Embedded Files
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
In education, we often ask our students what they are interested in or what they want to do when they grow up. We talk about the different possibilities and pathways; some schools even have a Career Day full of exhibits and expertise from a variety of industries. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, in recognition of people with all abilities to see their potential in the workforce; the DOL (Department of Labor) has put together resources for educators to bring in their school and classrooms.
For instructional resources and ideas on how you can share DOL’s NDEAM with your students check out their website or read an article about how you can be culturally responsive in your school to avoid using harmful ableist language from Equity Matters.
Technological advances have been crucial to making workplace opportunities more accessible for employees. Jim Thatcher was a pioneer in accessibility tech who worked for IBM for almost 40 years. In 1986 he created a device to make computers more accessible coworkers at IBM, but soon the technology became crucial to disabled computer users around the world.
Ghosts of Technology Past
Ghosts of Technology Past
In celebration of October and all things spooky, we're taking a trip down memory lane to look at technology of yore. We hope you enjoy remembering all the things that made computing fun in the past. If you're so inclined, share your favorite retro game, site, or device with your Instructional Technology Coach and we'll publish the responses next month.
History of the Internet
Encyclopedia of old computer models.
"Microsoft DOS and the Long History of Educational Games" (EdTech April 28, 2020)
"The Death and Life of Great American Geocites" (New York Times, February 27, 2015)
Computers & Business Machines (National Museum of American History)
Retro Computing
Space Jam Original 1996 Website
Take a trip back in time to see what websites used to look like.
Use an emulator to see what search engines of the 1990s and early 2000s looked like.
Blog that explores hardware and software of yesteryear.
Games and Fun
Dancing hamsters and MIDI tunes.
Collection of old Macintosh games.
The original painting software from the early 1990s!
Internet Archive
Tech Tools
Tech Tools
Remind - Automatic Translations
Remind - Automatic Translations
A brand new feature for all Remind users (teachers, admins, parents, students) is the ability to send messages that are automatically translated into the recipient's preferred language! Currently there are over 90 languages covered (one notable exception is Marshallese).
When sending a new message in Remind, the "translation" button will now show you which language(s) your message will be received in. This information is pulled from Skyward, but can also be set by the users themselves in their Remind profile. Teachers can also set this for students by following this guide: How can I set a preferred language for my class participants?
Those with "no preference set" will receive the original, untranslated message.
Instruction
Instruction
7 Tech PD Hours
ASD and your Department of Technology are excited to offer the following optional training sessions for certificated staff and instructional paraeducators interested in the following topics. Certificated staff will receive clock hours, $150 stipend for 7 hours of training, or $75 for a half day. Classified staff will receive applicable FCS hours and the same stipend.
Full Day Events | Pick One
Full Day Events | Pick One
Tech Connect 2021
Tech Connect 2021
ASD's annual technology conference showcasing dozens of engaging sessions led by teachers, for teachers. Explore the Tech Connect web page to see some of what has been featured in previous years. This is a synchronous, in-person event.
7 synchronous hours
March 19, 2022 | 8:30am - 3:30pm
#ClassClassTechTech (K-2)
#ClassClassTechTech (K-2)
#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 students. Part of this full day event will be completed asynchronously.
4 synchronous hours, 3 asynchronous hours
January 22, 2022 | 8:00am - 12:00pm
Code.org Workshops (K-5)
Code.org Workshops (K-5)
Code.org’s Computer Science Fundamentals courses blend online and “unplugged” activities to teach K-5 students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts, and digital citizenship. Register this fall for one of their day-long or evening virtual trainings for free with AVID, our state’s regional Code.org partner. **STEM Clock Hours Available**
Multiple dates available
The Problem With Technology, Parts 1 & 2 (K-12)
The Problem With Technology, Parts 1 & 2 (K-12)
Explore how students online experiences influence their behavior and learn strategies to promote digital safety and responsibility among students. Choose option 1 or option 2; each is a 2-part event.
