Distance Learning Resources

Our district office has reminded us that introducing a new digital tool to students at this juncture may not prove educationally sound, not to mention that responsible data handling calls for us to use only district-approved resources (which have been vetted against privacy standards).The list of resources below is not exhaustive, but distills the district-approved resources and suggests how you might use a selection of them. You can find additional WCSD resources here and in your emails from Brian Neenan and Brian Zimmer.

• Without daily "in person" reminders from you, students are less likely to check their Google Classroom for updates. Google Classroom email notifications are on by default, but many students do not regularly check their emails. Beyond communicating that checking email daily is a classroom expectation, you can suggest that students download the Google Classroom app onto their Smartphones and turn on notifications in their settings. The Remind app is also a district approved communication tool.
• Google Meet is our district-approved application for video calls.

Have your students create short videos in response to a discussion prompt using FlipGrid. Decide whether only you as the educator see the videos, or whether students will view and comment on each other's video responses.

For those of you who have existing Camtasia and Ensemble accounts, these are district supported. If you are new to flipped lectures and are looking for an approved tool, we anticipate that the district will be sending out information on using Hangouts Meet.

Have you explored the full potential of Kami? This remote learning guide provides explainer videos on using Kami for annotating, including audio and video annotations of documents. Beyond helping students to demonstrate what they know, annotation tools can cut down the time that you spend putting feedback on student work.

Your students will need the password "1webster" to access our database page. From there, passwords for individual databases are listed underneath each resource. Students can access news, magazine, journal, and reference articles.

While scanning readings to a PDF may be the fastest way to go digital with your content, PDFs are not accessible. If your content is available online in plain text, this a a better choice for students who use the Read&Write add-on.

• Safari Montage Streaming - We receive Safari Montage video streaming through Monroe #1 BOCES. Students and teachers access content with their Google credentials. Teachers can request to have WXXI programming added to Safari Montage using this form. Please make your request one week in advance of the program you would like recorded and select Safari Montage Streaming format.
• Discovery Education - This resource includes an abundance of engaging streaming media, whether you are trying to bring a historical period to life, explain a literary technique, or give your students a window into a world culture. Students use their full email address and password for access, while teachers use their computer login.

Email: jennifer_strege@webstercsd.org
Website: https://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=890
Phone: 585-670-5006
Twitter: @wshslmc