Corin's Resources

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Platforms:
    Inclusive Practices
    Instructional Improvement
    Ethical Leadership
    Socio-Political Process
    Effective Management
    Visionary Leadership

Google Apps Security :: Information You Post Online

The method of parsing, duplicating, and storing data in Google Apps meets all the requirements of the federal FERPA law. You can read more about Google's Security and Compliance here. They have specific statements about Google Apps for Education here.

The human factor is what we need to watch. Share only the most pertinent information with only those who need it. Your staff should not send messages with student information in them at all.

Here are the sharing options in Google Drive:

Share only with specific people :: type in email addresses to only share with a few people, you can also share with groups created by the domain administrator or by you

Anyone in Forest Grove SD with the link :: Open this for everyone to see if they are logged in with their district Google account.

On - Public :: Open to anyone, anywhere.

On - Anyone with the link :: Open to anyone that you've sent the link to and anyone else that's received it.

On - Forest Grove School District :: Open and searchable to anyone in Forest Grove SD when they are logged in with their district Googleaccount.

On - Anyone in Forest Grove with the link :: Open to anyone in Forest Grove SD when they are logged in with their district Google account and they have the link.

For each of these options, you can also give collaborators rights to:

edit - they can do anything to the document include share it with others

comment - they can suggest changes to the document

view - they can only consume or make a copy of the document

Read more about sharing options in Google's support documentation.

Google Drive **App** is sunsetting, but Google Drive will remain

Don't worry. Your files are and will remain safe. In 2012, Google created an app to help users keep the same files both on the computer and in Google Apps. This app has always been inconsistent and the technology department doesn't support its use as a result. However, our environment is open and the app hasn't been blocked, so people in our system have independently chosen to use it.

Google will drop all support for this app in March 2018. Get ready. There is a replacement for this app, but there are more reliable strategies. We can help you.

picture

**Make the web-based version of Google Apps your main platform.** Start at https://drive.google.com instead of ending there. Make the files on your computer the duplicates. If your computer is lost or stolen, you'll always have files online - ready for you anywhere and anytime.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

There are other reasons to solely use the web-based GDrive ...

Version history is incredibly powerful. If you don't know about it, learn here. Please ask us if you have questions or need help.

Sharing is caring. The collaborative features in Google Apps can't be done seamlessly anywhere else. There are settings to maintain the integrity of a document. People in our district have reported that sharing documents has saved them time and allowed them to get more authentic participation from groups of people.

Access your files from anywhere at anytime.

Beware!

In the wake of recent computer security events, this is a reminder of some basic protections for your computer and accounts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Take the time to examine emails, links, attachments, or popups before you click on anything.

* Delete any emails from unknown senders.

* Delete any emails from unknown senders.

* Delete any emails from unknown senders.

* Do not provide personal information in emails, such as your social security number, credit card number, bank account number, or passwords. Ignore these requests even when they come from sources you think you know.

* A shared file will never require you to grant rights/permission to your Google account to open the file. Deny any such request.

* If you get warnings popping up on your computer about a virus quit the browser immediately (command+Q or Alt+F4) or shut down your computer.

* If you are ever uncertain about the authenticity of an email or web site, do not hesitate to contact the FGSD Technology Department for assistance (helpdesk@fgsd.k12.or.us or x4529).

Avoid Falling for Phishing

:: Phishing ::

1. Don’t click links in email messages asking for your password or other sensitive personal information. Simply delete them.

2. Don’t download files from email messages unless you’re expecting them or you’re sure the sender is valid. If you’re not sure, check with the sender.

3. Change passwords and other personal information by going directly to the agency’s website.

4. If you do click links or download files from suspicious messages, call the IT department and change your passwords immediately.

:: social engineering red flags ::

Productivity Through Priority Inbox

Use priority inbox to more effectively organize your messages. Things you read most often and people you contact frequently filter to the top of your list. Stars can help you with immediate needs.

Read more about Priority Inbox here.


Use the Four D Rule for Inbox Zen.

Delete.

Delegate.

Defer.

Deal.

