PUSD Educational Technology

Enhance, Accelerate, and Personalize Learning!

Message from Dr. Smith

Greetings Everyone!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your dedication to the students and families of the Paramount Unified School District! Your passion, hard work, and commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration for me, and I continue to be impressed with your willingness to embrace our work around educational technology.

Since the start of the 2017-2018 school year, we have accomplished so much together already, here are just a few highlights:

Issued over 3,000 new Chromebooks to 3rd graders, Jackson Middle School students, and 9th graders at PHS West as part of our 1-1 initiative.
Implemented Amplify's ELA program across all of our middle schools.
Conducted online assessments using our new data management system Illuminate.
Provided access to the ParentVue and Schoology portals for parents.

I am grateful to our teachers, counselors, coaches, support staff, curriculum specialists, IT team, and site and district leadership for working together to move our work forward. I am also thankful to everyone for their patience and flexibility as we try doing new things, and for being so willing to join us on this journey.

Great things are happening in Paramount schools! #WeArePUSD #NewHeights

Ryan

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Madalyn Bradburn

Madalyn teaches 4th grade at Mokler School.

How have you used tools like Schoology in your classroom?

I have been using Schoology in my classroom as often as possible to get my students comfortable with the management system. I have created assessments, discussion posts, short constructed responses, and pages that include links or questions for their projects. Each subject has its’ own folder, which allows students to quickly find their assignments. I’ve loved using the Google Docs integration for students to type their writing assignments and I can use the Write From the Beginning rubric (created and added to my course) to grade it through Schoology.

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Serena Cowser

Serena teaches English at Paramount Park Middle School.

How have your students responded to your use of educational technology?

As with any new tools, technology was a process with students, especially using new platforms such as Schoology, Amplify, OneNote, ext. As students get used to using these tools they have completely embraced them. They want to use the computer and have realized its potential as a learning tool. They know that the first thing they do every day is log in to their computer and check their calendar in Schoology to know what they are doing for that day. From there students navigate to Office 365, where they log in to OneNote, and the Amplify Lesson for that day. Additionally, student engagement is up, writing productivity is phenomenal, and students are just able to move from one tool to the next making transitions smooth and behavior management easier. Also, on days that I am out, students know to go to Schoology and watch the Screencastify video of their directions for the day, making the fact that I am not there a little less stressful.

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Ray Tellez

Ray teaches social studies at Paramount High School.

What advice would you share with your colleagues about using educational technology?

Don't be afraid of the technology! Today's students are well equipped to handle new technological innovations. Some teachers, however, may be hesitant to integrate technology in the classroom. In my opinion, this is where education is moving. If we have the resources to further our students' education by using more technology in the classroom...why not use it!?! There will definitely be a learning curve as we try to figure out what works best for us and our classrooms, but don't be afraid to at least try it out in your classroom. Chances are you will be rewarded for your efforts, and in the end, it will greatly benefit our students as we prepare them for life after high school in the 21st century.

Badges? Maybe we do need them!

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In Schoology courses, teachers have the ability to issue digital "badges" to students to reward them for excellence. Pictured above are a couple of badges that teachers Sam Bozorgzadeh (PHS West) and Heather Van Eede (Jackson) made as well as a Star Wars one that someone made available to all in Schoology.

Badges can be a great source of pride for students as they earn them, and they also display on their profile page. PHS West PE teacher Jaime Ramirez mentioned that it's a great way to meet the 3:1 ratio of positive interactions with our students, and that his students really enjoy the praise and recognition.

Schoology comes with a number of pre-built badges that can be issued to students or create their own. Badges that other educators from around the world have created and shared (like the Star Wars badges) can be found in the public Resources section of Schoology (tab at the top of the page) - just search for badges.

Below is a great video that can help you get started!

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) publishes standards for students, educators, and coaches that clearly define how technology can transform teaching and learning.

