Tech Connect September 2024

Welcome to the September edition of the Tech Connect Newsletter! This month, we are sharing some resources to get your year off to a great start, promoting cyber security awareness, and sharing information for professional development opportunities through the Fall. Join us as we dive into exciting resources and tips designed to empower our staff and enrich our students' educational journeys!

Click on the image to learn how to add applications to the ClassLink Dashboard for your students.

The NCEdCloud button on the Dashboard has been removed due to issues with the link. We are hoping to be able to push this button back out in the future. While it is not available on the ClassLink Dashboard, please use the link to NCEdCloud on your school's homepage.

ClassLink should be the homepage when students launch Google Chrome. Every month the background image on the login page will be changing. The image for September is sunflowers.

** IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE QUICKCARDS WITH YOUR STUDENTS, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENTS HAVE LOGGED INTO CLASSLINK WITH THEIR USERNAME & PASSWORD FIRST!! **

In today's digital age, teachers play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information, making cyber security knowledge essential. This handout features practical tips that can empower educators to protect themselves and their students from cyber threats, covering topics such as password management, recognizing phishing attempts, and safe internet practices. By staying informed and vigilant, teachers can create a safer online environment for everyone.

Don't forget that you have access to GoGuardian through the ClassLink dashboard! This is an easy way to monitor your students on their devices while they are in your classroom! You can even set a scene to better monitor what your students have access to while they are in your classroom.

NCDPI offers a website for AI in Education that has a wide range of resources aimed at supporting the integration of AI tools in schools. It provides a collection of educational tools and software that can be utilized in classrooms. The site outlines DPI's policies and recommendations for the safe and effective use of AI, targeting teachers, school administrators, district decision-makers, and parents interested in AI's role in education.

Each Wednesday, DPI hosts "AI In Education Webinar Wednesdays" that deal with different topics surrounding AI in Education, you can register for upcoming sessions and even view previously recorded sessions.

Click the image below to access these resources Click the image below to access AI Resources from NCDPI.

DCS is currently in the process of finalizing the district's Generative AI Guidelines, aimed at providing clarity and direction for staff on the responsible use of this technology. These guidelines will address best practices, ethical considerations, and effective integration of generative AI tools in our educational environment. We appreciate your patience and engagement as we work to ensure that these resources support our mission while safeguarding the integrity of our educational practices. More details will be shared in the upcoming weeks.

Mission Statement:

DCS Instructional Technology aims to prepare teachers and students for future success through purposeful technology integration that inspires a culture of collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and personalized learning.

Vision Statement:

We envision classrooms transformed into dynamic, collaborative learning spaces where technology empowers personalized learning. Teachers will design engaging, student-centered lessons that foster critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning skills. Our community will embrace innovation, equipping students to thrive as future-ready problem-solvers and effective communicators in the rapidly evolving 21st century.

Sue Tobin - suetobin@davidson.k12.nc.us

Allyson Medlin - amedlin@davidson.k12.nc.us

Libby Moretz - libbymoretz@davidson.k12.nc.us

Listed below are the schools that each of us serve - please feel free to reach out to us!