GUHSDtech Update - December 11, 2014

A Celebration of 2014

As we look to close out 2014 and head into the new year, GUHSDtech would like to commend the efforts of the teachers and staff who have challenged themselves to encourage learning in their classrooms and schools with technology. A year ago, we had a few hundred Chromebooks in the wild. By the end of January, that number will hit 6000. Hundreds of teachers have attended a technology integration workshop and we are seeing exponential grow of the use of Google Drive. We are laying the foundation for students to get the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the modern world. Thank you for your efforts! We look forward to an even more successful 2015.

TechFest 2015

The East County TechFest will take place at West Hills High School on Saturday, February 7. Please save the date!  Some of the most innovative practices in GUHSD and around East County will be shared. More information can be found here: http://www.ectechfest.org/

Present at TechFest 2015

If you are successfully integrating some element of technology into your curriculum, please consider presenting at Tech Fest. If you have questions, contact dmcdowell@guhsd.net. Visit http://www.ectechfest.org/present to register to speak.

iVIE

With the influx of iPods, iPads, and smartphones, video has never been easier. If you integrate a video project into your class, you should consider having your student submit the final product to the San Diego County iVIE Awards. More information can be found here: https://ivieawards.sdcoe.net/

PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators

If you are creatively integrating digital media and technology in your classroom, we encourage you to apply to the 2015 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program. This yearlong professional development program is designed to reward, foster and grow a community of 100 tech-savvy educators making an impact in their classrooms. For more information, visit this link: http://goo.gl/LrbVYb

Google Updates, News, and Tips

• Merge Cells in Google Doc Tables! - This feature has finally been added!
• iOS Google Docs Now Edits Tables - Another missing feature is finally here.
• Delivering Peer Feedback with Google Forms

GUHSD at SDCUE - November 15, 2015

On Saturday, November 15, over 30 GUHSD teachers and administrators actively participated in the annual San Diego CUE Tech Fair at La Costa Canyon High School.

Eight GUHSD teachers and administrators presented at the educational technology event, including April Baker (Grossmont Middle College), John Berray (West Hills), Jarrod Carman (West Hills), Mike Falconer (Santana), Dan McDowell (District), Matt Norris (West Hills), Josh Reyes (West Hills), and Mike Skocko (Valhalla). Our own Reuben Hoffman (West Hills) serves as the SDCUE Vice President and oversaw the organization of the entire event.

April Baker and her students from Grossmont Middle College.

Additionally April Baker and Mike Skocko brought students and participated in the Student Showcase. Mrs. Baker’s students shared their Literature blog (http://goo.gl/eA5liF) and Mr. Skocko’s students demonstrated the student built and supported gamification plug-in that is redefining classrooms across the country (http://goo.gl/HlJwBv).

The strong attendance at the SDCUE Tech Fair reflects the dedication of GUHSD teachers to integrating technology tools into their classrooms.

Hour of Code - December 8-14

In a world dominated by technology, the opportunities for computer programming have exploded. Every time you play a game, open an app, or surf the web you are benefitting from the hard work of coders from around the world.

The international Hour of Code week (December 8-14) challenges teachers to provide students with an opportunity to explore the world of coding for an hour. Numerous resources have been developed to help and you don't need to know how to code. If you are interested, please check out the Hour of Code event website. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have already committed to participating. It does not matter what subject you teach.

Let's get GUHSD involved!

If you plan to host an event in your class or would like some assistance, please let me know!

Resources:

• How to Teach One Hour of Code
• Potential Tutorials to Use
• Frozen Coding Tutorial

GUHSDtech Update - November 12, 2014

New Teacher ComputersIf you have not received a new teacher computer, Tuesday, November 18, is the final deadline. After this phase there will not be another opportunity to receive a new teacher computer. Click here to access the application.

TechFest 2015We are happy to announce that GUHSD along with several of our feeder districts will host the East County TechFest on February 7, 2015, at West Hills High School. Please save the date and consider applying to speak. Registration will be opened in January. For more information or to apply to speak, visit ectechfest.org.

Point Loma University - Instructional Design with Technology Program
Point Loma University is now offering a Technology Certification program for educators that includes the individual development of materials for online instruction. If you are interested in creating curriculum that can be delivered in a hybrid format using online materials that you create, this is an amazing opportunity!

PLNU has collaborated to offer GUHSD teachers a 20% discount!! If you are interested, please contact PLNU directly to register (make sure to let them know that you are with GUHSD to ensure your discount!) Also, please let Dan McDowell (Dmcdowell@guhsd.net) know if you are planning to enroll, as we are in the process of creating a GUHSD cohort of teachers for this program. Click here for more information.

