This Week's Leader Board

It was a close one this week. Glenmore holds on to their lead by only 5 badges. Will Lake View take top honors next week? Santa Rita is still in third with Lamar closing in on third place. 

Digit Citizenship Week

Half-Way Point

We are at the half-way mark of Digital Citizenship Week. I encourage to you visit and make use of the resources and suggested activities found on our website. I also encourage you to set a goal to include digital citizenship activities, videos, discussions, etc. throughout the year, not just for this week. 

Not sure where or how to begin? Start here with a short video from commonsense.org that answers the question "What is Digital Citizenship?"

What next? Take a look at the interactive, engaging, full year long curriculum provided by commonsense.org and Google's Be Internet Awesome.

This Week's Leader Board

While there are no changes this week, we do want to give a SHOUT OUT to the Santa Rita Falcons for earning the most Integration Badges so far this year.

Become a World-Class Digital Citizen

Digital Citizenship Week - October 16-21, 2017

Most teachers would probably agree that while most students have and use mobile devices and computers; students don't always know how to use devices properly in an educational setting. More and more classes are branching out by connecting and collaborating with other classes from around the world. For many of our students, these are new situations; in which, they will need guidance and modeling on how to work appropriately in that type of setting. We can help make students aware of the difference between personal and professional technology use, and how to safely and responsibly use technology devices in any setting.

 
Digital Citizenship is a user's appropriate and responsible behavior with regard to technology use. So what makes a model digital citizen? Check out this link to read about the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship. 

Check out our Website for resources, activities, and games. 

Special Edition: PD in your Pajamas

Join us Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m. for a special edition of PD in your Pajamas webinar. During the webinar, we will discuss what it means to be a good digital citizen, preview the various resources and games that are available to teachers and students, and share activities that you can do with your classes during Digital Citizenship Week. 

PSA Challenge 2017

Want to inform others about the positive effects of being a good digital citizen? 

Have your students Create (up to) a 90 second video in which students communicate their understanding of one or more of the Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship and the positive effects that result from being a model digital citizen.

Guidelines for PSA

• PSA must address authentic issues relevant to digital citizenship - 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship
• PSA must be appropriate for a mixed audience (from grade level to school board)
• PSA must follow appropriate copyright guidelines
• PSA must stay within the 90-second limit (including credits)
• Winning entries will be selected showcased on SAISD Channel 4 throughout the school year.

Find more information about the challenge go to our website.

Make anything Talk with Chatterpix

Chatterpix is a free app for iPad and iPhone.

Chatterpix can be used to introduce and explain just about anything. And what's even better is that it is so easy that students of all ages can use the program. Simply take a photo, draw a line to make a mouth, record your voice (up to 30 seconds), and share. The possibilities are endless. Within the program students can also add backgrounds, stickers, and stamps. 

Here's a few ways your students can use the free, fun, easy program: 

Who Am I? 

Student research a person(s). Student find or draw appropriate image(s) of person to be used in Chatterpix. Student records facts of person using Chatterpix.

Other examples: 

Animate and explain a chemistry molecule.

Animate and explain a mathematical equation.
Animate a microscope or goggles to explain lab safety or lab directions.
Animate a map and present facts about a state or country.

If you have a lesson using Chatterpix or Chatterpix for Kids, please share it in the comment area.

What's New in Google?

Recent Updates

Google Keep 

• Keep is my all-time favorite note taking app. Now, I can organize and color code my notes with 4 new color choices: dark blue, purple, pink, and brown. 

Google Classroom

• Display your class code.
• View Individual Student Work to view in one screen what that student has turned in or is missing.
• Drag and Drop the Class Tiles to organize and arrange your classes on the Home Screen.
• Have a mobile device such as a tablet or phone? Install the mobile version of Google Classroom today. Using the mobile version allows Classroom users
• to add handwritten annotations to docs or PDFs.
• quickly take and insert a photo or video. 
• set up new notifications - vibration or sound

Android - Play Store Link

iOS - iTunes Link

Google Slides

• You can now integrate your Google Keep notes into your Slides.  YEAH!
• Toggle between Film Strip View and Grid View!
• No longer delete slides that you still need, but SKIP them to tailor your presentation for various audiences.
• Slides now have add-ons available to add more functionality to your presentations.

Google Sheets

• Create custom headers and footers