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

 

Week of August 14, 2023 - Summer Update #2 / Welcome Back Secretaries!

Summer Update #2

Timeline for Synergy, Canvas & Clever

• Please see Knowledgebase (KB) article entitled "Beginning of School Year: Software & App Ready Dates for Fall 2023" to learn about important dates for our systems
• Highlights:
• Blackboard - new GRADES ready (classes updated Aug 21st)
• Synergy default year = 2023-24

How to Check Out a Projector or Document Camera 

• Beginning Fall 2023, all TTSD Classrooms should now have a mounted projection system (either a mounted projector or classroom display mounted on the wall).  
• Apple TVs are also now a classroom standard and should be available in every TTSD classroom.
• With this, document cameras and unmounted projectors are optional devices available for a teacher to check out.  To check out one of these devices for the school year, use the service request form(s)
  below:
• Service Home > Request New Service > * Device Request > Document Camera
• Service Home > Request New Service > * Device Request > Projector