Post #2: Blogger, Copier/Printers, Chromebooks, iPad Carts, Software Subscriptions, Technology Committee

Blogger: If you use Blogger as your classroom website, you may need to make a setting change. Thanks to May for bringing this to my attention.

If you see the below message on your Blogger site:

Then follow these steps to correct:

This is happening as may browsers are preferring HTTPS over HTTP in the URL address. If you need assistance, please let me know.

Chromebook Updates:

• New charging adapters: I understand the new adapters on the power cords are a little challenging for the students to manage. If you'd like me to train a few students on how to easily plug in your Chromebooks with the new adapters, please let me know. I'd be happy to. 

• ELL Testing on Chromebooks: Ruth Rojas (one of our technicians) was able to install the WIDA testing app and MCAS app on all Chromebooks in the building. Therefore, any Chromebook can be used for either testing. 

• Stephanie, will you let us know when you need Chromebooks for testing? FYI ~ Most classrooms have an extra Chromebook that is not assigned to a student. 

Copier and Printer Updates: A couple of changes to printers and copiers in the building. Just want to make sure that you all know where these printers and copiers are located. 

• The copier in the new workroom is now online. You can find it in your printer list as HH_Copy_Room. 

• Do not print to HH_3rd_grade_Copier as that copier no longer exists in that location.

Printers in the building:

• HH_Copy_Room - workroom copier

• Main_Hallway - near the entrance to the side parking lot

• Outside_Guidance - across from the Arc Room

• Computer_Lab - outside Jaclyn's classroom

• Lab_Color - outside Jaclyn's classroom

• Outside_Library - corner across from the Art room 

• Outside_3rd_Grade - near Allys and Fiona's classrooms

iPad Carts: The iPad carts in the computer lab are all set to go. If you have signed up for a weekly time slot then you may begin this week if that works for your schedule.

• What you have access to? Both carts have access to our main instructional tools: Lexia, Symphony Math, Raz-Kids, Starfall as well as many other educational apps.
• Lab iPad Cart - a cart with 25 iPads (orange cases)
• Skills Lab iPad Cart - a cart with 12 iPads (black cases)
• Please do not remove the black headphone extenders. They are being used to help prevent damage to the headphone jack area. 

Software Subscriptions Update: Eva continues to make progress in setting up our school subscriptions. Just in case you missed it. The following software subscriptions are ready for use:

• Happy Numbers (K-2 only)
• Lexia
• Seesaw (1st and 2nd grade only)
• Symphony Math

Technology Committee: We'd like to get the Technology Committee up and running this year. This committee helps guide the teaching and learning of technology at HH School and in our district. If you would be willing to represent your team, please sign up on this Google Doc. Once we have a team, I will reach out to set up our first meeting date. Thank you all for considering!

POST #1 - Lots of Topics!

Hope everyone had a great start to the school year tomorrow. Finally a few technology updates:

Classroom Devices: 

• All classroom carts have been delivered!!
• Chromebooks Carts - FYI in several of our carts received a cable adaptor to help with the durability of the power cords. The classroom carts affected are in the following classrooms: Devlin, Mattson, Aronian, Reardon and the newer grade 3 cart. I'd be happy to do a demo of how to plug in the cords with you and/or your students.

• Interactive Flat Panels - 5 panels were installed this summer (May, Deb, Gretchen, Miriam, and the computer lab). We are excited to start using this new technology with our students.

Device Care: It's important to set up routines for taking care of your classroom carts - returning devices to the cart, logging off when done, plugging them in for charging, cleaning... Please let me know if you need any assistance in this manner.

Lab/Cart Sign-ups: If you are interested in a permanent weekly slot to use the labs or iPad carts, then please sign up on the appropriate calendar. 

There are 4 options to choose from:

Main Lab - 25 iPads with purple covers (only iPads)
Hallway Lab - older mac desktop computers
Skills iPad Cart - 12 iPads with black cases
Lab Cart - 25 iPads with orange cases

The screenshots below give you an idea of what is available and when. You should already have access to the online google calendars. Please add a slot or two that works best for you. Or send me your request and I will take care of adding it to the calendar.

Main Lab:

Hallway Lab:

Skills iPad Cart (12):

Lab iPad Cart (25 orange iPads) - totally wide open!!

Main Lab: Just a reminder - the main lab desktops were removed in June. Classes that come to the main computer lab will either use the lab iPads (purple covers) or bring Chromebooks from their classrooms (grades 3-5). If you sign up for the lab, please be aware of the tools you will have access to.

Online Software Subscriptions: Eva is diligently working on getting our online subscriptions ready (Lexia, Symphony Math..). 

