Ed Tech News & Information

Plan for IT Success
As we all know, the first few weeks of the school year are a mixture of equal measures of excitement and anxiety (with a dash of grief over the loss of summer). Please remember that while you've been gone, a great deal of work has been done in all of the buildings and behind the scenes. In the case of IT, that has involved everything from computers being removed from rooms for cleaning and hooked back up, new hardware installed, to a massive amount of infrastructure work done on the network.
While we would all like to guarantee that you'll come back to technology which will be functioning flawlessly and you can jump right into your old lesson activities and new ones without a hitch, that simply isn't realistic. There will be hiccups. There will be glitches. There will be frustrations. In a district our size, with the sheer amount of hardware involved in relation to the amount of manpower to manage it, this is inevitable. However, you can do yourself, and your blood pressure, a favor by planning ahead.
Take some time before your students come back and check out some of your tried and true activities and resources to make sure your presentation center, SmartBoard, printer, etc., are still working they way you expect them to. In the case of new websites, software, or activities that you're excited to use this year, do a dry run ahead of time. Don't wait until you have twenty-five students sitting in front of you, or about to come through your door in ten minutes, to discover that there's a problem.
The IT Building Assistants and the NERIC personnel want to ensure that everything works smoothly for you. It's in their best interests to keep you happy after all. But, you have to be cognizant of the fact that you are one person in a district of several hundred employees. So while they may sympathize with your emergency, they may not always be able to drop everything and get to your room right that moment. Doing a dry run a day or two ahead of time will help ensure that they are able to help you get your problem solved before it becomes an emergency. So, plan for success; plan ahead.
As we all know, the first few weeks of the school year are a mixture of equal measures of excitement and anxiety (with a dash of grief over the loss of summer). Please remember that while you've been gone, a great deal of work has been done in all of the buildings and behind the scenes. In the case of IT, that has involved everything from computers being removed from rooms for cleaning and hooked back up, new hardware installed, to a massive amount of infrastructure work done on the network.
While we would all like to guarantee that you'll come back to technology which will be functioning flawlessly and you can jump right into your old lesson activities and new ones without a hitch, that simply isn't realistic. There will be hiccups. There will be glitches. There will be frustrations. In a district our size, with the sheer amount of hardware involved in relation to the amount of manpower to manage it, this is inevitable. However, you can do yourself, and your blood pressure, a favor by planning ahead.
Take some time before your students come back and check out some of your tried and true activities and resources to make sure your presentation center, SmartBoard, printer, etc., are still working they way you expect them to. In the case of new websites, software, or activities that you're excited to use this year, do a dry run ahead of time. Don't wait until you have twenty-five students sitting in front of you, or about to come through your door in ten minutes, to discover that there's a problem.
The IT Building Assistants and the NERIC personnel want to ensure that everything works smoothly for you. It's in their best interests to keep you happy after all. But, you have to be cognizant of the fact that you are one person in a district of several hundred employees. So while they may sympathize with your emergency, they may not always be able to drop everything and get to your room right that moment. Doing a dry run a day or two ahead of time will help ensure that they are able to help you get your problem solved before it becomes an emergency. So, plan for success; plan ahead.

SchoolTool Help
If you're looking for information on how to do something with SchoolTool, you can look in the following:
If you are having an issue with your account, contact Jan Komorowski. If you need your password reset, Jan can help you, and so can your building's secretary.
If you're looking for information on how to do something with SchoolTool, you can look in the following:
If you are having an issue with your account, contact Jan Komorowski. If you need your password reset, Jan can help you, and so can your building's secretary.

Computer and Network Security
As more and more of our communication and record keeping takes place electronically, it is important to ensure the security of the information on your computer and in your home drive. There are a few tips to making sure you remain the only person with access.
Don't leave your computer logged into your MCSD network account and unattended.
Never share your password with anyone else. Enough said.
If you think there's a chance someone might have found out what your password is, change it.
