April 2022
Tech Tips
Embedded Files
T E C H connect 2 0 2 2
T E C H connect 2 0 2 2
Saturday, 19th March saw the return of Tech Connect (and in-person events in ASD)! Over 165 teachers attended the day at Auburn Riverside High School to learn from their colleagues about powerful ways to use technology in the classroom and how to engage students in 21st Century learning skills.
The day began with an inspiring keynote address from "techquity" advocate Ken Shelton who spoke about the need for a change in how we design instruction to be more inclusive of students' individual needs, and how technology can bring us closer to our students.
Attendees selected from a vast range of sessions to delve deeper into future ready skills. The topics ranged from getting started with Jamboard and Seesaw, to hands-on sessions with Minecraft and coding robots, to the place of social media in the classroom. Every session was buzzing with energy as participants were able to connect, learn, and plan with their colleagues around these exciting ideas.
The success of this event is due to the dedication of our district teachers and their enthusiasm for providing students with an empowering, tech-rich education.
We look forward to seeing you in 2023!
Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month
As we learn how to be more inclusive in our classrooms and schools, Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity not just to create awareness of autism, but to celebrate neurodiversity in all its forms. To become more inclusive educators, it is important that we take the time for ourselves to learn more about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and to provide opportunities for our students to learn about themselves and their peers.
Resources for Autism Acceptance:
Resources for Autism Acceptance:
"What it's really like to have Autism: Ethan Lisi's Story" this Ted Talk is from Ethan's perspective on living with autism and addressing stereotypes for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
A Guide To Autism for School Communities is a comprehensive toolkit for all school employees; from bus drivers to school security.
K- 8 Classroom resources and activities for Autism Acceptance from the Autism Society.
ASD's Student Special Services produced this short video about sensory challenges riding the bus that is an eye-opening look at how our experience of everyday events is not always shared by students who struggle with sensory processing.
The Autism Helper is a great website with many classroom resources and videos designed specifically for students with autism.
The Virtual Calming Room provides videos and activities inspired by School Counselors and School Social Workers across the United States to help students locate tools and strategies to positively manage their emotions.
Tech Tools
Tech Tools
Wordle for Learning
Wordle for Learning
If you recognize the image of squares and letters, you're probably hooked on the Wordle craze. There are many great ways you can bring Wordle to your students so they may get in on the action, too! From paper options to onscreen models, there are a variety of ways for your students to start guessing words of your choosing. You may choose to do this as a fun brain break or warm up activity. Students could be guessing from a set of vocabulary words or practicing with spelling patterns. Check out this article from We Are Teachers to read more about how to bring this trendy word game into your classroom.
Figma
Figma
Feeling limited by Jamboard? Wish you could spice up your virtual whiteboards? Why not try Figma -- it's a new whiteboarding and collaboration app used by some of the biggest tech companies, like Netflix, Discord, and Amazon. It provides you an almost infinite whiteboard space where you can capture notes, draw diagrams, annotate images, and collaborate with others. Best of all, it's free for educational users! Use it on your touchscreen Chromebook with the stylus to unlock its full potential.
Instruction
Instruction
Primary-Focused Professional Development Conference
Primary-Focused Professional Development Conference
Saturday May 14, 2022 - Pioneer Elementary - 8:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday May 14, 2022 - Pioneer Elementary - 8:00am - 12:00pm
#ClassClassTechTech is a new primary-focused event, where teachers in the Auburn School District learn from each other about technology and how to best support Auburn youngest students. Join your peers in learning how technology in primary grades can enhance, engage and empower learners!
For details about presenters and schedule, visit the #ClassClassTechTech website!
Seesaw Ready to Go Resources
Seesaw Ready to Go Resources
If you are a K-2 teacher, Seesaw has some great pre-made resources to help collect formative data. These checks for understanding are designed to go with a variety of learning experiences, and they provide a quick and easy way to capture student learning no matter if their instruction or work time was using technology or not. This is a great way to bring the learning to students' family members who are connected to your Seesaw class. Check out the video to learn more!
