Bits & Bytes

Welcome back to Bits & Bytes. Our goal is to keep you informed and up to date on technology policies and the newest technologies that our district uses.

Within this newsletter, you will find information regarding:

• Technology Support
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
• Data Privacy
• Artificial Intelligence
• Celebrate Black History Month with Applied Digital Skills
• Valentine's Day Fun
  
• Test Your Knowledge (prizes involved)

If you would like further assistance with any of the information that is delivered in the monthly newsletters, please feel free to contact one of the Technology Content Coaches - Ed Duclos, Debbie Matchett or Danyelle Ross.

You can also visit the EdTech website to view resources for the various technology that is available to the district.

Take care,

The EdTech Team

If you are in need of technology support and are unsure of who to contact, please CLICK HERE to view the Technology Help Flow Chart.

We are in the process of deploying two-factor authentication to all employees with district technology access. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of security to your accounts. Verifying your identity using a second factor (like your phone, token, bypass code, or another mobile device) prevents anyone but you from logging in, even if they know your password.

Over the next several weeks, we will be reaching out via email to schedule a time to configure and review the process.

How does it work?

2FA works by combining two factors to authenticate: Something You Know + Something You Have = Authentication

Something you know: In our case, this is your South Windsor Username and Password combination.

Something you have: This is the 2nd factor, and it can take one of several forms:

• the DUO mobile push on your smartphone (recommended),

• a text or phone call to your mobile device,

• a hardware token,

• your office phone or a landline.

When both factors have been entered, you are granted access to the system.

No smartphone? Your second factor can also be a phone call to any mobile phone or landline, or you can request a token from IT.

For additional information, please see the Q&A: https://bit.ly/sw-2fa

• We need to protect our students from applications/websites that collect personally identifiable student information.

• Rule of Thumb: If the student is asked to sign in, use their email or enter a phone number; then the app/website must get approved first!

• Please review the list of apps that have been approved/unapproved. Click Here to view the recent list. Note: Please see the different tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

• If you do not see an application on the list that you would like to use in the classroom, please fill out a Software Request Form .

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent machines that work and learn like humans. It involves the development of algorithms and computer programs that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language understanding.

~Written by ChatGPT.

Below are a few of the popular AI platforms that are currently available to all. As you read what each platform is capable of, think about your classroom.

How Will AI Affect Education?

AI is the next disruptor in education. A disruptor is something that causes change in an existing industry or market. AI will reshape how we ask students to learn. Some questions that we should think about:

• What opportunities are created by AI for the classroom/curriculum?
• What does AI make obsolete in the classroom/curriculum?
• How can AI help teachers and administrators?

Visit the EdTech Website to view what fellow South Windsor Educators brainstormed for the questions listed above.

John Dewey once said "If we teach today's students as we taught yesterdays, we rob them of tomorrow." Let's embrace and leverage the new technology.

Take a look at Google for Education’s pre-made lessons that explore the importance of Black History month and reflect on the contributions of African Americans. Each lesson has a detailed lesson plan. Lessons include interviewing a person from history, writing song lyrics, creating a Juneteenth Celebration flier and much more.

Let's see what you learned from this month's newsletter. Click on the button below and complete the form. One winner will be selected from each building. Winners will be announced and will receive a prize!