GPE Technology Updates

Greenspoint Teachers and Staff!

I know how emails can and often times do get lost the daily shuffle so I decided to create this blog post so you can refer back to it as needed.

Here’s a tiny(but it might get lengthy) technology update from afar. Please complete the following procedures and steps so we can help each other out while I’m away:

First things first:

If you have any technology issues, please submit a TECH REQUEST first. Yes, Mrs. Benitez is helping in my absence, however, she is the librarian first and to make sure that all of your issues, concerns and problems get handled-- I need to see them on the tech request form. I am hearing and seeing lots of issues from others but not on the tech request forms. The form can be found on the Aldineisd.org Bookmarks:

Those who have submitted their issues, have gotten a responses from Aldine’s Tech Services. They are aware of our current situation and will pick up, schedule and handle all issues as they are submitted. However, if you don’t submit them--but tell Mrs. Benitez, when she remembers I will then notify you to submit a tech request. NOTE: no request is too small. If it’s an issue for you--it deserves attention.

If it’s something small, I will contact you directly to contact me and I will assist you virtually using Google Meet (meet.google.com). It’s Google HangOut and works from all devices.

Gradebook Help:

Some of you have had issues with your gradebooks. Some of the issues that I have assisted with:

• Attempting to enter grades in wrong grading period
• Grades won’t save
• Grades being deleted after you entered them

Please notify me via TECH REQUEST if you are having any of these issues. I understand that we have been in school only 20 days, however, these few steps can help fix these issues:

• please enter grades every week.
• if you are working on your grades from home, please make sure to sign out. You are only allowed to sign in to the gradebook at one location at a time. If you are logged in--even in multiple windows--your grades won’t save.
• Keep an eye out for what reporting period you are in.
• Lastly, if you haven’t submitted your Gradebook Schoology certificate of completion to me, please do so ASAP.

Here’s a troubleshooting guide for the gradebook in digital form and remember you can also use the Schoology Gradebook Course as a resource!

Student Badges:

An email went out to all teachers on September 18th. The process was suppose to start this week. However, with the current situation--a new date is coming. However, we still need your assistance.

Please check the folder below for sheet (for your HR) and make sure it is filled out completely for every student who purchased a badge. You should have received an email from me, sharing your form. No need to make a copy. (Thanks Mrs. Thomas, Morris, Mr. Becerra, and most of the first grade team for completing this!!!)

Mrs. Benitez will be taking photos for the badges shortly. You will receive more information on this from her directly with schedule. Please complete this form by this FRIDAY.

Check this folder for your student BADGE sheet.

Projectors and Promethean Boards Updates:

Thank you to those of you who have notified me about your projector issues. Here’s some of the issues we are intermittently having with the Interactive Projectors:

• Flickering (especially when attempting to show a video)
• Can’t find either HDMI port
• On screen mouse not coming up at all
• Lost of touch functions

If you are having any of these issues, please submit a TECH REQUEST) Sadly, Aldine Tech Services cannot service these projectors. The issue that is causing all of these problems is being address by the contractors, however it is an intricate process to repair and most likely won’t happen when you have students in the classroom. The have found the remedy and I will keep you posted on the status of this process.

These boards….

So many of you currently have access to your board. I came around and finished setting up your boards. I am currently working with Ms. Schuler and Tech Services for a formal training date. Look for a blog post on PB (Promethean Boards) for tips and a mini guide. If you board isn’t ready yet for use, the district is sending people to the campus to complete the setup process. If I didn’t get a chance to domain your board, please complete this form.

If you can, the district is offering several trainings on the Promethean Board and Microsoft 10 (here’s a few coming up soon)

They all can be found in ePortal.

If you are having ANY ISSUES with your board--please submit a TECH REQUEST.

Those of you that don’t currently have a promethean board and are suppose to get one on wheels. The contractors are out delivering them to campuses now. Yours should arrive shortly. You will receive an email from you regarding this today.

Chromebook Carts/Level Up Refresh

Most of you should have your Chromebook Carts in your rooms with your keys. This means that you have completed the Level Up Level One REFRESH! Congratulations!

Those of you who have not completed the course yet, please know that I get notifications every time you complete assignments. After you complete the course, we can discuss the process to get your chromebook cart and keys.