Use different passwords for different accounts.
So with a few relatively simple things, you can help make sure that you remain the only person who can access your files, grades, email, etc.
As more and more of our communication and record keeping takes place electronically, it is important to ensure the security of the information on your computer and in your home drive. There are a few tips to making sure you remain the only person with access.
Don't leave your computer logged into your MCSD network account and unattended.
- If you are leaving the room entirely, either log off completely, or lock the computer.
- Locking the computer is great if you're stepping away for a few minutes and have programs up and running and don't want to have to reopen them all when you come back. Simply hold the Windows key (it's between Ctrl and Alt on the bottom left side of the keyboard, and press L. Immediately you'll go to a blue screen that tells you to press Ctrl + Alt + Delte to log in. You'll enter your password and the screen will go back to exactly where you were when you locked it.
Never share your password with anyone else. Enough said.
If you think there's a chance someone might have found out what your password is, change it.
- In fact, even if you don't think anyone has, it's not a bad practice to change it every few months. I realize it's a pain sometimes to keep track of all the passwords we have, but take it from someone who has had an email account hacked before, it's worth the trouble to avoid the headache of a compromised account.
- To change your MCSD password, log in as you would normally. Once you are fully logged in, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. On the bottom of the screen that pops up, press the button to change your password. You'll need to fill in your current password, then put in your new password twice to make sure you haven't mistyped it since you won't actually be able to see the letters. It's that simple.
Use different passwords for different accounts.
- This is probably the hardest one of all to follow. With the increasing numbers of websites, email accounts, etc. that we need passwords for, the natural urge is to use the same one for all of them. It would be so nice to only have to remember one password. The problem is, if someone does gain access to your password, they now have the ability to log into all your accounts. That's potentially very bad.
So with a few relatively simple things, you can help make sure that you remain the only person who can access your files, grades, email, etc.

Finding Smart Notebook Lessons on Digital Nation
As you are all aware, our district has contracted for a service called Digital Nation (DN), which is a web-based service designed to give teachers guidance and access to a large array of interactive websites (web 2.0 tools), and fully developed interactive whiteboard lessons. Their database of lessons is already past the 2,000 mark and growing continually. In the tutorial below, I'll be walking you through the steps of searching for an existing lesson.
Lessons that are already in the database are instantly accessible. The ones we will be using are downloaded as Smart Notebook files. Once you download a file, it is yours to use and keep as long as you like. It is also very important to note that once you download a file, it may be edited by you, so you can really tailor it to fit your class.
Looking for an Existing Lesson
Start by going to the Digital Nation site and logging in. At this point you've gotten multiple emails with instructions for logging in, but if you've forgotten, your ID is firstname.lastname (yours, obviously), and the password is lastname1234. You will need to log in in order to be able to browse the database of existing lessons and to request a custom one. If you are unable to login, contact Hannah Conner or Ashley Williams at A+ Educators, and they will ensure that you are set up with an account.
Once you have logged in, this is what you'll see:
As you are all aware, our district has contracted for a service called Digital Nation (DN), which is a web-based service designed to give teachers guidance and access to a large array of interactive websites (web 2.0 tools), and fully developed interactive whiteboard lessons. Their database of lessons is already past the 2,000 mark and growing continually. In the tutorial below, I'll be walking you through the steps of searching for an existing lesson.
Lessons that are already in the database are instantly accessible. The ones we will be using are downloaded as Smart Notebook files. Once you download a file, it is yours to use and keep as long as you like. It is also very important to note that once you download a file, it may be edited by you, so you can really tailor it to fit your class.
Looking for an Existing Lesson
Start by going to the Digital Nation site and logging in. At this point you've gotten multiple emails with instructions for logging in, but if you've forgotten, your ID is firstname.lastname (yours, obviously), and the password is lastname1234. You will need to log in in order to be able to browse the database of existing lessons and to request a custom one. If you are unable to login, contact Hannah Conner or Ashley Williams at A+ Educators, and they will ensure that you are set up with an account.
