Sept 2024 EdTech Monthly Newsletter

September 2024

News and Updates - Welcome Back from the TIPS team!

Introducing Our New Newsletter

Your EdTech Monthly newsletter has a fresh new look and we're opening it up to any interested teachers to receive it each month! We're excited to kick off the school year with you, bringing you the latest in educational technology tips, tricks, and inspiration. A few pieces on how to navigate this new newsletter:

View in Browser: Click the "View in Browser" at the top of the email for full functionality of this newsletter (such as Table of Contents, Translation, and Accessibility) and the most up-to-date version.
Navigation: If you are in 'View in Browser" mode, you can click the table of contents on the left to jump to your favorite sections.
Share and Subscribe: Share the knowledge! Forward this email to colleagues and they can subscribe by clicking "Subscribe" at the bottom of this newsletter.

Check out the video below for a demo to see what the "View in Browser" looks like for this new newsletter!

Tech Spotlight: Showcasing Leaders and Innovation

Every month, we will be featuring a person, school, or event to showcase inspiration, innovation, and/or leadership in the technology space.

For this month, it is with great pleasure that we introduce and welcome Lev Slavutych to our TIPS Team. Lev has taught Grades 1-9 with EPSB since 2008, with experience across nine schools. He is passionate about empowering students as effective storytellers through arts and technology. Lev holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts and Drama and a Master of Educational Studies focusing on School Leadership and Technology Integration in Arts-based programs.

Click here to learn more about Lev!

Tech Trajectory: Professional Learning (PL) Opportunities

PL Opportunities in PDR

For the 2024-2025 school year, TIPS is offering a variety of professional learning (PL) opportunities, from sessions to workshops, and communities of practice:

Artificial Intelligence - AI Sessions and AI Community of Practice (CoP)
EDU 595 - Technology and Tools offered collaboratively with the U of A
Leadership Development Framework (LDF) Series - Leading Educational Technology and Cultivating a Positive Digital Culture from K-12
Ed Tech Summit (November 1 and June 9)
Google Chrome and Workspace Professional Learning

Click here for more information on our PL Opportunities!

After School Tech Tips Theme: Tips and Tricks with Approved Apps!

Check out our After School Tech Tips Playlist weekly on Wednesdays at 3:45 PM. These videos can also be found on our PL Calendar. Subscribe to our channel to get all of the updates. The lineup for September is:

September 4 - SchoolZone Refresh
September 11 - NEW Appointment Schedules in Google Calendar
September 18 - NEW Google Classroom Features
September 25 - Google Jamboard is Winding Down. What to Use Now?

Vretta Implementation in EPSB

Vretta is the NEW digital assessment platform from ABED with full implementation support across our Division for the 2024 - 2025 school year. There is an upcoming information session on October 1 at 1 p.m. for school key contacts who were identified in June. Information about the session with the Google livestream link will be shared in the Division News and via direct email to the key contacts. Training sessions for all teachers are available for registration via PDR. For more information see the Vretta for Digital Assessment page on Connect.

Tech For Good: Tips and Tricks, Updates, and Inspiration

AI Summer Institute Slides

Are you interested in learning more about Artificial Intelligence? TIPS offered an AI Summer Institute on what AI is, AI tools, considerations, and more.

Click here if you are interested in seeing the slides for the AI Summer institute or see previously featured AI updates.

Google Workspace Updates

Did you know that Google Classroom is now ten years old?

Google has added a number of new features like student groups, AI generated YouTube activity questions, new Guardian access to Classwork and more. Check out the Google Blog post for more information.

Google Jamboard is Winding Down!

Don’t forget that Jamboard is close to winding down starting October 1, 2024. Follow the directions shared by Google to transfer editable versions to their third party partners. For staff looking to complete collaborative brainstorming activities in a digital environment, Lumio, which is software of the division, can be used to complete similar learning activities.

With Lumio, staff can log in with their Google accounts to begin using these tools in their classrooms. Learn more about Lumio here and check out a sample brainstorm activity using this link.

Responsible Use of Technology Agreement (RUTA)

The RUTA has been updated for the new school year. With 3 different templates for different age groups, you can customize each of them to best match your school's needs.

Click here to see the customizable RUTAs that work best for you.

Be Internet Awesome

This month, we are featuring "Be Internet Awesome"! It teaches students the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety through topics such as "Don't Fall for the Fake", "It's Cool to Be Kind", and more!

To learn more about Be Internet Awesome or see previously featured digital citizenship resources, click here to check out our Digital Citizenship Updates.

Minecraft Education Accounts Ready for Request

Minecraft Education accounts are now available for schools to request on a course code basis. Please click here for Minecraft Education on Connect to learn more!

Tech Connect: Ed Tech Leads Connecting

Div 123 Ed Tech Leads Network Meeting

Are you an Ed Tech Lead at your school? Attend our Division 1-3 Ed Tech Leads monthly on Google Meet (with two in-person meetings). Learn from one another, add questions to discuss with your colleagues, and share your experiences with technology integration. As an Ed Tech Lead, you will receive an email invite in the upcoming weeks. If you're not an Ed Tech Lead, connect with the Ed Tech Lead at your school and they can bring questions to the meeting as well. The first meeting is September 25 from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM.

Stay Updated by Subscribing and Keep in Touch!

Want to keep up to date with technology tips and tricks or hear more TIPS updates?

Click the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of this newsletter (if you're not already subscribed)
Join our Google Space for regular technology announcements - EPSB EdTech Announcements

More Questions? Looking for technology PD for your school? Email the TIPS team or connect with your TIPS team member directly. Bookmark our TIPS.epsb.ca website for more updates and resources.