I.T. Monthly: May Issue

West Point Consolidated School District

DEAR TEACHERS AND STAFF!!

It's that time of year! As we're approaching the end of the school year, please scroll through this newsletter to find important IT end-of-year procedures needed to ensure you do not lose any content in Canvas and/or Zoom recordings. Please make sure your Surface Pro is updated and files are backed up to OneDrive or Google Drive before leaving for the summer!

You will also find several summer PD opportunities that are free in which you could earn CEUS and SEMIS!

It's been a blessing working with all of you this school year. We pray that everyone have a safe and restful summer break! As always, if you have comments or suggestions for improving this newsletter, or information you think needs to be included, please reach out to us.

-IT Department-

Canvas End-of-Year Procedures

Teachers

Please make sure all of your Canvas courses have been backed up in a manual course before you leave on May 25. Include next year's dates in the course name (Example Roach Backup Course 2023-24). All old manual courses will be deleted this summer, so please make sure your content is back up!

All courses are set to conclude on May 25 and teachers will have access until 11:59 pm. A video and written instructions are linked below for teachers using the Canvas for Elementary and one for high school teachers. If you need help, please feel free to contact an Instructional Technology Coach!

How to Backup Elementary Canvas Course Instructions

Click here for instructions for backing up your Canvas course(s) for next school year.

How to Backup High School Canvas Course Instructions

Click here for instructions for backing up your Canvas course(s) for next school year.

Zoom End-of-Year Procedures

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Teachers:

Please make sure all Zoom cloud recordings have been deleted. If you would like to keep them, you can download and save to either OneDrive or Google Drive. There is a video and written instructions linked below if you need help. All recordings will be automatically deleted on May 25.

How to Delete Cloud Recordings

Click here for the written directions.

How to Download and Save Zoom Cloud Recordings

Click here for the written instructions

Check for Updates on Surface Pro

Your Surface Pro needs to be updated every two weeks; think of it as your phone. If you notice it running slow, or having any other issues, then it's probably time for some updates!

Be sure to check for updates on your computer and online Microsoft updates. Depending on which version of Windows you are running on your Surface Pro, the Check online for updates from Microsoft Update may appear at the bottom of the PC check or over to the far right on screen in the menu list when you click the arrow.

Please refer to the pictures below to identify the two areas to check for updates.

How to Check for Updates on Your Surface Pro

Complete instructions for checking for updates.

OneDrive

Backup Files to OneDrive

Click here for instructions on how to backup files to OneDrive.

Kami

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Click on the picture above to see the latest Kami releases!

Free Professional Development Opportunities

WOW Academy Free to Mississippi Teachers!

👉 The Leadership Academy consists of two days of in-person learning.

Audience: Classroom teachers (first priority)

When: June 5-6, 2023

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Where: Itawamba Community College, Belden Room 511 3200 Adams Farm Rd Belden, MS 38826

In this 2-Day Without Worksheets (WoW) Academy, participants will:

Explore and implement a variety of student-led learning opportunities
Design rich, interactive and collaborative content for student engagement
Gain access to resources and material designed to ignite teacher interest in your implementation goals
Apply new knowledge and skills monthly with students
Reflect on classroom implementation of new tools and skills

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT INFO:

Participants who attend both full days AND complete the daily CHECK-IN forms will be eligible to apply for their official CEUs certificate 1.2 CEUs through NMEC. SEMIs/OSLs not available for this event.

If you have questions about the academy, please email ms.help@fried.tech. We are happy to assist you!

Registration for the Academy will close Wednesday, May 31, 2023 or when capacity is reached.

Click here to REGISTER!

Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Your Classroom Workshop

Artificial Intelligence is an innovative tool that can be used to transform your classroom. Or is it the most terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thing ever to happen to education? This immersive full day professional development will include a much needed discussion about the role of AI and will include demonstrations of AI-enhanced tools and student-centered instructional strategies. We will be sure to spend time together practicing and playing with AI tools that could enhance your productivity and positively benefit student learning outcomes.

