CCHS Tech September Newsletter

September

Welcome to September! The halls are full, the momentum is building, and the clean slate of a new school year is officially underway. Settling into this fall rhythm brings incredible energy, but it also comes with an overflowing to-do list. As you build routines with your students, technology should not feel like one more variable to manage. When chosen intentionally, the right tools do not add to your workload, they give you time back. Innovation in the classroom does not mean mastering ten new apps by Friday, it is about finding low-friction tech tweaks that make your instruction sharper and your workday smoother.

AI in Google Workspace

Gemini is built directly into Google Classroom as a dedicated tab, providing AI-powered teaching and learning tools.

Features for Educators

Lesson planning: Quickly create lesson plans aligned with learning objectives and education standards.
Differentiation: Re-level texts and adjust assignments to fit student needs and interests.
Assessments: Generate quizzes, exams, rubrics, and answer keys from scratch.

Features for Students

Context-aware help: Access starter tiles like help me learn, quiz me, make flashcards, or create study guides based on specific class assignments.
Gemini Notebook: Transform class materials into audio overviews, visual diagrams, and interactive practice.
On-demand support: Get step-by-step guidance on challenging concepts and feedback on writing.

Learn about Gemini in Google Classroom

Google - Back to School 2026

Google Launches New Study Tools for Students

Using Gemini and Google Classroom in POWERFUL ways!! (new this year)

Touch View Interactive Panels

Resources:

Fall 2026 PD Plan
Gen6 TouchView Panel Tutorial (New Panels for 3rd floor)
Gen6 YouTube Playlist of Tutorials
Explore TouchView Interactive Panels (Gen5 - 4th Floor)
10 Ways to Better Engage Students with Interactive Panels
TouchView How to Guides

Aspen

Merge Attendance/Gradebooks

If you need classes merged or unmerged in Aspen (rosters and/or grade books) please complete this Form.

Creating Categories

You do not edit the categories directly on the Details page. While calculation types (like Categories Total Points) are defined under Details or Preferences, actual category creation must happen under Gradebook > Categories > Options > Add

OR

Importing categories from a previous year's class: Class List > Details > Categories ...... the import button is at the bottom and then you select a class from last year from a list.

Google Classroom

Did you know that Google Classroom allows you to tag learning standards (that are already built into GC)?

Other GC Resources:

Create Your Google Classes from Aspen (linking) - Unlink Class(es)
Google Classroom: New features
Access archived Google Classes
Copy a Class (entire class) & Copy material from previous class (reuse post)
Gemini Updates
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM)
Practice Sets in Google Classroom

App of the Month - Knowt

Knowt is one of the best all-in-one learning tools that helps teachers create formative assessments in minutes and enables student agency through interactive flashcards and notes.

Key Features

Create an interactive learning environment on any topic.

Instantly assign MC, T/F, or free response questions with auto-grading by uploading any file.

Track AI usage and typing patterns inside writing assessments.

See how students interact with your flashcards, notes, assessments, chat tutors, and plays in the analytics section

Instantly turns your notes, lecture videos, or PDF uploads into interactive flashcards and practice tests.

Import existing Quizlet flashcard sets with a single click.

Offer students a learning mode that suits their learning style, spaced repetition algorithms, matching games, and practice exams.

Record and/or summarize long readings and lectures into organized study guides.

Resources

Knowt’s YouTube

Students Getting Started

Teacher’s Guide

5 Ways to Get Rid of Vocab Lists with Knowt

The Reflection Connection

How will your units this year leverage blended learning and UDL principles to offer flexible pathways for student voice and critical problem-solving, while ensuring digital tools elevate, rather than replace, authentic human reasoning?

CCHS Google Calendar Bell Schedule

If you are looking for an easy way to see the bell schedule for the day, add this Google Calendar Bell Schedule to your Google Calendar. Click the link > add the Calendar and simply turn it on and off when needed (click the checkbox to see it, and uncheck to hide it)!