To listen now by streaming the episode, click Episode 6 in the Buzzsprout player below.

If on a phone, you may need to press and hold the play button a second longer than you think to play or pause.

ActivInspire Deadline

As a reminder, for those BCSD schools who received panels this year, ActivInspire software will be be removed from teacher devices March 1, 202o. You can still access and open your ActivInspire flipcharts through the new Mimio software. For "how to" and "trouble shooting" tips check out our flyer 👉.

Dyknow Pilot Program

BCSD has been piloting several student device monitoring softwares. These softwares allows teachers to use a website to monitor their students screens and activity. The site also gives a report of all websites and applications accessed by the students. Teachers can create “blocking plans” to limit or allow specific websites and applications. The pilot only goes through the end of the month and then feedback will be collected. We hope to have DyKnow (or something like it) available by next school year.

DE Studio

Discovery Education Studio is a new creation and structured collaboration space designed with students and teachers in mind and is a newer version of their Board Builder tool.

Training Link - Getting Started with Studio*

*You must be logged into your DE account prior to clicking the link. You can login through the app on your ClassLink page.

Google Image Searches

A good tip to show students is after they do a search on Google, and then click Images to bring up the image search, they will see a button that says Tools. This will open up lots of options. The one of interest is “Usage Rights.” If students choose “labeled for reuse” or “labeled for reuse with modification,” that means Google will filter images that are tagged in a way that means you can use them without paying anyone.

SCDiscus Biography in Context

Students can search Biography in Context within SCDiscus. Once a search is made the site includes a variety of resources: biographies, images, news stories, academic journal citations, websites, magazine articles and even any associated audio resources. To learn more check out Discus' Biography in Context training video.

Black History Research Sites

SCDiscus (Britannica Series)

Ducksters

BrainPop, Jr.

Discovery Education - Black History Channel

YouTube Playlist

Research Graphic Organizer

To the right you find a biography graphic organizer that would work for a Black History project. Students find 5 general facts about their person, 4 reasons why the person is notable, 3 things that may have influenced this person, 2 ways the person or his/her actions connect to our lives today, and 1 reason why this person might be considered inspirational.

Flipgrid

Flipgrid is a social learning platform that allows educators to ask a question, then the students respond in a video.

The on board tools in Flipgrid include emojis, filters, stickers, an onscreen whiteboard, note pad, and the ability to add your own videos and images.

Teachers can dictate the length and ability to comment. Videos are shareable when done. Click on Estee's Shorts Video overview 👉.

Kami (Screencasting)

The Screen Capture tool allows you to create a short video of your screen and link it to your file as a Kami annotation. User will need to have the "Screen Capture by Kami" extension added to their computer. Students within BCSD will have the extension added and will be able to show their work directly on the screen.

Overview of the Screencasting tool

Microsoft Home Use

Microsoft has reestablished its Home Use program. With the current licensing plan, which BCSD subscribes to, employees are authorized to install Microsoft Office on a home/personal computer and there are 2 options to choose from:

1. Free on a home/personal computer while employed. Be aware, this version of office will be disabled if/when an individual is no longer employed by BCSD. 2. Discounted 30% from list price. You will maintain O365 if/when you leave BCSD.

Virtual SC

Spring registration will run from the week of February 12, 2020 to March 4, 2020 at 4:00pm. Website Link. Course Offerings - Spring.

Courses will begin on March 30, 2020 and end on May 17, 2020.

Summer Teacher Programs

The Roper Mountain Science Institute is currently taking applications for its summer teacher program (applications are due Feb. 14th). It is free and participants get a lot of supplies to bring back for your science classroom. They have sessions for teachers in grades 1-12. Priority placement is generally given to new teachers

Santee Cooper sponsors a 3 week Energy Educators Institute, an online graduate level course for certified South Carolina K-12 teachers and administrators accredited through Charleston Southern University. It is SUPER CHEAP for a graduate level course ($100). There is a required four-day residential stay at Santee Cooper's Wampee Conference Center on Lake Moultrie in Pinopolis.