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Innovation & Tech Help

Creating Classes in StudySync

4/5/2017

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If you are finding this post, chances are it is the beginning of the year and you are ready to begin rocking StudySync again. I know it's most likely been a long summer and StudySync know-how was replaced with summer relevant information. We get it, it happens to the best of us.

With the exception of kindergarten students and new-to-district transfers, all district students are already input into the StudySync district database. Here are the step-by-step instructions to create your new classes and add current rosters. As always, let me know if you need guidance or troubleshooting.

Step 1: Go to connected.mcgraw-hill.com and login with your McGraw-Hill account. If you forgot your login information:
  1. If you are a Lake Tahoe Unified teacher email jervin@ltusd.org
  2. If you are a teacher in a different district email your curriculum coordinator.

Step 2: Click the “Manage and Assign” Tab on the top menu bar

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom and click “Create Class”
StudySync Manage Class Tab
Step 4: Name your class and select the grade level. Then, click the button to “Add Students”​

Step 5: Search for the students on your roster by first or last name. Notice: There is a scroll bar on the right for more names (I missed this and it first looked like not all students were added). Click the checkbox and “Save”. Yes, we have to do this for every student (Tedious, sorry…)
StudySync Add Students Pop-up Image
Step 6: At the bottom of the class list of names is a button to “Print Password List” which will give you passwords and usernames.
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SMARTBoard Projector Errors

4/4/2017

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You're ready to rock your tech-infused lesson for the day and (of course) your SMART Board doesn't work. Before you contact your Site Tech Rep, check out the list below to identify your specific projector issue. Relay the specific issue to your Site Tech Rep and get quicker help or an immediate fix. Cannot find your projector issue? Email jervin[at]ltusd[dot]org.

Troubleshooting Tip
If the SMART Board is not responding, complete the following steps BEFORE contacting your Site Tech Rep.
  1. Turn off the projector and wait for the unit to complete the cooldown cycle.
  2. Unplug the projector from the power outlet. Wait a minimum of 2 minutes.
  3. Reconnect the projector to the power outlet.
  4. Restart the projector.

Still experiencing issues? Look at the error lights on your projector unit and reference the issue list below.
SmartBoard Projector Service Lights
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SMARTboard Troubleshooting Guide

4/4/2017

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Looking for a quick reference to issues with your SMART Interactive whiteboard or projector? Take a look at this easy-search manual for the 600i4 whiteboard and UX60 projector. ​​
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CARDBOARD CAMERA-- GOOGLE CARDBOARD APP

3/6/2017

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While attending the ​CLS 2017 Technology Conference, in Monterey, CA, I was introduced to Google Cardboard by Warren Dale. I had heard of and seen Cardboard previously, but only saw it at the time as desert instead of an entree to student learning. According to Dale:
Cardboard is the latest immersive, interactivity technology offered for free by Google! Let BYOD, DIY, 3D and virtual reality grab your students’ interest and immerse them into multiple CCSS and NGSS. Experience existing projects, start creating your own virtual world, and begin to integrate this exciting, addictive technology into your classroom. The only materials needed are a smartphone with a Cardboard apps installed, and a Cardboard headset.
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Although there were several amazing takeaways for Cardboard that can all be applied to learning and engagement for K-12 students, one specific Cardboard app I fell in love with was "Cardboard Camera", available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Cardboard Camera allows users to take 3D panorama VR photos that transport the viewer right into the event. The app works by 3D layering the panorama with a looping audio file that is recorded while taking the panorama. The result, for example, is an experience that will allow you to immerse yourself into pictures from a family cruise to Mexico with 86 degree temperature if you return home to find two feet of snow and 13 degree temperatures.
Cardboard Camera pictures can be instantly shared with other users through the app and can now also be shared on the web or text message. [Note: Pictures shared outside of the app are not 3D layered and do not include the audio files.]
VR Photo shared from Cardboard Camera

Applications for Learning

Students can create an immersive record of independent study trips, field trips, extended learning trips, and even study abroad courses. Teachers can require students to capture one Cardboard Camera picture per event or location on the trip, and provide a brief narrative journal about the experience.
  • Students can take the pictures with Cardboard Camera and include a written narrative about the event
  • Students can even narrate the experience while they are taking the panorama picture. Their audio narrative will then be looped over the picture as a digital journal experience
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GRAMMARLY-- YOUR NEW WRITING ASSISTANT

3/5/2017

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Struggling to implement the most effective writing and grammar curriculum for students? Let me introduce you to Grammarly, a go-to resource for "English language writing enhancement"
I had heard of Grammarly before but was not fully aware of its complete capabilities. Grammarly is live-time grammar, punctuation, and spelling proofing for writers. Additionally, instead of simply correcting writing mistakes in a passive format, Grammarly provides a brief explanation of the error and correction so writers can learn to correct their common mistakes. ​
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Grammarly provides students with an expandable writing card with suggestions for fixing mistakes and examples of the corrections in action.
Grammarly is available as a "free" Chrome Extension,  a downloadable Mac OS X application, a Microsoft Word add-in for Windows, and can even be used online through the user's Grammarly account. An extra benefit is that work created within the Grammarly App itself will automatically sync to all devices that are signed in with the user's account.
​Users should note that free version does have its limitations, as is true of most freemium programming nowadays. The full-version, paid premium features include:
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In contrast, the free version provides 100+ checks, and does not include specialty document format checking, plagiarism checker, vocabulary enhancement suggestions, or professional proofreading. At first glance that may seem like the entire program's capabilities. Fear not, even in its free version, Grammarly provides enough functionality to serve as a solid jumping off place for student writers.

Applications for Learning

Students or IT administrators can download the Chrome Grammarly extension for free. Students then simply compose writing as normal and the program will automatically embed live corrections to their writing.
  • Writing Card-- Students can expand the writing card for an errors to learn about the associated writing rule and see extra examples of the proper use.
  • Plagiarism Checker-- In the paid version, the plagiarism checker be guide students with citation corrections before they submit final drafts to Turnitin.com.
  • Speciality Documents-- In the paid version, students can select different document types, called genres, to receive even more relevant corrections. Current document types include: General (default), business, technical, medical, creative, casual.
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