ACSD March Madness

March Madness is HERE! The final four is this weekend. Many of you would STRONGLY AGREE, we have March Madness Champs right here at ACSD. With the leadership from Mary Beth, she arranged a way to showcase ACSD central office personnel, building secretaries, the tech team, and the food service director at the Iowa Association of School Business Officials Conference this week. These group of professionals has done AMAZING things behind the scenes. They deserve the recognization as leaders and innovators in the state of Iowa. Please give them a high-five for a job well done.  

PRESENTATION - IASBO Panel -- Technology in the Office-Bringing Creativity and Collaboration to Your Workplace!

Don't MISS out!!

Google Expeditions coming VERY soon. We will have a Google Expedition Kit ready to go by Monday, April 3rd. At Washington and Schuler the majority of general ed classes will be exposed to Google Expeditions during library skills. Janice deserves special thanks for taking and using library skills to provide ACSD students a chance to explore places they only envision in their dreams. WOW! THANK YOU, JANICE. AMS and AHS educators, please contact a TLC member, Ginger, Janice, or a Tech Member to arrange a time to take advantage of this opportunity.

Below is a Google Sheet with a list of tours.

Google Expeditions -- AKA Tours - Numerous Subjects

What is Google Expeditions you may ask?

Definition: Google Expeditions enable teachers to bring students on virtual trips to places like museums, underwater, and outer space. Expeditions are collections of linked virtual reality (VR) content and supporting materials that can be used alongside existing curriculum.

Youtube Video - What is Google Expeditions!

Google Expeditions

Pixar in Box - You Say what?  -- Khan Academy

Definition: Pixar in a Box is a behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar artists do their jobs. You will be able to animate bouncing balls, build a swarm of robots, and make virtual fireworks explode. The subjects you learn in school — math, science, computer science, and humanities — are used every day to create amazing movies at Pixar. This collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Khan Academy is sponsored by Disney.

Check it out by clicking HERE.

Mark you Calendar
Last Sumdog Challenge for the 2017-2018 School Year

2016-2017 Sumdog Green Hills Math Contest

#ACSDTECH

By: Jessica Fincel

@jfincel32

Out with the old, in with the new....

Out with the old, in with the new....

In the world of technology, that is always the case. Sometimes it is the old piece of computer equipment being replaced with a new shiny model or outdated software that is upgraded with new bells and whistles.

This time of year we as adults have the mindset "out with the old, in with the new". One of the many reasons why we make New Year’s Resolutions. We want something to change about ourselves or our surroundings.

Well now that your mindset is ready for a type of change. Guess what there are some technology changes... =-)

"Out with the OLD Google "classic" sites in with the NEW Google Sites"
The new Google Site is to be as easy as creating a new document. It is to be appealing on any screen size from 30-inch screen to a smartphone.

Resources
Google Suite Update--Google Blog
Google Site Support Page

Note: Please know, the "Classic" Google sites won't convert to the new version of Google Site. Classic Google Sites is still up and running.


"Out with the iOS Apple Calendar app try the Google Calendar App.

iOS Calendar App

Many of you have iPhones/iPads and use the iOS Calendar app, which there is nothing wrong using it; however, I think there are many advantages of using the Google Calendar App instead. 

  

    

Google Calendar App

Try it and find out for yourself...  

Click here to get the download link to the Google Calendar App

About the Google Calendar App

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON FROM THE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT."

"Out with the old and in with the new _________".

Better keep a close eye on your inbox.  

Hint: It will be more user and mobile friendly for all.


Other Tech Reminders
Sumdog Challenge for January 20 - January 26 

DAwG Week - February 27 - March 1

By: @jfincel32

HERE - Atlantic Community School District

Fall is Here!

Successful Fall Sports and Fine/Arts are Here! Limitless Learning is Here! Outstanding Support Staff is Here. Terrific TLC is Here! Tremendous Teacher/Librarians are Here. Wonderful Educators are Here. Awesome Administrators are Here. Amazing Students are Here! 

It means great things are happening at Atlantic Community School District.
Please keep this "trend" going! 

IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR HERE!

BREAKOUT EDU IS HERE
Breakout Edu is HERE and has been very successful. If you are interested in setting one up for your class, please contact the TLC or Tech Team.  



MOBYMAX IS HERE

Moby Max is HERE for AMS, Schuler, and Washington. 

SUMDOG GREEN HILLS CONTEST IS HERE

Sumdog Green Hills Contest!

All K-8 Students are entered into the ALL of the Green Hills Contests listed below!

Contests - MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Fall - Green Hills Contest	Winter - Green Hills Contest	Spring - Green Hills Contest
Start: October 7, 2016 End: October 13, 2016	Start: January 20, 2017 End: January 26, 2017	Start: April 21, 2016 End: April 27, 2016
All contests start at 8am on a Friday and end at 8pm the following Thursday

Last Year’s winner.

The 4Jones class from Harlan Community Elementary School were the winners of the last contest!!

Will an Atlantic class be on the top spot?

Sumdog Contest Document (It is located in your Tech Training Folder.)
#ACSDTECH

By: Jessica Fincel

@jfincel32

14-15 Reflection -- WOW!!