Going Live with Flipgrid
Going Live with Flipgrid
During this month, Flipgrid is hosting many live events to bring your students a wide range learning experience. Earth Day connections, animal survival, and a virtual visit to the Arctic Research Station are all on the roster. Visit Flipgrid's Live Events page for even more sessions and links to register.
Responding to Environmental Racism - April 7, 12:00pm
Meet the 1st All-Black Team to Attempt Climbing Mount Everest - April 21, 10:00am
Weapons of the Wild: Nature's Tools for Survival - April 26, 10:00am
Connect with Scientists at an Arctic Research Station - April 28, 10:00am
Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship
Types of Fake News You (And Your Students) Should Know
Types of Fake News You (And Your Students) Should Know
Misinformation and Disinformation are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have very distinct meaning.
Misinformation is false information presented as fact - sometimes unintentionally
Disinformation is information designed deliberately to deceive.
You have probably encountered both when reading about COVID-19, as scientific information can update very quickly in these situations -- what was "true" last week may not be true today, which is misinformation, and we can update our understanding. Fake news, however, which is designed to mislead and sow discord, is disinformation -- it was never, and will never be true.
Digital Citizenship- Family Support
Digital Citizenship- Family Support
Parental Controls
Parenting in a virtual environment can be very tricky, especially for parents/guardians that are not digital natives, are unaware of the lack of filters on websites and social media their child has access to in the United States, or are just not sure how to manage and balance screen time for their child.
Here is a resource you can share with your students' families to help them to virtually support their child on their cell phone. and school Chromebook This resource has tools to help families take an active role in restricting games being played during school hours (Securly Family), and to remotely restrict time on their device (and social media) to help ensure overall wellness of their child (Google Family Link).
The Parental Controls flyer is available in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, English, Marshallese, Pashto, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Helpdesk
Helpdesk
Skyward help is at your fingetrtips. though the Skyward Help Center. It has instructional documents and videos to walk you though many of the features.
Don't forget about ASD's general Skyward help page and the Skyyward help page specifically for teachers.
Submit your own Skyward Freshservice tickets if problems persist.
It's easy to reset a forgotten password in Skyward. Just click Forgot Username or Password at the login screen, and reset instructions will be sent to your email. Make sure to check both your Focus and Other Inboxes as well as any Spam or Junk folders.
Shout Outs!
Shout Outs!
T E C H connect C R E W
T E C H connect C R E W
Thank you to the Tech Connect presenters who shared their expertise around technology skills and tools with participants at the event on March 19th. The event would not be possible without your leadership and vulnerability among peers. Reach out to these presenters at your school to share about the event and gather ideas for incorporating technology into your classroom in meaningful ways.
Amy Goodner (Alpac), Taylor Jones (Alpac), Adam France (Auburn Mountainview), Stephanie Cornejo (Auburn Mountainview), Cheri Snyder (Auburn Online), Stacy Pirone (Auburn Riverside), Erica Covey (Arthur Jacobsen), Tiffany Read (Chinook), Sam Ankerfelt (Evergreen Heights), Tonni Vu (Evergreen Heights), , Hannah Brenlan (Hazelwood), Michael Martin (Ilalko), Michaela Peringer (Ilalko), Art Spencer (Mt Baker), Charissa Janke (Olympic), Katie Schultz (Olympic), Susan Benes (Pioneer), Nina Alderete (Student Special Services), Lacey Burchett (Student Special Services), Steve Quist (Student Special Services), Michelle Flanders (Washington), Kelly Love (West Auburn)
Also, shout out to our student presenters who led teachers through learning as well.
Thank you Nealah, Kaylee, and Muna (Evergreen Heights) and Damian, Cameron, and Lucille (Mt Baker)!
February Trivia Winners!
February Trivia Winners!
Kelly Whipple - Lakeland Hills
Tom McDermott - JPF Admin
Mary Zoppi - Terminal Park
Not pictured: Jayne Criddle (Auburn High School) & Dixie Toy (Mt Baker Middle School)
Enjoy your Spring Break!
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