Week Of January 28th: End of Semester 1

The follow are tips and documentation to help teachers, new and old, with posting grades to student report cards for Semester 1 (SM1), setting up your new classes (SM2) and configuring your gradebooks (SM2).  

There are many helpful document in our TTSD Knowledgebase (KB) to help you through this process. After leveraging these resources, if you are in need of additional support, please place a Tech Request.

Out with Semester 1... 

Elementary School Teachers:

• Elementary - Entering Grades By Class (< Also for PE, Music and EL grade entry)
• Entering Grades By Student

All Elementary Report Card Tips & Documentation

Secondary School Teachers:

• Grade Book End of Term Checklist (Canvas & Synergy)
• Posting Grades for Middle and High School Classes
• Supporting Students Past Term End Dates in Canvas

Bring on Semester 2...

Secondary School Teachers:

• Combining ("Cross Listing") Course Cards
• Canvas: Transition to a New Semester
• Setting up Grade Passback to Sync Canvas Assignments to Synergy
• Canvas - Getting a "Fresh Start" at the Start of a New Quarter (MS)

NOTE: New term Canvas course cards will be available to teachers 7 days prior to the 1st day of SM2 and the day prior to the first day of SM2 for students.

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PROTECT OUR STUDENTS' DATA:  

As you begin Semester 2, make sure you are only using online resources by vendors who have signed contracts with TTSD, committing to keep our student's personal data secure.  To see which apps and Canvas LTI resources you can use, see:

TTSD Digital Resources Menu.

Don't see the app or online tool listed??  Just complete a Digital Resource Request Form to ask for assistance in getting the vendor to commit to keeping our student data safe. 

Week of October 30, 2023

 

APPLE TV BUG IN TVOS 17.0

Issue:

*

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)