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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Google Calendar Integration in Classroom + Google Expeditions + Adding People to Schoology Groups

Google Calendar Integration in Classroom 
With Google Classroom's new feature you can now see any assignment that you post to the Stream in a calendar view. Click here to get some directions on how to make sure your calendars are setup. If you already use a shared Google Calendar with your classes, you can learn how to transfer events from one calendar to another here.


The great thing about having your assignments sync to a Google Calendar is that the calendar can now be shared in other places like Schoology. This makes it easy for you to post assignments in Classroom for students and still be able to let parents see what is happening in your class within Schoology. Watch this video for instructions on how to embed your Classroom calendar on your Schoology page. 



Help Bring Virtual Reality Field Trips to White Bear

Google just announced it's new Expeditions program that will bring virtual reality (VR) field trips to schools free of charge. Their program facilitators come to schools with VR headsets and all of the other tools required for teachers to lead kids on over 100 immersive learning experiences. 



Unfortunately, Minnesota is not on their initial list of locations that the Expeditions team will be visiting but if we can create enough buzz about it here in White Bear we can get their attention. If you are interested in taking your students on a virtual field trip sign up here to get our district noticed. 

In the meantime, you can learn more about VR technology and do some exploring of your own with the relatively inexpensive Google Cardboard viewers and almost any smartphone.

Manually Adding People to Courses or Groups in Schoology
All of your Schoology courses sync rosters with your courses in Skyward so that you do not have to manually enter students if they join your class or delete them out if they leave. However, there may be times when you want to add someone to your class roster or invite them to be part of a group. 

When adding new members to a course or group you must first select the building that they are associated with before searching for their name. This will help ensure that you add the right person.

 

Join the Technology and Leadership Cohort
White Bear Lake Area Schools, in collaboration with Hamline University invite you to apply to join the 2015-2016 Technology & Leadership Cohort.

Starting October 27, 2015, ~30 teachers will begin White Bear’s third Cohort, focused on improving leadership and technology skills through four blended courses.  Teachers will also earn 15 inexpensive graduate credits and a Technology & Leadership Certificate through Hamline.

The focus of these classes will be to enhance practice of integrating technology into White Bear Lake’s curriculum as well as build leadership skills in teachers in the field of technology and learning.  The Cohort will give you the opportunity to collaborate with WBLAS colleagues from different grade levels and buildings.  The Cohort will be taught in a blended format with all face to face meetings being held Tuesday (one exception) afternoon/evenings once month (on average).

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Welcome Back Technology Tips

Welcome back colleagues!

This week's tech tips are very important for all teaching staff to read. We appreciate the time and consideration you are giving to these items:
Schoology and Skyward Grade Sync
You can now sync assignment grades recorded in your Schoology course to Skyward. Click here for instructions!

Google Drive: "Add to"
Be sure you are adding shared Drive folders to your drive by highlighting a folder and clicking ‘SHIFT+Z’ or right clicking the folder and clicking "Add to Drive."
Screenshot 2015-09-08 at 1.52.14 PM.png
If you receive the message: "others will no longer see this folder," realize that you are removing a document or a folder from a shared space and others who currently have access to that item will not if you proceed.

Schoology and the Remind App
If you have tried to use the Remind app in Schoology this year you have likely noticed that it does not load. Remind updated their website and it is currently incompatible within Schoology. Schoology has reached out to Remind, but Remind has not yet provided Schoology with a timeline for the fix. ​For now you can access Remind through their website (remind.com).

Schoology and the Drive App
The Drive app in Schoology is also experiencing some issues. A temporary work around for this is to add Drive files with their link.













Schoology and Google Document Share Settings
When you add Google documents to Schoology make sure that the share settings are set to "Anyone with the link" can view as opposed to "Anyone at ISD624 with the link" can view to ensure that parents can view these items as well as students.

Join the Technology and Leadership Cohort
White Bear Lake Area Schools, in collaboration with Hamline University invite you to apply to join the 2015-2016 Technology & Leadership Cohort.

Starting October 27, 2015, ~30 teachers will begin White Bear’s third Cohort, focused on improving leadership and technology skills through four blended courses.  Teachers will also earn 15 inexpensive graduate credits and a Technology & Leadership Certificate through Hamline.

The focus of these classes will be to enhance practice of integrating technology into White Bear Lake’s curriculum as well as build leadership skills in teachers in the field of technology and learning.  The Cohort will give you the opportunity to collaborate with WBLAS colleagues from different grade levels and buildings.  The Cohort will be taught in a blended format with all face to face meetings being heldTuesday (one exception) afternoon/evenings once month (on average).

Optional Item: Dell Deals
If you are looking to purchase a personal device for home use, consider the following deals exclusive to White Bear Lake employees:
  • Awesome electronics. Exclusive savings. Members: Buy a PC $699.99+, get a FREE 32" LG TV*.
  • Inspiron 17 5000 Series + Free 32" TV $799.99. Search Order Code: DNDNU2409BSO. Accomplish every task with this adaptable laptop featuring the newest processor, Windows 8.1 and beautiful display. 5th gen Intel(r) Core(tm) i7 processor - Windows 8.1 - 8GB memory & 1TB hard drive - 17.3" HD+ display. Offer Valid 9/1-9/15 8 a.m. EST.
  • Inspiron Desktop + Free 32" TV $699.99. Search Order Code: FDCWRP207BW10SO. 4th gen Intel(r) Core(tm) i3 processor - Windows 10 Home - 8GB memory & 1TB hard drive - 3 Years Premium Support and - 3 Years Accidental Damage included. Offer Valid 9/1-9/15 8 a.m. EST.
  • Xbox One Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Bundle plus Rare Replay and additional controller $379.99. Search SKU: A8502871. Apply coupon code 3C8W9CBQPQW09B in cart. Limited quantity available. Offer begins 9/1 at 8 a.m. EST.
  • Get 5% back in rewards with Dell Advantage. Plus free second business day shipping. Join for free at checkout.
Shop at: www.dell.com/mpp/ISD624
Or call: 1-800-695-8133
Member ID: US138833471