Week of October 30, 2023

 

APPLE TV BUG IN TVOS 17.0

Issue:

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Are you experiencing any of the following issues with your classroom Apple TV:

• Delay in sound coming from your computer to your display (through your AppleTV)
• Unable to connect to your Apple TV through the Mac laptop control panel (just spins)

BUG: 

Unfortunately, this issue (or "bug") has arrived with the newest version of AppleTV, TVos 17.x 

Once Apple fixes this issue, we will communicate the solution & push the update out to all managed AppleTVs.

Trivia tip: The software of an AppleTV is called the "tvOS."

  

Temporary Solution:

1. Restart the AppleTV using the Apple TV remote
• Open Settings on Apple TV, go to System and select Restart.

TECHNICAL TIPS FOR TIMECLOCK PLUS (TCP)

Did you attend the Classified Inservice on TCP and would like some tips on how to access the TCP system? Please see the Knowledge-base Articles below:

• Using the Time Clock and WebClock
• TimeClock Dashboard and Approving Your Hours

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* These images were created with the assistance of DALL·E 2

Week of October 23, 2023

 Let's Continue Our Focus on
CyberSecurity and Digital Citizenship

Below are FOUR items to add to your October CyberSecurity Month TO DO LIST to ensure you are being a "Super Cat" (see drawing below)

1. All Staff: Complete the TTSD Fall 2023 Cyber Security Training (Log into Canvas) by Oct 31, 2023.
2. All Staff: Update your iPadOS to iOS 16.6 How To Update
   
   
   
3. All Staff: Secure your TTSD laptop by encrypting the hard drive. How to Encrypt Your TTSD Laptop (Mac) (Windows users, please place a tech request asking for encrypting on your laptop)

NOTE: October is the time to update your Mac and iOS devices on your timeline, so that you may choose the most convenient time for you.  It's important for district security and function that we have our devices updated by the end of November.  We will be "pushing" each of these updates out to all devices that were not updated individually in November. 

"Super Cat" sharing their Cyber tips from Bridgeport Elementary School!

Week of Oct 8, 2023 - It's Cyber Security Month !!

 

October is Cyber Security Month

Dear TTSD Staff,

October is Cybersecurity Month, and it's the perfect time to emphasize the importance of staying cyber aware. In today's digital age, here's why it matters:

Protect Your Data: Safeguard your personal and business information from cyber threats.

Prevent Identity Theft: Stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to identity theft.

School District Resilience: Ensure TTSD's operations and student data are always secure.

Here's how to participate:

1. Training: Complete the TTSD Fall 2023 Cyber Security Training (Log into Canvas) by Oct 31, 2023.
2. Updates: Keep software and devices up-to-date for security.
3. Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
4. Phishing Awareness: Train to recognize phishing attempts. (See Training, above)
5. Data Protection: Encrypt data and maintain regular backups. To encrypt your TTSD laptop:
1. Mac users: Open Self Service and launch FileVault app
2. Windows users: Submit a tech request with your name, computer name and the IP number from your computer
6. Incident Response: Have a plan to address cyber breaches. TTSD has a plan!  Please submit a tech request or call x4051 if you feel your computer or account has been compromised.

Let's make October a month of cyber vigilance and learning. Stay secure!

Sincerely,

Susan Barnard

IT Director

Tigard-Tualatin Schools

Week of September 25, 2023

Classroom Communication Tools UPDATE

Our primary communication method with families is Remind for teachers and staff, while Blackboard is the preferred tool for school-wide communication from the office. Remind messages are delivered to the parent and student's email InBox, and if a cell phone number is provided in Synergy, they will also receive a text message. Parents and students can use the Remind App optionally, but the app is NOT necessary it to receive or send messages.

However, Remind lacks direct communication features for individual students and formatting options for longer messages. To address this, we've explored Synergy options. Synergy Mail, introduced for teachers at the beginning of the school year, requires parents and students to log into Parent/StudentVUE to reply, adding a barrier to communication.

Remind:

• PROs

• 
  Remind allows for two way communication WITH TRANSLATION

• Remind is synced nightly with Synergy (classes, student and parent contact information).

• Archived communication to protect staff and students.

• SMS, email, App - allows for parents, staff and students to customize HOW they are notified of a new communication.

• For students under 13 yrs old, teachers can send direct messages by finding the student under the People menu to initiate a new Message.

• CONs

• Staff/Teachers cannot easily message multiple guardians of a student (without knowing who they are)

• No formatting options.

* Click HERE for Knowledgebase Articles on how to use Remind.

As of 9/28/23, Synergy's "Communication" tool has returned to TeacherVUE under the Home menu, to address the specific limitations of Remind listed above. 

 

Week of September 18, 2023

 Managed Apple TV UPDATES:

• Starting on Friday, September 22, 2023, all TTSD (managed) classroom TVs will undergo TWO important updates

1. 
   Reduced Connection Delay: We're making a significant improvement to reduce the extended delay when connecting your laptop or iPad to the AppleTV. Say goodbye to those frustratingly long waits!
2. Pass Code to Connect - ONLY 1st Time: We're modifying the code to enable connection attempts only on the initial connection, eliminating the need to reconnect "every time." This change will simplify the process and save you time.

These updates aim to enhance your classroom technology experience, ensuring smoother and more efficient interactions with our AV equipment. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we strive to improve your learning environment.

