Learning Tech Bundle | Week 26

Daryl will send out invitations with instructions on how to access a first-ever asynchronous Tech Connect for THU 3/26. It's based on a building goal of reducing the D & F rate through the use of an intervention or second scoop of learning using district supported tech tools. Daryl delivered this same session in a breakout format at our last district staff development day. Please email Daryl if you have interest in this topic and aren't already getting Calendar invitations to his sessions.

ESC technology staff shared this March Madness themed newsletter about increase cyber security. This week's installment addresses the password topic. Click into this newsletter to learn more.

A friendly reminder about how to post grades for Tri 2:
1. Here is the .pdf handout on steps to take to complete this task.
2. Here is a link to the video tutorial (must be logged into Lock & Key to view)
Stop in to my session on Monday 3/9 to learn how to set up your Tri 3 grade book from scratch.

Thanks to all teachers who asked their students to switch their password last Monday. We had to make the shift more suddenly than we had planned (initially in an upcoming advisory) due to several student phishing incidents occurring in middle schools and high schools across the district. Here is a link to the resources if you need a reminder. Also, here are the steps to change a student password for them.

Teachers eager to update their own laptops to the latest version of their operating system can follow the instructions linked here:

Windows
MacBooks

Shout out 🎉 to the members of the Tech & Innovation Committee and identified early adopters for helping identify kinks in the latest image making for a smoother '26-27 for computing.

Daryl recently touched up and cleaned up the Quick Forms & Links page on BHS Info Page. Here is some of the rationale for the changes:
1. The list bled over one page so we switched it to two columns and went pageless for the Google Doc format.
2. Four lines of the page were dedicated to Skyward instructions. They are now condensed into one slide deck of instructions that's linked under <Payroll Forms>.
3. Items were all resorted alphabetically.
4. If we add too many items to a sheet called <Quick Forms & Links> it loses its effectiveness. Consider creating a personal hub if your role has specialized documents. These links are really meant for a large percentage of our staff.

After recently receiving a request from a substitute teacher for Google Classroom join codes, Daryl asked other buildings about their procedures. The preference is to instead share content for the day in Google Drive (not Classroom). When you anticipate being out, consider sharing the content from the day (lesson plans, slide decks, etc.) via bhs.subteacher@ahschools.us to offer guest teachers a clearer peek into their day. You can always encourage subs to ask a student to show them their Google Classroom view.

The BHS Technology Department learned this week that replacement microphones for classroom cost $250(!) to replace. Moving forward, with such a limited current supply, we will bill departments when they need a replacement. Have a spot each day to tuck these away while charging for safe keeping.

This is a friendly reminder that documentation of student IEPs (Individual Education Program) and 504 plans (students who still require accommodations but don't meet threshold for SpEd services) is now located in Synergy via a report called <SpEd Student List>. Upon getting that report, go explore each student's documents by clicking into their photo in the seating chart. You will find it link under the <Documents> tab. SpEd case managers and Lynn are eager to help brainstorm ways to meet student needs.
Here is a link to a handout that supports how to access this important documents.

Thank you to folks using Help Ticket to request help from our area. Help ticket lives in three places:
1) Lock & Key purple icon <BHS Tech & Innovation Help>
2) In Daryl's email signature
3) At BHS Info page located conveniently in the <Technology> section
Using Help Ticket puts the question in front of all of our eyes. Help tickets get assigned to BHS Technology Department staff by Daryl based on specializations. We are just three staff members supporting 170+ staff at the beginning of the year. We're working through a prioritized queue. We appreciate everyone's patience.

You'll now notice that Google Classroom offers the option to add comments to student work that includes audio feedback, video feedback, and screencast feedback. Check for the record button when checking student work.

Daryl has tested this with a few early adopters and it's working well already. Be aware that in the spirit of productivity and efficiency that Daryl may request to "remote in" to help in some cases. He will reach out by phone or email first before requesting to assist remotely.

Please note the updated student handbook (linked on BHS Info Page > Quick Forms & Links > Admin / Administrative. Please notice this year's updates that illuminate the interplay between generative AI tools and academic integrity. District policy is being finalized still this year and can be found here. Please feel free to cite this with students when discussing syllabi. See a tailored example of this policy for ELA below:

Blaine High School English Department Academic Honesty Policy:

The MN State Standards require that all students “integrate information into [a] text…avoiding plagiarism …and following a standard format for citation.” The English Department at BHS is committed to teaching students the necessary tools for complying with these academic expectations in their writing, research, discussion, and presentation. Work suspected of plagiarism will result in a 0 grade for the plagiarized assignment. Students can opt to redo the assignment on a different topic after completing plagiarism intervention.

*A note on ChatGPT and other AI tools: The use of these tools in any assessments that require you to demonstrate your own knowledge and/or skills is plagiarism.

Please let your tech coordinator know if you have plans to travel internationally with your teacher laptop. You may not be able to use it at full capacity if you don't communicate it due to recently updated settings that aid in security.

This is a friendly reminder to turn off your LCD projectors just before lunch and at the end of the day to save lamp life and energy costs.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools now offers a parent perspective for online behaviors of students via internet pausing, browsing history reports, and web filtering. Check out this handout that has been pushed out to parents in a recent critical communications message.

Just as a heads up, Daryl doesn't respond to individual staff requests via Google Chat, instant messaging. Since our department is three people and we support 170+ staff members and Tech Support maintains a fleet of nearly 3,000 Chromebooks, Daryl chooses to mainstream communication via Help Ticket with staff.

Teachers in Anoka-Hennepin Schools are now able to export and share their classwork in Google Classroom using the <Share classwork> button in the <Classwork> tab. See embedded video for procedure.

It feels like new AI resources are available every day. This link is a running list from tech integrationists from the state that offer context and guidelines to help steer. This feels like a moving target every day and is quite exhausting. However, we don't think this is changing anytime soon. Click into the list for a quick view guide. Also, folx utilizing Gems with Gemini should consider this robust resource for gem suggestions and examples.

Please consider adding the codes below to explore these asynchronous Flex PD options at your convenience. These can be completed during your prep or before/after contract hours. Daryl's main goal for designing these courses is to offer new learning while offering opportunities to have finish products to use in class with your students.

While it's not the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, there is now Adobe Express in the Lock & Key. One tool that Daryl is suggesting in particular is their QR code creator.

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(763) 506-6500
Blaine HS Innovation Center

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