#EMSISDITS Tech Talk

Techy Talk for Teachers

Follow us on emsisdits.blogspot.com to see bi-weekly news, tutorials, & more! We will email out news every other week offering you the latest trending tech topics! :)

The EMS Instructional Technology Team is excited to work with students, teachers, and administrators this year to support and enhance the great things going on in our district this year!

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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

We appreciate our EMS teachers all year long, but this week is always fun. We hope you've felt the love this week and know how much you are valued and appreciated!

Texas Computer Education Association, TCEA, is a global, nonprofit organization that supports the use of technology in education. This week, they are offering FREE membership to all educators! Regular price is $49/year, but TODAY is your last chance to join for FREE!

Click here to join TCEA today!

Why join??? Free 24/7 Professional Development opportunities, free access to a members-only online community to help you find resources and connect to others, free eBooks (about makerspaces, digital icebreakers for collaboration and transforming learning) and more!

Make sure you're following TCEA on Facebook and Twitter too, because they are very active and responsive on social media!

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To Tweet or not to Tweet ...

That is the question. The answer? You should definitely TWEET! Twitter has been around a long time and is a powerful tool for professional development and collaboration. In fact, our team is going to be hosting our second Slow Twitter Chat May 20-23, and we would love for you to participate!

A Slow Twitter Chat is a great way to participate in a laid back chat as you respond to a daily question, and engage with other who are also in the chat by liking, commenting, and retweeting. The theme for the chat is Looking back. Moving forward. Use and follow #EMSedchat to participate!

If you don't have a professional Twitter account, it is easy and free to create one. Head to twitter.com and sign up using your school email address. Instead of entering personal details, enter your professional details along with a "work" photo of yourself. Tweet about all of the great things you and your kids are doing, as well as learn from the best and brightest educators in our district and around the globe by following them. In order to get the most out of your professional Twitter account, check out the graphic below.

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We need YOUR input!

#EMSISDITs will be hosting a monthly Twitter Chat during the 2019-2020 school year. We want to hear from YOU about which format, time, day, and even topics you prefer.

Please click here to share your preferences.
(Come on ... it's only a few questions!)

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Summer PD Opportunities

We are excited to be hosting a few Professional Learning opportunities this summer for our EMS ISD educators. Register in Eduphoria today to save your spot!

TEAM Up for Success with Microsoft Teams | June 5, 8:30-11:30 am

TEAM up for success with Microsoft Teams, an authentic online collaborative communication environment. See how to use Microsoft Teams with your students or in your PLCs. Participants are encouraged to bring their district-provided laptops or Windows 10 devices.

AUDIENCE: Teachers or Administrators LOCATION: HCTC C101

OneNote: A Modern-Day Trapper Keeper and So Much More! | June 5, 1:30-4:30 pm

OneNote is a 21st century, online, digital Trapper-Keeper that is sure to be your favorite organizational tool. It doesn’t stop there … learn how you can share digital resources and content, provide a safe digital collaborative space and help them stay more organized. Participants are encouraged to bring their district-provided laptops or Windows 10 devices. AUDIENCE: Teachers and Administrators LOCATION: HCTC C101

Digital Breakouts! | June 6 AND August 1, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Challenge your students to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and be creative by using Digital Breakouts in your classroom! During this session, educators will participate in a Digital Breakout, explore various digital tools that can be used for clues and locks, and build their own Breakout lesson. Participants are encouraged to bring the district-provided laptop or Windows 10 devices. NOTE: We are hosting two session with the same content, but participants may opt to attend both if they want additional support or time to work with others.
AUDIENCE: Teachers and Administrators LOCATION: CTHS Library

EXCEL-lent Day of Learning! | June 11, 8:30-11:30 am and 1:30-4:30 pm

This hands-on day of learning is designed for Central Office Personnel. The morning session will focus on Excel Basics. The afternoon will provide opportunities to try more advanced features in Excel. We will be meeting in a computer lab, but participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops or Windows 10 devices, if available.

