Update, Week of April 20, 2020

TOP TECHNOLOGY TIPS FOR STAFF

1.   Google Meet UPDATE  

• Manage Your Meet Attendees:  TWO different ways to use Google Meet with students (Check out the TWO ways to Start a Google Meet KB Article for Details of each of the following: 

1. By Invitation
1. Limits both WHO & WHEN Meet link is available
2. Recording available to all invited guests
2. Post a URL 

1. Easy to share link to join (SeeSaw / Google Classroom post).
2. Must "admit" each attendee outside TTSD staff Google domain. (ie students)
3. Must "remove" attendees at end of session to prevent rejoining later.
4. Recording must be intentionally shared.

Review the PROS and CONS of each method

2.   Refining Your Google Classroom Posts to Easily See Who May Need Support

• Classwork >> Create -- (1) Assignment, (2) Quiz Assignment, (3) Quiz:  These 3 Google Classroom Classwork posts when used with a "Due Date" are an easy way to see student's work and know who is able to participate in Distance Learning.  The following Classwork events each have a due date feature: 
• Which allows students to:
• See the assignment on their Google Calendar
• Know the timeframe they should be working on an assignment
• Lists the assignment on their "To Do" list in Google Classroom
• "Turn In" the assignment to communicate to the teacher they are ready for feedback.
• And allows teachers to:

• See a quick tally of who has participated and who has not for easy access to a list of students who may need some support.
• Review assignments that students have "Turned In" and  
• Easy access to individual private feedback to each student.

• Classwork >> Create -- (1) Materials, (2) Assignments without Due Dates: These Google Classroom Classwork posts - "Materials" & skipping the due dates on an assignment, will NOT:
• Show on Google Calendar
• Be listed on the Classroom "Upcoming" section as a reminder to students

Additional Google Classroom Tips:

Resources for Digital Learning

Learning Current EdTech Tools

Update, Week of April 13, 2020

Top Technology Tips for Staff

IMPORTANT Information for all K-5 Teachers  

As we transition to Distance Learning this week and begin sending instructional materials home to students to use on their iPads, PLEASE make sure all K-5 parents know to take the following steps EACH DAY:

1. Open the "TTSD Web Filter" app
2. Sign In with TTSD student account & password
3. Open Clever  
4. Open SeeSaw

IMPORTANT Information for All Staff

Parent Help:

• Distance Learning Resources & Overview
• Parent Knowledge Base - Frequently asked Questions & Answers for tech at home.

Google Hangouts & Other Guidelines for Staff:

• TTSD Electronic Communication Guidelines

Update, Week of April 6, 2020

Top Technology Tips for Staff:

1. Work phone numbers now available from HOME.  TTSD staff can now download software that will allow them to call families using their "TTSD phone number".  Please see instructions for Mac and Windows.  If you run into any problems, please submit a Tech Request
   
   
   
   
   
2. Using Google Hangouts Meet a lot these days?  Try installing some extensions to help you customize your browser window, like seeing everyone on the call in Google Hangouts Grid View: GRID VIEW 

Support for K-5 Parents & Students on TTSD iPads

Support for K-5 Parents & Students on TTSD iPads

Wow! What an exciting week of getting elementary students their iPads so they can continue their learning at home with the tools they are use to at school.  With the rollout of our 5000+ iPads to homes this week, there are a few hiccups and details to share.  Please refer to the following when troubleshooting issues with your child's iPad:

• Student ipads may be prompted for "Proxy Authentication Required" in a pop-up screen the first time it connects to a new network. Please login with your child's TTSD account.  

• Please use the "TTSD Web Filter" (app that looks like a lock) daily to log into the TTSD filter.  

• The second issue we have run into Thursday and Friday is that SOME student accounts in grades K-5 are getting Login Failed.   We hope to have this problem solved by Monday or Tuesday next week. Thank you for your patience.

April 5th = IT Maintenance "Down Day"

This Sunday, April 5th is our regularly scheduled technology maintenance "down-day."  We reserve the first Sunday of each month for network/system maintenance to avoid interruptions throughout the month.

We always try to keep interruptions to a minimum. Please plan accordingly for potential interruptions to TTSD Wifi, Infinite Visions, email, Google, Synergy and other TTSD systems on Sunday.  

...Susan Barnard & IT Team

Update, Week of March 22nd

Top Technology Status Debrief  (TTSD)
It has been a challenging couple of weeks as school buildings close, At Home (supplemental) learning evolves and we try to find balance during this time.  The resources below are here to support your remote work and continued communication with colleagues & students.

1. TTSD's Best Practices for Remote Meetings: We are a Google district with many known resources in the Google suite of tools.  We have been using Google Hangouts Meet for numerous years for asynchronous (two-way) discussions with success. Most recently Google has also increased the # of participants to 250 AND has enabled recording of the video meeting - which is helpful for those who cannot attend. YouTube Streaming is a great resources for larger audiences (ie. school communities, announcements/updates, etc.) that does not allow others to participate during the event. For suggestions and support to host remote meetings, please see Best Practices for Remote Meetings.
   
   
2. At Home Learning - As we continue to encourage students and families to engage with At Home learning (http://AtHome.ttsdschools.org), TTSD has provided Supplemental Resources based on playing BINGO each day. There are digital and print resources here.  K-5 devices will be handed out early this next week at each elementary school based on a pre-arranged schedule.
   
   
3. Home 2 Learn - This next week, teachers will be connecting with students to ensure they are well, have access to supplemental activities and can connect to their classroom with either SeeSaw or Google Classroom.  TTSD instructional coaches have provided an excellent support site for teachers who may want some guidance or one-on-one support from an instructional coach.  Please take a look at these teacher resources for guidance and support (http://home2learn.ttsdschools.org). As always, you can call the IT Help Desk at 503-431-4051 between 8am and 3pm, M-F. 

Update, Week of March 8, 2020

Top Technology Status Debrief  (TTSD)

1. TTSD has a strong, supportive community. As a result, we are fortunate to have 1:1 technology in our students hands for learning & collaboration.  During this flu and virus season, it's incredibly important for our teachers to ensure continuity of instruction when students miss class due to an illness.  We have two amazing platforms (Google Classroom for grades 6-12 & SeeSaw for grades K-5) to keep students and families seamlessly connected to daily classroom activities. 
   See More. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. SIA Grant application for TTSD goes before the School Board for final approval Monday night, March 9th.  We are excited about the TTSD plan and how it will provide necessary academic resources for students, especially those who been historically underserved, and help support the mental and behavioral health needs of our students.
3. TTSD officially launched Online Student Registration!  We currently have online registration for incoming kindergarteners (Fall 2020) and will expand to all new students for Fall 2020 in the coming weeks.  Additionally, we are expanding access to ParentVUE to K-5 parents.  We have had over 1100 parents activate their account in the last 7 days!