Thanks to Merlin Mann

Calling Long Distance from Your Classroom

The cost of long distance in our classrooms is prohibitive. Here are two alternatives to walking down to the office to find a phone that calls a long distance number, though this will remain an option.

Link right to Calling with Google Voice

Link right to Calling with Google Hangouts

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http://voice.google.com

An explanation of Google Voice can be found here.

What you'll need to set up Google Voice

• 1) Google Account
• 2) Touch-tone phone, with a U.S. number
• 3) Computer, with Internet access

Directions and support from Google can be found here.

Google Voice even has educational uses

• Vocabulary building
• Use the speech-to-text feature to post to social media or your blog
• Kids with dexterity issues can get their thoughts into text through the speech-to-text feature
• Have students practice fluency and compare their recordings over time to see growth
• Audio study guides by teachers or students (check out Brent Coley's studycasts)
• Foreign language practice
• Have students create an audio journal on field trips
• Have students record podcasts since the audio files can be downloaded as mp3s
• Use the custom greetings for groups of students or parents
• Use recordings as reflection on content and concepts
• Make announcements or audio newsletters
• Record your plans for guest teachers

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Google Hangouts is a communication platform. It includes instant messaging, video chat, SMS and VoIP.

http://hangouts.google.com

What you'll need to use Google Hangouts

• 1) Google Account
• 2) Computer, with Internet access
• 3) Headphones with a microphone

Make a call from Hangouts on your computer

1. Open Hangouts at hangouts.google.com
2. Click the phone tab .
• Type a phone number or name in the search box.
• If you are calling a phone number that has an extension, enter the extension using the dial pad .

3. When you've finished the call, close the Hangout window, or click the call end icon .

Google Hangouts has educational uses too

• Bring experts into your classroom through the video feature
• Have students practice speeches on their own, then in smaller groups
• Foreign language practice with students from another country
• Use recordings as reflection on content and concepts
• Make announcements or video newsletters
• Collaborate with kids around the world
• Record your plans for guest teachers and post it for the students too
• Record directions or screencast an example in a hangout; Embed it in a Schoology course

Repair, Replacement, and Refresh for Technology

Every school has a repair and replacement budget based on classroom count. We love principal approval to spend out of this fund. Once this district allocation is spent, you’ll need to use your building dollars to repair and/or replace.

Repair defined: Faulty and failing devices outside of warranty can be repaired through the dollars in this budget if you wish. Some repairs are not covered by warranty (eg: broken screens).

Replacement defined: When it’s more expensive to buy a new device than repair it you can replace it with these funds. You are encouraged to use these funds to replace consumbles for your technology too. This might include projector bulbs.

Refresh defined: The district has a separate fund to refresh the technology in your buildings. This includes teacher and other devices in your building. Our refresh cycle does not currently include SMARTboards, phones, or printers, those will need to come out of your repair and replacement budgets.

We’re here to help! When you want to order replacement equipment or accoutrements, please follow these directions.

1) Get approval from the building administrator for the order and estimated cost.

2) Send a message to Beth <<bbuehler@fgsd.k12.or.us>>, Enrique <<epinon@fgsd.k12.or.us>>, and Corin <<crichards@fgsd.k12.or.us>> stating what you'd like to purchase. If you are not the building administrator, please include them in the message.

3) We'll clarify that the building admin has approved the purchase and that they'd like to use the repair and replacement budget. If you'd like to use a different budget string, you're welcome to do so, we'll simply need to know what that is.

4) Beth will order the item(s).

Coding in the Classroom :: A Workshop for You!

Forest Grove SD in conjunction with Hillsboro School District, is offering enhancements for math and science curriculum through Code.org. This workshop runs two afternoons in December and will cater to K5 teachers. Please feel free to pass this information on to colleagues in other districts. Include the flyer <<https://drive.google.com/a/beaverton.k12.or.us/file/d/0B2qcVeGxJS_lWTVnMTVQWHNTTFE/view>> andvideo <<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNIM1fzJ8u0>> for additional information.

