Ed Tech Notes

Newsletter of the Division of Technology

September 2013

Welcome to Tech Notes

Wed like you to know who we are and what we do, so this is the first issue of the educational technology newsletter brought to you by the technology interventionists.

Meet the Technology Interventionists

Jillian Johnson Jillian is a certified teacher with a masters degree in educational technology from Michigan State. She has taught for the past four years in a variety of settings, including different grade levels and locations. Last year, she taught 7th grade language arts in Charlottesville, Virginia. Jillian attended U of M for undergrad and MSU for graduate studies, and has a difficult time deciding which to root for during football season. Jillian also enjoys traveling the world and has spent several weeks exploring Europe throughout the past four years. Chris ODonnell Chris has spent the last three years working in Media Technology at the high school level. His specialty is working with iPads and multimedia equipment in the classroom. He has education experience in science, and has worked as a substitute teacher and zoo keeper in the past as well. Chris and his wife Lynda have two boys Joe 12, and Ian 9, and dog Louie. He is active in his sons activities as a hockey and lacrosse coach, as well as active in boy scouts. He enjoys spending time with family in the outdoors and camping during his free time. What exactly do technology interventionists do? The tech interventionists job is to help educators use technology in their classrooms.We are available to meet with WWCSD staff to assist in implementing the technology available. How to contact them: Email: johnsonjr@wwcs.k12.mi.us and odonnellc@wwcs.k12.mi.us Phone: Ext. 2079 Twitter: @WWCSDTeachTech

Jillian

Chris

Technology Training Sessions Scheduled

Want to increase your technology comfort level? How about participating in district tech training sessions or RESA tech training sessions opportunities?

Free Web

Tools of the Month

VoiceThread

Wayne RESA The school district will pay for your registration in any of the technology workshops sponsored by Wayne RESA. For workshop descriptions or to register online go to http://tinyurl.com/m5zydk9. Call Cathy Stone at 2089 to make arrangements for workshop payment.

VoiceThread is a collaborative, Wayne Westland multimedia slide show that allows The WWCSD Technology Training Schedule for September is: students to comment on images, documetns, and Session Name Date and Time videos through text, video, and audio files. SMARTBoards for Wednesday, September 18 voicethread.com
Beginners 3:00 to 4:00 pm

Location

Stevenson Middle School

Storybird Storybird is a fun and easy-to-use tool for creating short, visual stories. Users can select artwork, drag and organize photos, and add your own text to creat beautiful digital stories. storybird.com Livebinders Organize important digital information with Livebinders. With these online binders, you can upload your documents and easily combine them with your links in a neat and organized way. You can organize a lesson, collaborate with a colleague in writing that lesson in a binder, and share it across many spaces. Livebinders.com
SMARTBoards for Beginners Thursday, September 19 4:15 to 5:15 pm Mobis for Beginners Wednesday, September 25 3:00 to 4:00 pm Stevenson Middle School Stevenson Middle School

Mobis for Beginners

Thursday, September 26 4:15 to 5:15 pm

Elliot Elementary School

Wednesday, October 2 Creating a Wiki 3:00 to 4:00 pm Stevenson Middle Schools

Creating a Wiki

Thursday, October 3 4:15 to 5:15 pm

Elliot Elementary School

Email Jillian Johnson (johnsonjr@wwcs.k12.mi.us) to register for WWCSD technology sessions.

NWEA: MAP Testing

We will have a new source of data to assist students with their academic progress beginning in this October. We will begin using the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment system from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). Students in grades K-12 will participate in reading, math, and language usage assessments three times during the school year. In addition, students in grades 3-10 will participate in science assessments. MAP uses computerized adaptive tests to provide a better understanding of each students academic level. This level of detailed analysis will provide you with the information you need to meet your students needs. The MAP assessments adapt

Video Conferencing
Are you interested in scheduling a video conference for your students? There are hundreds of amazing opportunities waiting for you!

to each students responses as they take a test. If the student answers a question correctly, the assessments presents them with a more challenging item. In this way, the test actually narrows in on a students learning level more quickly and engages them with content that allows success. NWEAs Reporting Suite will allow you to get results within hours of testing. The reports will provide detailed growth and proficiency information to quickly diagnose student needs and make instructional decisions when they can have the greatest impact. In addition to the valuable, timely feedback, MAP assessment allows you to create a link between test data and Compass Learning. NWEA data will also be available in CLASS A. Because MAP tests are computerized, it is even more important to put in helpdesk tickets so the technicians are aware of problems and can quickly address them. http://helpdesk.wwcsd.net or email helpdesk@wwcsd.net.

Try searching cilc.org and projects.twice.cc or contact Jillian and Chris to help you find the perfect one(s) for you and your Need help working the technology that is in your classroom? Have you tried the students. We also Technology tab on the Staff Door? suggest creating This red arrow points to where you can find training resources. accounts on these websites. They send you very helpful emails containing video conference opportunities that you might be interested in.

Resources for Technology in Your Classrooms

Email Jillian and Chris to schedule the video conference you would like to use.

Treat Your Password Like Your Toothbrush

The best advice regarding password security comes from author, physicist, and network security expert, Cliff Stoll who says, Treat your password like your toothbrush. Change it every six months and dont share it with anyone.

Your passwords are the keys to your WWCSD accounts. And, just like a key, if you use one that's too simple, easily duplicated, or if you give a copy to anyone, you run the risk of having your email or documents security compromised. What can you do to protect your email and files stored on the network? Here are a few simple rules to follow: Create a strong password Longer passwords are harder to guess. We suggest a password that is at least 6 characters long. Use letters, numbers, and even special characters like $, *, and #. Counting the 26 letters in the alphabet and the digits 0-9, we have 36 characters to choose from. For a password of four characters (allowing for repeated use), there are 36 x 36 x 36 x 36, or 1,679,616 possibilities. If you use a six character password there are 2,176,782,336. If your password has 8 characters, there are 2,821,109,907,456 unique possibilities! Choose a password that is easy to remember, but difficult to guess You never want to use passwords that will be easily guessed, like maiden names, pets names, or anniversary dates. A better choice would be to use a six to eight word phrase and make an acronym out of it. Use something like, 4Sa7Ya for Four score and seven years ago or I8NYx2 for the popular quote from Godzilla, I ate New York, New York. If you want to use your anniversary, try maiJ10ri for My anniversary is July 10, remember it! Protect your password Dear Frustrated, This is easily accomplished by pointing your web browser to http://wwcsd.net/gr oupwise/ - Dr. Tech More commonly than someone guessing your password or having it cracked by a computer program, a Hacker will use less technical methods referred to as social engineering. Simply put, Hackers ask for it! So dont tell anyone your password. Hackers may look for it. Use your body to prevent the observer from seeing the keys being pressed as you enter your password. Request that guests do not watch the password entry process. Think of it as a teachable moment! Always log in to your hub before students arrive, so they dont see you type in your password on the SMARTBoard. Most modern software allows you to save your password, so you don't have to enter it every time you log in. While this is a great convenience, keep in mind that it lets anyone into your account, if they have access to that computer. Never write your password down. If you need to, to help in memorization, make sure to tear up the paper when youre finished. Never write you password down on a sticky note posted on your monitor. Changing your password Its easier and cheaper than changing you toothbrush! If you notice anything unusual happening in your email or on your H: drive, contact the techs and they can help you change your password at any time.

AskDr.Tech:
Dear Dr. Tech, How do I access my GroupWise account from home? Sincerely, Frustrated @ home