New Skill Plans Are Live in IXL

IXL is a service widely used by Grades K–12 as a supplemental resource for students studying English and Math. IXL Skill Plans align with textbooks, state standards, and assessment platforms.  

To access Skill Plans, click Learning and then Skill plans.

Search for specific skill plans by subject or grade level.

There are multiple categories to choose from including Illinois State Standards, Textbook Skill Plans, Middle School Math, Upper Level Math, Language Arts, Test Prep, and Assessment. 

Skill plans can be assigned to students based on items that they need to practice. IXL offers aligned study for MAP, PSAT, ACT, and SAT. New this year are iReady and IAR. 

IXL is a multi-functional tool that can be used in Grades K–8, and targeted groups at BHS. Please see your building LTA or Shawndra Shelton if you would like to learn more about how you can use IXL in your classroom.

Canva Offers Free Pro-Level Access to Educators

Canva is a free online graphic design platform that allows users to create various designs, including social media graphics, presentations, posters, and more. The results of a recent Tech & Innovation survey and focus groups reveal that this service has become a popular choice among Barrington 220 staff and students. Users indicate that they like the pre-made templates and customization that allow them to create eye-catching designs with little effort.

While most Barrington 220 staff currently access the free version, Canva has launched the Canva for Education access level, giving educators many of the features from the pro version for free.

Educators who already have a Canva account can log in with their district email. In some cases, Canva may request that you upload teaching credentials and/or proof of employment. After Canva approves your request, you can access Canva for Education for free.

Barrington 220 is in the process of establishing district credentials within Canva that will allow students to access the same level of service as staff members. This process should be completed, and student access established, by the start of the second semester during the 2023–24 school year. Until then, students can continue to access the free version of Canva.

Tech & Innovation Seeks Members for AI Subcommittee

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly changing the landscape of many industries, including education. In Barrington 220, students and staff are exploring the possibilities of AI with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The Technology & Innovation Department is seeking a group of thoughtful educators to join an active and productive subcommittee to develop resources, practices, and guidelines related to the use of artificial intelligence by students and staff in Barrington 220. 

Specific outcomes of this group:

1. Establish best practices for the use of AI by staff.
2. Develop resources for staff to navigate the use and misuse of AI by students.
3. Identify and update existing school handbooks, syllabi, and relevant community-facing documents to include language related to the use and misuse of AI.
4. Review and create recommendations for updates to relevant Board policy and district administrative procedures.  
5. Explore potential situations where AI skills can be responsibly embedded into the PK–12+ curriculum.

Meetings/Commitment

The total commitment to this group will consist of three half-day, in-person meetings during the 2023–24 school year, designed to meet the above goals. There is potential for some individual follow-up work between and after meetings (i.e., suggesting document edits, providing feedback). Beyond this school year, the group would meet annually or bi-annually, as needed, to maintain resources, adjust practices, and address new issues. 

If you are interested in being a part of this group, giving input, or learning more, please contact the Director of Innovation, Ty Gorman, tgorman@barrington220.org.

Benefits of Infinite Campus’s New Look

The new look of Infinite Campus provides several useful improvements over the classic view. Some of the new features include:

• A simplified navigation structure
• Responsive UI design
• A user-created menu of favorite tools
• Quick access to recently used tools
• Intuitive Related Tools toolbar
• Navigable "breadcrumb trails"
• Robust in-tool person search
• Unified Search menu for quickly searching a multitude of data
• Useful student information cards

Try it today, and join other users who are now benefiting from features of the new look!

Say "YES!" to Infinite Campus Professional Development

YES (Yearly Event Series), is the largest offering of live professional development events in Infinite Campus history! YES includes timely instruction on a wide array of Infinite Campus topics. 

All Barrington 220 staff who use Infinite Campus will definitely want to take a look at the offerings. Many topics will easily save you hundreds of hours during the school year!

Don’t miss the YES Discovery Week beginning November 13, 2023.

Register now!