ISSUE 20 TERM 2 I 2022
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Welcome Get the most out of tech in Term 2 with this latest issue of magazine.T4L. Investigate fantastic new innovations in our lab and across the department. Boost your approach to building a more accessible classroom with great new features in some of your favourite tools. We also unpack the new T4L Kids magazine which is all about positive influencers, including some of our fantastic student representatives.
Mark Greentree Executive Director, Digital Learning
T4L loves Addicted to Wordle? Many
The Cricut craze has gripped
Have students that can’t get
imitators have emerged, but
the world, including the T4L
enough of manga? Google
Heardle tests your musical
Innovations lab where we’re
Arts and Culture has created
prowess - how quickly can you
exploring the educational
Giga Manga, which lets you
guess the song of the day?
possibilities of how this die-
create a manga character
cutting and heat pressing
from a simple sketch using
machine could enhance
AI and machine learning.
creativity and innovation in the classroom.
Content source: Heardle
Content source: Cricut
Content source: Google Arts & Culture
Understanding the student portal The student portal is very different to the staff portal. Watch these short videos to learn what’s available to students and how you can best assist them to navigate their space. Watch the K-2 video
Watch the 3-6 video
Watch the secondary video
Have you joined us on Teams? The T4L teacher community is our forum online. Join our team for up-to-the minute updates, events, resources and information as well as productivity hacks, all provided to support you with teaching and learning. 2
Please note: tools, devices, software, links and educational practices reviewed within this publication are not an indication of endorsement by the NSW DoE and cannot be used as such.
T4L Innovations Lab Why do you love the lab? It’s all about the opportunity to consider how regular consumer technology tools could have an
...with Joachim Cohen
impact in the classroom and power up teaching and learning. We get to problem-solve and think outside the box. It’s about listening and finding ways for technology to improve learning outcomes.
What are you testing right now?
Tell us more about the accessibility tools you’re exploring.
We have a new telepresence robot in the lab that,
We are looking at tools that can transform the
instead of projecting a student’s face, projects an
way people experience their classroom and
emoji image. This is great for students who might
how technology can improve access to space,
be extra shy or perhaps have had a significant
environment and all aspects of learning. It might be
change in their appearance due to an illness. Plus,
a tool that transforms a space to meet someone’s
we have some accessible classroom tools that
unique needs, opens a door on-demand or makes it
could literally change how your classroom looks,
easier to navigate their learning on a device.
feels and sounds at the push of a button.
3D printing for students with low vision Ever thought about 3D printing a brain and a skull? This is now a reality thanks to the innovative team in Braille and Large Print Services who have created a library of 3D printed designs for students with visual impairments in NSW public schools. The library also explores and evaluates different colours, textures and materials to see what students respond well to. Anatomical prints in particular have been a breakthrough, as regular raised lines in existing lowvision resources could not fully capture the way organs and other body parts may be encased in the body. There are also designs for objects such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the pyramids, among other curriculumlinked objects on offer. Schools can download the designs and print locally on a 3D printer or borrow a 3D printer via the stem.T4L team. How could these tools add another layer to how both students with low vision, as well as every student in your classroom, experiences learning? Let us know in the T4L teacher community and subscribe to the Virtual Staffroom podcast to hear our upcoming conversation in Episode 32. Content source: TouchSee
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Help with new devices
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Timesaving with Google Docs
Have you just received some new devices
Google Docs has recently undergone a powerup.
or MLDs? Want to get the latest on how
Just type @ and see all the magical shortcuts
to manage them so you can focus on
that appear. From assigning tasks to adding
exploring the teaching and learning
dates, links, bullets and other components, this
opportunities? Check out the T4L Device
is one tip to power up productivity for both you
Management pages or pass the link to your
and your students!
computer/ICT coordinator.
https://t4l.schools.nsw.gov.au
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5 tips for your techy classroom!
Apple and accessibility
Do some of your students find the typical gestures on iPad tough to master? AssistiveTouch lets you and your students customise the touch experience! To explore what you can do, simply jump to Settings >> Accessibility >> Touch >> AssistiveTouch.
