October 2023

Tech Tips

Cultural Calendar

You might already know that October is Bullying Prevention Month, but did you know that Indigenous Peoples Day is also celebrated in October? Check out the Wakelet to see what else is celebrated in October!

Helpdesk

L-R: Mike Signal, Gavin Lees, Raquel Sandoval-Gonzalez, Michael Fitzgerald, Ann Goodwin, Alejandra Soria

What can your Tech Coach do for you?

Your Instructional Tech Coaches are excited to welcome you back to the 2023-2024 School Year!

Your Instructional Tech Coach is your go-to person for in depth support with instructional technology uses (providing instruction, student engagement, demonstrating learning). This can look like:

Supporting teachers in using new edtech tools & apps
Co-planning lessons with teachers to incorporate technology tools
Collaboratively teaching/model teaching with teachers for tech-integrated lessons
Supporting learning through whole staff/small group/individual training
Engaging in student-centered coaching cycles with teachers
Providing technical support for instructional tools

Annotate your Google Slides with the pen tool!

Enhance your presentations by using the pen feature to write on your slides while presenting. This feature allows you to interact with your slides in real time for different purposes. For example, you could model marking the text on your slide, solve a math equation, capture student ideas in a diagram, or create a model. When you're done, take a screenshot of the slide to share with students on Google Classroom. This feature can be done on any device that is presenting the slides, including the Newline Board. A stylist will make writing even simpler - all new generation teacher Chromebooks will come with one.

Google Classroom and Securly Reminders

We would like to extend a friendly reminder about accepting your Google Classrooms. Your pre-created, rostered Google Classrooms are accepted through Little SIS. You should have recieved an email from Little SIS about logging in and accepting your classrooms. In case you didn't know or you forgot, you can merge classes together with this process - so helpful when teaching a split class, for example.

If you have been logging into Securly to run a session and not seeing your class, that means you still need to accept your class. Please make sure your archive all previous Google Classrooms. This cleans up views for both teachers and students. Don't worry! You can still access all content in your archived classrooms.

Fall Training Series 2023 - Technology Sessions

Each year technology-based professional development is available during three sets of training offered in fall, winter and spring. Staff are paid at their professional rate for each hour completed. The Department of Technology is co-facilitating six sessions during the 2023 Fall Training Series. Join the classes using the links below.

Canva - Beyond the Basics

Creator(s)- Raquel Sandoval-Gonzalez

Target Audience: All

Session Description: Want to take your graphic design skills to the next level? Come learn some of the advanced features of Canva to help you create amazing slideshows and publications.

1.5-hour Asynchronous session

Click Here to Join

Newline Boards - Beyond the Basics

Creator(s)- Michael Fitzgerald, Mike Signal, Alejandra Soria

Target Audience: All

*See times and locations in description

Session Description: For staff with a Newline Board only** Learn more advanced features of your new interactive whiteboard, including some of the recommended apps that are available, and instructional strategies to maximize their benefit.

1-hour Synchronous session

.5 Asynchronous

Alpac - 9/26 - 8-9am - Library
Gildo Rey - 10/4 - 3:45-4:45pm - GR Library
Cascade - 10/24 - 2:45-3:45pm - Library
Evergreen Heights - 10/5 - 4:25-5:25pm - Library
Washington - 11/2 - 3:45-4:45pm - Library

Terminal Park - 10/17 - 3:45-4:45pm - Library

Getting Started with Instructional Tech in Auburn

Creator(s)- Ann Goodwin, Mike Signal

Target Audience: Certificated

Session Description: New to the district? Want to learn about all the apps and tech you and your students can access? Come join this fun, hands-on class to help you make the most of our online tools.

1-hour Asynchronous session

Click Here to Join

**Equity in ASD

Creator(s)- Raquel Sandoval-Gonzalez, Angie Stubblefield, Isaiah Johnson

Target Audience: ALL

Meets FCS06

Session Description: Join ASD Director of Equity Isaiah Johnson to learn about Auburn's commitment to creating a culture of equity across the district. You will be introduced to the framework of Culturally Responsive Practices, and the four milestones on our journey to climb the "Equity Mountain".

2 hour asynchronous session

Click here to join

Equity Qualified Session

Seesaw and UDL

Creator(s)- Ann Goodwin

Target Audience: K-2 Certificated

Google Meet

10/12 - 4:30-5:30pm

Session Description: *K-2 teachers only* Come learn quick and easy ways to provide UDL options for your students within Seesaw. Walk away with some ready to go activities to help get your school year started, too!

1 hour synchronous session

Storytelling and the Brain

Creator(s)- Raquel Sandoval-Gonzalez

Target Audience: ALL

Meets FCS02

Session Description: Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a wise old woman named Ava. She was known throughout the land for her ability to weave enchanting stories that would captivate anyone who listened. One day, a young girl asked Ava why she loved stories so much. Ava smiled and invited the girl to sit beside her. "Let me tell you a story," she said...

Our brains are hardwired to respond to stories, which is why we find them so compelling. They engage us emotionally, help us remember information, and connect us with others. The hope for this training is that you develop a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling, the magic it has on the human brain, and how you can harness that magic in your classroom and in/with your students.

2.5 -hour asynchronous session

Click here to join

Tech Tools

Chromebook Refresh - Secondary

This month, secondary teachers will have their Chromebooks upgraded to a new, enterprise-class device on the following dates:

Cascade MS - 17th & 20th October
Olympic MS - 3rd & 5th October
Mt Baker MS - 2nd & 4th October
Rainier MS - 16th & 19th October
Auburn HS - 2nd & 3rd October
Mountainview HS - 4th & 5th October
Riverside HS - 19th & 20th October
West Auburn HS - 24th October

DOT staff will be on-site all day (including before and after WAC time) so staff can exchange their device at a time that suits. There will also be a one-hour, paid training on the new devices offered after school.

