Notes from the Tech Coach September 2023

Contact Lancy All contact info is always listed in my email signature!	Phone:  cell (607) 662-3430 or office (607) 749-7246 ext. 5015
	Website:  www.tinyurl.com/inTECHgration Badges:  https://bit.ly/HomerBadges	Twitter:  @FancyLancy Professional Pinterest:  @lcollins4777
	Current list of approved apps (always available on my email signature, as well!)

Monthly Tech Tip!	Start Page Intra (Start) Page:  The Start Page is organized with the most important links you need- make sure you bookmark it!  You can only access this page when you are in the district, but most of the links are available from outside of school.  Need a refresher on what each link is for?  Check out the New Staff Packet 2023  (revised 2023)!  This packet tells you what each link is, how to access it (in or out of district), what we use it for, and who to contact if you need help!
	Forgot how to sync Google Classroom and SchoolTool?  Click here!

On November 1, 2021, there were 62 approved apps on our list.  Currently, there are 124! Remember- any app or website that uses or holds student data requires an EdLaw 2D agreement.  The intention of this law is to protect student information, not to make teachers’ lives more difficult.  If we do not have the paperwork, you cannot use it! Looking to try something new but don’t know where to start?  Do you have a website or application you want to use but it’s not on the list?  Let me know and we can brainstorm together! Book Lancy NOW to come into your classroom to co-teach, brainstorm, or just support when you begin new tech tools!  Send me an email! lcollins@homercentral.org

Promethean Panel Trainings

Are you new to using a Promethean Panel?  Looking for some tips and tricks on how to use the panel for more than just to project your desktop screen?  You’re in luck!  I will be offering TWO beginner-level, hour-long trainings in September.  One is Wednesday, September 13th from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM and the second is Thursday, September 14th from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM.  Both of these will be VIRTUAL.  The idea is, that you join with your Chromebook in your classroom or in a space with a panel.  Then, as I give you tips, you can actually try the steps on your panel!  Learn while doing!  Sign up via My Learning Plan.  The links are hyperlinked to each date above.

Blog of the month: Things Lancy reads for fun!		The 7 Ways to Make This a Great School Year By Mary Ellen Flannery  via NEA Today Magazine, August 2023 I initially received this article in my monthly issue of NEA Today Magazine.  I enjoy reading these while I’m relaxing over the summer away from screens.  I found the digital copy online and wanted to share that (if you want the paper copy, click the link under the title).  These 7 things shouldn’t be something you haven’t heard.  They aren’t meant to be difficult or time-fillers.  They each have their own importance and if you are able, reflect on each suggestion and see if it can help you become a more focused and efficient educator.   Remember your why!
Resources
*Joke of The Day: September 2022   *🍎 September Theme Rooms *Back to School Reading Room * 🍎Back to School Libraries - Menjivar			Grades PK - 1 Seesaw Update:  What’s New on Seesaw 2023! Formative Assessment Expansion Major improvements for assignment creation New lessons
*SWANK Video Streaming Looking to stream videos in your classroom?  Swank is our FREE! digital streaming service through OCM BOCES.  You shouldn’t be logging in with your personal Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, or other streaming services.  If you need a video and it’s not available on Swank, you can request it! The site has been updated so you use the “Sign in with Google” button.  Students can also use this.  No more usernames and passwords! *Discover Education Experience  As part of OCM BOCES and the Digital Media Library, did you know that your district has full access to the platform, Discovery Education Experience?  You may not be taking full advantage of this! Take a look to get an idea of what Discovery Education Experience can do for you! *The Google Classroom Quick-Start Guide:   Need a quick refresh?  This 14-page manual will get you up and running! Looking for the next step? Check out this eBook, 50+ Google Classroom Tips & Tricks *K-12 Internet Resource Center   A totally free index of Internet resources for the K-12 Community. YES FREE!!! *Google Practice Sets What IS a practice set?  Read, Watch/Listen, Learn Teachers have access to Practice Sets in Google Classroom.  Read the info above and if you’d like more help, reach out to Lancy! *AI in Education:  What Educators Need to Know from Eric Curts bit.ly/curts-ai  Some of the options on this list may require a Google login which would be blocked AI options may or may not be available to students.  Make sure to have open conversations with them about why they could be blocked. * TreeFM TreeFM has recordings from forests all around the world, collected by the "Sounds of the Forest" project to help you or your students reduce distractions and focus Listen to a forest on a loop, or browse through random forests.