Infinite Campus Teacher Web Training Opportunities

This summer Infinite Campus will be saying goodbye to the older Java Grade Book. Teachers across the nation will be joining the Barrington 220 teachers in using only the Campus Instruction grade book. Infinite Campus will be announcing new capabilities within Campus Instruction and they have scheduled numerous free training opportunities for teachers to learn more about Campus Instruction.

IN Course 9010: Using the New Campus Instruction

We will cover the new and redesigned tools available to users, specifically:

• Accessing the Campus Instruction Application
• Setting and configuring preferences
• New seating chart tool
• New looks for Roster and Attendance
• New Grade Book overview and configuration
• New Planner Tool for curriculum management
• Available reports

Please note that if you do not have an ICU account, you will need to create one in order to sign up for one of the free training sessions, and then go back and register for the session that you wish!

If you don't have an ICU account, create one here. Once your account has been confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email from ICU letting you know you can log in and register for any trainings published in ICU.

If you have an ICU account, sign up for training at http://icu.infinitecampus.com

Direct links to training sessions:

Tuesday, May 5 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12595

Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12678

Thursday, May 7 at 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12679

Tuesday, May 12 at 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12680

Wednesday, May 13 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12596

Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12681

Monday, May 18 at 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12682

Wednesday, May 20 at 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12683

Thursday, May 21 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12597

Thursday, June 4 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12598

Monday June 8 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12599

Tuesday, June 16 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12600

Friday, June 26 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12601

Tuesday, June 30 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12602

Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12603

Monday, July 13 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12604

Friday, July 24 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12605

Thursday, July 30 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12606

Friday, August 7 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12607

Wednesday, August 12 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12608

Friday, August 21 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12609

Tuesday, August 25 at 2:30 PM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12610

Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10:00 AM Central Time
http://icu.infinitecampus.com/action/eventdetail?eventID=12611

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Gmail Tips from the District Tech Committee

In a recent District Technology Committee (DTC) meeting, DTC members shared both comments and tips about Gmail that they had learned since the transition. DTC members pointed out that the transition went smoothly, were happy that the Gmail is very stable and consistent in and out of the district, and enjoyed the seamless integration among Gmail, Google Calendars, and Google Drive. A few DTC members shared some specific tips:

• Reorganize the Labels (similar to folders) in the left column to improve email organization. In the left column, click More and Manage labels (at the bottom). 
• Drag and drop attachments from your Desktop or folders directly into and out of emails (great for photos and other images).
• If you type the word “attachment” as part of your email and you forget to include an attachment, Gmail automatically asks you to add the attachment.
• Use the Undo Send feature in Google Labs to retract an email within 10 seconds after sending. Click Settings (upper-right corner "gear" icon); select Settings; click the Labs tab (across the top); click to Enable Undo Send.
• You can now easily set up Barrington 220 email using the Mail app and Calendar app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS. Directions available here.
• Use the Gmail app on iPhone or iPad to keep work and personal email accounts separate. Download the Gmail app here.
• Select a customized Theme for your Gmail experience. Click Settings (upper-right corner "gear" icon); click Themes; select a Theme. 
• Automatic email threading groups emails together (this feature is called “Conversation View.”). You can also turn off this feature: click Settings (upper-right corner "gear" icon); select Settings; click the General tab (across the top); scroll down to find Conversation View and click Conversation view off.

Finally, for anyone who wishes to use email more effectively, an excellent book is available, Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do It Better (2010) by David Shipley and Will Schwalbe. This book is not a book about using email systems; rather Send offers “essential strategies to help you both better manage the ever-increasing number of emails you receive and improve the ones you send” (from the publisher’s review).

Apply for PK–5 "LaunchPad" Initiative Beginning 4-23-15

Teachers of students in Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5 will soon have the opportunity to apply for next year’s iPad launch, referred to as “LaunchPad.” On Wednesday, April 22, 2015, each PK–5 building’s District Technology Committee (DTC) representative will share some basic LaunchPad information. The following day, Thursday, April 23, 2015, PK–5 teachers will receive a link to the application process for LaunchPad.

Interested teachers are asked to apply as Building Grade Levels. Building Grade Level classroom teachers who apply are encouraged to include the Specials (art, music, PE) teachers, Librarians, and Special Education teachers they work with regularly in the application process.

