Vol. 2, Issue 1 August 20, 2013
Tech News Tuesday weekly eNewsletter IN THIS ISSUE Cool Tool of the Week – Internet Essentials $9.95 broadband Internet Student Tech Mentors Wanted Online Resource of the Week – Remind101.com Mobile App of the Week – Big Kid Life Vet Trending Topic – Social and Emotional Learning Office Tip of the Week – 5 Quick Tips and Tricks using Outlook Email Presentation Tip of the Week – 40+ Wonderful Educational Posters for Teachers & 10 Techy Icebreakers for the 21st Century Teacher Bonus Tip! – How to setup MCS email on a Smartphone
TECH NEWS TUESDAY
| Vol. 2, Issue 1 – AUGUST 20, 2013
Low-cost home Internet service for students
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Table of Contents Page 1
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Page 2 WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY STAFF RESOURCES
Cool Tool of the Week Internet Essentials from Comcast InternetEssentials.com is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. It provides low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month plus tax; the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in-person. Become a partner school Partner.InternetEssentials.com Learning and Training Center Learning.InternetEssentials.com
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How to qualify To qualify for $9.95 a month Internet service and low-cost computer, the household must meet all these criteria: Have at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days Not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment
How to apply Call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to request an application An application will be mailed to you. Complete and return it, along with lunch program documents from the child’s school You will be notified by mail about your status of your application. Allow 7-10 days for a response
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Visit the Tech News Tuesday feedback page Current and Past Editions
Modesto City Schools | Office of Instructional Technology www.mcs4kids.com/mcsit
TECH NEWS TUESDAY
| Vol. 2, Issue 1 – AUGUST 20, 2013
2 ISTE NETS-S
ISTE NETS S for Students
(weekly words of weekly wisdom)
Student Tech Mentors of the Week
MAKE
by You
Your School will be listed here Your Job Title will go here
SOLVE
Looking for outstanding student stories for our Student Tech Mentors of the Week section of the TNT eNewsletter. Please nominate a student from your class that you feel excels at technology and is helping out in the classroom, assisting fellow students, or using technology in a creative way. Please use the Tech News Tuesday online feedback form to nominate your Student Tech Mentor of the Week! > click here See examples of last year’s stories in our TNT eNewsletter archive > click here
Edmodo is a socia learning platform for teachers, students, and parents. It has the look of Facebook but with educational applications. On Edmodo, teachers are at the center of a powerful network that connects them to students, administrators, and parents. In Edmodo’s secure environment, teachers and students can collaborate, share content, and use educational apps to augment inclassroom learning. These powerful capabilities enable teachers to personalize learning for every student. Edmodo is free.
USE
Click Here to Nominate a Student
FIND
Modesto City Schools has a districtwide deployment of Edmodo. TO LEARN MORE VISIT:
We would enjoy hearing about technology being used in the classroom and any support we can provide. Looking for Teachers to share classroom lessons using technology to feature in upcoming issues of TNT eNewsletter. Please complete this form to share or ask for assistance using technology for a classroom project. > click here
You and your students wanted! Online Resource of the Week
www.remind101.com A safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents. Free. Easy to use. Students and parents sign up by sending a text message or email. They never have to visit remind101.com Instantly send a message to a class of students or their parents. Secure: teachers never see student or parent’s real phone numbers. Add up to 10 classes. Schedule messages for delivery for later. > Screencast using Remind101 > PDF Handouts: What is Remind101? and What makes Remind101 safe? > Learning more about Remind101 Features Modesto City Schools | Office of Instructional Technology www.mcs4kids.com/mcsit
TECH NEWS TUESDAY
| Vol. 2, Issue 1 – AUGUST 20, 2013
Mobile App of the Week
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Big Kid Life Vet
http://goo.gl/O6ddAP A fun game for kids building pre-reading skills. Kids are in charge of a Veterinary Hospital and help fix the animals by answering questions. Teachers or parents can get skills reports emailed to them. Kids will get plenty of hints if they have too much trouble. The shapes, pictures, letters, and questions are age-appropriate.
iPad, iPod, iPhone Free Grades K-1 Subjects: Language, Reading, Math
Trending Topic of the week
SEL Social and Emotional Learning SEL strategies can transform student learning in every classroom by:
improving positive attitudes towards self and other increasing student academic performance reducing aggression and emotional distress among students It's not enough to simply fill students' brains with facts. A successful education demands that their character be developed as well. That's where social and emotional learning comes in. SEL is the process of helping students develop the skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflict nonviolently, and make responsible decisions. Resources: > Edutopia Social and Emotional Learning Overview, History, Experts, Research, and Why Modesto City Schools | Office of Instructional Technology www.mcs4kids.com/mcsit
TECH NEWS TUESDAY
| Vol. 2, Issue 1 – AUGUST 20, 2013
Office Tip of the week
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High Five for Outlook Email 5 Quick Tips and Tricks using
What a better way to get the School Year started then to update your skills in Microsoft Office! Sign up today for the free online training for MCS Employees to take self-paced lessons on courses you choose in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. Your account is good for the full calendar year.
Outlook 2010 Email 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Finding a Contact Quick Access Toolbar Email Signature and Theme Out of Office Assistant Quick Parts Email Message Builder
> Click here for a flyer and how to sign up NEW MCS IT Self-Help Desk Website Website focusing on the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS with technology that we thought would be helpful. Please let us know any topics you think should be added. www.mcs4kids.com/helpdesk
Presentation Tip of the Week
BONUS TIP!
http://goo.gl/qcS6H9
10 Techy Icebreakers for the 21st Century Teacher http://goo.gl/CqjUNs
ADDING YOUR MCS EMAIL TO YOUR SMART PHONE If you ever wanted to add your MCS email to your Android, iPhone, iPad, or iPod follow these directions:
> Smartphone MCS Email Setup Link
Modesto City Schools | Office of Instructional Technology www.mcs4kids.com/mcsit