Message from @BVEdTec

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End of the Year Information

1.  Edmodo Users:  Archive your groups at the end of the year.  This will retain all files and posts to use again with a new group for August.  Click here for information.

2.  Remind students that their Blue Valley network and email accounts will be deactivated and all passwords will be reset on August 10, 2015. After this date, students will need to log into a district computer to reset their network password before accessing their student email accounts or network folders. Students will not be able to reset their network password from outside the district.

3. Student email will have a new look in August, 2015.  When students log into Blue Valley student email, an Outlook.com interface will appear.  The same functions and features will be available.  Students will still be able to access all Google Drive features as well.  In addition, students can place BV email directly on their personal devices.  Look for details in the August newsletter.

4.  Save your Smart Board Notebook content to your network folder for use next year.  Important for users reimaging their Blue Valley computer or receiving a new computer over summer.  Click here for directions.

5.  Take a quick moment to view your School Center page.  Please make sure you have updated contact information for parents on the site.  If you are using another site like Weebly, please provide a link on School Center.  School Center will be available for teachers next year, so please delete any old information and maintain current contact information.

Keyboard Shortcuts – Tips and Tricks

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Popular Keyboard Shortcuts

Control and C – Copy selected text or item by pressing these two keys at the same time.
Control and V – Paste selected text or item by pressing these two keys at the same time.
Control and Z – Undo.
Control and A – Select all items.

Control and T – In Internet Explorer or Firefox, open a new tab.
ALT and Tab – Close a current application.

Windows Logo key – Start menu
Windows Logo key and F – Search for files and folders.
Windows Logo key and D – Minimize all open windows and show the desktop.

Window Logo key and L – Lock your computer when you step away from your desk.

 

 

 

 

White Rose Essay – Teacher Spotlight

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For the White Rose Essay contest, teachers at Oxford Middle School collaborated to provide a unique experience for students.  Anne Harvey, library media specialist, Andi Husted, ELA 8, Traci Rhodes, ELA 8, and Megan Trimble, ELA 8, attended training at the Midwest Holocaust Education Center gathering resources.

Each teacher became an expert in a certain area of the project and students rotated in small groups to each expert area.  They created video lessons using Screen-cast-o-matic and Jing.  All information was posted to the library website, Libguides, Edmodo and Synergy.

Throughout the research process, students utilized Noodle Tools to take notes and create a works cited document.

PicMonkey Collage

ThingLink Updates – Tips and Tricks

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1.  Utilize the ThingLink app on a mobile device when on a field trip.  Take a photo and upload into ThingLink – no wireless needed.  Students can tag the image and provide details about the field trip.

2.  The ThingLink app now has safe search browsing.  Students can safely browse for students and other teacher created ThingLinks to gather information and gain new ideas.

3.  Change your ThingLink account to an education account.  Log in to ThingLink and then go to the website, http://edu.thinglink.com.  Click on the button to change to an education account – for free.

4.  Add student accounts from the teacher account – no student email required.  Go to Students.  Create a new group.  Click Register and begin adding students.

5.  Add students with an invite code.  Go to Students.  Create a new group.  Click on the group name.  Provide the code to students.

 

Art and Padlet – Teacher Spotlight

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Allison Crane, art teacher at BVN, utilizes Padlet with her students in a variety of ways.  Padlet, an online post-it board, allows Crane to introduce new topics and share ideas between students.  Specifically, she uses Padlet for students to post examples of infographics and provide comments.
“The infographics Padlet asks students to not only find an example of an infographic, but also comment on its appeal using specific art vocabulary that we have discussed in class. Plus, it provides an excellent opportunity to crowd-source my teacher resources–instead of choosing examples I think the students will engage with, they’ve already showed me what’s interesting to them, and I can use them in later presentations.”
She appreciates the user-friendly format of Padlet; a new board can be set up and shared with students in minutes.
“Instead of filling up a Power Point slideshow full of imagery or video, I can quickly and easily post to the site, and it’s much easier for students to access – everything is right there in one place.”

Mystery Skype – Resource of the Month

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Mystery Skype is an educational game where your class “Skypes” with another class somewhere else in the world.  Neither class knows where the other is located and the goal is for each class to determine the other location by using critical thinking and geography skills.

Mystery Skype video calls allow students to practice geography skills, listening and speaking skills, collaborate, have an authentic purpose for research and much more.