Well it is official!! This reflection is now an annual tradition.   After receiving very positive responses from the 2013-14 reflection,  we thought we should keep a good thing going.  The ACSD tech team wants to once again say GREAT JOB!!!  As we stop and reflect on the past year, we are amazed at all the things we have seen in various classrooms and in the district as a whole.  #ACSDTECH  Keep up the good work!!

Here are great examples of technology and learning that have been done this school year:

• Rolled Out 1 to 1 at AHS
• Successful Apple PD for AHS Staff
• Creative Glogsters created
• Online JMC - Standard Based Report Cards for Washington (Successful Trial)
• Google Classrooms used by many throughout the district
• Digital Citizenship taught through IBooks
• Launched Online textbooks for Math and Science (AHS)
• Sumdog, Sumdog, and More Sumdog
• Augmented Reality  -- Aurasma App
• OSMO was here and Back Again
• Hour of Code
• Scratch program used in STEM classes
• We now have 104 Members on “ACSDTWEEPS” Twitter Use -- Thanks AB
• Integrated new apps “Letter for School”, “Raz Kids” and many more
• Online P/T Conferences (AHS, Schuler, & Wash)
• Word Clouds created with Wordle
• Lego building online
• AIW Lessons VIdeotaped and Uploaded to Google Drive/Youtube
• Poetry Videos created on  WeVideo
• News Articles posted on Fodey
• Student created animated videos with Moovly
• Flippity use for Test Review
• Real Life technology used at AHS Career Day
• Moby Max, More.Starfall, and Facts 4 Me
• AHS Students updating RAM for Staff Computers
• Saving Interactive Whiteboard Math problems on the IWB and sharing it with absent students
• Flubaroo used at FFA Contest
• Successful online testing -- NWEA and IEOC
• Great uses of Interactive Whiteboard
• Awesome Webfolios created
• Teachers with an online presence (Blog or website)
• 2nd Grade Team finding great uses for their Chromebook Cart
• BrainPop Jr and BrainPop
• Google Apps used all over the place! =-)
• Implementation of Khan Academy for many new users
• Summer School TenMarks Initiative
• Mr. Northwick, Mr. Yates, and Mrs. Dickerson Presidential Campaign (iMovie)
• Great back channels with websites such as: Today's Meet, Padlet, and Twitter
• Google Hangout with Yemen Students
• Eye of the Needle Episodes
• Faculty loving their Point 2 Views
• Iowa Area Online
• Various videos uploaded to Youtube and Google Drive
• Symbaloos used for all buildings
• Online Assessments with Kahoot
• Students working on their writing skills through Kidblog and other Blogging tools
• Administrators modeling technology use through Google Forms, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Camtasia, Google Sites, Appointment Slots, and much more
• QR Codes posted throughout the district

.......................................and the list is never ending....................................

WHAT AN AMAZING JOB YOU HAVE ALL DONE!!!  

KEEP IT UP...

IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS!

“The education of a man is never completed until he dies.”

― Robert E. Lee

“We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.”

―Peter Drucker

Come join the learning this summer.
2015 Summer Professional Development

THANKS -- TECH TEAM

Happy Saint Patrick's Day -- Lucky Tips

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

I am sticking with my Holiday themes this year as it reminds me to create and post to the tech blog.  My goal is to post once a month in the hopes all of you read it :)  So, here it is....

The following two websites demonstrate progress.  I received an email from an administrator and a teacher to make sure I tell teachers about them.  I think that is just AWESOME.  It goes back to one of my favorite sayings... “The best resource is each other” so THANK YOU to the people who brought these sites to my attention.

GetKahoot

A great website to create a quiz, survey, and discussion. A game-based classroom response system.

Teacher Side: https://getkahoot.com/

Student Side: https://kahoot.it/

Step 1 Create a Quiz Video

Step 2 (Optional) Create a Quiz Video for a Class

Khan, Khan, Khan

Do  I  really need to to say more... Khan is endless.

https://www.khanacademy.org/

I  also had the privilege to witness 6 sections of math this month set up with Khan Academy.  Thank you Mr. Baier.  

Resources:

Khan Academy Knowledge Base Presentation

Khan Academy Math Badge Program Presentation

Also, do you know Khan and Bank of America are trying to help students and adults be better with their money? This is a great tool to understanding Financial Literacy. It is free curriculum at your finger tips.

https://www.bettermoneyhabits.com/index.html

The next website should not be a new one to you, but we have a unique and great opportunity until March 31st.  SUMDOG is temporarily open for both Reading and Writing and advanced Reporting for all subjects until March 31st. Check it out.

SUMDOG

Math (K)-8, Reading (Gr 1-5), and Writing (3-8)

Washington Sumdog Info

Schuler Sumdog Info

AMS Sumdog Info

Reminder:  All the students are set up and ready to go.

Friendly Apple Tip....

Having troubles with scrolling!!  

Tip 1: Two Finger Scrolling (Up and Down)

Tip 2: Change and Play with Track Pad Settings

Instructions: Go to Apple, System Preferences, and Trackpad

Tip 3: Turn your Scrolling on all the time

Instructions: Go to Apple, System Preferences, General and in the Show Scroll bars, Select--Always

By: Jessica Fincel

@jfincel32