3.5 synchronous hours, 3.5 asynchronous hours
Choose one option:
Option 1: December 2, 2021 | 4:15pm - 5:45pm and December 15, 2021 | 4:15pm - 5:45pm OR
Option 2: March 23, 2022 | 4:15pm - 6:15pm and March 30, 2022 | 4:15pm - 6:15pm
Half Day Events | Pick Two
Half Day Events | Pick Two
Fighting Fake News (6-12)
Fighting Fake News (6-12)
Learn about one of the biggest issues facing democracy today: disinformation, otherwise known as "Fake News." Discover why this topic matters, how we can become better news consumers, and how we can help our students to critically assess media they view online. Choose one date below:
February 16, 2022 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
March 2, 2022 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
March 14, 2022 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
1.5 synchronous hours, 2 asynchronous hours
Five Questions to Change the World (K-5)
Five Questions to Change the World (K-5)
How can asking five simple questions help students to become better critical thinkers? Explore the world of media literacy in this fun, engaging session to find out how elementary students can analyze and interpret the mass media messages that bombard them on a daily basis. Choose one date below:
November 17, 2021 | 4:15pm - 5:45pm
February 16, 2022 | 4:15pm - 5:45pm
March 14, 2022 | 10:00am - 11:30am
1.5 synchronous hours, 2 asynchronous hours
In the Classroom with Cubetto & Sphero (K-5)
In the Classroom with Cubetto & Sphero (K-5)
Gain the basic knowledge and skills needed to confidently integrate robotics lessons into your content areas. Choose one date below:
April 21, 2022 | 4:15pm - 5:45pm
May 9, 2022 | 9:00am - 10:30am
June 2, 2022 | 4:15pm - 5:45pm
1.5 synchronous hours, 2 asynchronous hours
Transform Learning with Tech (K-5 & 6-12)
Transform Learning with Tech (K-5 & 6-12)
Discover how you can incorporate educational technology into your classroom by engaging in 21st Century Learning Skills and the SAMR model. Choose one date below:
Elementary, choose one:
Elementary, choose one:
December 8, 2021: 4:15pm - 5:45pm
March 14, 2022 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm
May 9, 2022 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Secondary, choose one:
December 1, 2021 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
March 10, 2022 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
April 21, 2022 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
1.5 synchronous hours, 2 asynchronous hours
Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship
October 25 - October 29 is Media Literacy Week
Media and News Literacy is one of the most important issues that needs to be addressed by our society. To celebrate Media Literacy week, we encourage you to read some of the resources listed in the document below. If you have questions or would like to help incorporating Media Literacy concepts into your class contact your librarian and/or your Instructional Technology Coach (contact emails are listed at the bottom of this page).
Helpdesk
Helpdesk
Office Apps on Chromebooks
Office Apps on Chromebooks
As of 1st November, 2021, the Android app versions of Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) will no longer be supported on Chromebooks. This change affects both staff and students.
These tools will remain available, with the same functionality, by accessing Office.com on the web.
Data Security
Data Security
Lock It Up!
Lock It Up!
As our district continues to improve our security posture in the cybersecurity landscape, new policies continue to be tested and implemented through the district. One risk to data security is unlocked workstations left unattended. If your workstation is not locked while away, your data may be accessible to anyone walking by.
Do you want students sending email from your computer? Because this is how students can send emails from your computer.
To help mitigate this risk, we will begin enforcing inactivity screen locking November 1st. After 10 minutes of inactivity, your screen will lock and require the user's password to unlock.
For Staff that use workstations for presentations, your machine should not lock while using PowerPoint, Google Slides, Airtame, or other presentation software. If you do experience issues, please reach out to Helpdesk.
You may also immediately lock your screen at any time by pressing the Windows Key + L on your keyboard.
Shout Outs!
Shout Outs!
Fall Training Series - 400+ Certificated & Classified Participants
With another seasonal Training Series closed, Auburn teachers are continuing to adapt in how they engage in professional development. With 55 sessions available, Auburn School District staff participated using Flipgrids, Padlets, Classroom Discussion Questions and joined several synchronous sessions via Zoom and Google Meet. The highest attended sessions were Intro to Equity in ASD, Techquity - Starting Strong and LGBTQ+ 101. If you have any feedback surrounding the Training Series website or your experience in this online learning event, please connect with your school's Instructional Technology Coach.
Save the date for the Winter Training Series launching in January of 2022!
Which sessions were most valuable to you? Why?
What are you most excited to try out in your classroom as a result of your training?
September Trivia Winners
Congratulations to the following staff who answered correctly that Dr. Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic director of NASA's Johnson Space Facility, and were randomly chosen for a Starbucks gift card:
Ben Atkinson from Child Nutrition Services
Tanya Cicero from Evergreen Heights
Debra Dube from Lakeview
Not pictured: Elaine Hogg from our AEA office and Deanne Bassen from Auburn Riverside were also trivia winners for September.
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