The following titles are completed and ready for use:

• Google Accounts
• Lexia
• Seesaw (Grades 1 and 2)

I will continue to keep you updated as other titles are ready!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Post #22: End of Year Tech Procedures, Software Tools, Technology Committee

...for all of your work, support and input this year. Technology changes so frequently and we all try to go with the flow as best we can. Here are a few items to end the year.

Please let me know if you have any questions or issues. 

End of Year for Technology: End of Year Technology Procedures - Lots of information so please read carefully. If you need cleaning supplies, please stop by the lab. A few important dates to note:

• Tuesday, June 18th by 3:00: 
• All classroom laptop/iPad carts need to be returned to the computer lab by the end of the day. (Cleaned, Shut down and organized)

• Tuesday, June 18th by 3:00: All TA laptops along with chargers need to be returned to the computer lab. A box will be on the main table. Please check your name off that you returned your laptop and charger. 

• All WTA staff must complete the summer Checkout Form so we know if you will be taking your laptop home for the summer. (Link is also on the End of Year Tech Procedures page.)

Software Tools:  As you plan for next year, you may want to review the Instructional Tools Policy (which is found under For Staff). From there, you will see a link to the MSPA website which lists our software tools and their status for use. This website will be updated over the summer as agreements are signed and received. 

Technology Committee: The technology committee met this week. The notes from our meeting can be found here. We had another productive meeting. We discussed the device needs of students/staff and software tools. We will need to continue to work with the Leisha and the administrators to ensure that we receive the budget necessary to support our device needs. 

I'd like to thank all of the technology committee members for their time, thoughtful input and collaboration this year!!

Post 21: Kahoot vs. Quizalize, Lab Color Printer, Microscope - Easi-Scope

Kahoot vs Quizalize: As you begin to think about online tools for next year, Kahoot users should switch to Quizalize. Kahoot requires a parent sign-off as they did not sign our SDP agreement. 

Benefits of switching to Quizalize:

• They signed our SDP agreement. 
• Integrates with Google Classroom.
• Questions are shown on the device too, not just the teacher's device
• Student Differentiation - assign different quizzes to different students
• Use in class or for homework
• Personal student reports
• Progress tracking

Lab Color Printer: The lab color printer was replaced this week. We have already noticed a difference in the print quality. Please let me know if you see any issues so that we can stay on top of your concerns.

Microscope - Easi-Scope: I discovered this student-friendly wireless microscope/doc camera. I grabbed one to test out. If anyone would like to explore it, please let me know.

Post #20: Lab iPad Carts, Lab Color Printer, Report Cards, Tech Committee

Lab iPad Carts: I met with Leisha yesterday and we discussed the lab iPad Cart. 

GREAT NEWS - Leisha reviewed the budget and our use request. We will keep the main lab iPad cart (orange cases) and the skills lab iPad cart (black cases) in tack for next year. 

• Leisha was so happy to hear that the need is there. She would not want to make any changes that would limit your access to devices that you need to support the curriculum. 
• The desktop computers in the main lab will still be returned.
• We will still get a new cart of iPads for use with tech classes! 

Thank you for your thoughtful thinking around technology issues! I'm feeling better about how things will look for next year. 

Lab Color Printer: We have noticed that the quality of the new lab color printer is not great. I have reached out to the company and they are sending us a replacement. We hope to have it in place next week.

Report Cards: In case you missed it, Term 2 is open for reporting!!

Tech Committee: The next meeting is Wednesday, June 12th at 2:30 in the computer lab. All are welcome to join our conversation. 

Post #19: Headphones, iPad Cart Google Calendar, Projectors

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Headphones: If students need to borrow headphone, please DO NOT take them from the hallway lab. Classes go to the hallway lab and expect that all stations are equipped with headphones. I have some extra headphones in the main lab in a pocket chart behind the door. Students should borrow and then return. 

iPad Cart Google Calendar: This week I noticed that all events on the Lab iPad Cart Google calendar after the April break were deleted. I'm not sure what happened. I have recreated the events that were permanent weekly sign-ups.

However, if you had signed up to use the cart for any special projects, please check the iPad calendar and sign-up again if it's missing. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Projectors: Joe cleaned all of the projector filters over the April break. If you notice any issues with your projector, please let me know.

Post #18: Converting Word Docs to Google, Tech Committee

It's been a busy and hectic week. Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful break. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Converting Word Docs to Google Drive: Wondering how to convert your MS Office files to Google. Then check out this quick tutorial. Stop by if you'd like assistance.

Remember if you have converted a file from Office to Google Drive then add your name to the monthly bulletin board that May has so graciously been doing this year!

Tech Committee: The tech committee met this week. Please see the agenda for our notes. Thanks again to everyone for their thoughtful conversations and insights into the use of technology at Happy Hollow.