Upcoming Workshops
Workshop Descriptions | Sign Up

• ELA Tech Strategies - Part 1 - December 2 (8:00am - 3:00pm)
• The Google Centric Classroom - December 4 (8:00am - 3:00pm)
• The Flipped Classroom - February 5 (8:00am - 3:00pm)
• ELA Tech Strategies - Part 2 - March 11 (8:00am - 3:00pm)

iVIE Awards
Do your students make videos as part of your class? The annual SDCOE iVIE awards have been completely redesigned and revamped. Let your students represent your school and GUHSD! For more information, visit the iVIE website.

GUHSDtech Update - October 21, 2014

Teacher Computer Application

We are offering a final round of the Teacher Computer Program. Applications are now open. The application period ends Wednesday, November 5. The new computers will be available in January. Please note that all prerequisites need to be completed before the computer is issued. You will be notified of your specific requirements by November 14.

• Teacher Computer Program Overview
• Application

Google Tuesdays at the IR Lab

Do you have questions about anything Google? We are now offering a weekly open lab at the IR complex on Mollison. All you need to do is bring your laptop and your Google-related questions. You can just drop in or contact Mike Johnson (mjohnson@guhsd.net) for more information.

Workshops

There are limited number of spots left in the following workshops:

• The Flipped Classroom - November 13
• ELA Tech Strategies - Part 1 - December 2
• The Google Centric Classroom - December 4

They are all full day workshops and subs will be covered by the District. Descriptions | Registration Form

Google Apps Updates

• Classroom Improvements - Seven new features were added to Classroom last week.
• Forms Improvements - Forms saw a couple big improvements lately.
• Your forms, your way
• A few more ways to make forms your own
• Google Drive and Docs - There have been a number of updates recently. Here are a couple of them.
• Sharing just got a little easier
• Meet the new Google Drive - This represents a substantial interface change. Right now it is NOT the default and you to opt into it. At some point Google will turn it on for ALL users. Be prepared :)

SDCUE Technology Fair

The annual SDCUE Technology Fair is on Saturday, November 15. It is a great professional learning opportunity! Check out the list of sessions here: https://sdcue2014.sched.org/

If you are interested in attending, complete this form: http://goo.gl/cU3w65

Student Accounts in Infinite Campus

If you have students who need their Infinite Campus password reset, we now have Google Form where they can directly submit their request. This link is on the District website and all of the school sites. You are also welcome to post it on your teacher website:

http://goo.gl/bbYMfY

GUHSDtech Update - September 10, 2014

Welcome to another tech-infused school year. A lot of changes are under way!

• Infinite Campus is redefining the way our district handles student information. Thank you for your patience as we find the best practices for GUHSD. If you need support using Campus, review the Support Protocol page, but if you face an immediate need - call the Help Line (just dial HELP from your district phone).
• A big list of other summer changes were sent out two weeks ago. If you missed them, click here.

2014-15 Technology Professional Development

1. Specialized Programs:
1. Chromebook Workshops - The final phase of the Chromebook rollout will start in September and October.
2. Google Ninja Program
2. Open Technology Workshops (To sign up, click here)
1. The Google Centric Classroom (9/25 or 12/4)
2. Advanced SDAIE Web Tools (9/28)
3. ELA Tech Strategies - Part 1 (12/4)
4. ELA Tech Strategies - Part 2 (3/11)
5. The Flipped Classroom (11/13 or 2/5)
3. Online Resources
1. GUHSDtech - Specific classroom applications of tools and strategies delivered to you via the GUHSDtech website.
2. Lynda.com - Learn tools and general strategies via Lynda.com.

Google Support Open Lab (Tuesdays, 2pm - 4:30pm)

Starting September 16, GUHSDtech will begin hosting an open lab for help for all things Google at the Instructional Resources Lab. Make sure to bring your laptop with you.

Tech Tips

• Activating YouTube
• Customize Your Form Templates

The GUHSDtech Website is continually being updated. Check it out today!

Tech Tip: Activating and Uploading to YouTube

If you haven't heard, the filter has been scaled back and YouTube is now available. You can now easily bring YouTube videos to your students - either through on your screen or on student computers.

You can also upload your own content, create playlists, and more. This Tech Tip shows you hope to activate your account.

Tech Tip: Customize Your Form Templates!

Yes! After years of being stuck with same few templates in Google Forms, you can official customize the look and feel of you form. Choose from a set of more modern templates, add your own images, changes the colors, etc. Even create your own template and apply it to future Forms.

Watch the video for an overview.