Skype for Business and Wireless Projection

1 and 2.  Skype for Business and Microsoft Educator Community-
All users in the Pennridge School District have Skype for Business accounts.  This allows all teachers to connect with all parts of the world.  If you have not yet Skyped (whether with someone inside or outside of the district), I encourage you to make an extra effort  to do so before the end of this school year!  To find wonderful presentations that have been "vetted" and are particularly good, please visit the Microsoft Educator Community.  You will use your Office 365 credentials to sign in.   On the left of the website you'll see Skype in the Classroom and you can choose from the items you see in this picture.

There are presenters and activities for all grades and all subject levels!  Don't forget to watch this 1.5 minute video to be sure your Microsoft Educator Community profile is set-up correctly to communicate with presenters!  As always, if you'd like help, or you'd like me to set up a presenter session for/with you, please email me at anytime!  To view the Pennridge Skype Site, click here!

So how Do I find my Skype Account?

•  Click your start window at the bottom left of your screen.  
• Go to All Apps and find Skype for Business  (if you do not see it, please contact Cara Gurysh or myself)
• You will use your Office 365 credentials to sign-in.  This will most likely be your E#@psd.pennridge.org and your password is the same password you use to log-in to your computer each day.  Example:  E09456@psd.pennridge.org.  Note- there are a few cases that do not use the E#. If you need your account info, contact me!
• Once into your account, follow these printable steps to make/take a call or watch the video tutorial Chris Brockman created here!

For users who have had a successful, recent Skype experience, please take a minute to fill in this Google table to share with other users who may benefit from the experience.  I will also add these to our Skype Success tab on the Pennridge Skype Site in the near future!

3.  Wireless Projection Systems- (Middle Schools and High School)
For teachers with wireless projection, please take note of the directions on how to connect to your wireless projection here.  Very Important- If you are in a shared classroom, you must be sure to disconnect your wireless projection before you leave, or the other teacher will NOT be able to use it.
If you have any wireless projection questions or you have tips/tricks that others could benefit from, please use this Padlet.
Happy Holidays!

Device Care

1.  It is very important that students close down apps and websites on the iPad when they are done using the iPads.  Most students are familiar with closing down apps by clicking the home button 2 times, and then swiping the app up and off the screen.  However, it's also important to close down any websites used, so student information, test scores, etc. is not shared.  To close down a website, you will click on the website and see 2 squares at the top right (see picture).  By clicking on them, it will show you all websites open and make it easy to "x" them out from there.

To review both techniques, click here to view this 30 second clip.

Please teach your students both techniques to "clean up" before the next class uses the iPads!

 In addition, if you are a teacher who uses iPads often, please be sure to take a look at iPad Management!  Attached here are iPad use posters you can easily print and display in your classroom!  (All of these links are also found on the Tech Integrator's website under Tutorials for Teachers).

2.  Please take a moment to review appropriate surface cleaning techniques for iPads and laptops, especially as we are in cold and flu season!

3.  This Saturday at 9:30 AM is our first ever Seesaw Social.  If you'd like to know more, please use this Evite to RSVP! Please share this with any local teacher friends, as it is open to area school districts, as well!  The "more the merrier"!

Thank You!

1.  Thank You!

Check out some of the many reasons why I am so thankful to be one of your technology integrators this year in this brief slideshow (you'll need to be signed-in to your Google account).  In addition, if you haven't heard, the board approved moving from 2 to 3 full-time tech integrators beginning in January.  I am grateful to have met so many new people in this role, and I look forward to continuing to work with you in the years to come.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

2.  Computer Science Education Week- December 4th through 10th

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science.

Seesaw users- Check out these awesome Computer Science Projects  (How to Build an App?, Product Design 101, Jobs in Computer Science, Girls Who Code, and Preparing for a Career in Computer Science) coming up in the first week of December.  #SeesawCoders

Here is a 3rd grade example of one way Seesaw was used for this marking period's conferences.
A 2nd grader used ChatterKid to reflect on the 1st marking period to share with her parents at conferences.  