Once you have logged in, this is what you'll see:
Click on the Lessons tab to first search their database and see if there is something available for your topic. You can try the window shopping method, browsing the whole catalog of what they've got, or you can search for a lesson with a wide range of criteria. Just remember, the more specific, the more likely that you can miss a lesson you could use.
In the picture below, you see the results for a search I did using the keywords "War of 1812" and with "any grades" selected.
By clicking on the triangle next to the name of the lesson, you'll see a short description. You can also see the grades the lesson was designed for. Remember, once you download the file, you can edit it and make as many changes as you like. So, you could use a lesson designed for different grade levels than the one you're working with and modify it to fit your needs. The benefit is that you may find that simply modifying some of the vocabulary or level of rigor is much faster than starting from scratch.
If you click on the name of the lesson, it will take you to the page where you can download the actual interactive whiteboard files. Now, SmartBoard is not the only company producing interactive whiteboards, and this service provides lessons which may be used on the bigger manufacturers' boards. You'll be looking for SmartBoard. In the picture below, you'll see that the Manifest Destiny Lesson is available in more than one format.
If you click on the name of the lesson, it will take you to the page where you can download the actual interactive whiteboard files. Now, SmartBoard is not the only company producing interactive whiteboards, and this service provides lessons which may be used on the bigger manufacturers' boards. You'll be looking for SmartBoard. In the picture below, you'll see that the Manifest Destiny Lesson is available in more than one format.
We're in luck with this lesson, and it is available for the SmartBoard. If you ran across a lesson you were interested in, and it was only in another format, you can use the Custom Request feature of the service to get it converted into the SmartBoard format. Again, you'll need to give yourself some lead time as it will take approximately a week.
To download the Smart Notebook file, you can simply click on the link, but this isn't the method I'd recommend. Occasionally, it will go through the steps of downloading the file, attempt to automatically open in Smart Notebook, cause an error and cause the download to not be saved. Instead, to be on the safe side, right-click on the word "SMART", and choose to "save link as" or "save target as", depending on the browser you're using. You'll then be able to pick where you'd like the file to be saved on your computer. Once it's done downloading, you'll be able to double-click on the file to open it with Notebook without any errors this time.
There is no way to preview a file before downloading, but it doesn't cost anything to download them. So feel free to download them and check them out. You may find some that won't work for you and you'll end up deleting them; that's ok. Also, as mentioned above, don't forget when you're looking them over that you can edit them to change things you might not like, or to add things that are missing.
Questions for Problems?
If you run
into any issues using the site, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to help you out in any
way I'm able.
Alternatively, you can also get help on
the website.
To download the Smart Notebook file, you can simply click on the link, but this isn't the method I'd recommend. Occasionally, it will go through the steps of downloading the file, attempt to automatically open in Smart Notebook, cause an error and cause the download to not be saved. Instead, to be on the safe side, right-click on the word "SMART", and choose to "save link as" or "save target as", depending on the browser you're using. You'll then be able to pick where you'd like the file to be saved on your computer. Once it's done downloading, you'll be able to double-click on the file to open it with Notebook without any errors this time.
There is no way to preview a file before downloading, but it doesn't cost anything to download them. So feel free to download them and check them out. You may find some that won't work for you and you'll end up deleting them; that's ok. Also, as mentioned above, don't forget when you're looking them over that you can edit them to change things you might not like, or to add things that are missing.
Questions for Problems?
If you run
into any issues using the site, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to help you out in any
way I'm able.
Alternatively, you can also get help on
the website.
If you click "Contact Us", you'll be given a toll free number you can call, an email address, and a link for a live web-chat. You can also click on the "Now Channel Support" button, seen above, to start a live web chat. This feature is available during regular (East Coast) working hours. This works the same way as other live chat support you might have come across such as with retailers like L.L. Bean. You'll be able to chat with someone at DN and ask your questions.
