Summer Opportunities and More from Ed Tech

Teachers, Set Up your Lync!

If you need help with Eduphoria, Camtasia, Windows 8, etc., Educational Technology will want to “remote” in to your desktop using a new program called Lync. Issues are quickly resolved without several exchanges of email. Not only can we reach you quickly, you can Lync anyone in the Ed Tech department whenever you need help. We are always online. To set up your Lync to launch everyday, follow these instructions:

• Click the Win8 Start button
• In the Search box, key in “Lync” and hit Enter
• Right-click on the program Lync 2013
• Pin to either Start or Taskbar
• Launch Lync
• Sign in with your full Spring Branch email (no password)
• You’re done and ready to chat, video call, present, share, collaborate!
• Watch these tutorial videos or join the Teacher Laptop Mission at mysbisd.com/edtech for more training and tips!

Summer Learning Opportunities with Ed Tech!  

Click here to see a list of courses being offered in June at the Technology Training Center.  Sign up today and jump start your summer the Ed Tech way!

Online PD Opportunities this Summer!

There are lots of online opportunities to learn this summer (and beyond)! Take a look at the free courses that are being offered from a variety of providers! Read more...

Gradebook End of School Year Reminder: Grade Change Requests

If you need to change a grade from a closed grading period, the following will demonstrate how to do this. The steps are listed below.


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

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.

End of Year Procedures - All Other Campuses

All Other Campuses:
1.    For campuses that are shutting down completely for the summer, teachers are urged to take their laptops home with them. If you use your laptop at home, be careful that you do not install any upgrades. This may cause your job-related applications to stop working.   
2.    Leave your keyboard, docking station and monitor in place.
3.    Networked printers should stay plugged in but turned off.
4.    Desktop computers (both PC and Apple) need to be plugged in but turned off.
5.    Leave all Classroom Based Technology devices plugged and stored in the charging cabinets.
6.    All other technology items such as document cameras should be stored and locked.
7.    All classroom based devices remain in the room as devices are assigned to the room, not the teacher.
8.    For damaged devices, submit work tickets on these devices and they will be repaired if the damage is repairable.
9.    Macbooks should be stored in their charging carts and the carts plugged into an electrical outlet. 
10.    Leave Macbooks and iMacs turned off but plugged into an electrical outlet
11.    Computers in COWs need to be connected and the COW itself should be plugged into an electrical outlet. Make sure that keys to the cabinets are available to allow summer work.
12.  ActivBoard Procedures:

• Put your pens and wands inside of your ActiVote/ActivExpression case for safe storage over the summer.
• Take the batteries out of your ActiVotes/ActivExpressions while stored. This keeps the batteries from exploding and corroding in the warm temperatures.
• Wipe your boards with a clean, soft towel that is lightly damp to get smudges off. For any stubborn smudges, you can lightly spray your towel with whiteboard cleaner and wipe away those marks.
• Lock up all ActiVotes, hubs, remotes, ActivPens, document cameras and webcams.
• Disconnect the ActivBoard cables from the docking station and coil the cables behind the ActivBoard.

13.  If your campus has large scale floor cleaning during the summer, your campus principal can coordinate with the Customer Service Department on how to facilitate this process.  

Please email the Help Desk at 251Tech@springbranchisd.com or call 713-251-TECH (8324) with any questions concerning these procedures.

End of Year Procedures - Construction/Renovation Campuses

Construction/Renovation Campuses:

RCE

If your campus is under renovation or new construction, your campus principal will give you instructions for end of school year technology procedures.

End of Year Procedures - Summer School/Program Campuses

Summer School/Program Campuses: 

MHS, SWH, SOE, TCE, PSE, BCE, SBE, FWE, EWE, HME, HBE, KIPP, YES Prep, SSE, WWE, WVE, RGE, NMS, SWM, TCE

1.   Outgoing teachers assigned to campuses being utilized for Summer School or Summer Programs are urged to take their laptops home with them. If you use your laptop at home, be careful that you do not install any upgrades. This may cause your job-related applications to stop working.  
2.    Leave your keyboard, mouse, docking station and monitor in place.
3.    Leave your phone plugged in.
4.    Networked printers should stay connected and turned on so it can be used during the summer.  
5.    Leave all Classroom Based Technology devices plugged and stored in the charging cabinets. Be sure to lock your charging cabinets.
6.    ActivBoards, ActivPens, Projector Remotes and Keys: 

• Do not disconnect the ActivBoard cables. Please leave all ActivBoard cables in place.
• Place the following items into a baggie:
  • ActivPen
  • Projector Remote
  • Key to the cabinet/closet where your ActivClassroom Equipment will be stored.
  • Key to the charging cabinet for your Classroom Based Technology devices.
• Label the baggie with your name and Room #.
• Check the items in to your principal for checkout by summer school teachers.
  

7.    All other ActivClassroom equipment remains in place, including ActiVotes. These will be used during the summer. 
8.    All classroom based devices remain in the room as devices are assigned to the room, not the teacher.
9.    The computers in the COWs need to be connected and the COW itself should be plugged into a power outlet, even if they will not be used for Summer School. Keys to the COW must be checked in to your Principal.
10.  Your campus principal will contact Custodial Services or the Campus CSE to address any special situation. 

Please email the Help Desk at 251Tech@springbranchisd.com or call 713-251-TECH (8324) with any questions concerning these procedures.

Laptop Procedures for a Staff Member Transferring to a Teaching Position

Staff Member Transfers from a District Department Position to a Teaching Position 

• Staff who transfer from a District Department Position to a Teaching Position must turn in their computer equipment to their department before beginning their new position.
• Transitioning staff member will receive a Teacher Laptop at their new campus.

Please email the Help Desk at 251Tech@springbranchisd.com or call 713-251-TECH (8324) with any questions concerning these procedures.

Laptop Procedures for a Teacher Transferring to a New Campus

Teacher Transfers to a New Campus: 

• Teachers who transfer to a new campus will take the following equipment to their new campus:
  1. Laptop
  2. Laptop Case (bag)
  3. Power Adapter

• Teachers will leave the following equipment in place inside the classroom of their former campus:
  1. Monitor
  2. Monitor Stand
  3. Laptop dock
  4. Keyboard
  5. Mouse
  6. Docking Station Power Adapter
  7. Classroom Based Technology 
   

Please email the Help Desk at 251Tech@springbranchisd.com or call 713-251-TECH (8324) with any questions concerning these procedures.