Vanguard Fellowship: Lead and Transform!

Are you a teacher using technology in transformational ways? We're looking for teachers full of #limitlesscuriosity and #collaborativespirit to join together as a TEAM of innovative thinkers and doers!

Are you interested in:

• sharing your classroom learning environment with fellow educators
• modeling high quality learning practices where technology is a tool to increase student engagement and achievement
• coaching fellow teachers with open, collaborative practices and partnering with them in making the transformation
• committing to drive your own learning and sharing with others around the world!

We need YOU! Apply to become a member of the Vanguard Fellowship today!

Using and Sharing Google Drive Files

As a member of SBISD, you have been issued a Google Drive for educational purposes. Google Drive provides an easy to use online application for creating files such as documents, spreadsheets and slide presentations. The online application saves your documents in the "cloud," allowing you to access them from any device connected to the internet.

If collaboration is important- Google Drive allows you to easily share your files online with others and you can work on the same file together in real time. For more information on how to use files in Google Drive, click on the links below.

Creating Google Drive Files
Click the link below to watch a quick demonstration on how to create a file in Google Drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMRBv3BrU_E

Sharing Google Drive Files
Click the link below to watch a quick demonstration on how to share a Google Drive file with others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25CtYkqamIA

Converting Google Drive Files into Microsoft Office Files
Click the link below to watch a quick demonstration on how to convert a Google Drive file into a Microsoft Office file.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FiOX_tFHXA

Converting Microsoft Office Files into Google Drive Files
Click the link below to watch a quick demonstration on how to convert a Microsoft Office file into a Google Drive file.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v1dptEsIhE

Connecting to Google Drive

In case you’re not familiar, Google Drive allows you to create and store files online using any computer and you are then able to access those same files using any computer. Google Drive also gives you the ability to create documents, spreadsheets, slideshows and more. Very similar to what you can create using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Using Google Drive means you don’t have to email or save the file anywhere else. Simply share with those who need to see it. When you share a file from Google drive, collaboration becomes a breeze! Connecting to Google Drive

1. First Time Logging in:
If this is your first time logging into your SBISD Google Account, you will need your SBISD Employee id#. This can be found on your pay stub.
1. Go to https://drive.google.com
2. Enter your user name and password. Your user name is your entire SBISD email address ex: cody.wallace@springbranchisd.com.
1. If your employee id# is six numbers or more, your password is sb+employee id #. For example, if your employee id# is 123456 your initial password is sb123456. Click Sign in after entering the username and password.
2. If your employee id# is less than six numbers, your password will begin with “sb” then you will need to add zeros to the front of your employee id# until you have a total of six numbers in your password. For example, if your employee id# is 1234 your initial password is sb001234. Click Sign in after entering the username and password.
3. You will then be prompted to change your password. Your new password must be at least eight characters.
4. Note: This password will not change when you change your SBISD network password.
5. Your password is now changed. Use this password to log into your Google Account from now on.
6. If you have completed the above steps and are experiencing difficulty logging in or changing your password, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 713-251-TECH (8324).


2. Logging in:

1. Go to https://drive.google.com
2. Enter your user name and password. Your user name is your entire SBISD email address ex: cody.wallace@springbranchisd.com.
3. Go to https://drive.google.com.
4. Enter your user name and password. Your user name is your entire SBISD email address ex: cody.wallace@springbranchisd.com.
5. Enter the password you created for your SBISD Google Account. Please remember this may be different from your SBISD network password. If you have not created a password for your SBISD Google Account, please refer to the previous section for first time Google Account login.
6. Click Sign in.
7. You are now logged in.
8. When you are finished, sign out of your Google Account.
9. If you have completed the above steps and are experiencing difficulty logging in, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 713-251-TECH (8324).
10. The starting page for docs will appear.
11. The menu will appear at the top left corner of the page. The menu appears as three horizontal lines.
12. Select from Docs, Sheets or slides to begin creating a new document.

Categories for 2nd Semester Secondary Gradebooks

Attention all secondary teachers! Remember to set up your categories and percentages for each of your 2nd Semester gradebooks! Even though your 1st Semester gradebooks are set, you will need to make sure that 2nd semester gradebooks are ready to go as well. Once the first progress report period of the 2nd semester ends, you will no longer be able to change your categories and percentages. If categories and percentages are not set, your students' progress report, report card and Family Access grades will show as a zero.

If you need help setting up your categories follow the steps below.

1. Open one of your 2nd semester gradebooks and click the Categories tab.

2. On the next screen, click the Add/Edit Categories button.

3. Click the Unselect All button to remove the checks from all the categories.

4. Place a check next to each category that will be used in your gradebook.

5. Enter the percent (weight) for each category that will be used in your gradebook. Be sure that the
    total percent adds up to exactly 100.

6. Click Save.

7. Do this for each one of your gradebooks! Do this before the end of the first progress report period
    of the 2nd semester. Once the first progress report period ends you will no longer be able to set up
    your categories and percentages.

Adding Email to Your Android Phone

The following will demonstrate how to set up your SBISD Email on your Android Phone. This way you don't have to be at a computer to check your email. You can check it from wherever you happen to be standing!

Please note that these steps may vary from what you actually see on your phone screen. Android Phones may differ slightly from one to another.

