Elementary Chromebook Reconciliation
In the upcoming weeks a physical inventory of Elementary Chromebooks will take place. EdTech will be reaching out to your school site Destiny contact with more information. All staff must turn in any 3100/3110 student Chromebooks they are using, as any of these devices not checked out to a student will be deactivated. This does not include the older 3189 Chromebooks.
Help Desk
As a reminder, when there are issues at your site, the best way to get help quickly is through a Help Desk call (626-396-3699) or ticket (gopusd.com/helpdesk). Not following this process can result in a delay in resolving your issue.
Common Issues to contact the Help Desk for include:
- Application or Account issue with Aeries, Canvas, Clever, etc.
- Computer or Device issue
- Device Checkout
- Network/Internet issues on site
- Voicemail/PIN resets
- Phone requests
Google/Canvas Integration
As of July 2024 Canvas will no longer support the Google Drive Cloud Assignments and Documents external tool. (This is also referred to as the “Google Apps” option). If you currently have existing Cloud assignments or documents in your Canvas courses and want them to continue to function beyond July 2024, those Google Cloud assignments must be migrated to the new Google Assignments LTI 1.3. Directions can be found at the link below.
Moving forward, please create all assignments using Google with the Google Assignments LTI 1.3 and embed all Google Docs, Slides, etc. using the Google Drive LTI 1.3 (pictured).
Conspiracy Theory Kryptonite: Discussion Questions and Lessons That Battle Media Manipulation
It's National News Literacy Week. Staying informed without falling victim to mis- or disinformation can be a challenge. Add to that the algorithmic rabbit holes of filter bubbles and, of course, conspiracy theories.
Online information hasn't just given us access to documentation of actual secret government programs, but also ideologies fueled by passionate people and media like videos and podcasts—not based in fact. That mix in itself can be confusing. And then, if you click on just one video, you'll be fed more and more of the same.
So how can we help students crawl out of these conspiracy rabbit holes, or better yet, avoid them entirely?
There's really a combo platter of concerns in play: persuasive techniques, AI influence, and media literacy challenges. First, here are couple of reasons conspiracy theories are so easy for some people to believe:
- Motivated reasoning: Simple explanations and engaging stories hook people, and then they get fed by motivated reasoning. This is when people look for justifications for their beliefs, rather than evidence that may disprove them. This is why once a conspiracy theory takes hold, presenting facts and evidence likely won't be enough to change someone's beliefs.
- Sense of belonging: Conspiracy theories prey on people no matter their level of loneliness. However, once people fall down the rabbit hole, the relationships they form with fellow conspiracy believers can become stronger than their bonds with friends and even family.
And then there's AI.🤖 Not only do algorithms create and reinforce filter bubbles, but generative AI tools can now conjure all kinds of disinformation, like deepfakes. Plus, because some of these tools use predictive text trained on existing internet content, they can regurgitate conspiracy theories as if they are facts. All the more reason to make sure kids come at content with a skeptical—not cynical—eye, and build AI literacy skills into their critical thinking.
Check out the resources linked below for lessons on News Literacy.
As election season heats up it's a great time to start these discussions.