The DTC has worked to create a series of application questions for the LaunchPad initiative. The selection committee intends to include all eight elementary schools and the ELC in the LaunchPad initiative and have every grade level represented. In addition, the DTC has developed a vision statement for the One to World program.

The Barrington 220 One to World Initiative:

• Allows students to participate as global citizens.
• Provides unlimited opportunities for real-world learning.
• Fosters creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
• Facilitates personalized learning through ownership, choice, and reflection.
• Allows for immediate and strategic feedback.

The LaunchPad initiative will begin for selected teachers during Summer 2015 and students will receive devices in LauchPad classrooms for use throughout the 2015–16 school year. In 2016–17, all PK–5 students will have access to iPads. Grade levels will receive devices in the following configurations:

• Grades PK–K: 10 iPads per classroom
• Grades 1–2: 1:2 ratio (one iPad per two students)
• Grades 3–5: 1:1 ratio (one iPad per student)

The deadline for the LaunchPad application process will be Friday, May 8, 2015.

Taking a Hammer to SAMR: Redefinition

An earlier article defined Dr. Ruben Puentedura's SAMR model as a tool teachers can use to describe the opportunities afforded to students by technology integration. In this sixth article of the "Taking a Hammer to SAMR" series, we learn about Redefinition, the fourth level of the SAMR scale—the use of technology tools that allow for processes that would not be conceivable without the use of technology—a learning activity that has been transformed. Both Modification and Redefinition refer to Transformational uses of technology.

The SAMR Activity Scale:

The SAMR Activity Scale outlines how technology integration affords students opportunities to learn and demonstrate their learning. In the SAMR continuum, Redefinition refers to the use of technology tools that allow for a redesign of the original task. At the Redefinition level, technology use transforms the task of a given lesson. The Pedagogy and Content Knowledge of TPACK remain the same, regardless of the technology use, in any lesson; it's the Technology use that changes. The Redefinition level of SAMR incorporates student choice, student ownership, increased accessibility, use of resources from the web, and increased choice in use of technology by the student (rather than the teacher).  Additionally, Redefinition calls for students to connect, receive feedback from, make changes, ask and answer deeper questions, and interact with authentic audiences.

Example First Grade Lesson: Types of Clouds (Weather Unit)

Students use the iPad to navigate to a website to read an article with photos of a types of clouds online and then use photos from the camera app, photos from other websites online, and the Explain Everything app to create and narrate a slide that explains and displays the definition of a type of cloud. Groups of students take turns posting daily cloud updates on a class blog and reacting to comments from blog visitors.

This is Redefinition because the teacher adds an authentic audience, a previously inconceivable aspect of students reporting their knowledge about the types of clouds.

Redefinition, the fourth and highest level of the SAMR scale, refers to the use of technology tools that allow for processes that would have otherwise been inconceivable without the use of technology.

Taking a Hammer to SAMR: Substitution

Taking a Hammer to SAMR: Augmentation

Taking a Hammer to SAMR: Modification

Use the Comments section below to share your reflections about the Redefinition level.

Information about the Email System Change

During Spring Break, Barrington 220 will change our email system from GroupWise to Gmail. We have taken several steps to help make this transition as smooth as possible.

Our GroupWise to Gmail website includes important information related to the transition. Please bookmark this site. We add tips and directions to the site regularly based upon questions that come from teachers, staff, and administrators.

Included on the website, you will find a page devoted to learning how to use Gmail. The Gmail system is very similar to GroupWise and other web-based email services. Many users will likely find that no formal training is needed to use Gmail.

NEW!

Based upon user feedback, we will keep GroupWise available until June 30, 2015. This means that you can access GroupWise in the same way you access it now and see your old messages, Cabinets (folders), calendar, and contacts. HOWEVER, after Spring Break, new email will only be sent to and from Gmail.

NEW!

Based upon user feedback, we will be offering a few live training opportunities. Details regarding live training will be available later this week.

General information regarding Gmail:

• Your barrington220.org email address will not change.
• You can log into Gmail now (with no messages) by logging into Google with your bsd220.org username and clicking Mail from the Apps menu.
• Your GroupWise messages will be available in GroupWise until June 30, 2015.
• Your GroupWise messages will be available indefinitely using Barrington 220's Archive system.

Please check out the GroupWise to Gmail website for more and updated information.