Details

Dates :: December 1 and 2

Time :: 4-7 pm

Location :: Hillsboro School District Board Room :: 3083 NE 49th Place, Hillsboro

Signup now, space is limited :: https://code.org/professional-development-workshops/5064777   

 

12 Suggestions for Teaching Coding by Michelle Vance

1) Produce a slide deck about coding using project examples and videos.

2) Ease students into coding by starting with a beginner's project.

3) Participate in the National Hour of Code event. Find all the information and resources you'll need at the hourofcode.com/us

4) Differentiate lessons using Choice Boards, Tic-Tac-Toe Boards, and Menu Boards to allow students to work at their own ability level and pace.

5) Invite the community to a coding event at your school where parents and others can learn how to code by working with a student. Students can also help plan and publicize the event.

6) Create hallway displays and bulletin boards with completed coding project.

7) Have students write a coding newsletter featuring websites, games, and projects.

8) Try unplugged coding activities from code.org

9) Create a webpage for your classes. Add links to coding sites, articles, tutorials, and videos. Include photo galleries to showcase student coding projects.

10) Students use coding tickets to write coding tidbits to share with classmates.

11) Share and learn coding lessons with another school district.

12) Invite students to teach staff member how to code and integrate projects with classroom lessons.

Guess I'll Have to go Thirsty...

In case you can't fully read this, it's a post of a vending machine with a digital screen. Sean posts, " There was no PD on this touch screen device so I had to go thirsty at lunch."

As I attempt to get teachers to play more in place of traditional professional development, this picture and statement resonated. I'm told, "Corin, we don't have time to play." I hear this even from primary teachers who know that kids learn best when you coach them in an environment where they are able to explore.

There is a place for lecture, but the play in processing the information, collaboration with peers, and personal reflection will help all learners cement and apply the knowledge and skills.

I've seen teachers paralyzed by the fact that there hasn't been training on a device they've received. They'll leave an iPad in the box waiting for someone to ask them to open it so an introduction can be made. A staff member this spring said he was motivated but couldn't use Minecraft in the classroom because there hadn't been an inservice on it.

In the coming months, I'm going to attempt to move my own staff from solely face-to-face delivery to more online professional development in smaller snippets with less documentation and more encouragement to play and collaborate for practice. 

I realize the shift for my staff will also require a shift on the part of educators who are accustomed to stand and deliver staff development to learning anytime, anywhere. I hope it eventually trickles down to students. Really, here's to hoping.

Bring Your Own Device to Social Studies :: A Choose Your Own Adventure

Bring Your Own Device to Social Studies

Modern learning can take place anywhere and any time. When devices are welcomed into the classroom collaboration and just-in-time learning are essential.

10:00-10:10 Introduction and pre-assessment

10:10-10:20 Differing perspectives on the Boston Tea Party

10:20-10:40 Exercise with video response as an overview of the event to serve as assessment

Native American man

White woman

African American man

Loyalist woman

Local merchant

Video Expectations

Use: http://youtube.com/my_webcam

• fully explain the event from the perspective of your group, party, or person
• emotionally convey your sentiments in first person; use hand gestures, facial expressions and other visual queues
• limit ---> three minutes
• paste the link to your video in the Padlet at the bottom of this page

10:40- exit ticket with reflection

CCSS Standards addressed

• Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information
• Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source
• Write informative/expanatory texts, including the narration of historical events
• Use technology to produce, publish, and update shared writing project

Oregon's Essential Skills addressed

• Write clearly and accurately
• Think critically and analytically
• Use technology to learn, live, and work

National Educational Technology Standards addressed

• use diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
• create original works as a means of personal or group expression
• interact, collaborate, and publish with peers

Created with Padlet

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Platforms:
    Inclusive Practices
    Instructional Improvement
    Ethical Leadership
    Socio-Political Process
    Effective Management
    Visionary Leadership

Instructional Technologist to Innovation Strategist

Don declared earlier this year that he hates the term "instructional technology." He's long hated the term, "technology integration."

