September 8th Update

Welcome to September! Funny how the shortest weeks are also the longest. It's been fun meeting with my grade level teams this week. If you aren't on the schedule yet, please let me know!

Have you tried...

• The new Google Integration with Schoology? You haven't? Well, you should. This new feature allows you to create a Google Doc, assign it to your students through Schoology, and it automatically creates a copy for them that is shared with you so you can see live updates. Would love to help you get started...

  

  Google Keep home screen shows all your notes

• The Google Keep app? It's in Self Service and it's a great way for students (and teachers) to record notes by typing, handwriting, pictures, and voice recording. And it's Google, so it's easy to login and save your stuff.
• Viewing my calendar? You can easily look me up through your Outlook calendar and see when I'm busy. Then request time for me to work with you. Dangerous? Yes. But it's efficient. Let me show you how.
• Minecraft EDU? It's coming soon to all CPS teachers and students. Stay tuned for more details.

Cool stuff happening in my schools (and can also happen in yours)...

• Jennifer Lampe was my first teacher to utilize the new Google Integration last week. She successfully assigned a Google doc to students to make their own copy, edit, and turn back in. Super easy. Nice work!
• Maggie Eastman and Sarah Henley developed their own "Get to Know the Media Center" Breakout EDU challenge. Very fun and I don't think I embarrassed myself too badly!
• Mrs. Mullen's ELL class at Smithton is utilizing Schoology's audio submission tool to record reading samples. What a easy way to document growth in reading or speaking skills!

  

  Students recording their sentences and submitting via Schoology

Building your digital PLN...

• Meera Sood, @smssciteacher - 6th grade science teacher at Smithton Middle School
• Sarah Rausch, @SRauschCPS - Instructional Technology at Lange and Oakland
• SpaceX, @SpaceX - the future of space travel! Pretty cool stuff.

Tech updates that might interest you...

• The Schoology issue that was causing documents to show up as "Private Access Only" has been fixed. Hooray!
• Parents are having issues logging into Schoology with their Home Access account information. Direct any issues to the Help Desk.
• The Schoology web links have been removed from all computers and iPads. Students should be directed to the CPS Portal shortcut instead.
• Schoology will be releasing new advanced question types later this month. Stay tuned for update

Hope you have a great weekend! Enjoy baking those snickerdoodles, Sue!