Hutto ISD Instructional Technology

Happy fall, amazing Hutto ISD educators! This newsletter aims to equip you with a toolbox of tips and tricks to make your work life a bit easier.
Earn PD Credit for reading and exploring topics in this newsletter!

Quick Tech Tips for All Hutto ISD Staff

Is Your Laptop or Chromebook Acting Scary?

Are webpages not loading properly? Do you keep clicking buttons with no response? Are things not saving in Canvas or other web apps? You can try clearing your cache and cookies! This usually solves most of the weird things.

Websites and online apps save some settings (like images or items in a shopping cart) to make your experience more efficient. Websites and apps will also make slight updates that can make the saved settings conflict with their new updates, so clearing your cache and cookies periodically can help resolve issues.

Follow these steps to clear your cache and cookies.

Need Parents to Sign Up for Conferences or Event Items?

Do you need to create a digital sign-up for parent conferences or special event items? Use the Parent Square appointment sign-up feature! Follow these directions to set up an appointment or event item sign-up.

Google Quick Help Guides

Self-Paced Courses

PD Credit : Complete this form to receive up to two hours PD credit after completing portions of any of the Google self-paced courses linked above.

Updates

New Hutto ISD Parent Technology Guide

We now have a Hutto ISD Technology Parent Help Guide with all parent tech guides in one place. The guide can be found on the hipponation.org website under parent resources, or you can use the following direct link and/or QR Code. bit.ly/parenthippotech

New Image Blur Feature

Within the next few weeks, the Technology Department will deploy a new content aware feature to all student accounts. When students are using their Google Chrome web browser, adult content images and intimate apparel images, such as swimwear and underwear will be blurred for students. Sites that are flagged with adult content will still be blocked. The image blur feature is covering the gap where unblocked sites are hosting questionable content. If you experience any issues with the new image blue filter, please call the help desk at (512) 759-3771x7777 or submit a technology work order.

Teacher Tools

Classwize

Classwize now allows you to save multiple Focus libraries (allow only sites) and use them across classes.

Watch this video to see how to create Focus Libraries
Here is a list of URLs needed to only allow access to ClassLink and specific apps.
View More Classwize tips on the Hutto ISD Classwize info and getting started page.
The amazing and tech-Savvy, Michelle Muenzler from NGC, also created this Classwize handbook, and shared her Eduphoria Focus Library links on the last page.

Microsoft Whiteboard - Jamboard* Alternative!

An alternative to Jamboard that you can try is Microsoft Whiteboard. Sign in with Microsoft.

Here is a video explaining how to use Microsoft Whiteboard with your students. The whiteboard can also be used on a Clear Touch!

*Jamboard will be discontinued on December 31.

Screencastify - Flipgrid Alternative!

Did you know all Hutto students and staff have access to premium Screencastify? You can record videos of your screen or with your laptop/Chromebook's camera.

Hutto ISD Screecastify Info & Tutorials

How to Use Screencastify Submit (Similar to Flipgrid)

How to Use Screencastify Submit with Canvas