Post #30 EdTechTeam, Google Classroom, Google Meet - new features, Seesaw - new features and updates, Video Conferencing Tips

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A few reminders and updates since we left in June. As always, please reach out if you have any questions. I'm checking email every few days.



EdTechTeam Classes: There is still time to sign up for these FREE summer offerings. More details can be found on the WIT - PD page. 

**NOTE: If you missed a class held in June, the video recordings are now available to watch. Just click on the session title and you will see a google drive video link.

Google Classroom Reminder: Just a reminder that with our domain name change happening this summer, all NEW Google Classrooms should be created using your @wayland.k12.ma.us google account!

Google Meet: Awesome news features coming to Google Meet later this year. These new features will boost student engagement and help with moderating meets. Check out the specifics in this article. 

Seesaw Update: New Features Released Yesterday (July 14, 2020)

You can now embed a video and/or a URL link directly into a Seesaw activity (on the canvas). 


**Important to keep in mind, once you archive your class, the class will not be visible to the students anymore. Their student journals will still be intact and families can still access their child's journals to download and print (if they wish to). But no further work can be completed.**

***Classes must be archived before Eva can set up the students for next year. So I would do this now to get it out of the way.***
  • PD: If you are looking for more than an hour session, the Seesaw Pioneer is a free self-paced program that has a lot to offer. 
  • LOGIN CHANGE: At some point after July 20th, your login to Seesaw will change. This will be due to the change in our google domain/email name to first_last@waylandps.org. You will be notified by email of the change and with directions on how to login.  
Video Conferencing Tips:
Other video conferencing tips:

1. Make sure you restart your computer every morning.
2. Make sure it is plugged into power when doing video conferencing
3. Close all other tabs (you may need something open), but minimize it
4. Try to use an icon of your face after you have said hello and have gotten started (uses fewer resources). If your teacher asks you to turn it on, always do what your teacher requests.
5. Turning off the hardware accelerator in chrome seems to help as well:
   (1) Launch Google Chrome.  Click Chrome from the file menu and select "Preferences"
   (2) in the "Search Settings" field, type in "Hardware"
   (3) Flip the switch OFF for "Use hardware acceleration when available"
   (4) Click Relaunch.

If that does not work, submit a HELP ticket.