Thursday, April 5, 2018

Tech Tips from Tech Pros

Barrington 220's own Technology Support Team is always at your service during the school day at x. 1500. We occasionally ask our Techs to pass along Tech Tips based upon the issues they are seeing most often across the district. Take a look below at these great tech tips!

From Kim Martinez

iPad not charging?

  • Are you using the iPad charger that was assigned to you? An iPhone charger will not charge your iPad correctly. 
  • Is it plugged into a power strip? Plug it directly into the wall outlet.  If the wall outlet is controlled by a light switch, make sure the switch is turned on.

If the issue still continues, bring the iPad charger in so that we can troubleshoot the issue.

From Adam Fajnor

Not a Fan of the Fan

When using your MacBook Air and your fan starts to run loud, search Activity Monitor on your Mac and see if an application is overusing computing power (CPU usage). If it is, you can quit or force quit the application in the top left corner with the X.



Having many, many browser tabs open can also be a reason for the fan to start running loud. Solve this issue by closing some of your tabs.

From Justin Edge

Restarting May be the Answer

Is your computer sluggish or acting up? A simple restart may be all you need to do to fix some common issues. Like us, our computers need some rest. Fortunately, a restart only takes about 30-45 seconds and can completely revitalize your computer.

To restart your computer:

  • Make sure you save all the work you are currently working on.
  • Click the Apple logo  in the top-left corner of your screen.
  • Select Restart from the dropdown window.


Select Restart one more time to confirm the restart.

Please note: If you have any pending software updates that require a restart, these will run once you click the restart button. Always be sure your computer is plugged in to power and you are able to leave your computer uninterrupted while the software updates complete.

From Jason Bryant

Elegant Renaming

Ever need to rename a bunch of files on your MacBook Air, but don’t have the time? Have the Finder do it for you! Just select a group of files and then select Rename either from the right-click contextual menu or from the drop-down button marked with a cog icon in Finder windows.

When you do, you get the option of adding text, replacing text, or applying a format such as a name and an automatically incrementing counter.


From Charlie Parkinson

Save Electricity...and Your Projector Bulb

Are you leaving your class for more than 20 minutes? Please remember to turn off your projector to save the life of the bulb. Your projector will stay brighter and the bulb will last longer.

From Josh Beatty

Avoid the Papercut Printing Notification 

The Papercut client will show a notification any time it loses communication with the Papercut server. To avoid these work-interrupting notifications when using your Mac outside the district, you can close the Papercut client. Look for the Papercut icon located in the menu bar in the top-right portion of your screen. Right click on the icon and select Exit from the drop-down menu. To launch Papercut when you return to work, you can either restart your Mac or click the Papercut icon located on the right side of you Dock.

If Papercut stops working while you are in the district, closing and reopening the application will often resolve the issue.


From Derrick Kovell

Audio/Video Solutions

When playing a video from your computer and there is little to no sound, be sure to check the following settings:

  • the computer’s volume level
  • the volume level of the video (see below)
  • the speaker in the room and possibly the projector



From Kaitlyn Pankiewicz

Passwords & Where to Change Them

In Barrington 220, most staff members have 3 passwords that they may use on a daily basis. Here are some tips on how to change those passwords if they are forgotten or expire.

Staff members have a network password used for Schoolwires, Infinite Campus, Schoology, Windows computer logins, etc. Should you have an issue logging in to one of these systems with your password, please go to our Self Service Password Reset site, https://sspr.barrington220.org/.  When trying to change your password, you will be asked to answer a few security questions. If you have any difficulties setting up your SSPR account, please call Tech Support at x.1500 and we’ll assist with the account creation as well as the password reset.

Your Google password is separate from your network password. This is your password to access Google services including Gmail/email, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calender, Drive, etc. If you’ve forgotten your password you can click the “Forgot password?” link on the Google password page and follow the prompts provided. You can also see your building LTA to assist with a Google password change or call Tech Support at x.1500.

The third password to keep in mind is the password to your MacBook Air laptop. This was set-up when you received your MacBook Air. If you are able to login and want to change your password, You can go into System Preferences > User & Groups > Change Password. If you forget your password a Tech will be happy to assist with a password change by calling x.1500.