Whichever method you choose, you can ask about using the site, specific resources, or even get tips and information on using your SmartBoard.
Whichever method you choose, you can ask about using the site, specific resources, or even get tips and information on using your SmartBoard.

Advanced Google Search for SmartBoard-Ready Resources
As we all know, there is never enough time in the day to do everything. Unfortunately, one of the things that often falls by the wayside is creating new materials for our classes. If you have a SmartBoard and are looking for ready-made interactive resources to use in your class, look no further than Google.
Take a topic that you know would be nice to do interactively with your students, like counting money.
Go to google.com, put in your search term and hit enter. Once you have a list of search results, in the upper right corner, click the gear, and choose Advanced Search.
In this new window, you will be able to pick various options that will help you refine your search. For example, for interactive resources to use on a SmartBoard, change the filtetype to Flash.
As we all know, there is never enough time in the day to do everything. Unfortunately, one of the things that often falls by the wayside is creating new materials for our classes. If you have a SmartBoard and are looking for ready-made interactive resources to use in your class, look no further than Google.
Take a topic that you know would be nice to do interactively with your students, like counting money.
Go to google.com, put in your search term and hit enter. Once you have a list of search results, in the upper right corner, click the gear, and choose Advanced Search.
In this new window, you will be able to pick various options that will help you refine your search. For example, for interactive resources to use on a SmartBoard, change the filtetype to Flash.
Check out your results. Now you might need to do a little comparing at this point to find the resource that is best, but all of these results are flash files, which means they have the potential to work very well interactively on your SmartBoard.
For instance, if we take a look at the second item in the search results, we get a game that has students count coins and then choose which item the person has enough money to buy. Others in the list have the student drag coins into a box to make the right amount of change, etc.
These kinds of files are a great way to add some interactivity, or even just movement, to your lessons. Take a few minutes to play with Google's advanced serach settings and you might be surprised at what you can find.
These kinds of files are a great way to add some interactivity, or even just movement, to your lessons. Take a few minutes to play with Google's advanced serach settings and you might be surprised at what you can find.

The Flipped Classroom
If you receive any newsletters or read any education blogs, chances are you've heard the phrase "the flipped classroom" quite a bit in recent months. Essentially, the term comes from the idea of flipping traditional models of instruction and homework. So using videos or other electronic presentation formats, students take in the basic information of a lesson on their own (taking the place of normal homework). Then, the following day, class time can be used for what traditionally would have been assigned as homework.
Proponents of the flipped classroom believe this gives teachers much more flexibility to work with students one-on-one and ensure that concepts are actually being learned. It also opens the door for more inquiry-based learning and differentiated instruction.
The thing is, teachers who are experiencing success with the model will tell you that to make it work, you need to go beyond simply assigning a video and then doing homework in class. For people just getting started, the idea/process can be overwhelming and confusing. If you are interested in exploring the model or just learning more about it, the links below might be helpful in providing clarity, models to try, and resources.
The Flipped Classroom: Myths vs. Reality - This recent article on the Daily Riff website (1 of 3) provides a nice overview of what flipping is, and what it isn't. Check out the links at the bottom of the article for some other good articles and videos on flipping.
The Flipped Classroom Defined - If you're more of a visual learner, this site has a nice infographic explaining the rationale behind flipping and how it works.
The Flipped Class Network - You'll need to create an account (free), but it is worth it. The site has thousands of teachers across the country who are involved in flipping providing information and resources (even ready-made videos). The forums are a good place to start as you'll see discussion threads that likely cover most of the questions you might already have.
Flipping the Classroom? 12 Must Read Resources - If you're getting more serious about giving flipping a try, some of the links on this site will give you more insight into the nuts and bolts of flipping.
