Tech Connect November 2024
Connecting YOU to Instructional Technology in DCS
As we step into November, a month that invites us to reflect on gratitude and appreciation, it's a perfect time to acknowledge the incredible work each of you does in our district. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for your dedication to fostering a supportive and innovative learning environment for our students.
Let’s celebrate the power of technology in education while also taking a moment to appreciate the community we’ve built together. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to excellence and for embracing the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology.
"Living in a state of gratitude, is the gateway to grace" Arianna Huffington
🌟 Updating Your Device 🌟
As we continue to embrace technology in our classrooms, it's essential to ensure that your computers are running the latest software and updates. Keeping your systems up-to-date not only enhances performance but also improves security and functionality, allowing you to utilize the latest educational tools effectively.
Additionally, we encourage everyone to update to Windows 11. This operating system offers improved features that can streamline your workflow and enhance your teaching experience. Remember, staying current with technology is crucial for maximizing your teaching potential and providing the best learning environment for our students.
⚡⚡ ClassLink Information ⚡⚡
This is a reminder to ensure you are using ClassLink for all your educational resources and applications. If you have not accessed ClassLink, please do ASAP!
Some important links that are found on everyone's ClassLink Dashboard are:
TimeKeeper
Frontline
NCEdCloud
GoGuardian
Adobe Express
Canva
Office 365
Accessing ClassLink is easy—simply visit your school webpage, navigate to the curriculum tab, and click on the ClassLink link. It would be beneficial to bookmark the homepage for ClassLink. Please verify that you see the DCS logo on the login page; this confirms that you're connected to our district's resources.
Utilizing ClassLink not only streamlines your access to essential tools but also enhances collaboration and efficiency in your teaching. Thank you for your attention to this important resource!
🚨🚨 New Feature Alert for Google Classroom - Student Groups 🚨🚨
Explore an exciting new feature in Google Classroom that makes managing student assignments easier than ever! This tool allows you to create student groups, so you can assign different tasks based on each group’s needs—like reading levels or project requirements. The tutorial walks you through how to set up and edit these groups, as well as how to assign specific tasks without students knowing their group memberships. This feature is designed to help you personalize learning and foster collaboration among your students, making it simpler to tailor assignments for everyone in your class!
Promethean Pro Tip of the Month: Matching
🪄 Creating Activities in ActivInspire 🪄
You will have to be in the ActivInspire Software to create activities, which can be downloaded from Promethean (see link below). Here are the directions on how to create Activities. Activities can be added to FlipCharts or they can be saved to a Flash Drive or to Google Drive and then pulled up on the board. You can also connect your computer to the board and open the activity that way from the ActivInspire Software.
🌐 Promethean Panel Chromium Settings 🌐
Are you having issues with websites not showing up on your panel with the same look and functionality as your computer? Chromium may be using Tablet mode. Watch the video to see the difference and how you can change your settings!
Fall Digital Learning Opportunities
Click on the image below to register for any of our virtual Fall Professional Development Sessions!
NC AI Summit for Educators
Who: This series of AI Summits are for educators including classroom teachers, coaches, media coordinators, and school administrators.
What: Full-day professional development for educators to help guide the responsible implementation of Artificial Intelligence into their practice and in the classroom.
When and Where:
WEST December 12, 2024 9:00 am-4:00 pm at the Unity Center in Statesville, NC
Why: Artificial Intelligence already has and will continue to have a huge impact in education and in every aspect of our lives. This new technology has enormous potential to enhance education, but also brings challenges and educators need support in adapting their pedagogy. Studies show that AI use is widespread among students and staff, but high-quality professional development on how to implement it responsibly in the classroom is lacking. This is an opportunity to quickly gain the knowledge and skills to implement AI in your workflow, and get prepared to responsibly guide students through the Intelligence Age.
🌀🌀 Generative AI Spotlight 🌀🌀
Introducing the Generative AI Spotlight! Starting in December, we will share valuable tools, tips, and tricks tailored specifically for teachers, enabling you to integrate these innovative technologies into your teaching practices effectively. Generative AI encompasses a range of applications—from crafting personalized learning experiences to streamlining administrative tasks—offering a wealth of possibilities to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. As we embark on this journey together, we encourage you to experiment with these tools, reflect on their implications for academic integrity, and engage in discussions about best practices within your educational communities. Stay tuned for insights that will empower you to harness the power of generative AI in your teaching endeavors!
🎉🎉 ISTE & ASCD Member Benefits. 🎉🎉
We are excited to remind all staff members that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) provides us with free memberships to both ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) and ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). These memberships offer a wealth of valuable resources to enhance your professional development. With ISTE, you can access live and recorded webinars from education experts, free ISTE U courses, and a variety of topic guides on critical educational technology issues. ASCD membership provides unlimited access to thousands of resources, including webinars, articles, and newsletters tailored for educators. We encourage you to take full advantage of these memberships to support your teaching practices and professional growth!
Did You Know That You Have Access to Free Resources Through EBSCO?
We are excited to remind you that you have free access to EBSCO through NCEdCloud! By logging into your NCEdCloud account, you can easily explore a treasure trove of resources, including articles, eBooks, and academic journals. This invaluable tool is designed to support your teaching and enrich your students' learning experiences. Simply navigate to EBSCO alongside other databases like Britannica and Explora, and unlock a world of knowledge at your fingertips. Happy researching!
DCS Digital Teaching & Learning Team
Sue Tobin - suetobin@davidson.k12.nc.us
Allyson Medlin - amedlin@davidson.k12.nc.us
Libby Moretz - libbymoretz@davidson.k12.nc.us
Listed below are the schools that each of us serve - please feel free to reach out to us!