Further details will be sent from your building with exact times and locations.

Customize Grading Scales in Google Classroom

One of the newer features in your Google Classroom settings is the ability to customize your grading scales for assignments. You can choose from proficiency, letter grades, 4 point scale, or even create your custom one. You can even use emojis for a custom grading scale! An added bonus for saving time is the ability to copy your grading scale to other classes.

Want to learn more about how to do this? Check out this help article or email your Tech Coach!

Remember to check next month's Tech Tips to see what else is new with Google Classroom.

The End of Jamboard - Try FigJam!

Google has announced that its interactive whiteboard, Jamboard, is being discontinued next year.

As we prepare for this transition, the Department of Technology recommends that you try FigJam which is free for educational users. This tool contains all the features of Jamboard (collaborative whiteboarding, sticky notes, free writing) plus a host of other tools that are ideal for education, including timers, manipulatives, polls, graphs, stickers, animations, and much, much more.

FigJam also works great with Newline interactive displays - reach out to your Tech Coach if you'd like more info or a demonstration.

Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy

AI Working Group and Guidelines

The first meeting of Auburn's AI Working Group will be on 16th October from 4:30-5:30pm on Google Meet. If you would like to join and help us create guidelines and procedures for how AI tools can be used in the classroom, please sign up here. (If you already signed up before summer, you are on the list!)

In the meantime, please remember our guidelines for using new tech tools in the classroom:

Ensure the tool has been reviewed and listed on our Approved Tools page.
If you want to use something new, please complete a New Software Request.

Data Security

Chrome Apps and Extensions - Allowed Only

Google are implementing a change to protect users from malicious apps, and to ensure compliance with their terms and conditions. As a result, as of Friday, 6th October only approved apps and extensions will be allowed on district Chromebooks and Chrome browsers.

You can see the list of approved extensions on our Approved Tools page.
If you require an extension, please complete a New Software Request.

Check this tab to see the approved extensions

You never know what's hiding behind a QR code.

Phishing, Smishing...Quishing??

QR codes are everywhere now, and are a great way of entering links onto your smartphone. However, some bad actors are using QR codes in emails, text messages, or even flyers to send malicious links - this is known as "quishing" (QR + phishing). If you see a QR code and cannot verify who created it, err on the side of caution and don't scan it with your smartphone.

Regardless of how links and information are being presented, keep the following rules in mind:

Always verify the sender of a message - especially if they are asking for something
Be wary of urgent and unreasonable requests (e.g. for passwords or bank information)
Never follow links that seems suspicious or unfamiliar

Lock Before You Walk!

In addition to locking your computer, staff who have the Newline interactive displays should also remember to lock these before leaving the classroom.

Simply click the sign-out icon in the top-right of the home screen (shown here) to ensure that your information is kept private.

For additional security, please also ensure that you are not logging into Outlook or Skyward on the Newline board.

Skyward

Push Notifications

The Skyward mobile app will receive push notifications. Notification settings on the mobile device must be enabled. To configure messages received by email and/or the mobile app, go to My Messages>Settings.

Message Student's Current Teachers

Emailing a student's teachers from within Skyward is here. Click the student's picture or information icon, then click "Send Message" in the top right corner of the pop-up window. Choose to send to current teachers or other recipient choices. The message will be delivered via Skyward Message Center and copied to the recipient's email (if enabled).

Gifted Indicator

There is a new student indicator for students coded as Gifted. Look for the multi-colored star next to the student's name

Skyward Timeout Increased

You asked and we listened: the Skyward timeout has been increased from 15 to 60 minutes of inactivity. Security and settings are continually monitored to follow best practices to keep our data safe and secure.

It is critical to lock your computer if stepping away to not allow unauthorized access to Skyward data.

Skyward Help

The Data Services Website provides help and information for Skyward users with specific pages for employees, teachers, Qmlativ training, and submitting help tickets.

Shout Outs

Celebrating Seesaw Pioneers!

For those of you that don't know, Seesaw is our LMS for primary teachers here in Auburn. Seesaw is a powerful tool and elevates UDL practices. We have many teachers that have taken the extra time to strengthen their knowledge and earn certification through Seesaw's Learning Hub. We celebrate those that have become Seesaw Pioneers!

Rachael Barrows (EVN), Sue Benes (PIO), Jamison Burtis (ALP), Shari Butt (GRY), Marla Carr (AJE), Toni Cooper (AJE), Amy Goodner (ALP), Jamie Harm (AJE), Angelica Howell (ALP), Tammy House (BCE), Dan-by Kim (TPK), Jennifer Lawton (AJE), Maki Matsuno (GRY), Julie McKenzie (WAS), Pam Parks (EVN), Michaela Peringer (WCE), Jordan Rutledge (LKV), Robin Slater (HZD), Sarah Spring (ILA), Karen Stewart (WAS), Olivia Stockton (ILA), Carla Trujillo (SCO), Rory Weaver (GRY), Angela Welker (AJE), Kelly Woolman (SUB), Becky Zucati (AJE)

Special shouts to Shelly Harberts (ALP) and Alyssa Jacobsen (CHI) for becoming Seesaw Ambassadors!

And an extra special shout out to Jessica Udd (LV) for becoming a Seesaw Certified Educator!

Interested in becoming a Seesaw Pioneer? Check out our online module to earn pay and clock hours for your time.

Report abuse