AUDIENCE: Central Office Personnel LOCATION: HCTC B125 Computer Lab

Save the date for our BOLD Learning Sneak Peek! | Tentatively scheduled for July 30 @ CTHS
More information coming soon!

Add a custom link to the course navigation bar using the redirect tool

You can add a custom link to the navigation bar of any of your courses in Canvas. By adding a link, you give your students easy access to frequently used sites for your course. Here is how it's done:

Navigate to course settings

2. Open the Apps tab and scroll down to select the Redirect Tool

3. Select the + Add app button

4. In the Name field, enter the title you would like to appear on the Navbar. Past the link in the URL Redirect field and select the Show in Course Navigation checkbox.

Click Add App and refresh the page to enable the changes.

5. Select the Navigation toab. Your new link will appear in the list with the name you entered. Move it anywhere you'd like in the list as long as the Home button stays at the top of the list. Click Save at the bottom of the page.

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Accessibility Checker

Accessibility Checker tells you if your messages and documents can be read by people of all abilities. After you've crafted your email message, run the Accessibility Checker (directions below for Outlook, the installed application and Outlook Online.) The Accessibility Checker pane will appear on the right. Review the suggestions and consider making appropriate changes.

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Outlook

Open the email message in a pop-out window, then Review > Check Accessibility

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Outlook Online

Click three dots (...) > Check for accessibility issues

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Accessibility Checker Pane

The pane will slide in from the right and provide suggestions on how to make your email more accessible for all.

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Change the color of your hyperlinks

Did you know that your hyperlinks don't always have to be blue? You can color your hyperlinks to match your mood or design. Just select the link and click Home>Font Color. Choose any color you like!

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Teacher Stats

This time of year is busy, busy, busy and can sometimes be quite overwhelming. This fun site is an easy way to create and share a customized graphic celebrating your impact as an educator!

Create a customized graphic celebrating the school communities that you have served in. Complete this form (6 questions) and make your very own customized #TeacherStats graphic. You can then download the graphic and add it to your social media accounts, email signatures or website.

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BES Mystery Skype

Bryson Bobcats are learning about geography by participating in a Mystery Skype with a classroom in Washington. What a great way for kids to learn about other places. They also learned that eating ice cream and whale watching are the things to do in Washington.

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BOS U.S. History Digital Breakout

Boswell students in Coach Emerson and Meeks class reviewed their U.S. History knowledge with a OneNote AND Canvas digital breakout! We are taking digital breakouts to the next level!

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BOS Lunch and Learn

We had a blast working with teachers at BOS. They were "lunching and learning" at the same time about Wakelet and Glideapps- two of our favorite curation tools. Thanks Pioneers!

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CTHS Algebra Breakout

CTHS algebra students completed a OneNote breakout that was engaging and rigorous. One student said "This was challenging and fun at the same time." Music to our ears!

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Canvas Breakout at GES

These Eagles are reviewing their math knowledge AND having fun at the same time by completing a breakout in Canvas. Way to go Mrs. Womack!

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When I grow up.......

These Kinder Cougars are describing what they want to be when they grow up using Touchcast and green screen. Thanks HCES kinder for having us out. It was a blast!

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Check us out ... Seriously, you can CHECK US OUT.

Did you know that the Instructional Technology department has a wide variety of technology tools available for check out for student/classroom use? We have everything from iPads to Merge Cubes to Augmented Reality goggles. See our current list of available items here.

When your submission is submitted, the IT team will verify that the devices are available at that time for checkout and will schedule delivery/pickup. You will receive an email with this information within 48 hours. If you don't hear anything after that time period, please email ITs@ems-isd.net to check the status of your request.

We would love to plan with you about how you will be using these devices, or even assist you in the the classroom with your students. How cool is that?!?!?

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EMS Single Sign-On

Sign in to sso.ems-isd.net with your district username and password on any computer or mobile device to have quick and easy access to many of our district digital resources.

Reserve an #EMSTechspert

We want to help you successfully infuse technology into your classroom. We would love to train you on how to create tech infused lessons, co-teach the lessons, or even share our favorite tech tools with you!

Email your IT today to set up an appointment! (Find contact info here.)