ECSD Technology Newsletter
Technology Info and Tips from the Elbert Co. Tech Department
Thank You
I've been with my kids pretty much non-stop since March 13th. It's been pretty great (ok most of the time). Ruby, my 8-year-old daughter, has this great game she likes to play called "Raise your hand if. . " we've played it about a gazillion times and of those gazillion times we have raised our hand for lots of things that have been new to our family since we have all been home. We're looking for a new audience . . . so here we go. Thanks for playing. . .
Raise your hand if you can explain Go Guardian Teacher to someone on your team.
Raise your hand if you know how to mute someone on a Google Hangout.
Raise your hand if you know how to setup a Flipgrid.
Raise your hand if you know how to leave comments on students Google Docs
Raise your hand if you feel like you made a gigantic leap in your use of technology since March
Raise your hand if you learned from a few tech mistakes but are better for it
Raise your hand if you are ready for summer. . .
Thanks for playing with us.
Very thankful for the teachers and staff of the Elbert County School District through all of this
Take Care,
Clint
Professional Learning Courses
WeVideo Academy - Teachers and students at ECES,ECMS, and ECCHS have access to create videos with WeVideo. This is an easy way to create and edit videos
GoGuardian Teacher University- Information for best practices for GoGuardian
Wakelet Surf School - Ideas and best practices for using Wakelet
The FlipGrid Blog - Information and ideas about using Flip Grid
Google For Education Training Center - Getting started with Gsuite, and information and resources for becoming a Google Certified Educator
Texthelp Training Center - Information and Courses for Read and Write for Google and Equatio
Cleaning Up Google Classroom
3 Tips for Cleaning up your Google Classroom
As we begin to wind down the year now, start to think about how you are going to digitally organize the 2019-2020 school year and how you will start the 2020-2021 year. Here are a few pointers, so you don't become overwhelmed with all of the "stuff" in Google Classroom
1) Once you are finished with your Google Classroom for the year - Return all student work. This makes the student the owner of the work. If you don't do this and you delete the file, it deletes it for the student.
2) Remove all the classroom calendars - When you create a Google Classroom, it automatically creates a calendar for your classroom. Once you are finished with your Google Classroom, consider deleting that calendar. If not, you are going to have lots of calendars, and I find that to be confusing.
3) Archive your Google Classroom - When you archive your google class you are not deleting your class or deleting assignment. Archiving the class means that you are hiding the class from your classroom landing page for both you and your students. You can reuse assignments the next year, but you won't have to worry about seeing all the classes from years past.
New Look for Sharing Files
Accessibility in Covid-19
New Feature: Google Meets from your E-mail
Professional Learning Blogs
1) Google for Education Blog - This is a great resource and has lots of information about new features that are rolling out. For example, Google Meets is now part of Google Classroom!
2) ControlAltAchieve.com - Eric Curts is a Regional Edtech Professional in the midwest. He is not only a great human being but he has lots of great information during Covid-19. He has been a go to to me personally as I have prepared for distance learning. Eric is fantastic about responding to teachers via social media or through E-mail during this time.
3) Free Tech for Teachers - Richard Byrne is another one of my Edtech Heros. I have been reading his blog since 2011. There are lots of great resources here! Like myself, he is also a fan of ESPN Jock Jams.
4) ShakeupLearning - Kasey Bell has lots of great resources on her site and also hosts a podcast and writes books about technology in the classroom.
5) Ditch that Textbook - Another great resource with lots of videos, books, and podcasts in the area of digital learning.
Wifi Access for students - Thanks to the hard work of the technology department wifi is now available in all school parking lots. HERE is more information about free wifi access across the county.
Illuminate Education Tip of the Week
Instructional Technology Support
Google Teaching from Home Hub
Google Teaching from Home Hub is a temporary hub of information and tools to help teachers while we are out of the building. See the link below for information about the Teach from Home Hub
Elbert County School District Technology Department
Joe Dawson - Elbert County Elementary School
Matt Johnson - Elbert County Middle SchoolSherri Rampey -Elbert County Primary School
Hector Santiago - Elbert County Comprehensive High School
Bruce Stewart - Technology Director Elbert County School District
Clint Winter - Instructional Technology Coordinator Elbert County School District
Website: elbert.k12.ga.us
Phone: 706.213.4000
Twitter: @elbertcoschools

