5-7-2024 Tuesday Tech Tips

    

In today's Tuesday Tech Tips, read all about saving time & resources with the GCSD Print Shop, free premium access to the Calm app for NYSUT members, important safety information regarding Chromebook charging, a PL opportunity on AI, and more! ➡️ ➡️➡️

💡 Quick Tip 💡 + = While your Chromebook keyboard doesn't have a "Delete" key, to mimic the Delete key's functionality on Chrome OS, you can use this keyboard shortcut: Search Key + Backspace. Use this key combo to erase the character to the right of, or "in front of," your blinking cursor.

Do you have a tip or idea for the Tuesday Tech Tips? Or a request for a topic or question you'd like to know more about? Please let us know! You can email us at joseph.lombardo@greececsd.org with your submission.

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GCSD's Print Shop is located in the Transportation and Support Services Facility, and offers a wide variety of products and services to our schools and departments. They're also really nice people! In an effort to spread the word about what's available in-house, they have put together this handy resource HERE. Employees are encouraged to use the Print Shop for most print jobs, because doing so saves time and money. The Print Shop is part of the Communications Office, and they're happy to work with employees on all types of custom jobs. Contact them at extension 2640 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. with any questions about printing and mailing services. A link to submit jobs electronically is in ClassLink in the "GCSD Operations" folder.

Please also consider costs and the environment before printing. Can you share documents digitally instead? Are you printing only the pages and copies necessary?  Can you use tools like Kami, Google Docs, and Google Classroom to collaborate and annotate digitally instead?

Whenever copying or sharing any material, on paper or electronically, don't forget to consider Copyright laws! This one page document HERE is designed especially for teachers and how copyright impacts us. To enjoy some light reading on GCSD's Board Policy and Regulations on Copyright, click HERE.

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Calm is a mental health app designed to help you manage stress, sleep better, and live a happier, healthier life. Their research-based tools help you build life-changing habits to support your mental health.

While Calm is a district-approved digital resource, the district does not have a subscription, so you're limited to the free tools. However, NYSUT members have access to a free premium account. The premium Calm subscription provides members with unlimited access to the full library of content at calm.com and in the Calm app, which can be utilized via a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Members can add up to five dependents (age 16 or older) to receive their own premium Calm subscription.

The link with instructions from NYSUT is HERE. Please note you may have to be logged into your NYSUT account in order for that link to work.

When you follow the directions linked at that page, it suggests using your personal email address to set up your account. If you use your GCSD Google account instead, then you can use the Calm app in ClassLink with the Google log in. If you plan to use Calm only from your personal device, then we'd recommend using your personal email address.

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A student in another district in NYS was charging a Chromebook at home on a couch cushion when a family member smelled smoke. The battery had failed, caught fire, and burned the couch fabric and cushion- which thankfully were treated with flame retardant, avoiding what could have been a devastating tragedy.

Based on this event, we're sharing the following recommendations from NYSIR Director of Risk Management:  

• Electronic devices should be charged on a solid surface where the device has appropriate space to vent, NEVER on fabric such as a chair, couch cushion, pillow, bed, or blanket.

• Charge devices where they can be monitored. If the device gets hot, unplug it and take it outside away from combustibles. 

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Teachers, register for this upcoming PL opportunity offered to all NYS teachers through the Greater Rochester Teacher Center Network, Harnessing the Power of AI to Elevate Student Learning and Engagement, on July 24 from 8-3 at the TSSF. Greece teachers can earn 6 PL hours with no cost to register.

Remember that our current district-approved and supported AI tool is MagicSchool. See HERE for more information and to register.

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Looking for PL Hours? Be sure to check out the ITT’s page for Recommended PL HERE. You’ll find upcoming webinar and session opportunities, as well as ongoing opportunities for digital tool certifications and self-paced learning. These offerings are updated frequently so bookmark the site and check back often!

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For assistance with these topics, or anything else related to instructional technology, please click HERE to book an appointment with your building's ITT.