As we continue with our district's 1-1 Chromebook Initiative, the ISTE standards will play a key role in our professional development. To read more about the standards, click below:

About the Standards: https://www.iste.org/standards

Standards for Students: https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students

Standards for Educators: https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators

Standards for Coaches: https://www.iste.org/standards/for-coaches

Standards for Administrators: https://www.iste.org/standards/for-administrators

The Illuminate Data and Assessment platform (Illuminate DnA) has replaced OARS providing enhanced features and flexibility, including Single Sign On for staff. Professional development is underway providing users with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully navigate Illuminate. The Research, Assessment, and Student Information (RASI) department is working with Curriculum Specialists and site coaches to roll-out the many features of the system in alignment with District assessments. In addition, the following resources can help you get Illuminated!

RASI Workshop: Illuminate Customization, Creating & Managing your own Assessments. We hold an open question and answer session after every workshop to assist you with your Illuminate needs and teachers are paid at the non-student rate.

Tuesday Feb 27: http://paramount.k12oms.org/2138-138952

PUSD Illuminate Group in Schoology has many resources and information available. You can also post a question! Access Code 2BCT7-68R2V

Illuminate University: Training: Illuminate support is extensive, and includes Lessons & Videos, phone & e-mail support available in your Illuminate Control Panel as well online training. Visit the Illuminate DnA Video Group

https://vimeo.com/groups/328460

In this section, Dr. Smith will address some of common wonders about our work around educational technology.

I wonder how we can ensure that students don't cheat when taking an online exam.

We will have a secure browser option in place before the end of the semester for teachers to use when they are proctoring exams via Schoology or Illuminate. This will prevent students from opening another window or tab when they take an assessment.

We also recommend considering the following tips when proctoring an online assessment:

Review expectations for student behavior prior to giving any exam.
Position yourself in a spot where you can see your students monitors and circulate around the room as students take the exam.
"Search proof" your assessments - i.e. ask questions that require answers that can't be easily searched and copied.
Differentiate assessment items for students or classes.

I wonder why there are two portals for parents - ParentVue and Synergy.

Both portals provide parents with different information. ParentVue provides students with information about attendance, schedules, and official grade marks from Synergy. Schoology provides parents with information about what is happening in classrooms on a day to day basis - e.g. course materials, assignments, quizzes, grades, etc.

When parents create a ParentVue account, a Schoology account is automatically created for them. At this point, over 2,500 parents have created accounts!

I wonder if students who have Chromebooks will be allowed to keep them over the summer.

We have not determined this yet. Later in the year, we will gather feedback from our principals, parents, and students on this to help guide the decision. Last year, 9th graders were allowed to keep their Chromebooks over the summer, and there were very few issues.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Over the next several weeks, our Educational Technology Curriculum Specialists - Durrell Jackson and Nancy Rivas - will be providing several workshops for our teachers who are a part of our 1-1 Chromebook Initiative as well as anyone else who is interested in learning more! Click the flyer below for more details.

We also encourage you to join the PUSD Instructional Technology group on Schoology - access code G95MS-3HGJS. In this group, you will find ample resources, how-to guides, and videos. You can also post questions and receive quick answers.

Finally, any teacher is welcome to set up an appointment with Durrell or Nancy to learn more about how educational technology can be used to enhance learning, co-plan or co-teach a lesson, and more. They will be more than happy to come right to your classroom!

To schedule an appointment with Durrell: https://calendly.com/durrell
To schedule an appointment with Nancy: https://calendly.com/nrivas

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Instrutional Tech PD QUARTER 2 17-18.pdf

Click here to see upcoming professional learning opportunities. All interested teachers are welcome to participate.

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Are you using tools like Amplify, ST Math, or Schoology in your classroom, and not sure who to contact when you have trouble? Check out our new Digital Systems and Resources directory.

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Digital Systems and Resources Directory 17-18.pdf

Need help with something related to educational technology, and not sure who to contact? Check out this new directory.

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