Bits & Bytes

Welcome back to Bits & Bytes. Our goal is to keep you informed and up to date on technology policies and the newest technologies that our district uses.

Within this newsletter, you will find information regarding:

• News from IT
• What's New With Google
  
• Doodle for Google Contest Information
• Tech Spotlights
  
• New Year Activity

If you would like further assistance with any of the information that is delivered in the monthly newsletters, please feel free to contact one of the Technology Content Coaches - Ed Duclos or Debbie Matchett.

You can also visit the EdTech website to view resources for the various technology that is available to the district.

Happy New Year,

The EdTech Team

South Windsor University

• The portal is now active.
• You can access the portal via the Staff Resources Page on the District website.
• CLICK HERE to view detailed instructions.

Microsoft Home Use Program

• Eligible employees have the opportunity to purchase Microsoft Office products at a highly discounted price by visiting www.microsofthup.com.
• You can save 30% on Office 365 subscriptions.
• Please note: This is a purchase made directly with Microsoft and the district has no control over or access to your order or the license/download you purchase.

Google Classroom - Originality Report

• Students can review work to make sure it is properly cited and to avoid unintentional plagiarism. Students can run 3 reports per assignment
• Originality reports scans for matches across hundreds of billions of web pages and tens of millions of books through the power of Google Search.
• This tool helps teachers see where students used source material and if they properly documented their sources.
  

Google Slides - Insert Audio File

• Roll out complete to all users! You can add .mp3 and .wav files stored in your Drive to a presentation.

Google Docs - Add Different Page Numbers to Different Sections

• After creating sections in your document, you can specify which sections to apply the page numbers to. For example, if your doc contains cover pages and table of contents, you can choose to apply page numbers to the body of your doc only.

Google Sheets - Customize Spreadsheets with a Theme

• You can now quickly add a theme to an entire spreadsheet.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Students can enter a Google Doodle based on what kindness means to them.

• Artists create their Doodles using any materials they want. From crayons to clay to found objects.
  
• Grades K-12 can participate.
  
• The National Winner’s artwork will be featured on the Google homepage, and will win a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 tech grant for their school.
  
• Submissions open January 6th and are due March 13, 2020.
  

CLICK HERE for more information. Please share with students.

1. Click on the puzzle below and make a copy of the Google Drawing.
2. Drag and drop the puzzle piece to the correct position to complete the puzzle.