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Accounts & Sync.
3. Tap Add Account.
4. Different phones have different wording but you should see a button titled Corporate, Corporate Sync, Exchange, Exchange Active Sync, or Microsoft Exchange. Tap this button.
5. In the Email Address field, type your full SBISD Email Address. ex: john.doe@springbranchisd.com
6. In the Password field, type your SBISD email password.
7. Tap Next.
8. In the Domain\Username field, type "sbm1\" followed by your SBISD username. ex: sbm1\doej
9. In the Server field, type "owa.springbranchisd.com"
10. Select the box to Use secure connection (SSL).
11. Select the box Accept all SSL certificates.
12. Tap Next.
13. On the Account Options screen, choose how often you would like your phone to sync your email
14. Tap Next.
15. Tap Done.
16. Your SBISD email is now synced to your Android Phone.

EdTech Headlines and Happenings

EdCampSpringBranch - Winter Edition 2016

Educational Technology will host our 2nd EdCampSpringBranch! Typically referred to as an "unconference," we'll meet up in the morning to set the schedule and then engage in authentic conversations and training as determined by the attendees. Mark your calendars and register in Eduphoria to attend EdCampSpringBranch - Winter Edition 2016 on Saturday, January 23rd from 8:30 - 12:00 at Spring Forest Middle School.

The mission of EdCampSpringBranch is to break free from the idea that technology is a skill set that needs to be learned in isolation from other subject matter and teaching elements. Professional development that is centered on a technology tool or idea feels lop-sided and leaves the learner wondering what to do next. Today, technology is an integral part of the pedagogy of teaching and professional development should seek to strengthen educator understanding of how technology empowers learners.

We’ll begin the morning setting the agenda. Bring your burning topics that you want to discuss and/or tools you want to learn to better incorporate into your classroom for your learners. We’ll have 3 sessions, end the morning with door prizes and hopes that you’ll continue the conversation with fellow attendees over an impromptu lunch at a local establishment.

Feel free to invite other educators in the area. They will register on EventBrite.

Questions? Email or call Karen (2405) or Amy (2294) in EdTech or Krystal Weiss (6332) at MDE.

BrainPOP ESL

Campus eTrainers and the Bilingual/ESL department are spotlighting the BrainPOP ESL lessons and online activities for our ELL students. BrainPOP ESL provides students opportunities to interact in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing using interactive modules, games and videos.

Here’s a Top 10 Slide Presentation about BrainPOP ESL!

Watch an introductory video here. Contact your campus eTrainer for additional information and training.

https://esl.brainpop.com/

Get the district username and password here!

Follow BrainPOP ESL on Twitter! https://twitter.com/brainpopesl

itslearning Update

Spring Branch ISD has purchased itslearning as the content and learning management system for the district. With itslearning, teachers can create activities and assignments that cater to a variety of individual learning styles including educational videos, interactive learning games and applications that enable students to make videos, animations, web pages, podcasts, music and more.

The platform allows teachers to tailor learning objectives, content, method, pace and environment to each student’s unique learning needs. All this helps drive student engagement and ownership, and ultimately, performance. Recently, core directors and curriculum writers were introduced to the platform and are in the process of designing templates tailored to our curricular needs. Stay tuned and watch for further news on how this tool will help to transform learning opportunities in Spring Branch!

PK-2 Classroom Technology Refresh Project

All PK-1st grade classrooms are receiving 8 iPad minis and 2nd grade classrooms are receiving 12 Chromebooks!

• We have completed our first round of campuses (BBS, LLS, PPS, TTS, WWS, HBE, RCE, SOE, WWE, SWE, TWE).
• We will complete our second round by Winter Break (BHE, EWE, HES, MWE, PSE, SBE, SSE, TCE, WCE).
• We will complete our third round by March 2016 (BCE, CBE, FWE, HCE, MDE, NHE, TFE, VOE, WVE).

Educational Technology has created two residencies to support PK-2nd grade teachers (who have received their new devices) with new strategies to develop literacies using digital tools. Each residency meets 3 times - 2 half-days and 1 after school meeting.

Residencies for campuses in the second round of deployment are as follows:

• Developing Literacies in Digital Environments in the PK-1 Classroom
  Participants will explore ways Symbaloo, QR codes, Book Creator and Explain Everything can be used to enhance their instruction and enable students to present and share ideas. Participants will create lessons that include the use of these tools and share student outcomes.
  
  
  Day 1 – January 14, Day 2 – February 4, Day 3 – March 3
  

  AM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14290

  PM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14293
• Developing Literacies in Digital Environments for 2nd Grade Success
  This residency will focus on how teachers and students can use Google Tools to create and collaborate in core content areas. Participants will explore ways to enhance their instruction and enable students to present and share their thinking. Participants will create lessons and share student outcomes.
  
  
  Day 1 – January 19, Day 2 – February 9, Day 3 – March 3
  

  AM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14283

  PM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14286

Apple Professional Development for PK-1 Teachers

We are also bringing in Kevin Sheppard, Apple Professional Developer, to work with principal-appointed groups of PK-1 teachers. This session will engage participants with two apple PD’S: Engaging Early Learners (iOS) and Cross-Curricular Connections for Elementary Learners (iOS). Those teachers will take what they learned from this session and collaborate with the other PK-1 teachers on their respective campuses.