Media/Tech Weekly Update (week of Aug. 17)

Please post the Media Center website on your class website or Classroom - bit.ly/UGTMMediaCenter. Thanks! 

Introducing….Underwood Staff’s Media/Tech Tips blog! Be on the lookout for weekly tips and tricks. All are welcome and encouraged to contribute.

• Google Meet for Underwood staff and students (includes tutorials you can share with families)

• Google Classroom (includes adding students with emails - no more codes to keep up with!)

• This and that from WCPSS Common issues and info from WCPSS; this week - trouble logging onto Google apps, Zscaler, Family Link on Chromebooks

 

WCPSS Guide to Technology for students and families

https://bit.ly/WCPSStechguide

This can't be said too many times or loud enough- this guide has SO MUCH HELPFUL INFORMATION for your students and families! If you have not already, take a peek at the tabs - Getting Started and Digital Resources - to see step by step instructions you can share with families. This resource will save you a ton of time when assisting your students with their technology questions. 

Interested in collaborating on Media lessons? Or, need support with media/tech in your class? Contact me (Andrea) to schedule - I’m here to help!  Possible topics:

• Digital Literacy lessons (will be using Common Sense Media curriculum)

• Getting students started on email, including email expectations

 

Feel free to copy and modify any of these docs to get you and your students started with tech this year:

• WakeID Login Cheat Sheet (for student to keep near computer)

• How to reset Wake ID password - 3-5 students may be prompted to reset password

• I am prepared to learn remotely

• BOY Media/Tech Checklist and Tutorials

 

If this is you….go HERE for all your media/tech questions. Also, I am only an email (atrowell@wcpss.net) or text (919-272-5592) away. 

Google Classroom tips

Underwood is using Google Classroom as our digital learning platform. Fortunately, most of our staff and students are familiar with this tool. Yea, teachers, for being ahead of the learning curve! 

If you are in the process of setting up and organizing your Classroom for the 2020-2021 school year, here video that may be helpful - 

How to Organize Google Classroom | Easy Tutorial  **If you are not familiar with Pocketful of Primary, she is a 4th grade teacher with excellent tutorials on YouTube. 

Some of my favorite tidbits...

• Archive old Classrooms. This will clean up yours and your students' dashboards. 
• Add students using their WCPSS email. This is a gamechanger...no more dealing with codes!
• Manage Stream - Allow or not allow students to create posts and/or comments. Hide or show assignment notifications. Adjusting these settings will keep the Stream less cluttered.
• Posting Classroom meetings as assignments. This will add Meets to students' To Do list and to their calendar. 

What are your favorite Classroom tips? Please share in the comments below. 

Google Meet for Underwood staff and students

Google Meet has become our new communication life line! Who had experience with this tool prior to March 13, 2020?  Not me! I had tried it out a couple times, but certainly not to the extent that we are using it now. 

At Underwood, staff members should be setting up their Meets (with students) through their Google Classroom and Meets (with staff members) through their Google Calendar. This will keep things simple for all of us, especially for students and families. Think about when it's time for specials and electives - to enter their special or elective, students will go to the teacher's Classroom and click on the Meet link. For example, I am going to my dance special. Where, do I go for dance? To Ms. Frasier's Dance Classroom.*

Here's a tutorial you can share with students and families - Joining a Google Meet through Google Classroom. Or, you could use this tutorial which is Underwood specific - Joining a Meet for a Special or Elective

Underwood's PRIDE matrix outlines expectations during Meets. WCPSS DLCs have also created Best Practice information. Keep in mind, this information is provided for all WCPSS; Underwood info may be slightly different so you will need to adapt the information to our school needs.

Google Meet Best Practices for teachers (This one offers multiple ways to join Meet. Underwood students will be joining meet through their Classroom.)

Meet Etiquette for Students

Best Practices for Teachers and Students

*Note - specialists will be adding all students to their Classrooms. When students go to their Google Classroom dashboard via Rapid Identity, they will see each special/elective, with an invitation to join the Classroom.