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  This year we began sending out a Tech Tuesday e-mail newsletter filled with tips and news from the Information Technology Department, the Instructional Technology Integration section, the Student Information System department, and shared teacher technology features.  Every student enrolled has a district e-mail account for school-related correspondences. Students may log in to their accounts by clicking on the "Office365" login screen icon located on the school computer desktop screen. The student e-mail link is also located under “STUDENT LINKS” on the Tolleson Union Home Page.  Within the first quarter, we rolled out district-wide accounts for My Big Campus (MBC), a learning management system (LMS) that has the look and feel of popular social networking websites. Classes have been created within MBC as groups. Teachers have the ability to manage group content to include online discussions, resources, optional chat features, group calendars, assignments and quizzes, and additional group pages. Staff and administrators have the ability to build a Professional Learning Community (PLC) within MBC by opening dialogue and by sharing resources and professional experiences within school, district content, or MBC-wide professional groups. MBC features a 20/24 hour, live helpdesk resource, known as Bob Campus. Teachers and students may post questions on Bob Campus’s wall with specific concerns. Additionally, Bob Campus promotes digital citizenship and student online safety by looking out for and addressing inappropriate/offensive user posts.
 Thousands of CCC! Streaming Media and content partner videos are available for classroom use through MediaCAST. MediaCAST is our district multimedia database, which allows teachers to checkout educational videos and to display them through the computer/projector connection. We are also using MediaCAST to broadcast morning announcements at Copper Canyon High School, Westview High School, and soon Sierra Linda High School! Sign in to MediaCAST by typing in your district credentials. Use the Quick Search tool to browse the numerous resources available! The videos below provide an overview of MediaCAST features. Getting Started with MediaCAST / Learn to log in to Media Cast. Video Resources on MediaCAST / Learn to search for multimedia content within MediaCAST. Accessing Digital TV on MediaCAST / Learn to access Digital TV through MediaCAST. Please note that schools have pre-programmed the available channels for viewing.  Our IT department has worked diligently over the years to maintain and support our school computer labs. During school year 2011-2012, a number of laptop carts were deployed at each main site, and again, during school year 2012-2013, more will be sent out to our schools for classroom use. Our hope is to provide our teachers and students more opportunities to promote and demonstrate 21st Century learning with technology and thereby improve academic success in our schools.  In the spring of 2012 we created the iPad Incentive & Initiative Training Program, giving teachers the opportunity to receive an iPad for instructional use while receiving appropriate training and support. Participants in this program were required to attend all specified trainings, collaborate with peers, and share lessons and activities. This school year, we have revamped the iPad Incentive Training Program to provide similar opportunities to more teachers at various levels of technology skills and needs. We will send out announcements and applications to teachers as more information is made available.  Last year, at least one teacher per school participated in an iPad classroom pilot program. These teachers sought various ways for their students to use the iPads in their content areas and began to integrate various app features to deliver content, to promote active note-taking and productivity, to encourage collaboration, and to assess learning.  As part of our dedication to promote student achievement, we will expand our current use of Galileo’s online assessment and data analysis features for district assessments by encouraging teachers to use the online test options. Students will be able to log in to the assessment portal and take assigned tests for immediate scoring and analysis. Tara Suggs |
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