New block screen layout

As school professionals can appreciate, preparing students for adulthood in a constantly connected world is a challenge. Cultivating strong digital citizenship that exercises information exchange safely and responsibly without stifling learning and creativity is a delicate walk. Equally valid principles can place conflicting demands on web filtering requirements, sometimes making consensus among educators, parents and students elusive. (Read more…)

That’s right! Throughout the summer, you’ll be able to take many Tech Adventures (aka tech training opportunities):

The adventures include  many of our Google ‘Apps,’ SmartBoard/Notebook, Engrade online gradebook, LanSchool and a few Open Labs!  These adventures are FREE to you. The leaders of this journey await your arrival.

Please register at http://edtech.guhsd.net/enroll.php. We are limited to 25 individuals, so please register early. If demand is high for any class, we will add more classes! (Read more…)

  Overview of Google Drive

You should have received an e-mail with instructions about your Postini Message Center.  The information below is the same information.  If you have questions about your Postini Message Center, please Call 619-956-HELP (or just dial 4357 from a District phone).

Welcome to your Postini Message Center, the easy-to-use solution for managing junk and virus-infected email!

Use this guide to get started using your Message Center. For specific details on using particular settings or controls, click the Help button next to the control or at the top right of any page in Message Center. (Read more…)

For those teachers who have dabbled in Google Apps for yourselves, it may now be a perfect time to further explore how to use Google Apps in the classroom. Moving beyond the basics, the new “Advanced Google Apps for the Classroom” workshop focuses on how to utilize Google Apps with students in the classroom, including student use of: Docs, Presentation, Forms, Moderator, Picasa, Groups and more.  REGISTER HERE to enroll in the “Advanced Google for the Classroom” workshop to be held on Wednesday, April 18 from 3:30-5:30. (Read more…)

Get ‘double duty’ out of your FITT computer by using the “extended desktop” mode to allow students to view one screen of information while you simultaneously view another!

Why might you use this in your classroom? Consider just a few examples:

1. Efficiency: Allow students to work on an assignment projected on the large screen while you prepare the next stage of your lesson plan on your computer’s screen.
2. Confidentiality: Allow student’s to view a projected website, document, slide show on your FITT computer, etc., while you view attendance, assessment, gradebook, urgent administrative or parent emails, or other sensitive data on the same computer.
3. Differentiated Viewing: During direct instruction, view notes for PowerPoint slide shows or answer keys for tests on your computer’s screen while student’s view the slides or the questions themselves on the projection screen. (Read more…)

Even if you don’t have a vision-impaired student in your class….even if you don’t teach Special Education….This information may still apply to you!

Text-to-speech is one type of technology that can improve learning for many different students by bridging their access to content. Although an obvious application is for students who are visually impaired, the potential for widespread use exists with a substantial portion of the population consisting of students with learning disabilities, English Language Learners, and other students performing below proficiency in reading. This article provides information on two text-to-speech resources that are available now for our district’s teachers and students.

(Read more…)

Without a doubt, video can be a great curriculum resource to use in the classroom. Video can engage students as an “Into” activity to generate questions and spark discussion. Video can also be used to reinforce concepts, particularly for auditory and visual learners. As a teacher, just remember three points when planning to show a film, whether in its entirety or even as just some clips. (1) Video should be tied directly to the curriculum; (2) Video must be legally obtained; and (3) Obtain site and parental permission, when required. (Read more…)

MyTechDesk – Whenever you need “technical help” regarding technology equipment (e.g., repairing problematic equipment, checking out equipment, having software installed on your computer, etc.), remember to always start by submitting a MyTechDesk request – then remember to check the status in MyTechDesk for any updates on the progress toward completion. (Read more…)