Changes to Computer Technician Building Assignments

Effective Monday, March 3, 2025, building assignments for our computer technicians will be adjusted to bring greater efficiency and responsiveness in our work. This change comes as a response to the feedback we have received from staff and analysis of our technology tickets. We expect there may be some challenges as our team transitions to their new building assignments, however, we believe these changes will result in faster response times and resolutions to technology issues. 

To assist us with providing you better service, we ask that all technology-related issues be submitted as a Technology Request in ML WorkOrders. We recognize that some staff may prefer to communicate directly with a technology staff member rather than submit a ticket. However, using the ticketing system allows us to effectively manage and respond to everyone’s needs, ensuring no requests are missed or delayed. We are continuously working to improve our technology request system, and we will soon be introducing self-service options that may help you resolve issues even before submitting a ticket.

As a reminder, you can submit a Technology Request ML WorkOrders by going to helpdesk.pccsk12.com or selecting Tech Request Form under the P-CCS Bookmarks folder in Chrome.

We look forward to better serving the needs of the P-CCS community.

Quiz Whiz: Boost Learning with Online Platforms & Fast Feedback

EduTip: give lots of quizzes

Are you looking for ways to make learning more effective and engaging for your K-12 students? Frequent quizzing is a powerful learning strategy. Research indicates that regular testing enhances information retention compared to other review methods like re-reading or note-taking. Recently, Jennifer Gonzalez from the Cult of Pedagogy podcast highlighted these findings in her EduTips series. Find it here.

The Power of Quizzing. Regular quizzes can significantly improve student performance and long-term memory. One study showed that students scored 10% higher on material they were tested on versus material they only re-read. Quizzes encourage retrieval practice, which strengthens memory connections, even if students answer incorrectly.

Low-Stakes Quizzes. Aim for low-stakes or ungraded quizzes to reduce student anxiety. Use the results to inform your teaching and adjust your lessons accordingly, focusing on learning rather than penalizing.

The Fast and the Curious EduProtocol.  This method, detailed in “The EduProtocol Field Guide” by Marlena Hebern and Jon Corippo, provides timely feedback and encourages repetition for better results. This strategy recommends quizzing students on new material, giving a mini-lesson on the questions most missed, and have them take the quiz again for immediate growth and retrieval practice. Continue offering at least one rep of the quiz throughout the week until you get most of the class at mastery.

recipe for fast & curious eduprotocol

Online Quizzing Platforms. Integrate platforms like Gimkit, Blooket, and Quizizz with the Fast and the Curious EduProtocol. There are many platforms out there, reach out to a TIS to see which one may be the best fit for your goals. Here’s how it works:

  • Administer a quick game and review the results.
  • Offer a brief re-teach or mini-lesson focusing on areas where students struggled.
  • Immediately replay the game.
  • Repeat this process over a few days.

Emphasize Repetition. Repetition is crucial. The goal is to achieve 95% proficiency, adjusting the timeline based on the difficulty of the material. As Jon Corippo notes, repeated practice, like shooting a three-point shot in basketball, is essential for mastery.

Communicate with Students. Share the benefits of quizzing with your students. By understanding how quizzes help their brains learn, they’ll be more receptive to this learning method.

By incorporating frequent, low-stakes quizzes and innovative methods like the Fast and the Curious EduProtocol, you can transform your classroom into a more engaging and effective learning environment.

Primer on Social Engineering and Mining

As we continue to see a rise in various kinds of attempts to take advantage of our network, here again is a simple review of some of those ways being used. Bottom line, PLEASE STAY VIGILANT to STAY SAFE!

Social engineering is an attempt to trick an individual into revealing information or taking an action that can be used to attack systems or networks. Social mining is an attempt to gather information about the organization that may be used to support future attacks.

Examples of commonly used types of social engineering:

phishing Phishing is a digital form of social engineering that uses authentic-looking emails to trick users into sharing personal information. It usually includes a link that takes the user to a fake website. If you cannot verify the source, do not open the link. Report suspicious messages to your IT team.

  • Spear Phishing is a type of phishing where a specific user or group of users is targeted because of their position (such as a company’s administrators).
  • Quishing, short for QR code phishing, is a type of phishing where a QR code is used to trick users into visiting malicious websites or downloading malware.

social media Social media exploitation is where the attacker uses information found on a user’s social media profiles to create a targeted phishing attack.