This 3rd grader used Seesaw to persuade Macy's to include his Beatle's inspired balloon design in the Thanksgiving Day Parade!  

* If you would like to get to know more about Seesaw or if you'd like to share and receive more ideas for using Seesaw in your classroom, please come to our first ever Seesaw Social at the high school on Saturday, December 2 from 9:30-10:30 AM.   Click here for the flyer and Evite.  Please remember that Seesaw can be used at ALL grade levels and all subject areas, and it can be used on both iPads and laptops!

3.  Voicemail:

 If you have not yet set up your new voicemail:  

1.       Dial 122373

2.       Enter your ID  followed by #– (ID is your voicemail extension)  

3.       Enter your PIN followed by # - (147369 when setting up)

4.       Follow the prompts to set up your messages and to set a new PIN

DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL ENROLLMENT IS COMPLETE.

Power Teacher Gradebook

Special thanks to Linda Bealer, Database Administrator, for her input in this week's post!

1. The font is too small for me to read in my Gradebook-

To make your text larger in gradebook, simply click on View in your toolbar, and select Zoom.    You may notice the comment box/text does not get bigger with this fix.  We have looked into this issue and it continues to be unresolved.  Because of this, we suggest using the magnifier tool.  To access the magnifier tool, you can click on the small magnifying glass at the top right of your browser.  Or, you can hold down the CTRL button and use the + and - keys.  (If you have a new laptop and haven't yet changed the default font of your computer, you will want to click here.

2.  Reports in Gradebook- Some teachers find it helpful to run reports for students prior to conferences, meetings, etc.  

A.  Quick Look Up-One way to run a quick report is to follow these steps for "quick look-up". This is especially quick and helpful for a parent phone call, or a student who is wondering where they are.  In the PowerSchool homescreen, click on the backpack icon.  

• Select the student, and in the Select Screens dropdown menu, click on "Quick Look Up".  There you'll see grades to date, and an overall grade for the year.

  B.   Another popular Report- Use the reports tab.  This will allow you to customize the report you'd like to run.

• Make sure you've selected the correct class.

• Choose Individual Student Report

• Select Student and customize the screen for what you're looking for

• OR choose "All Enrolled" to get a report for each student.

3.  Launching the Gradebook-

The new version of PowerTeacher Gradebook is no longer compatible with the "old launch".  Please use the "new launch" method.  Directions can be found here.

Side Note as we prepare for conference time:

Attention Seesaw users-  Keep Seesaw in mind for sharing student work at conferences.  In addition, a few teachers have had their students do a self-reflection video in Seesaw (or a separate app and uploaded to Seesaw) and the teacher will share with the parents at conference time.  Click here for an example sheet.  This example uses the Shadow Puppet app, but keep the Chatterpix app in mind too. (Thank you Tracee and Amy from Deibler and Peg from Grasse for sharing).  Stay Tuned next week for some student examples, and please share some with me if you can!

New Phones- Helpful Tips

As you all know, the new phones have launched!  Here are some helpful tips provided to you by this week's guest co-author Diane Miller!

1.  Can I check my voicemail from outside of the district?

• Dial 215-453-2373
• Enter your ID followed by #
• Your ID is your voicemail extension (222xxx) for teachers and your phone extension for all other users.
• Enter your PIN followed by #
• Follow the prompts to retrieve new or saved messages or to reach set-up options.

2.  How can parents leave me a voicemail?

• Call 215-453-2765- District Wide Faculty Voicemail Call-in Line    OR
• Call into your school main number (remains the same as the old system)
• From either number, the caller is prompted to enter the 6-digit voicemail extension they are trying to reach.
• The caller will also have the option of reaching the staff directory to get to your mailbox.
• The caller is prompted to leave a message.

