Timothy's Technology Corner

Here is a resource that was shared out by a fellow ITF. Feel free to use as needed. It looks like it could be beneficial for young readers.

Click on the LINK to access the file.

Are you looking for a powerful, low-tech way to have students tell stories, summarize, or demonstrate their understanding of processes? If so, then look no further: Paper Slide Videos are for you! As the name implies, this technique involves the flipping or sliding of papers to create a movie. The good thing about paper slides is that they do not require a lot of time, effort and/or tech skill to produce an awesome video.

Paper slides can be created by dividing students into groups to illustrate visuals on blank paper, writing scripts that explain the each slides, as well as videotaping the delivery of the script while moving through the slides one at a time with narration. The only resources that are required are sheets of paper, markers, a well-rehearsed script, and a an easy-to-use video recorder (e.g., flip cameras, iPads, cell phone, etc.).

Watch the video below to learn more!

Have you ever heard of Design Thinking? If you are like me, I had never heard of it until recently. It is a process that is used by large corporations such as Apple, Google, Samsung, and GE, but also can be used for cross-curricular activities, especially those in which a problem requires attention and needs to be resolved.

To learn more about Design Thinking and what it is, take a look at the following resources:

• What is Design Thinking and Why is it so Popular?
• The Design Thinking Process

Q: Is there a way for teachers to view recent Portal logins by Parents/Guardians and Students?

A: Yes, data on recent Parent/Student access is available through the PowerTeacher Portal feature named Net Access Summary. Many features of the PowerTeacher Portal such as Net Access Summary will be incorporated into PowerTeacher Gradebook in future releases, but for now, here are the steps to review a summary of Parent/Student Portal access:

How to view the Net Access Summary:

1. Login to the PowerTeacher Portal. Do not launch your Gradebook for this task, since this information is available on the PowerTeacher Portal, not yet via PowerTeacher Gradebook.
2. On the Current Classes page, click the Backpack icon next to the class for which you want to view student information.
3. The Student Information page appears with the selected class roster displayed in the navigation pane.
4. Click the last name of the student whose record you want to view.
5. Click the pop-up menu, and select Net Access Summary.

Net Access Summary: This view-only page is used to review the number of times a parent, guardian, or student logs into the PowerSchool Portal:

Just like the last edition of Timothy's Technology Corner, I am providing you with some interesting facts that will surely impress your holiday guests. Last month, I provided you with Thanksgiving Trivia, but this month, I bring to you Christmas Trivia.

Q: In Home Alone, where are the McCallister's going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind?

A: Paris

Q: How many gifts total were given in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song?

A: 364

Q: Which U.S. state was the first to declare Christmas as an official holiday?

A: Alabama

Q: What popular Christmas song was actually written for Thanksgiving?

A: "Jingle Bells"

Q: When was the first Christmas card sent?

A: 1843