#bsd220TwitterAwards for March 2018

Twitter continues to be used as a great tool for teachers and administrators to share exciting events happening in classrooms and to connect with other educators around the world. This month we continue our series honoring those who use Twitter to share the ideals of our One to World Vision and Mission.

Each month, we honor four Twitter users:
  • One Staff Member, Grades PK–5
  • One Staff Member, Grades 6–8
  • One Staff Member, Grades 9–12
  • One Administrator Grades PK–12

March 2018: Staff Member, Grades PK–5, Twitter Award
Congratulations, Lori Anderson, @MrsAGrove!



March 2018: Staff Member, Grades 6–8, Twitter Award
Congratulations, Jim Bartlett, @MrBartlettBSD!



March 2018: Staff Member, Grades 9–12, Twitter Award
Congratulations, Janet Anderson, @Mrs_JAnderson!



February 2018: Administrator, Grades PK–12, Twitter Award
Congratulations, Brigid Tileston, @220Arts!



As always, you can find all of the Barrington 220 accounts by searching the hashtag #bsd220 or searching my Twitter handle, @iJoeRobinson, navigating to Lists, and then following the #bsd220 List.


Updates to Pages, Keynote, and Numbers

Last week, Apple announced updates to their iWork apps, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. The updates provide teachers and students with new ways to create and collaborate.

Pages

The Pages app offers beautiful layouts, media integration, and styling options. With the update, Pages added the ability to collaborate in real-time, create and use new shapes and icons, annotate within the document, and create digital books.


Keynote

Keynote, the app of choice for creating presentations on iPad and MacBook Air devices, offers stunning animations and creative editing features, The update to Keynote added real-time collaboration, new shapes, and the ability to present a Keynote live to any number of devices (similar to the way Nearpod functions).


Numbers

Once thought of as just a spreadsheet application, Numbers offers much more. Numbers can be used to plan presentations, collect data for a lab report, organize thoughts and ideas like a workbook, and more. The update to Numbers added real-time collaboration and new shapes.



All these updates require an update available through the App Store or our Self Service app.

Volunteers Needed for Pilot of Paperless Field Trip Requests

Reflecting over the past few years as to how we work and function reminds us that it was not long ago, we were a very paper-centered district. This is not the case today. First, the district transitioned to electronic teacher grade books, then online student IEPs, followed by online registration, electronic purchase orders, and more.

There is more to be done, and you can be part of a new pilot program. Next year the district will be piloting paperless field trip requests from teachers and sponsors. We are seeking a small group of individuals willing to serve as the "early adopters" of a new online process for requesting and approving field trips.

Participants will be provided training and a login to a website to enter the information currently entered on paper when requesting approval for a field trip. The initial entry is created by the teacher or sponsor, the request will be reviewed for approval by administration and then sent electronically to the transportation office for the scheduling of buses and drivers.

Staff members interested in participating in the pilot can contact June Nilles at jnilles@barrington220.org or call 847-842-3503 for more information.


Learning NOW in Barrington 220 Premiere

This week marks the premiere episode of Learning NOW in Barrington 220, an online video series highlighting learning in Barrington 220 from the student perspective. Each episode of Learning NOW in Barrington 220 focuses on one topic through the lens of students in different grade levels—elementary, middle, and high school.

Watch and subscribe at bit.ly/learningnow220.



The Learning NOW in Barrington 220 web series was created by the District Technology Committee (DTC). The DTC is comprised primarily of Barrington 220 teachers and also includes administration and support staff. Beginning in November 2017, the DTC began planning a survey for parents and community and quickly identified that some of our community members may not fully realize how technology is being used in school. From this realization, the idea of creating a video series about learning for the parent and community audience was born. The DTC created the topics, designed the questions, and worked with principals to identify students to appear in the series.

Learning NOW in Barrington 220 is being produced by BHS-TV, led by BHS teacher Dr. Jeff Doles. BHS-TV production team members including Cameron Cox, Blake Davis, Connor Grider, Ethan Madison, 
Veron Phillips, Ben Pokorny, and Chloe Proebsting worked on the video and audio recording of the episodes, and senior Connor Grider continues to work on editing the episodes.

