Wavelengths

Volume 13 | Issue 28 | December, 2018

We live in a mobile-first society. Much of what we engage with on our devices happens in the cloud. Since deploying student devices, we have begun shifting our management of devices to the cloud. This gives an ability to update and manage devices on and off the network. As we shift staff devices to this same cloud model, there will be minimal disruption to teaching and learning.

One of the key areas as we move to this cloud management process will be traditional network file storage. Many of you see that today as your H: drive. It too represents an old model of how we interact with files, and we restrict the size of this storage. Towards the end of this year, we will begin to sunset traditional network file storage and shift those storage options to Office 365 and OneDrive, which has no file storage limitation. This will give you an ability to sync, backup, and work offline with files; this wasn't capable with traditional network file storage. Currently, there is minimal usage in this type of storage.

The estimated date of H: drives moving to read-only is March 1, 2019.

There is no action needed from staff at this time. We will be taking the next couple of months to coordinate professional development opportunities for your buildings.

You may have recently received an email that your school purchased a resource called “Bulb App.” This resource has actually been purchased at the district level for all teachers (secondary and elementary) and for secondary students. Bulb App allows students and educators to create beautiful, digital portfolios and to share their best work with others.

Since the beginning of the school year, intentional communication has been provided to a group of first adopters who have received specific training and are providing direct feedback on the product.

For more information on the resource, check out the video below. If you are interested in exploring this resource further, it can be accessed through Office 365. Click on the waffle, search Bulb, and login with Active Directory. Stay tuned for more information regarding opportunities with Bulb App and happy exploring!

Dr. Logan is starting a series of monthly, virtual read-alouds via Skype for Business to connect with elementary classrooms. Click on the form below to register for her next read aloud on Thursday, December 13th at 3:15 p.m. Register by December 11th and Eileen Heller will send you a Skype for Business link. If the scheduled time is not convenient, complete the registration and a recording will be made available to you.

Our ITL endorsement program in partnership with the University of Nebraska Omaha is proud to celebrate the upcoming expected, fall semester endorsement earners for the 2018-19 school year: Barbara Derby, Eryn Surprenant, Halley Taylor, James Goetz, Jill Luschen, Katharine Anderson, Nicholas Wennstedt, & Nicole Crawford.

For more information about the OPS ITL program, please contact McKenzie White (mckenzie.white@ops.org).

What's new in OneNote? Click on the button below to learn about recent updates, including:

OneNote for Windows 10

1. Dictation: Convert spoken words into text
2. Cloud Attachments: Files will be synced with the latest changes through OneDrive
3. Tag Search: Keep track of subjects that may span multiple pages, sections, and even notebooks

OneNote Online

1. Insert Picture From Camera: Create pages with more context and clarity
2. Emoji Keyboard: Browse and insert the appropriate emoji to your notebooks
3. Auto Correct: Choose how you want to handle various options

Teachers who are utilizing Teams automatically created and data synced with Infinite Campus need to think about the transition to second semester. You have a some items to consider:

1. Continue to use your first semester synced Team. You will need to double-check your roster and add/remove students as appropriate.
2. Move to your second semester synced Team. You will need to move any first semester content from the Notebook or other Assignments that may be carry over to this semester.
3. Update any settings or muting functionality as this is a per Team setting.
4. Archive first semester Team (or any Team you are not using second semester). Archiving freezes all activity; however, students and teachers can access the Team as read-only.
   
5. Assignments can be reused from other Teams (even if they are Archived).
   

For more information or assistance in preparing your Microsoft Teams for second semester, please contact a member of the training team or visit https://support.office.com/en-us/teams

Help kids recognize and reject racist, sexist, homophobic, and religion-based hate content. Click the button below for more information.

Any questions regarding digital citizenship or Common Sense Education should be directed to Keegan Korf at keegan.korf@ops.org.

Nebraska has adopted the Future Ready framework as a structure of organizing and communicating the Future Ready Nebraska (FRN) plan. The Future Ready framework was developed by the Alliance for Excellent Education, a Washington, DC-based national policy and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, particularly those who are traditionally underserved, graduate from high school ready for success in college, work, and citizenship. The research-based framework is based on a vision oriented, pedagogy driven and children focused approach.

The Nebraska State Board of Education recently developed the 2017 – 2026 Strategic Vision and Direction for Nebraska education. A portion of the vision addresses digital learning and access in Nebraska. To assist in the implementation of the Strategic Vision, the Nebraska Department of Education reached out to leaders, education advocates, and experts in Nebraska to develop the Future Ready Nebraska Council (FRNC). Members of this council represent strategic partner groups and are committed to use their expertise and knowledge to shape and communicate the vision, strategic objectives, and actions intended to transform the digital education and education systems of Nebraska schools.

A primary goal of the FRNC was to develop Nebraska’s first ever statewide Digital Learning and Ed Tech Plan. Using the council’s expertise and feedback gathered from stakeholders throughout Nebraska a plan was written and shared publicly in the spring of 2018. In the summer of 2018 the council formally approved the final draft of the plan and presented its plan to the Nebraska State Board of Education in June 2018. The finalized version of the 2018 Digital Learning and Ed Tech Plan is shared digitally through this Future Ready Nebraska website and can also be downloaded as a PDF using this 2018FutureReadyPlan link.

*https://www.education.ne.gov/future-ready-nebraska/overview-and-timeline/

This month we highlight Mrs. Amy Perigo at Chandler View and her journey to integrate technology into her 4th grade classroom. Meaningful technology integration is all about the willingness to try new things. Mrs. Perigo attended a district training on OneNote Notebook and Microsoft Teams on Curriculum Day in August where she was inspired by another teacher to try integrating technology into her classroom. She knew that doing so would help develop efficiencies for herself in addition to giving her students more opportunities to support their learning. Though she was excited, she was still a bit intimidated by beginning the journey.

Together, she and her Technology Trainer mapped out a plan of support over the next month. They looked at areas of need and the type of technology access available to her students. They identified a first step: she would start by utilizing OneNote Notebook as a reading log for students. What makes Mrs. Perigo such a shining spot light is her willingness to keep learning and trying despite potential roadblocks. She is a great model for her students as they also journey into using their technology.

According to Mrs. Perigo, the next step in her journey will be integrating technology with math. Way to keep that Chandler View Cougar spirit Mrs. Perigo! We are #OPSProud of you.

Nominations are now open for the 2018-2019 school year. The district Technology Trainers are looking to showcase innovative educators who are incorporating technology into their classroom content.

Nominate an innovator(s) today by clicking the button below!

Debra Bordenkecher:

Technology Trainer, Classified/Certified Staff/TAC

Rebecca Chambers:

Instructional Technology Trainer, Mobile Learning Unit Lead Teacher

Melissa Cleaver:
Instructional Technology Trainer, Project Coordinator
Eileen Heller:
Instructional Technology Trainer, Elementary Lead Teacher
Keegan Korf:
Common Sense Media, Digital Citizenship Lead Teacher
Kelly Means:
Instructional Technology Trainer, Project Coordinator
Amy Vester:
Instructional Technology Trainer, Secondary Lead Teacher
McKenzie White:
Instructional Technology Trainer, Library Lead Teacher

Email: techtrainers@ops.org
Website: http://techhub.ops.org/
Location: Omaha Public Schools, NE, United States
Phone: (531)299-9624
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Opstechtrainers
Twitter: @OPStechtrainers