TTSD Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee

In May 2023, we launched the TTSD Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee. We're inviting staff, community members, and students to join us in our ongoing efforts to evaluate generative AI tools in PK-12 education. The committee's core objectives are:

1. Develop TTSD AI Policy: Create a district-wide policy for the responsible use of generative AI by staff and students.
2. Provide AI Professional Development: Offer continuous training to empower staff and students to effectively utilize AI tools in education. Join us in shaping the future of AI in education.

If you'd like to join this committee, please fill out this form TTSD AI Committee Membership Interest Form.

LAST Back to School Update

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance at TTSD:

• Students: At this time, there is NO approved AI generating tool approved for TTSD student use (no vendors have signed the Data Privacy Agreement)
• Staff: At this time, AI tools ARE allowed & encouraged for use by staff with the following TTSD AI Guidance
• Quick Tips: 
1. Use ChatGPT as a tool for suggesting edits to your own writing.  Suggested prompts (it's all about the prompts...) include:
• Make the following more concise: "_______"
• Check for bias in the following: "_______"
• Check for tone in the following: "________"
1. Install Origin AI Detection extension tool (for a quick check on submitted work)
2. Explore content creation with AI tools such as ChatGPT and Canva's Magic Write: presentations, lesson plans, etc.  (SEE requirement to give credit in TTSD AI Guidance for AI generated content creation)
3. Use ChatGPT in the classroom with YOUR account to discuss PROs and CONs of AI in our society. 
• Avoid generating text live on a display in class
• Review generated text for bias and accuracy before presenting it to students
• If biases or inaccuracies are detected in generated text, edit the text or determine an appropriate mitigation response prior to sharing the content
  
  

This is good practice, as teachers should read or watch supplemental materials they self-select in full before presenting them to students. This practice aligns with TTSD's Materials Selection and Procurement policy (IIA-AR) which requires staff to check for bias in advance and determine a plan to address any bias located prior to introducing the material - in an effort to support ACB (Every Student Belongs).

 

• NOTE: As we explore any new technology, be aware there are pros and cons and potential bias.  Keep yourself up to date with drawbacks of these new AI tools and how they have implicit bias due their human creation: EXAMPLES:
• Educational Impacts & Benefits of AI (TTSD)
• U.S. Department of Education Shares Insights and Recommendations for Artificial Intelligence (US Dept of Ed Article)
• The U.S. Department of Education and Experts Discuss “AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning” (US Dept of Ed Webinar - recorded)

Week of August 21, 2023 - Summer Update #3 / Welcome Back Teachers!

WELCOME BACK TEACHERS!  It's going to be a great year! Please find some important updates below for this new school year:

PK-12 Teachers:

Remind is now integrated into the Synergy TeacherVUE "Home" menu for easy school to home communication (Replacing "Communication").  Remind already has your classes rostered and when you select to "translate" your message, parents and students will receive your message in their home language via text or email (or App) without having to sign up.  Additionally, when they respond in their home language, it will translate BACK into your preferred language. (Use your Google login for Remind.)

AppleTVs are now TTSD Classroom Standard: 

• AppleTVs & Mounted Displays: NEW TTSD Classroom Standards
• Options for Connecting to Your Classroom Display

Digital Citizenship Lessons are necessary for ALL AGES

Our students are navigating a time where honed technology skills are essential to their future.  Please take time through the school year, beginning in the first weeks, to review the responsibilities that come with using these tools responsibly and learning these skills to open opportunities. Topics to explicitly discuss are:

• Online bullying (including cyberbullying)
• Responsible use of social networking
• Digital health (screen time in moderation)
• Digital literacy - deciphering real vs fake information online

As we all explore the new technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) (see TTSD's AI committee Pros/Cons Spring 2023), we all deserve an opportunity to learn about these tools in a safe and thoughtful way.  Please look for to additional opportunities this fall to learn about AI @ TTSD.  

Need some suggestions on how to bring this topics into your specific grade level?  Please see Seesaw digital lessons scope & sequence (link to Seesaw Computer Science lesson library) for age appropriate, lesson plans and activities for students in elementary school.  For secondary students, please see Common Sense Media for ideas or specific lessons that will resonate with your students.

Elementary School Updates

• STUDENT iPad APP LIST: The amount of Apps available for students has been streamlined and prioritized for use in the classroom.  Thank you for your participation in the Spring app survey sent to all ES and MS teachers.  Based on your feedback of valuable classroom apps, there is now a list of refined apps available to students.  See 2023-24 Fall iOS Student App List.  
• Want to request a new App? 
1. First review the TTSD Digital Resources Menu
2. If not on the menu, see "Requesting a Resource for Student/Staff Use"
• YouTube.com will initially be blocked on all PK-5 student iPads.  
• Please begin the year with digital citizenship lessons and activities with your students to ensure they are given the opportunity to make informed decisions with their technology use. 
• Then, if your grade level team would like to use the YouTube resources in your classrooms for instruction, please just submit a Tech Request. 

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Don't miss previous Summer Updates:

• Summer Update #1 - How to print securely in your school, using "SecureCopy Papercut" printer.
• Summer Update #2:
• Timeline for teachers, parents and students to access Parent/StudentVUE and Canvas
• How to check out a document camera