3.  How can I make an outside call from my classroom phone?

• Dial 8 for an outside line- *Note-you will not get a dial tone!
• You do not need to dial a 1 within area codes 215, 610, 484, 267- these are not long distance.
• For long distance calls- Dial 1+number
• You will hear 2 beeps and your phone display will read "Enter Authorization Code"
• The Authorization code is your 5-digit employee number (same as your copier code) followed by #.

Please remember, you can search this blog for other phone tips that have been published in the past.  The blog can be found on the Tech Integration site, and also on the eLibrary sites under the Educators tab.  Have a great rest of your week!

Tech Odds and Ends

1.  Moving Photos from iPads to a Computer

The new management software has locked down the iPads for connecting to computers.
Please load Google Drive (found in the Self-Service app) onto the iPad that has the pictures, and open Google Drive with your Pennridge Account. You can then select all the photos and save them to your Google Drive. Next open Google Drive on your laptop and all the photos are now available to you.
Let Bill Swope or Erin Reichert know if you need help with this.

2.  Please be sure your students are appropriately signing-out of laptops. 

•  Students should click the Start Window at the bottom left and find their name at the top.
•  Student will select Sign-out.  At this time, it is very important NOT to close the lid of the laptop until the signing out process is complete.  Some students are rushing this, and therefore, the device is not successfully signing out.

3.  Are you looking for virtual field trips and guest speakers for use in your classroom?  

Be sure to use your Office 365 account credentials to log-in to the Microsoft Educator Community to explore Skype in the Classroom presenters.  These presenters have all been vetted by the community and are trusted speakers.  If you would like assistance with Skype, please contact Erin Reichert.  In addition, please visit the Pennridge Skype Site to check out some of the "tried and true" presenters and to look how far we've traveled via Skype!  And of course, if you've traveled somewhere that is not on the map, please let Erin know using this Google Form at any point in the school year!  This picture shows just a few of the places Pennridge has "visited" using Skype!

Phone System, continued

1. Checking Voicemail Outside of the District –

•     Dial 215-453-2373

•    Enter your ID followed by #  

•     Your ID is your voicemail extension (222xxx)

•     Enter your PIN followed by #

•     Follow the prompts to retrieve new or saved messages or to reach setup options.

2. How can Parents reach your Voicemail Box

•     Call  into your school main number (remains the same as old system)  OR

•     Call 215-453-2765 - District-wide Faculty Voicemail Call-in Line

•     From either number, the caller will be prompted to enter the voicemail extension they are trying to reach.

•     The caller will also have the option of reaching the staff directory to get to your mailbox.

•     The caller will be prompted to leave a message

3.  Cisco Self-Care Portal

• Please click here for the Cisco Self Care Portal Quick Reference Guide. 

Log onto the portal with your district username and password.
From the Portal you can do things such as:
1.     Reset your voicemail PIN (once you have successfully set it up)
2.     Forward all calls
3.     Set up phone contacts for your personal directory
4.     Change ring tones
*Much can be done right from your phone, but this is a nice interface that gives you another way of accomplishing some basic phone options.  If you do lock yourself out of voicemail with the wrong PIN, it does let you try again in 10 minutes.
Thank you again to Diane Miller, Director of IT, for being this week's Guest Author!

New Phone System

This week's guest co-author is Diane Miller, IT Director!

1.   How to check your voicemail from a classroom phone

• Click Cassette Icon (see picture)
• You'll hear Dr. Rattigan.  Press * on the keypad at any time.
• Your ID is your  6-digit voicemail extension, and this begins with 2 2 _ _ _ _ followed by #
• Follow the prompts

 2.  Click here for step-by-step directions to receive your voicemail through email.

3.  Emergency Button-  For an internal emergency where you need the front office quickly.

Hit the Emergency Button (see picture).  All principals and secretaries will be called.  Their phones will ring and ring until someone picks up.
* For an emergency requiring 911, just Dial 911.

Stay Tuned for more phone tips in the near future!
 *Checking voicemail from outside of the district
 * Faculty Voicemail call-in line for parents to call voicemail directly.