Pretexting and Impersonation is where the attacker creates a fictional backstory that is used to manipulate someone into providing private information or to influence behavior. Attackers will often impersonate a person of authority, co-worker, or trusted organization to engage in back-and-forth communication prior to launching a targeted spear phishing attack.

  • calling Fake IT Support calls are a common form of impersonation where someone pretends to be an authorized user or administrator in an attempt to gain illicit access to protected data systems. The attacker has enough information to sound credible, and they ask the user for some bit of information that will allow the attacker to gain access to the desired system.

Baiting is the use of a false promise to lure the user into a trap, including enticing ads that lead to malicious sites or encourage users to download a malware-infected application.

  • scareware Scareware is a type of baiting where the use of false alarms or fictitious threats lure the user into a trap. One example is the attacker convincing a user that their system is infected with malware and that they should install software granting remote access. Another example is the attacker claiming to have sensitive videos which will be released if the user does not pay.
  • Quid pro quo is a type of baiting where the attacker requests the exchange of some type of sensitive information such as critical data, login credentials, or monetary value in exchange for a service. For example, a user might receive a phone call from an attacker who, posed as a technology expert, offers free IT assistance or technology improvements in exchange for login credentials.

coming in with someone elseTailgating, also known as “piggybacking”, is where an unauthorized person manipulates their way into a restricted area, such as impersonating a well-known role (e.g., delivery driver or custodian worker) or asking a user to “hold the door”.

  • Thread-jacking is a type of digital tailgating where the attacker replies to an existing email exchange, inserting themselves into a legitimate conversation.

avoidsnoopsShoulder surfing is where an unauthorized person stands near a user to get the user’s password or other data from the user’s computer monitor.

  • Angle your computer so that other people cannot see what you are typing

    Use a privacy screen to make your screen less visible to others

    If possible, sit or stand with your back to a wall when entering a password on a device in public

    Try to avoid viewing restricted information in public

    Shield forms from viewing when filling out paperwork

    Use strong passwords to make it more difficult for someone to guess what you typed

    Remember to lock your computer or device when you leave your desk

Did You Know? Focus Mode in Chromebooks

Chromebook focus mode

Distractions are a major challenge for students. Chromebook’s built-in Focus mode can help. This simple tool minimizes interruptions, creating a dedicated work environment.

What Focus Mode Does:

  • Sets a timer for focused work.
  • Silences notifications.
  • Integrates with Google Tasks (optional).
  • Offers calming sounds (optional).

How Students Can Use It:

  • Study Sessions: Block out distractions during homework or test prep.
  • Writing Time: Concentrate on essays or creative writing.
  • Project Work: Deep dive into research or project development.
  • Reading: Focus on comprehension without interruptions.

Tips for Teachers:

  • Demonstrate: Show students how to access and use Focus mode.
  • Encourage Regular Use: Suggest incorporating Focus mode into daily routines.
  • Discuss Benefits: Talk about the positive impact of focused work on learning.

Focus mode is a simple yet powerful tool to help students develop concentration skills and improve their academic performance. Encourage your students to give it a try! Here’s a guide from Google on how to activate it. https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/15642977?hl=en 

focus mode

Unleash Student Creativity with Adobe Express

adobe express blog

Are you looking for a dynamic tool to empower your students’ creative expression? Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is available within our district, offering a powerful platform for visual storytelling and project-based learning.

While you might be familiar with similar design tools like Canva, Adobe Express stands out with its simple and intuitive video creation capabilities. Students can easily craft engaging video projects, incorporating multimedia elements and fostering digital literacy skills using the robust stock library. Beyond video, the integrated AI image generator opens up exciting new avenues for visual exploration. Students can use text prompts to generate unique images, sparking imagination and adding a distinctive touch to their work. The AI image generator is safe to use with students in all grades.

Adobe Express offers more than just design templates. It’s a platform that allows students to amplify their voices and showcase their unique perspectives. From presentations and infographics to digital storytelling and social media campaigns, this tool empowers students to communicate effectively and creatively. Integrate Adobe Express into your curriculum to:

  • Boost student engagement: Transform learning into interactive and visually compelling experiences.
  • Develop essential skills: Foster digital literacy, communication, and critical thinking.
  • Encourage creative expression: Provide a platform for students to share their ideas and perspectives.

Explore the possibilities of Adobe Express and witness the incredible work your students can create.