Ok. This is pretty lengthy so I will stop here for now. Please keep me in your prayers as surgery is near and so is recovery!

And….Thank you all for the calls, texts and emails. I am working hard everyday to help each of you as you prepare our students using the latest and greatest in technology at one of the best schools on the PLANET!

More Blog Posts coming for the following information:

• Update on staff badges
• Clever on the CBs
• Coaching
• Professional Development
• Technology Committee Updates

Technology Update from Mrs. Glass

Good afternoon ALL!

There’s LOTS of updates and I need each of you to read through this post very carefully. Please use this for a reference as well.

1. Hacks to your email and 2-Step Verification
1. Many of you may be asking...Why 2 Step Verification? This is now a DISTRICT REQUIREMENT. If you received an email that has this title: (note this person may be different)

This is an attempt to hack into your account. If you open it...it may send an email to someone else.

You may avoid changing your password IF you already have 2 step verification ACTIVE on your

account. If you don't already have it active--view the steps below, set up 2 step verification NOW

and then reset your password (steps can be found in the Level Up Refresh).

Let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns about this.

2. Badges
1. Everyone on campus will receive a new badge from the district. They are currently still being printed and I will be notified when they are ready for pick up. If you are new to the campus, please see me (Mrs. Glass) so I can take your photo and submit it to Central Office for printing.
3. Pick Up for Document Cameras, Projector Remotes and Accessories
1. If you haven’t already, please stop by the AV Closet on the 400 Hallway to check out your Document Camera and Projector Accessories. If you didn’t receive a Projector Remote and etc., please email Mrs. Glass so you can check out one.
4. Frontline (Aesop/MyLearningPlan)
1. If you were one of the people that were unable to log into your Frontline account, or had issues, please email Mrs. Glass immediately so that your account can be reset. After the accounts have been reset, those individuals will have to meet with Mrs. Glass for 10 minutes to reactivate the accounts.
5. Tech Issues to check for before you leave TODAY
1. After lunch today, I will be stopping by all classrooms to check for the following:
1. Do you need your student PCs set up for Wireless connections?
2. Is the electrical installed and completed for the Promethean Boards?
3. Are you able to SECURE Print to the XEROX? (Note: If you are new to the campus, you will receive an email from me with your codes to print to the Xerox)
1. Don’t forget to enter your Employee ID and your PIN # in with you print a job.
6. Level Up Refresh
1. All staff who have completed Level UP Level One, must complete the Level Up Refresh. If you haven’t completed Level Up: Level One, you MUST complete it in order to receive your Chromebook Carts.
2. Due to the delay with the ethics and AUP contracts uploading into ePortal. Those who have completed everything else within Level Up: Level One will be able to check out their Chromebooks TOMORROW.
3. Below is a list of what should be completed (by whom) below.
4. NOTE: this is a Google Classroom (not Schoology Course)...go to classroom.google.com to access.

This course is designed for all educators who have already completed Level Up: Level One (during the previous school year 2016-17). For those who have not completed Level Up: Level One, You are required to complete that course.

* This MUST be done by teachers who are completing Level Up Level One. (these items are NOT included in the course)