Tool Tips and Tricks

1.  Using main teacher features of your projector remote:
a.  A/V Mute button- This will allow you to put your remote to "sleep" without turning it completely off.  This will save time as you go to use it again.
b.  Freeze button- This function allows you to freeze what is on the screen, so that you can go to other sites or prepare other features on your computer before sharing with the students.
c.  Zoom In/Out.  Use this feature to zoom in/out of your screen.  This is
especially helpful to make certain parts of your presentation enlarged
during discussion.  Remember to zoom out when done.  Note- Mimio Users- this will alter your calibration.
*Not all remotes are the same as the one pictured here, but all remotes will have these buttons!
2.  Did you know that your teacher-issued Lenovo device has a built in stylus?  Depending on the Lenovo version you have, the stylus can be found on the side of your computer in a "secret" compartment.  Look Carefully! Elementary will be like the picture below.  Middle school, yours can be found on the right.

3.  Skype for Business-  All users have a Skype for Business account through their Office 365 account.  The Microsoft Educator Community is the perfect place to search for Virtual Field Trips and Guest Speakers for your class.   Use your Office 365 credentials to access these wonderful opportunities. Reminder:  Your username is most likely your E#@psd.pennridge.org  (Example:  E09213@psd.pennridge.org).  Your password is the password you use to log-in to your computer each day.   Already this year, teachers have Skyped with Yellowstone National Park, an author, a museum, and take a look at the Pennridge Skype site to see where we went last year!   Please remember, the Pennridge Skype site includes Skype troubleshooting issues, and a list of well-recommended presenters!  Please email Erin Reichert (ereichert@pennridge.org) for help setting up a Skype presenter, or for any Skype questions!


All topics of the blog can be searched through the Search Bar.  Also, no need to save the emails you receive announcing the Thursday Three.  They will all be archived on the site and can be found on the eLibrary under the Educator tab.

Scan the QR to access the Technology Integration Website

Nearpod in the Elementary Classroom- All Subjects All Grades

1.  NEARPOD-  Nearpod lessons can be shortened by editing the presentation before using it with your class.  You'll notice that in many of the lesson plans (written by fellow Pennridge teachers), there are suggested slides to delete.  This will help to ensure your Nearpod lessons are 1-2 periods in length.  Of course, you should also use your professional judgement when editing/deleting slides, as you know your kids best.  

2.  Although you can create your own Nearpod Presentations, there are TONS of free Nearpod lessons in all subject areas already posted.  In the district library, you'll find a list of suggested lessons (composed by Pennridge teachers) to help get you started, but you can search any subject at any time.  I recommend setting your filter so that only free lessons will show!  New this year- There are SEL Nearpods that you can use with our SEL curriculum.  They are meant to be used as an introduction to the TAKES PRIDE Word of the Month, and can be found on the District Library, as well.  (Simply Log in to Nearpod, click on Explore, and Select District Library to find the lessons for your grade level).
3.  Although Nearpod can be used on both the iPads and the laptops/desktop computers, I would recommend sticking to iPads for K-2 (maybe beginning of 3rd) and laptops/desktops with grades 3-5, if possible.  The reason behind this is that students are often asked to draw their responses in the primary grades, and it's much easier to use the drawings tools on the iPads.

Already comfortable with Nearpod?  Have you seen the new Collaborate Feature (Similar to Padlet in Nearpod)?  And of course, the not-so-new Draw-It Feature.  How about how they've made it easier to use PDF's in your presentation and to upload files from your Google Drive?  Check out the Nearpod Blog here and read about some of the new features!

Finally,  I would love to teach your first few Nearpod lessons for you. You could use that time to conduct F + P's, assess in other ways, or co-teach with me, so that you also feel more comfortable with the features of Nearpod!

*If you are new to the district and are in need of a Nearpod account, please contact me at ereichert@pennridge.org at any time!