Students can access Adobe Express through Clever or it can be found and accessed through the waffle.

Reach out to a Technology Integration Specialist (submit a tech ticket) if you’d like assistance using this platform with students.

Is That Copy/Paste…or Voice Typing?

As we continue to explore ways to support student learning and address concerns about AI use in assignments, I wanted to bring a key point to your attention regarding Google Doc version history and tools used to track it that specifically call out large copy/pastes (Revision History, Brisk Teaching).

If you’re using version history to examine student contributions and potentially identify instances of AI-generated text (copy/pasting), please be aware that students who use voice typing will often appear to have made numerous copy-paste actions. This is because voice typing software often inserts text in chunks, which can be misinterpreted by the version history tool. It will generally show up as 100+ large copy/pastes (depending on the length of the writing).

It’s crucial to remember that there are many legitimate reasons why a student might use voice typing:

  • Accessibility needs: Students with physical limitations may rely on voice typing to complete written assignments.
  • Learning differences: Students with dyslexia or other learning differences may find voice typing a more effective way to express their ideas.
  • Personal preference: Some students simply find voice typing to be a faster and more comfortable way to write.

Therefore, banning voice typing is not a practical or equitable solution. Instead, we should focus on assessing student understanding and authorship in meaningful ways. Let’s work together to find solutions that support all learners while maintaining academic integrity. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or ideas. Keep your eye out for a new blog series coming soon: Teaching in the Age of AI.

Khanmigo Teacher Tools Introduces Blooket Question Generator

Two great educational tools have teamed up to save you time. Khanmigo Teacher Tools (branch of Khan Academy) recently added a tool of a Blooket Generator.

What’s Blooket?

Blooket is a gamified learning platform designed to make learning fun through games.

blooket screen

Here’s a breakdown:

  • How it works:

    • Teachers create or use pre-made quizzes (called “sets”) with questions related to a specific topic. Now made easier with Khamigo’s new tool.
    • Students join a game hosted by the teacher using their own devices (phones, tablets, computers).
    • Students answer questions in a variety of game modes (e.g., Tower Defense, Gold Quest, Battle Royale).
    • Correct answers earn points, which students use to “buy” and “sell” virtual items called “Blooks” (cute avatars).

In essence, Blooket aims to transform traditional quizzes into interactive and enjoyable learning experiences, making it a popular tool in many classrooms.

What’s Khanmigo Teacher Tools?

Khanmigo for Teachers is an AI-powered teaching assistant (like MagicSchool and many others) developed by Khan Academy. It’s designed to help educators with various tasks, making their work more efficient and effective.

Here’s a summary:

  • Key Features:

    • Lesson Planning: Generate lesson plans, create clear directions, create lesson hooks or make the topic more relevant to students
    • Content Creation: Create exit tickets, multiple choice quizzes, and generate informational texts
    • Communication: Generate newsletter content

preview of khanmgio's teacher tools

In essence, Khanmigo for Teachers aims to empower educators by providing them with an intelligent assistant that supports their teaching practice in a variety of ways.

Interested in accessing Khanmigo Teacher Tools directly in Canvas? Add it by following the steps here.

Want to learn more about this new tool integrating Blooket and Khanmigo? Check out this video.

Save Time with Chrome Toolbar Customization

Chrome toolbar customization

Chrome 132, the first major update of 2025, brings a long-awaited feature: customizable toolbars for desktop users.

How to Customize:

  • Access Customization: On the New Tab Page, click “Customize Chrome” in the bottom right corner.
  • Choose Your Tools: Select the buttons you want to appear to the left or right of the address bar from the following categories:
    • Navigation: Home, Forward
    • Your Chrome: Password Manager, Bookmarks, Reading List, History, Delete Browsing Data
    • Tools & Actions: Print, Search with Google Lens, Translate, Create QR Code, Reading Mode, Copy Link, Send to your devices
  • Rearrange and Enjoy: Drag and drop icons to organize your toolbar. Most will open in the convenient side panel.

menu to customize Chrome toolbar

Teacher Tips:

  • “Send to your devices” is helpful to send links from your phone to your laptop (if both logged into Chrome)
  • “Search with Google Lens” provides quick access to visual information, perfect for exploring images and concepts.
  • Create QR Code: No need for a fancy extension, Chrome can generate a QR code for you.
  • Enhance Workflow: Pin frequently used tools like “Bookmarks” or “History” for easy access.
  • Translate: Support multilingual learners with quick access to translate materials.