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Content source: Apple
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Chromebook and accessibility
Did you know there’s a text-to-speech feature built into each Chromebook? To discover how to access your Chromebook’s accessibity settings, try (Alt + Shift + S) Then select the settings cog, and type ‘accessibility’ into the search field Then select ‘manage Accessibility features’ Next, select ‘enable select to speak’ Hold down the ‘search key’ on the keyboard and select any text to invoke the feature. Don’t forget to ask students to plug in their headphones!
More information x To discover how to access your Chromebook’s accessibility settings try the Chromebook Simulator
x Watch this great video x Access this help site.
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Windows and accessibility We’ve covered Microsoft’s amazing Immersive Reader in previous editions of magazine.T4L, but did you know the extent to which it can be used across programs on your Windows device? From
Learn more Find out more about Microsoft accessibility features here and share immersive reader with your students with T4L Kids TV.
OneNote to Minecraft: Education Edition and even on the web using your Edge browser. Plus...have you explored all the features that empower every learner? Try ‘Line focus’ to let students zone in on what’s important. Try ‘picture dictionary’ for younger or EALD learners.
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Canva for Education Google Forms resources Did you know that you can create and animate a GIF in Canva in minutes? What a way for Maximise your knowledge of Google
students to summarise a lesson, create animated
Forms with our step-by-step playbooks!
flashcards, or develop a persuasive digital text or
Step yourself through the features in detail
ad! Simply search for a GIF template and select
with our short videos and guides. From
the ‘animate’ function in the editor’s bar. Watch
surveying the community to self-marking
the latest drive-thru video at the 25 minute
quizzes, the time invested is time saved
mark for step-by-step instructions.
with Google Forms.
You can also create videos easily with Canva. Watch this on-demand webinar with the Canva team to see how.
News just in
Microsoft Learn The Microsoft Educator Centre is now called Microsoft Learn. Along with this refreshed look, there are new resources to explore – from intensive and comprehensive learning paths, to justin-time learning modules. Check out the STEM and accessibility sections to make an impact in your classroom. Content source: Microsoft
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Google Chromebook Did you know each school can now personalise their Chromebook experience, from Apps to Extensions and more? Share this page with your ICT or Computer coordinator and take advantage of all the features of the Google Delegated Admin controls.
Content source: Canva
Apple Pencil Want to purchase Apple Pencils? Find them on EdBuy The Apple Pencil has built-in scribble-to-
by simply searching ‘Apple Pencil’, and make sure you
text functions, making a new addition
select the right pencil for your iPad.
to the iPad and easier than ever to write something and have it converted automatically to text. You can write anything from a URL to a Teams message now with your Pencil. You can also explore the creative potential of the iPad with and without a Pencil using the Everyone Can Create resources.
Content source: Apple
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Unpacking T4L Kids T4L Kids Context x Sets student goals around a design thinking process and an inquiry learning model
x Can be used as an independent resource, face to face teaching or hybrid learning
x Comes with comprehensive teachers’ notes
x Embedded with curriculum-aligned challenges that will support students to build technology skills
Issue 9 – The Influencers Issue The new issue of T4L Kids asks students to explore how
and create platforms to share ideas and enact change.
they can share their ideas and voices to enact positive
They will also explore how to develop a safe, online
change in their community. Students will explore how
school community and get to know their student
to use tech to engage and survey their peer community
DOVES representatives.
What technology is featured? Google Jamboard
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Microsoft Forms
Google Sites
Share your students’ work with us t4linnovations@det.nsw.edu.au
Know your privacy settings Protect yourself and know your privacy settings online Do you lose track of files you share and the settings and editing rights you might have applied to them? The department depends on us all to use information appropriately and keep it secure. It might be time to stop and think about your privacy settings. Consider who has access to your files, and how long might they need access for? What access levels have you shared with colleagues and/or students? How can you protect the privacy of others, as well as your own?
Privacy includes the right: to be free from interference and intrusion to associate freely with who you want to be able to control who can see or use information about you.
Further resources x Learn how to share your files in One Drive and Google Drive
x Get help from Microsoft to learn how you can check who has access to your files and protect your family’s data
x Get help from Google to learn how you can ensure your files are shared with the correct permissions
x Explore Privacy Awareness Week resources and check out the Cyber safety page on the department’s website for more.
Student resources x The eSafety Commissioner provides help for students with security for their devices, sharing photos online and protecting their identity.
x You can also point students to the Grok Academy’s Cybermarvel challenges on privacy and sharing.
Content source: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
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