The series aims to create a better understanding in the Barrington community about how students learn now and how the classroom environment has changed with the addition of a technology device in the hands of each student. The first episode of Learning NOW in Barrington 220 will premiere this week on Thursday, April 5, 2018, and one episode will be released per week for a total of eight episodes.

Each episode of Learning NOW in Barrington 220 features three “student experts,” comprised of students from across Barrington 220. Topics are aligned to Barrington 220’s One to World program Vision and Mission.
  • Episode 1: The Classroom with student experts James Vondrak (North Barrington), Khadija Ikram (BMS-P), and Amy Tinajero-Rosiles (BHS)
  • Episode 2: Entrepreneurship with student experts Savanna Miller (Countryside), Cyrus Markazi (BHS), and Anusha Mohanty (BHS)
  • Episode 3: STEM with student experts Scout Storms (Roslyn Road), Zach Meyer (BMS-P), and Ishaan Sehgal (BHS)
  • Episode 4: Coding with student experts Jesus Gutierrez (Sunny Hill), Erik Hrysyk (BMS-P), and Kelsey Robbins (BHS)
  • Episode 5: Collaboration & Communication with student experts Morgan Smith (Grove), Brittney Monreal (BMS-S), and Ishani Majmudar (BHS)
  • Episode 6: Creativity with student experts Ethan Elias (Rose), Isha Soorya (BMS-S), Annika Steib (BHS)
  • Episode 7: Critical Thinking with student experts Chandler Ding (Hough), Manuel Sarmiento (BMS-S), and Riley Wilford (BHS)
  • Episode 8: Highlights (featuring student insights from each of the previous episodes)

BHS-TV recorded Learning NOW in Barrington 220
in the Black Box Theatre at BHS
Each episode also includes a short segment related to the topic highlighting an innovative and/or interesting use of technology by students in the district. For example, the Creativity episode features an interview with the student video team who created and ran the digitally projected backdrops for the most recent BHS theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat.

Finally, several Barrington 220 staff members assisted in the production of this web series, including Joann Fullman (Green Room Coordinator), Amy Jessup-Tilford (Lighting & Set Design), Hector Ontiveros (Production Coordinator), and Yazmin Aceves (Spanish Translator). Three administrators provided student transportation for the series, including Austin Johnson, Travis Lobbins, and Craig Winkelman. The series is hosted by Matt Fuller and Joe Robinson. A special thanks goes to all Barrington 220 principals for their support in various aspects of the series.

Learning NOW in Barrington 220 premieres on Thursdays from April 5, 2018, through May 24, 2018, on a custom YouTube channel. Each episode has subtitles available in English and Spanish. Please follow this link and click SUBSCRIBE. New episodes will be announced on the district website, Facebook, and Twitter. Beginning in May 2018, parents and community members who watch the series will get access to a survey with results being used to improved the One to World program in Barrington 220.


Explain Everything 5.0


New Logo, New Theme, New Features 

The developers at Explain Everything recently unveiled an updated app including a new logo, an upbeat purple theme, and exciting new features to go along with it! Explain Everything 5.0 combines all of the tried-and-true features you love, with new and exciting updates.



The dashboard improvements include easy access to the most important elements of the program...creating, collaborating, joining, and sharing.



The Learn tab offers access to quick tips and ideas, the help center, support contacts, the Explain Everything Website, and blog.



The Library tab is an access container for all of the projects you own or have been shared with you. Projects can be stored on the device itself, in Explain Everything cloud storage, or on Google Drive.

Add Media: Quickly find and use frequently used or recently added media.

Infinite Scroll: Create an animation loop using the infinite scroll tool.

Click Here for a quick look at Explain Everything 5.0.

Click Here for more information from Explain Everything.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Big News for MyOn Users


Big News from MyOn!

Our MyOn subscription has a new component for teachers and students to pilot for the remainder of this school year. In addition to the traditional library, the "news" tab will be available through June 2, 2018.

The news element holds a valuable mix of current events articles, news stories, sports, weather, and entertainment. The MyOn News feature is available now, click here to watch a short highlight video.











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