Topic	Tasks	Who Should complete this task?	Tools used and ways they can be used in your classroom	Time Allotted
Intro to Level Up Refresh	Tell who you are, your role, how many years in education, for your name (use the first name line for your FIRST Name, and the LAST Name line for your Twitter handle)	All GPE Staff	Link to our campus Flipgrid. FlipGrid- click HERE.	90 sec.
Troubleshooting and How To’s	Setting Up your Classroom PCs	Anyone with a PC (use as needed)		5 mins
	Reset your passwords (at cloud.aldineisd.org) and complete your hint questions within the cloud)	All Aldine district employees		10 mins
	Google 2 Step verification*	All Aldine district employees		5 minutes
	Complete the CB/PC mastery quiz (NearPOD) classcode: PTMOY	All Instructional staff (those who teach students)	NearPOD- click here	5 minutes
Digital Citizenship & GPe	Acceptable Use Policy (Edpuzzle)	All Instructional staff	Edpuzzle- click here to learn more!	10 minutes
	Appropriate Use of District Online Resources (Edpuzzle) neubkaj	All Instructional staff	Edpuzzle	10 minutes
	Electronically Sign the Ethics Contract in ePortal*	All Aldine district employees		5 min
Collaboration/Communication	Join the Google+ Community (only if you are new to campus) Note: Only do this if you AREN’T already a member	All GPE staff	Google+	5 mins
	Join your campus Remind* Note: Only do this if you AREN’T already a member	All GPE staff	Remind	5 mins
	Subscribe to our Campus Blog	All GPE staff	Blogger	5 mins
	Parent Communication Tools: Use this poll everywhere to share which of the following tools will you be using this school year? Remind, ClassDojo, Seesaw, Buncee, Website/Blog, All of the above, Other: _______________ Complete the padlet to share your tool and how it will enhance your communication with your students’ parents. *	All Instructional Staff	App smashing Padlet ClassDojo Buncee PollEverywhere	10 mins
	Follow these groups and People on Twitter (Google Sheet with List)  Follow 3 people!!!	All Instructional Staff	Twitter	5 mins
Digital Resources	Add Synergyse to Chrome	All Instructional Staff		5 mins
	Complete the Digital Resources Open Ended Question in Google Classroom. What district- provided digital resource do you plan on using this school year and what impact will it have on your student learning.	All Instructional Staff	Google Classroom	10 mins
Learner Engagement	Register to attend TCCA 2017	All Instructional Staff	Click the link to register now!	5 mins
Innovative Environment	Complete this survey to let your itech know your educational technology needs to plan out this school year…*	All Instructional Staff	GAFE	10 mins
Total Time allotted to complete Level Up Level One REFRESH Course:				2 hours

7. Pick Up for Chromebooks
1. If you have completed the items above, you will receive an email from Mrs. Glass that states that your Chromebook cart is ready for Pick up.
8. Schoology Courses
1. All of the following courses must be completed and submitted to these specific people:

Course	Course Code	Due Date	Person to submit certificate to:
GradeBook	VNP28-FRND5	9/12/2017	Share electronically with Mrs. Glass
Special Education	TKBDJ-CKV54	ASAP	Share electronically or print a copy for Ms. Srock
Bloodborne Pathogens/Child Abuse/Diabetes	PWQSJ-Q9W7Z	Due TODAY	Print a copy for  Nurse Songer
Food Allergy	Z5CN4-3FXWQ	Due TODAY	Print a copy for  Nurse Songer
Hazardous Materials	MK4FM-GB948	DUE TODAY	Print a copy for  Nurse Songer
Child and Sexual Abuse Training	WSVXP-CB7R5	TBA	Print a copy for Mrs. Jones (Counselor)
Mental Health Disorders	9RH23-G4XWS	TBA	Print a copy for Mrs. Jones (Counselor)
Prevention of Teen Suicide	This is NOT a Schoology Course, see BELOW for the specs for this course	TBA	Print a copy for Mrs. Jones (Counselor)

New this school Year - 1.– Professional Staff (Recommended for all professional staff)

1. Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Course Directions

2. Go to: http://sptsuniversity.org/

3. Create an account

a. Fill out the new account form with your details.

b. A confirmation email will be sent to your email address.

c. Read your email and click on the web link it contains within 3 days.

d. Your account will be confirmed and you will be logged in.

4. Take the course: Act on FACTS (2017-18 National)

5. COMPLETE each one of the chapters

6. Please Print 2 copies of your certificate. Please submit one certificate to administration and keep one certificate for your INVEST Binder.

Special NOTE: If you are unable to print your certificates, temporarily try using Mozilla Firefox/Internet Explorer to print your certificates.

9. Those New Promethean Boards….
1. This is IMPORTANT! Do NOT touch them until you have been notified by Mrs. Glass. They are NOT currently property of Aldine ISD. They are solely the responsibility of the Vendors installing them.
2. Also, DO NOT plug anything (Doc Cameras, speakers, etc.) into them. Anything that will be displayed on these devices must be mirrored onto them (training on this soon).
10. Don’t forget!!!
1. Don’t forget about the aldineisd.org bookmarks!
2. 
1. This is where you can quickly access all of the district sites and resources!
11. Questions? Concerns? Send me a tech request! My Room extension is #57806