May Issue of Learning, Teaching & Technology Newsletter

You can read the latest newsletter here:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/CR2RdhQ7OF4dk/

Save the Date: Camp Chromebook, June 20, 2018

Join us for Camp Chromebook on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Boise-Eliot/Humboldt School in Portland, OR. This is a *free* professional learning opportunity for anyone that is interested in learning more about Google Apps and G Suite for Education tools and how to integrate them into your classroom instruction using best practices and relevant strategies. All levels welcome. Check back for the schedule to see the sessions that will be offered.

Register here for the event to save your spot! You can volunteer to facilitate a session here. Please share with any interested colleagues.

About the camp:

• Will run from 8am - 1pm for a full day of fun.
• Bring your own device (Chromebook or laptop recommended).
• Four session times, each one 55 minutes long.
• Each session time slot will have multiple workshops to choose from, you pick what you want to learn more about.
• Use the hashtag #campchromebook to share your learning.
• PDUs will be available.

New Ways to Comment on Microsoft Files (and More) in Google Drive

From the Google Blog:

"Google Drive makes it easy to store and share files in the cloud so you can collaborate securely with your teams and clients while on the go. And we understand that teams work with all kinds of files and tools to get things done. Starting today, we're making it possible to comment directly on more file types including Microsoft Office files, PDFs and images—without having to convert them into Docs, Sheets or Slides." Read more details at the post linked above.

Clever Badges for K-3

Clever Badges were sent out to all K-3 classrooms right after winter break. The badges are a fast and fun way for K-3 students (sorry, not for staff) to log in to Chromebooks—no typing necessary, allowing instructional time to be saved. TechSmart and Title 1 schools have already been using Clever Badges with great success. This first year, IT has partnered with PPS Libraries to sponsor the printing and distribution of Clever Badges, including lanyards and badge holders, to our remaining K-3 grades at the 33 schools that don’t currently have them. All K-3 staff at each building have the ability to print out new and/or replacement badges and it is expected that after this year, each building will be responsible for printing out their own badges for the new class of incoming kindergartners while transitioning the current student badges to their next grade level. A Clever Badge/IT Outreach pop-up station is available to visit schools to offer support and answer questions about Clever Badges or general IT-related issues. If you are interested in having the pop-up come to your building, please fill out the form and offer three possible dates and times. Once the calendar is finalized, you’ll receive a confirmation message with the date of your visit. If you have questions, please visit the Clever webpage for more information or contact the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@pps.net or 503-916-3375.

An Update on the Classic Google Sites Deprecation Timeline

Check out this information about how to migrate from the classic version of Google Sites, so you can effectively plan for the eventual shutdown of the classic Sites.

Reminder: Please Continue to Share Info About New Chromebook Login Screen

Please continue to share information about this change since IT has received feedback that some users are still confused about how to login on the new Chromebook login screen. Remind everyone to just click the “Sign in with a different account” link on the left hand side. ONLY K-3 students using a Clever Badge can login by clicking “NEXT” on the right side. Clicking “Sign in with a different account” allows you to enter your login credentials and bypasses all the issues that users are having. Posters were ponied to all schools, but here’s the link if you want to print and share it again: bit.ly/cbloginposter. Also, in case anyone is worried–the camera is not taking pictures or recording video of anyone–several staff were confused that this might be happening. Other questions? Direct folks to the Chromebook Login & Clever FAQ at bit.ly/ppsclever. Here's the link to the video posted above.

New Chromebook Login Screen

The login screen for all Chromebooks across the district is changing Nov. 28. See the image below for the new process. It will also allow K-3 students with Clever Badges to have an easier Chromebook login experience. More information about Clever Badges will be coming soon. You can download a poster about this new process, but copies will also be ponied out to all buildings during the next couple of weeks and messages will be sent to Admin Connection and All-PPS. Please spread the word as this change will affect all staff and students using Chromebooks.