EdTech Headlines and Happenings

PreK-2 Classroom Technology Refresh Project

We have completed Round 1 of the PreK-2 Classroom Technology Refresh project and are currently planning Round 2 scheduled for mid November to early December. All PreK-1st grade classrooms are receiving 8 iPad minis and all 2nd grade classrooms are receiving 12 Chromebooks. Our plans are to complete the project by the end of February 2016.

Residencies

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

PreK-1st grade Developing Literacies in Digital Environments

Developing Literacies in Digital Environments for 2nd grade Success

Look for additional opportunities as the devices are deployed.

My BrainPOP and TurnItIn

Campus eTrainers are off and running! If you’re a K-8 science teacher and aren’t already using My BrainPOP,  please connect with your eTrainer. MyBrainPOP really expands ways you can use BrainPOP in the classroom. Additionally, at the high school level, TurnItIn trainings are being offered as we keep our vision on T-2-4. Let’s make sure we help our students develop needed skills for post-secondary success. Find your campus eTrainer here.

Secondary Staff and Students! Lynda.com is yours!

All secondary teachers and students have access to Lynda.com where you can learn new technology, creative and business skills in areas such as design, web, photography, 3D + animation, video, audio and music. How?

Accessing Lynda for the 1st time

• If you are or were a Lynda user, just go to http://www.lynda.com.
• If you are logging in from a computer that you are signed into with SBISD credentials, Lynda will know who you are. It will then ask if you are a returning user. If you choose yes, your old account will link with the new account and you will not lose history or course completion info.
• If you are logging in from a computer that is not signed into the district or a Mac, please enter your SBISD login name (ex grantu) and SBISD password. It will then ask if you are a returning user. If you choose yes, your old account will link with the new account and you will not lose history or course completion info.

If for some reason neither one works from the Lynda.com website, use the link below.  

https://shib.lynda.com/Shibboleth.sso/InCommon?providerId=http://adfs.springbranchisd.com/adfs/services/trust&target=https://shib.lynda.com/InCommon

Upcoming Educational Technology Trainings

October 20th

Happy Hour of Code

https://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=13760

Google Account Login Info:
Students:
•  Username = SBISD Network username + @mysbisd.org
•  Password = sb+lunch#

Also please continue to remind your students to use @mysbisd.org not @mysbisd.com for their Google accounts.

Employees:
•  Username = Full SBISD E-mail Address
•  Password: For first time login, password= sb+0(zero)+employee ID#. You will then be prompted to change your password. This password will not change if you change your SBISD Network password.

Digital Leadership Lessons

• In October, our classroom focus is "Be Kind" as we teach lessons on treating others with respect and dealing with cyberbullying.


• In November our classroom focus will be on how we present ourselves in digital environments and the permanency of the online world. The lessons can be found on the Curriculum Dashboard.

After teaching the November lesson, print and sign the Teacher Verification Form (also on the Curriculum Dashboard) indicating you've taught all the lessons and turn it into your designated campus administrator who will keep it on file.



Additionally, Digital Citizenship Week is October 18th - 25th. Common Sense Media has additional resources for Home and School. Take a look and engage in the conversation! #HaveTheTalk https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/digitalcitizenshipweek

Resolving Technology Issues Efficiently

Before you enter a Technology Service Request Ticket, please keep in mind that not everything requires a visit from your campus tech.

Our Help Desk may be able to assist you over the phone. Call them at 713-251-TECH (8324). Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 10:00 pm, Saturday - Sunday 8:00 am - 10:00 pm.

Issues that may be resolved over the phone include but are not limited to:

1. SBISD Network password is not working or expired.
2. Google Account Login Problems.
3. Not able to connect to your Personal Folders in Outlook.
4. VPN (Connect to network away from district) connection issues. Call the Help Desk while you are away. We are available until 10:00 pm.
5. Needing to print to a printer that is not currently setup on your computer. Please obtain the name or location of the printer before you call. (See additional printer information listed below).

Stargel Printer Program
Printer hardware issues are serviced through Stargel, not your campus tech. If your printer requires service, just look for the Stargel label, call them at 713-461-5382 and receive fast courteous service.

The Stargel Program has many benefits for SBISD including:

1. Repair service within 24 hours of receiving the service call.
2. Printer replacement for unrepairable printers.
3. Toner cartridge replenishment - same day or next day service once they receive the P.O.
4. Service Techs who are trained to repair your printers and copiers.

Gradebook Tip: Grade Change Requests

Once a grading period has closed, you cannot change an assignment grade or term grade without going through the steps listed below. Please remember that you will have a maximum of two hours to complete this process. If you do not finish the process in two hours you will have to start over again.

After submitting your request, before grade changes are finalized, they will have to be approved by your administrator or designee. If your request is denied you will need to repeat the steps listed below to change the grades back to the way they were prior to the request.

Please complete every step below.

1. Hover your mouse over the Options button in the column heading of the grading period and choose Grade Posting Status for Term.

 

2. Click Request Grade Changes.

3. In the Reason for Requesting Grade Changes box, type the reason you are requesting a grade change, then click Yes.

4. The grading period is now open for grade changes for the next two hours. You are able to make changes in the gradebook for the grading period. When finished, hover your mouse over the Options button in the column heading of the grading period and choose Grade Posting Status for Term.

 

5. Click Complete Grade Changes.

6. Click Yes.

7. Your administrator, or designee, will then receive your request for grade changes. They will either approve or deny your request. If your request is denied, you will have to repeat the above steps to change the grades back to the way they were prior to the request.

Checking the Status of Your Technology Service Request Ticket

When you create a Technology Service Request Ticket, you will receive a confirmation email from the "251Tech" account as well as additional emails as the ticket is updated. Please take the time to review any updates in the ticket system as additional information may be requested.

When additional information is requested, or if you have new information you would like to add, please do this within the ticket. Do not reply directly to the email as this is an informational email and is not monitored.

If you receive an email from the "251Tech" account and would like to respond, please add your information in the “Add Comment” section of the Technology Service Request ticket.

If you have any questions please contact the Help Desk at 713-251-TECH (8324).

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