browser, Click on the 3 vertical dots at the top right of the page, choose history, and select recent tabs. BOOM! Web pages are restored.

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Gator Spelling Bee

The Greenfield Gators hosted their annual Spelling, and it was live-streamed using Skype so students and parents across the district could watch it. Classrooms throughout the school had watch parties as they cheered on their peers and viewed the competition. Cool. C-O-O-L. Cool!

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Green Screen Fun at RPES

These pint-sized Panthers had a blast reading Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See? Students practiced reading and speaking in front of a camera while images of polar bears appeared behind them.

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4th and 5th Grade Poetry Slam

Students from across our district competed in the first annual EMSISD Poetry Slam. They each created a unique poem and recited it for our audience and judges. The poems were judged by two of our secondary librarian based on poetry elements and presentation. Check out the slam and enjoy these hardworking students' talent and creativity here.

Single Sign On | Quick access in to your EMS Digital Resources

Device Checkout | Need to borrow something for a less? Reserve it here!

Microsoft Educator Community | High Quality, Anytime, On-Demand PD

The Jenallee Show | On-the-spot PD videos, featuring many EMS Superstars

Promethean Board Tips & Tricks | Growing playlist of quick instructional videos

EMS Tech Tools | Check out or recommended tools (scan QR code to save on your device!)

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We can help!

Need help planning a blended lesson? Do you need an extra hand while tackling a technified lesson with your students? Are you ready to add some technology to your classroom but don't know where to start? The #EMSTechsperts are here to support you! Contact your Campus IT today!