Three Innovation Strategists. Picture credit: Melissa Lim

"Today, using technology is just part of good instruction," he says. Conversations, Tweets, and title changes ensued this spring. Sean and I are now calling ourselves innovation strategists. Don will join the ranks when he follows his heart and gets back to the training side where he belongs. In the meantime, our agency will continue to evolve and our titles will evolve along with it.

Then this Google+ post from Melissa Lim. The term innovation strategist isn't included anywhere in the article, but it is all about innovation and strategy...and the changing role of information technology.

We're all about user experience. Each day we make baby steps toward the change we want to see in education and for today's kids. Technology is just a tiny piece of the puzzle. We're looking for real change to inquiry-based lessons and student-centered learning. It's painfully slow.

Google Voice: Not Your Mother's Voice Service

This is a repost from one first composed in April 2012 at EdReach.

In everyday life, the Google Voice service is a way to combine all your numbers into one and to conveniently receive voice messages. ListenIn™ even helps you decide which calls to answer after the caller has started to leave a message.

Teachers can use a GVoice number for parents without giving away their primary phone number. Easily created custom voicemail greetings for parents and a different greeting for students make messages personalized and relevant. Educators can put a call widget for a GVoice number on their website making home-school connections even easier. Visit http://support.google.com/voice for more information and to request an invitation.

My students have always enjoyed using GVoice for recording everything from interviews with veterans or local legislators to reports for podcasts. Downloaded mp3 files from the interface make it easy to use and post the audio in a different place. Teachers can easily edit and add pictures for an enhanced podcast.

Educators have been known to get darn creative when it comes to free tools. Most recently, we’ve enjoyed Google Voice for dictation purposes. Many of our students with special needs have great ideas but not the dexterity to get them on paper. They’ve seen success with the speech-to-text capabilities in Google Voice. Prior to the use of GVoice, adults were taking dictation so students could complete homework assignments on time. Google provided a dual solution: empowering students to complete this work independently and improving their fluency at the same time. Students quickly figured out they would have fewer corrections to make if they spoke clearly. Going into high school, our students now have one more tool in their problem-solving kit, as well as the bonus of a virtual portfolio showing growth and progress. Finally, using Google Voice in this way has freed up adult time to work with students in more meaningful ways.

Using GVoice for students with special needs has led to other creative uses. Vocabulary words with definitions and applications have helped auditory learners retain and recall information more readily. Creation of these sound glossaries have helped kinesthetic learners with their retention as well.

The excitement around Google Voice has been contagious. Foreign language teachers have encouraged students to use it for both practice and assessment. In other classes students are documenting their field trips and other events with audio files.

When minds open, so do policies. As a result of Google Voice use, we’re seeing more open policies about the application of student devices during the school day. As teachers see simple relevance for mobile learning, more creativity seems to be the next step. It won’t be long before the excitement spreads even further.

Next, Speech/Pathology services using Google Hangouts! Click here for a complete listing of Google Voice uses for districts, school, and classrooms.

My Love Affair with Social Media

I hate email. I mean, I really hate it. When I'm managing a team, I think I'll set a three-times-a-day rule around email. I'll check it morning, noon, and night for a short period of time, but folks will need to use social media to look for a response. My reasons are as follows.

Transparency

This is the reason I'd prefer my staff to be on social media as well. I will only need to answer a question once. One post and your team knows what's up. The majority of interactions will be transparent. The expectation is both community building and efficiency. Because I can tag posts in social media, finding interactions is much easier there than in email. Yes, there are ways to use tagging in email, but the conversations aren't inherently transparent.

Accessibility

Many social media sites provide multiple opportunities for posting and multiple opportunities for receiving. You can set up some pretty intricate ways to get updates. Include getting an email message in that list.

SPAM

Yes, social media is known to have SPAM. Compare it to the number of junk email messages you get and they won't even compare. Have you ever signed up for a conference, a credit card, airline miles, shopping excursions, hotels, or anything else with your email address? Ugh.

Curb Appeal

The visual, verbal nature of social media will trump anything that email could ever deliver. Tumblr is my best example. All I need to do is scroll and click once in awhile to get the full visual effects of posts there. Sharing is easy too.