Birds of a Feather

If you know me, you know I am all about working smarter and not harder. Did you know that you have the power to organize your portal? You can create folders and organize apps within those folders. But did you know that you can also add your own apps/links to the portal to frequently used files, links, and more!

Organizing your Icons with Folders

1. In a blank area on your portal, right click to activate the folder menu.
2. Select "Add a Folder."
3. Name your folder and select a color.
4. To add an "app" to your folder, right click on the app and select "Add to Folder."
   
   

Now that your apps are organized, let's talk about how you can create/add your own apps/links to the portal. Why would you want to do this when you can bookmark apps/links on your device? By adding links/apps to your portal you'll be able to access them from ANYWHERE where you access your portal. Does your campus utilize a "Hub?" Add the link to the portal! Tired of always having to look for your lesson plans? Add the link to the portal! Not sure how to book time with your favorite Tech Coach? Add my calendar link to the portal! If it's something you access all the time, add it to the portal to help you stay organized and to lighten your cognitive load!

Adding an App/Link to Your Portal

1. In a blank area on your portal, right click to activate the folder menu.

2. Select "Add an App."

3. Name your App/Link and paste the URL.

4. Select "Choose an Icon."

• You can't add an icon to the library, but you can search for icons to find one that best meets your needs.

6. Organize your App in a folder or click and drag to move it to a preferred position.

Need a visual, watch this video to learn more! Want to practice adding an app? Start with my YouCanBook.Me link.

As teachers, we rely on our desktops and projectors for lots of direct instruction. The biggest problem with this is that we are then stuck behind our desk and not out and about where everything is happening! We know that being in close proximity to students helps them to better attend to instruction and decreases behavior issues. It also helps us better gauge if students are understanding.

Luckily, you don't need to be stuck! NISD has a way for teachers to mirror their Chromebook or iPad, so that you can be mobile and still use the technology you love to teach with. The step by step instructions for mirroring your device can be found below.

• Mirroring with Your iPad
• Mirroring with Your Chromebook
  
  

If you would like help mirroring, please let me know.

Did you know there is a site solely dedicated to each of the Instructional Systems that support instruction in NISD?

Looking for support in Schoology, Schoolnet, Seesaw, TAC, Frontline, or Panorama? Everything you need can be found in the Hub! From site support, to help with access and who to directly contact should you need support. The Hub has it all!

You can find a link to the hub on your portal or click here: Instructional Systems Support Hub to start exploring!

As students are beginning to use the iPads, remember that you can use Apple Classroom to monitor student iPad use as well as lock them in to certain apps. Want to lean more? This quick video below demonstrates the potential.

Here are the instructions for setting up Apple Classroom on your teacher iPad.

Please let me know if you would like help getting this up and running in your room!

Northside ISD

Elementary Academic Technology

6632 Bandera Road, Building E.

San Antonio, TX 78238

210.397.9404