What the Tech?
April 2024
WELCOME BACK from SPRING BREAK!
1 - April KnowBe4 Training rolls out (due May 24)
2-5 - ACAP Testing
19 - Weather Day
24 - Progress Reports
New Network Updates 🖥️
You may have noticed a change in network options this morning when you arrived to school, or the week before we left for Spring Break. Here's what you need to know:
Chilton.1x - This is our universal network across the county. Windows devices may change automatically. If asked for a username and password, you will provide the same credentials you use for your Google email.
Chilton-Staff - You may use your credentials on one device at a time.
**K-12 Schools will be completed this upcoming week!
School networks and CCBE networks will be going away soon. Please make sure you connect to one of these new networks. See your school technology coordinator if you need assistance and they will submit a ticket to the technology department.
Accessibility with Google Tools 🛠️
Technology allows our students the ability to use tools to make them successful in the classroom. Google Workspace has many built in tools you can use to help all students succeed in the classroom!
Voice Typing in Docs
Students can easily draft Docs by using Voice Typing. Go to Tools > Voice Typing to activate. Then, the student will click the microphone, and once it turns red the student can "talk" to the computer and their words will be drafted. Don't forget about punctuation!
Captions in Slides
When presenting for Google Slides, teachers can turn on captions to help support students who may be hard of hearing. Once in presentation mode, click the three dots, choose captions preferences, then choose your text size & position. At this time, they cannot be translated, but that is coming soon!
Reading Mode in Chrome
Choose the square at the top right of your Chrome browser, and choose reading mode from the drop down. You can edit the text style, size, and the spacing between words.
By request, we also have some extensions available to further assist students with their academic work on Chromebooks. Please see your special education teachers for more information. There is a link below to our recommended extensions that teachers can install on their own browsers/devices to assist students in the whole group capacity.
Teacher Portal in Clever
Beginning April 1, Clever will switch over to the Enhanced Teacher Portal view. You may change it back until July 2024, when all teacher portals will be in the enhanced version. The enhanced version allows the teacher to quickly view their resources on the home page. The organization bar is now located on the left where you can quickly access your student rosters and teacher pages.
Tip: View the 'Analytics' tab under 'My Students' to view what resources students have used over the last 7 days!
Ed Tech Professional Development
Freebies & Resources for April
Instructional Technology Coordinator for Chilton County Schools