Tech Bytes
December 2, 2020
Celebrate Computer Science Education Week December 7th-11th!
Planning for the Hour of Code with your classroom that’s gone virtual? Try a CodeByte! CodeBytes are easy-to-digest, 20 minute interactive lessons that will stream during Computer Science Education Week, December 7-11.
Every episode features a new lesson that blends computer science with real-world topics. One day, students will use Dance Party to get creative and express themselves. Another day, they’ll explore environmental sustainability with Artificial Intelligence.
CodeBytes are great for:
- Students with varying access to technology. Participants can tune-in and interact whether they have a laptop, tablet, or smartphone!
- Young students who may not be ready for fully self-led Hour of Code activities.
- Older students who want to engage in a group lesson.
- Parents and caretakers looking to supplement their child’s learning at home.
- Educators looking for a simple, pre-planned way to bring the Hour of Code to their virtual classrooms.
Google Meet Security
- Reopen any old Meets
- Remove any students they may be in it. (If it’s empty you can skip this step)
- Turn off Quick Access
Following these steps will only allow your students to access the lobby, and they will not be able to start their own Meet without the teacher present. Currently, we don’t believe there is a way to delete old Meets, so you will want to put this setting in place so that students can’t reuse these links.
Ways to avoid this occurring in the future include:
- Only using a nickname to start your meeting, NOT a calendar invite.
- Turn off Quick Access on all Meets you create. Now available - you can admit multiple users at once into your Meet.
Canvas Updates (Coming Soon!)
Updates as of December 19th:
- Gradebook: View Ungraded as Zero (visual change only, will not affect grades)
- New Rich Content Editor: Uploaded Media File Placement (uploaded media and media recorded in canvas will be stored in the Course, Groups, or User File Folders).
- Outcomes: Account and Course Level Outcome Mastery Scales [Feature Option]
- Pages: Individual Page Student View (Student View button will appear on individual pages instead of just the Home Page).
Read more HERE.
Cyberbullying in Hangouts Chat
Google Hangouts Chat has been turned back on for students. In an effort to keep students safe, if your site is experiencing bullying or any inappropriate behaviors through chat, please email the following people:
Need help?
Raz-Kids
Teacher Resources
- 5 Best Practices for Managing Virtual Breakout Rooms
- Search Engines for Young Learners
- Game Board Template in Google Slides (make a copy)
- Refresher: Five Assignment Types in Canvas
Teacher TikTok Tips
- Remove Pop-ups/Ads from YouTube videos
- Want to see if your students are navigating away from your Canvas Quiz? Check this out!
Aeries Gradebook
- Watch the Secondary Gradebook PD from November 30th HERE.
- Watch the Elementary Gradebook PD from November 16th HERE.
- To hide final grades in Aeries or Canvas to avoid confusion with students and parents, please Click Here for tutorials.
Innovative Technology Services
Email: helpdesk@pusd.us
Website: gopusd.com/helpdesk
Location: 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA, USA
Phone: 626-396-3699
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @PasadenaUnified