TechBytes
April 15, 2025
Upcoming Dates
- April 7-May 30: Voice Amplification System Rollout
- April 15-May 30: State Testing Window (check with your school site for exact dates)
- May 31: Physical Fitness Test Scores must be submitted
ITS/EdTech Updates
Free Resource: LitLab for AI generated Decodables
We now have access to LitLab Premium — a platform that bridges the gap from decoding to fluency and differentiates early reading practice. On LitLab, you can access 1,000+ beautiful grab-and-go decodables or create your own. The student practice platform lets students create their own decodables (and will soon have oral reading fluency practice)! LitLab is fully aligned to several phonics programs.
To create an account and join Pasadena, visit our unique sign-up link: https://www.litlab.ai/auth/district?orgId=0629940. You're also welcome to browse the Getting Started hub or flip through the self-guided onboarding deck.
Hapara Class View Update
Class View combines Browser Tabs and Current Screens. You can easily switch between the two, see a Guide browsing bar that shows running sessions, and view an updated Guide browsing menu. Click on the image below to learn more.
Google for Education App Access
Because of changes to the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service, and due to California state law, access to different Google Applications including Google Translate, Google Maps, CS First, and YouTube on student accounts has changed and these apps are no longer directly accessed by students.
Staff members will still have access to these apps. Please see the workarounds and alternatives listed below.
CS First
Alternatives
- Khan Academy
- Code.org
- Code Spark Academy
- Phaser
Google Maps
Embed a Google Map into your Canvas course
- Open up Google Maps (as an educator) and navigate to the map you want to embed
- Click on the three lines in the top left corner of the map and select "Share or embed map"
- A new window will appear. Click on the tap that says Embed a map
- Select the size you want - Small, Medium, Large, or Custom. To have the map fill most of a Canvas page, choose custom and type in 1024x768.
- Copy the embed code
- Navigate to the page you want to embed your map into in Canvas
- Open the HTML code (this symbol: </>)
- Paste your HTML code
- Save & Publish the page
Google Translate
Option 1: Use Google Docs
- Create a Google Doc.
- Type out the text you want to translate
- Click on Tools in the Menu bar, and then on Translate document
- Select the language you want to translate to and make a copy of the document in the translation
Option 2: Use Canva
- Open Canva
- Create a Doc
- Type out the text you want to be translated
- Highlight the text you want to be translated, click on the three dots that appear above it and select "Translate Text" (see screenshot)
YouTube
How do I add a YouTube video to my Canvas Studio?
- Click on the Studio icon in the Global Navigation menu on the left side of your Dashboard in Canvas.
- Click on Create.
- Select Add Media.
- Copy the URL from YouTube.
- Paste the URL from YouTube.
- Click on Add Video.
- The video is now listed in your Studio and the link can be shared to your students.
- At this point, you can also choose to add questions and annotations and then create an assignment with your video.
HMH Slow Load Times
Elementary teachers, have you noticed slowness in the HMH platform, both on your computer and on your Promethean board? Please let them know so they can address it! Navigate to HMH and click on the "i" in the lower right corner. Select "Feedback" and let them know what you are experiencing.
Promethean Board Corner
Using Screen Share
Helpful Promethean Videos & Webinars
Email: EdTech@pusd.us
Website: pusd.us/its
Location: 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA, USA
Phone: 626-396-3699