#EMSISDITS Tech Talk

Techy Talk for Teachers

Bi-Weekly Tech News
Follow us on emsisdits.blogspot.com to see bi-weekly news, tutorials, & more! We will email out news every other week offering you the latest trending tech topics! :)

The EMS Instructional Technology Team is excited to work with students, teachers, and administrators this year to support and enhance the great things going on in our district this year!

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There is a new OneNote in town.....and it's called, well .....OneNote

OneNote is a powerful way to keep track of and share information in an organized online "notebook". OneNote comes standard with Office 2016 (desktop version) and is also available online with Office 365. There is also a Windows 10 OneNote app. That's a lot of OneNotes!

In an effort to lesson some of the confusion about the multiple versions, Microsoft has taken the best of these three versions and created OneNote for Windows (simply called OneNote). This is the most up-to-date version, and it should feel natural using all input methods such as mouse, keyboard, touch and pen.

OneNote also has new features like researcher that are not available on the desktop version, a notification center, and deep integration with Windows 10. The desktop version (OneNote 2016) may still have some functions that users like to use, and it will still be available, but it will no longer be updated with new features after 2020. When you open the OneNote for the first time, you will see that it has an intuitive interface much like the online version except with added functionality like faster syncing, tag searching, live previews, and easy sharing. You can easily see changes to Notebooks in the Notification Center. To try the new OneNote, follow the link below and enjoy!

Learn more about OneNote here.

Don't miss these video messages and resources about the OneNote updates!

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Driving with Jeni

Click the image to watch the Driving with Jeni webcast.

NOTE: No traffic violations occurred during the filming of this video

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We've got you ...

Change can be hard. Click the image to listen to Cindy's message about the transition to the New & Improved OneNote update.

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Resources Galore!

Click the image: This Pinterest Board is packed full of OneNote greatness ... check it out!

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GradeCam Update

Have you tried GradeCam yet? If not, you'll receive an email notification this afternoon with your login information. That link expires in a week, so check it out today!

So far, teachers are LOVING this pilot. We want to hear what YOU think, too! Let us know here.

ET Mythbusters (from engaging-technologies.com) have been hard at work busting the biggest GradeCam myths ... check them out here!

And don't miss these ACTUAL quotes from ACTUAL EMS teachers!

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Cyber Safety Parent Resources

Keeping track of kids' online activities is a challenge at school and at home. In today's connected world, it is important that children understand all of the benefits and pitfalls associated with a cyber presence.

In order to help parents and teachers keep kids safe online, we have created a parent resource page. We encourage you to send this link out to parents in your newsletters and emails, and post it on your school website.

EMSISD Cyber Safety Parent Resource Page

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Geocaching at CTHS

Learning Geography is a blast in Mr. Reicheneker's class. These Rangers are searching for caches using GPS devices and answering Geography questions.

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Virtual Escape Room at SES!

Ms Cantrell's 5th graders are learning about animal adaptations by participating in a virtual escape room using OneNote and Blippar augmented reality. Go Stars!

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Greenscreen Fun at Bryson

Greenscreen put these 2nd grade Bobcats in the wild as they describe animals that they have researched.

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Colts Create Out-of-This-World Sways

These Creekview Middle School students started their project by researching a planet, and then created an alien who could survive there. Now they are creating a Sway to publish all their information and creativity!

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Motivated Owls!

Students at Lake Pointe Elementary are working hard to motivate their peers to do their best on the upcoming STAAR tests. Amazing!

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From Paper to Paperless at EES!

Teachers at Elkins Elementary are converting their paper based student tracking system to a digital tracking system using OneNote. Way to go!

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NewseumED

This free site houses an incredible online collection of primary sources. There are news artifacts and lessons that help teachers teach media literacy, civics, and all aspects of the First Amendment, giving students an up-close look at history.

Newseum ED is perfect for research projects, but also has lesson plans and free downloads. If you find something you would like to share with students, you can share it with a URL that lasts for two weeks and can be renewed an unlimited number of times.

There are several ways to search for content. You can search by state, century, theme, topic, type of resource etc. Need ideas for a lesson? They have an ED Ideas section with a vast assortment of classroom ideas, collection highlights and breaking news.

Delay the delivery of email

Have you ever wanted to compose an email now, but not send it until later? Instead of saving it as a draft to send later, just use the delay delivery feature. All you have to do is write your email, then click on the Options tab. On the toolbar, you will find a Delay Delivery button. Schedule a delivery time in the pop-up window. Cool!

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Interested in Checking Out Devices?

Do you have a lesson or activity in mind, but are lacking devices to carry it out? Our department can help! If you are interested in checking out iPads, VR Googles, GPSs, Merge Cubes, Spheros/Ollies, or Green Screens, click here to fill out a reservation form. We would love to support your students' learning any way we can!

Reserve an #EMSTechspert

We want to help you successfully infuse technology into your classroom. We would love to train you on how to create tech infused lessons, co-teach the lessons, or even share our favorite tech tools with you!

Email your IT today to set up an appointment! (Find contact info here.)