The Khan Academy - This site has been featured here before, but it needs to be included in any discussion of flipping. The site provides instructional, lecture-style videos on a staggering range of topics. There is currently a debate going on in the education world about the merits of the style of instruction represented by the Khan Academy, but it would be hard to argue that this would not be a good place to start when getting your feet wet and are looking for easily accessible materials.
If you receive any newsletters or read any education blogs, chances are you've heard the phrase "the flipped classroom" quite a bit in recent months. Essentially, the term comes from the idea of flipping traditional models of instruction and homework. So using videos or other electronic presentation formats, students take in the basic information of a lesson on their own (taking the place of normal homework). Then, the following day, class time can be used for what traditionally would have been assigned as homework.
Proponents of the flipped classroom believe this gives teachers much more flexibility to work with students one-on-one and ensure that concepts are actually being learned. It also opens the door for more inquiry-based learning and differentiated instruction.
The thing is, teachers who are experiencing success with the model will tell you that to make it work, you need to go beyond simply assigning a video and then doing homework in class. For people just getting started, the idea/process can be overwhelming and confusing. If you are interested in exploring the model or just learning more about it, the links below might be helpful in providing clarity, models to try, and resources.
The Flipped Classroom: Myths vs. Reality - This recent article on the Daily Riff website (1 of 3) provides a nice overview of what flipping is, and what it isn't. Check out the links at the bottom of the article for some other good articles and videos on flipping.
The Flipped Classroom Defined - If you're more of a visual learner, this site has a nice infographic explaining the rationale behind flipping and how it works.
The Flipped Class Network - You'll need to create an account (free), but it is worth it. The site has thousands of teachers across the country who are involved in flipping providing information and resources (even ready-made videos). The forums are a good place to start as you'll see discussion threads that likely cover most of the questions you might already have.
Flipping the Classroom? 12 Must Read Resources - If you're getting more serious about giving flipping a try, some of the links on this site will give you more insight into the nuts and bolts of flipping.
The Khan Academy - This site has been featured here before, but it needs to be included in any discussion of flipping. The site provides instructional, lecture-style videos on a staggering range of topics. There is currently a debate going on in the education world about the merits of the style of instruction represented by the Khan Academy, but it would be hard to argue that this would not be a good place to start when getting your feet wet and are looking for easily accessible materials.

Featured Site: Khan Academy
With 3 degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard, in 2004 Salman Khan started tutoring a few of his cousins via YouTube videos. Thanks to their understandable yet thorough style, the videos went viral. Three years later, Khan quit is job in hedge funds and founded a non-profit,the Khan Academy, to produce and publish more videos. Today the site contains more than 2,600 videos on subjects ranging across subjects in math, science, the humanities, and test prep. The difficulty level of the material is equally wide ranging.
The site is an amazing resource for teachers, students and parents. The short videos could easily be used in class as part instruction. Some teachers are experimenting with "flipping instruction", assigning a video as homework, and then using class time the following day to work on practicing and reinforcing the concept.
When planning for how to use the site, one thing to keep in mind is that high-speed Internet is really a must as the videos stream from services like YouTube and Vimeo.
Check out these sample videos:
With 3 degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard, in 2004 Salman Khan started tutoring a few of his cousins via YouTube videos. Thanks to their understandable yet thorough style, the videos went viral. Three years later, Khan quit is job in hedge funds and founded a non-profit,the Khan Academy, to produce and publish more videos. Today the site contains more than 2,600 videos on subjects ranging across subjects in math, science, the humanities, and test prep. The difficulty level of the material is equally wide ranging.
The site is an amazing resource for teachers, students and parents. The short videos could easily be used in class as part instruction. Some teachers are experimenting with "flipping instruction", assigning a video as homework, and then using class time the following day to work on practicing and reinforcing the concept.
When planning for how to use the site, one thing to keep in mind is that high-speed Internet is really a must as the videos stream from services like YouTube and Vimeo.
Check out these sample videos:
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