Tech Talk Tuesday
April 20, 2021
If you'd like to share information to be added to the Tech Talk Tuesday, or if you have any questions, please contact Rachel Evans at revans@mcssk12.org or X61285.
April 20-23 - Brand new episodes each day on the MCSS Edventure Series Podcast (see below)
April 22 - Earth Day
April 22-23 - Virtual learners take ACAP Summative on campus/ E-Learning Day for grades P-8
April 30 - Self-Paced Free Schoology Course Expires
May 20 - Outdoor Classroom Day
May 21 - Traditional Students' Chromebooks and MiFis Return Deadline
May 24 - Seniors' Chromebooks and MiFis Return Deadline
May 27 - All Remote Students' Chromebook and MiFis Return Deadline
June 7-10 - 2021 North Alabama Teaching Conference (NATC)
BRIGHT SPOTS
A brand new special episode will be featured TODAY! Get your collaborative team(s) together and enjoy listening and learning from other educators in our district by clicking on one of the following links.
There will also be brand new episodes each day this week. Check out our featured guests below!
Powerschool Power-Up Newsletter
- Keith Trawick
- Jeremy Moses
- Nikki Rodman
- Jim Snell
- Rachel Evans
- Karen Fischer
Because there are many rapidly moving pieces, we have compiled some explanations, updates, and training tidbits into one document, called the Powerschool Power-up. We will level up with new editions as we get more information and more news you can use. In this level, you will find:
- Overview of the Powerschool Products and timeline for implementation
- Training schedules
- Specific information for varying user groups - just click to jump straight to information relevant to your role.
Let us know if you have any questions or if you can suggest other information you would like to see in the next edition.
Self-paced Schoology Course for Educators
Expires April 30th!
Powerschool Campus Account
Export Content from Canvas to Schoology
The Canvas contract with Madison County Schools ends on June 30, 2021. If you have content in your Canvas LMS that you'd like to use next school year, be sure to watch THIS VIDEO to learn how to export your content over to Schoology.
Screencastify Edit has title clips
Use this new feature to:
- Have your students name their videos
- Create breaks in instructional videos for students to work
- Allow students to see information in multiple modalities
Looking to learn more? Check out the learning guide.
Google Files Viewable Offline
For students who may have a school device but who do not have internet access at home, there is a way to make documents within Google Drive viewable to the student without internet access. Watch THIS quick tutorial on how to download documents to a Chromebook from Google Drive.
Thank you to Nikki Rodman, Computer Operations Manager, for creating this video!
North Alabama Teaching Conference (NATC)
The Madison County Schools NATC will take place virtually June 7-10. While we know some of you will be working summer school during the month of June in the morning time, most of our sessions will begin at noon and last into the evening to accommodate you. We are currently seeking presenters for the NATC. If you are interested in presenting a session at NATC, please fill out THIS Google Form.
Outdoor Classroom Day at RES
Each year, the students at RES get to participate in Outdoor Classroom Workday! They plant new flowers and vegetables, update their gravel path with crushed limestone, fill the birdfeeders with seed, take care of the compost bins, and so much more! Below are a few pictures from last week's outdoor classroom events. Every student got to participate! This outdoor classroom was funded by the Alabama Wildlife Federation Grant; the Alabama Mountains, Rivers and Valleys RC&D Council STEM Grant (more info below); PPG grants; and STEDTRAIN grants. If you are interested in updating your current outdoor classroom just in time for spring, or if you are interested in creating a new outdoor classroom space at your school, let me know and I will help you get started!
AMRV RC&D STEM Grant
UNA Virtual STEM+C Summer Institute
UNA has been awarded a NSF STEM+C grant and will be conducting a virtual summer institute . The goals of the CPR2 grant are to investigate whether computer programming is an effective tool for teaching and learning generalization in 7th and 8th grade math classrooms.
The CPR2 Instructional Model will help students come to understand, interpret, and even generate general or algebraic expressions. The team has developed an explicit method for teaching generalization that is intended for learners with no background in programming or formal mathematical argumentation. This research opportunity involves payments to teachers in both the experimental and control groups.
Earth Day Tool Kit
Thank you to Mrs. Karen Fischer, Supervisor of Instruction, for sharing this information!
Governor's Computer Science Summit
Governor Kay Ivey, ALSDE, and the Governor's Computer Science Advisory Council are hosting the 2021 Alabama Computer Science Education Summit. This year’s summit will be held virtually on April 26.
During this event you will learn more about the progress and future of computer science in Alabama. You will hear from Governor Ivey, a keynote from Ruthe Farmer from CSforAll, hear lightning talks from student finalists in the Governor’s App Challenge, and attend breakout sessions to learn more about topics that interest you. There will also be the opportunity to network with others who understand the importance of computer science education.
Registration is free and available here.
Some helpful links are below:
- The Schools PLP Video Resource Catalog can be found HERE
- SchoolsPLP support email address: support@schoolsplp.com
SchoolsPLP Knowledge Base: https://schoolsplp.helpscoutdocs.com
Eduzzle
Pear Deck
Screencastify
Google Enterprise
iPads
MiFis
Chromebooks
Swivl Cameras
Teacher Laptops
Helpful Links
Archived Tech Talk Tuesdays
Click HERE to view previous Tech Talk Tuesday newsletters.
Contact Me
Email: revans@mcssk12.org
Website: www.mcssk12.org
Location: 1275 Jordan Road, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: (256) 852-2557
Twitter: @RachelEvansEdD