For: 6-12th grade Mississippi Teachers

Where: Millsaps College, Jackson, MS

Requirements:

Attendance at the full workshop
Web-connected device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone)

When: Thursday, July 13, 2023; 9:00am-3:00pm

What’s in it for me? $125 Amazon Gift Card Attendance Stipend, 0.5 CEUs, lunch and snacks

Contact: 601-974-1325; mscee@millsaps.edu

Registration Deadline: July 12, 2023; Noon

Click here to REGISTER.

Brought to you in partnership with Foundation for Economic Education.

2023 MS Connect Summer Summit

friEdTech in partnership with MS Connects is excited to offer this exclusive IN-PERSON digital learning opportunity FREE to ALL Mississippi Educators!

The 2023 MS Connects Summer Summit is a one-day, in-person event offering high-quality tech integration and blended learning breakout sessions from some of the best presenters in EdTech!

Join friEdTech, MDE Digital Learning, and MDE’s premier partners for a full day of digital learning fun!

Plus, earn CEUs/SEMIs on-site by the local RESA for full day attendance (including the opening session/keynote).

0.6 CEUs 5.0 SEMIs

Choose your day. Choose your location.

Seats are limited so register now to save your spot!

Click here to register for this free event!

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FriedTechnology On-Demand Learning Opportunities

Upgrade your technology skills with these free asynchronous courses provided by friEdOnline for all Mississippi educators at NO COST!

Browse through the list of courses and register at https://www.friedonline.com/mscourses. Once enrolled, participants have 10 months to complete the course. Course completers will receive a Certificate of Completion and can apply for CEUs or SEMIs within 6 months of completing the course. For more information, please contact ms.help@fried.tech.

Online Learning Opportunities

Upgrade your technology skills with these free asynchronous online courses from friEdTechnology. Participants can register at https://www.friedonline.com/mscourses for the following courses:

The Tech-Infused Classroom (0.5 CEUs)
Google Starter Pack (1.2 CEUs, 10 SEMIs, 1 OSL)
Google Classroom in 5 (0.5 CEUs)
friED Mixtape: Differentiating Learning for Littles (0.6 CEUs)
FUNdamentals: Microsoft 365 (1.2 CEUs, 10 SEMIs, 1 OSL)
Safe & Secure: Protecting Information Online (0.6 CEUs)
Stack Your Skills: Schoology Essentials (0.5 CEUs)
Rock the Classroom: Managing Today’s Digital Age Classroom (0.6 CEUs)
Chromebook Scavenger Hunt (0.5 CEUs)
Beyond the Brick and Mortar (1.3 CEUs, 10 SEMIs)
Wrap Your Head Around Research (0.6 CEUs)
Beyond the Red Pen (0.5 CEUs)

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APPLE LEARNING VIRTUAL CONFERENCES

Click HERE to explore helpful resources, practice new skills, and reflect on ways Apple technology can support great learning and teaching.

Mississippi Connect

Mississippi Connects along with MDE professional development partners are pleased to offer a variety of professional learning opportunities and resources to Mississippi educators to support their digital learning needs.

MDE: Professional Development Calendar

Click here to see all of the Professional Development opportunities MDE has to offer.

MSU Extension: Center for Continuing Education

Click here to learn more about MSU Center for Continuing Education offers online and in-person trainings for teachers to earn CEUs.

Online/Self-Paced/Open Enrollment

This 5-hour course offers .5 CEUs for teachers. This course uses information slides, videos, and articles to explore different injuries and illnesses that may require first aid and/or CPR with quizzes in between lessons and a final test at the end of the course.

Lessons:
I-Legal Concepts
II-First Aid Equipment, PPE, Assessment & Emotional Responses to Emergencies
III-CPR/AED & Choking

*This course should not be used as a substitute for live training. In order to become certified in First Aid and/or CPR, you must demonstrate the skills you have learned to your instructor in order to illustrate your knowledge in that area.

**You will receive immediate course access upon enrollment.

***You will not receive a CEU certificate if you do not have at least 5 hours logged in the course.

Registration is $55.00.

This includes your 0.5 CEU certificate.

Click HERE to Register

Previous I.T. Staff Newsletters

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