Note: Toolbar customizations sync across all your desktop Chrome browsers.

To Update Chrome:

  1. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
  2. Go to “Settings.”
  3. In the left sidebar, select “About Chrome.”

By customizing the Chrome toolbar, teachers can create a more efficient and personalized browsing experience.

Important Note: This is available on desktops and laptops but is not currently available for Chromebooks. Hopefully, it will be incorporated soon so students can take advantage of these features.

Google Forms Now Require Publishing

Prior to the update: You could potentially share a form link even before “publishing” it, which might lead to unintended access. Additionally, you would turn on, “Accepting Responses” to allow people to respond. Now, you Publish the form to accept responses.

location of publish button in Google Forms
Location of new Publish button in Google Forms. In order to get responses, you must publish it.
screen options when publishing
When you click Publish, you will see this screen. The form will default to anyone in Plymouth-Canton can respond. Click “Manage” to adjust this.

After the update: You must explicitly “Publish” the form before it becomes accessible to others, even if you have shared the link. You can share editing access to the form from the traditional, share icon. visual of share icon

Preview of sharing and collaborating options for forms.
When you click the share button, you will be able to update collaborators on the form and responder permissions.

Enhanced Security: This update adds a layer of security by requiring a deliberate action (publishing) to make the form accessible. This helps prevent accidental sharing or premature access.

Better Control: It gives form creators more control over when their form goes live and who can access it.

 

For additional support, see Google’s guide.

Canvas Semester/Quarter Transition

Teacher desk with an alarm clock on it

With the upcoming change in semesters and quarters, please be aware of grade deadlines and Canvas access for Semester 1/Quarter 2. See the deadline and tips below to avoid issues.

*****Please Note: Starkweather’s Grading Window closes on Tuesday January 21 at 11:59pm, all other secondary buildings close grading on January 22 at 11:59pm.*****

  • Teachers:
    • Edit/Grade assignments in Canvas for Semester 1/Q2 courses until January 22, 2025 at 11:59 (read-only after).
    • Year long courses: Edit/Grade access for Semester 1 will end when grades are due on January 22. If you think you will need access to grade as assignment after that, update the due date prior to the term ending.
  • Students:
    • Access to Semester 1 Canvas courses until Jan 17, 2024 at 11:59pm (read-only after, no quiz questions access).
    • Be aware, students can still submit S1/Q2 assignments in a year-long course as long as the availability dates allow it. However, you won’t be able to grade them beyond January 22 due to grading window limits. You can update availability dates and due dates in bulk following these directions.

Special Circumstances

Moving Assignments from S1/Q2 to S2/Q3

As seen above, once the grading window end (January 22) in a year-long class, teachers cannot grade S1/Q2 assignments.

If you foresee that you will move a S1/Q2 assignment into S2/Q3, you will need to adjust the due date by January 17After this date, you will need to submit a ticket to get the due date updated.

If you have ongoing assignments in your course, thing through your options to duplicate the assignment or alter dates. Reach out for support, if needed.

S1/Q2 Extensions

S1/Q2 grades will NOT passback from Canvas to MiStar once the MiStar term ends (and the grading window closes). You may have to work with your records office to update a report card if submitted late work results in a grade change.

Beginning Semester 2/Quarter 3 in Canvas

Student Access to Content in Past Enrollments

location of course view settings

Do you want your course content to be viewable to students after the course is over? *Quizzes are automatically not viewable by students after the Term End date has passed.

Go to your Course Settings and adjust as needed (see image above). If your course is viewable to students, it would be located at https://pccsk12.instructure.com/courses under “Past Enrollments.”

If you do keep it visible to students, you may consider “prepping” your course for read-only access by unpublishing any answer keys (or remove links) or other materials you might hold until a student has attempted an assignment.

Import Course Content

Have new courses starting? You can easily import content from past years. Use this tutorial.

Crosslisting Courses

Do you have more than one section of a course beginning? You might consider crosslisting the course to save time.

Additionally, if you have a yearlong course that you regret NOT crosslisting, the semester break may be a good time to do it. Note that student submissions and grades will be lost in Canvas!

Check out our Crosslisting Guide for more information.

Don’t Forget to Publish!

If you have a course beginning, don’t forget to publish it! You can publish it when it is ready for viewing and it won’t be visible to students until January 18 or until it is published by you.