NEW SMART Learning Suite ONLINE and SMART Exchange

Getting Started with SLS

Elementary teachers with a classroom SMART interactive flat panel (IFP) board are also licensed to use the online SMART Learning Suite as well as the SMART Exchange. To log into your SMART Learning Suite account, browse to https://suite.smarttech.com/login and click SIGN IN. Use your district Google account to sign in.

 

You can also access it via the “Waffle” via Google Apps:

 

Once logged in, click the “Getting Started” file shown and consider browsing their training section to learn how to use the site’s many resources: https://www.smarttech.com/training/smart-learning-suite-online 

You can also use the NEW AND IMPROVED SMART Exchange to search for online and Notebook lessons, learning games and activities. Browse to https://exchange.smarttech.com and search for topics  by various filters. To add what you find to your SMART Learning Suite and be able to push it out to students on their ipads or Chromebooks, you will want to sign in (and to do so, will use your district Google account). An overview video is below.

Other helpful videos explaining different aspects of SMART’s resources can be found at https://support.smarttech.com/docs/software/smart-learning-suite-online/en/training-and-videos/default.cshtml

One of the linked videos (video embedded below) reviews how to have students connect their devices to your class within the SMART Learning Suite after browsing to hellosmart.com

 

If you are an elementary teacher with a classroom SMART board (IFP) and are having trouble logging into your account or have other questions, please submit a help desk service ticket for assistance.

 

Classroomscreen.com offers simple web widgets when displaying your screen

ClassroomScreen

If you browse to ClassroomScreen.com you can find a set of possibly useful widgets that can be displayed.

Currently, there are twelve widgets you can use on ClassroomScreen. You can display multiple widgets at once.

  • Language – Choose to display text in a large range of languages
  • Background – Customise your background with one of the images or GIFs provided. Or, you can upload or record your own background.
  • Random Name/Dice – Enter the names of students and choose one at random. Or, roll one or more dice.
  • Sound Level – Monitor classroom noise levels using the microphone on your device.
  • QR Code – Enter a link and a QR code is automatically generated. Great when students have devices like iPads — they can come up to the board, scan the code and go straight to a site.
  • Drawing – There are two sizes available where you can free draw. The larger sized canvas can replace the background if you wish.
  • Text – A simple tool to write instructions, reminders, learning goals and so on.
  • Work Symbols – Display one of four options: work together, ask a neighbor, whisper, and silence.
  • Traffic Light – Display a red, amber, or green light to provide a visual reminder of when to move around, begin a task, pack up etc.
  • Timer – Count up or count down, record “laps”, and more. You can customize the tone that rings when the time is up.
  • Clock – Shows the time as a 12 or 24 hour clock. Also shows a calendar.

Classroomscreen icons

Additional Feature: ExitPoll

ClassroomScreen’s ExitPoll tool lets you get feedback from students.

You can ask students what they thought about the lesson or check for understanding by asking them a question about the lesson content.

Students simply walk past the interactive whiteboard, tablet, or computer at the end of the lesson and cast their vote.

You can access the ExitPoll tool by going to https://www.classroomscreen.com/exitpoll.html or use the icon at the bottom right of your screen.

ExitPoll tool by ClassroomScreen

How do I know what apps are available on my K-2 iPads? How do I get other apps for my student iPads?

Teachers with K-2 students and iPads, please keep in mind that you can visit the following link to know what iPad apps are available on district student iPads: https://tech.pccsk12.com/mdm-apps/

As new apps are requested and approved, these pages will be updated. Please notice that when you navigate to the page, you can click on either Filewave or eSpark since the app sets available to students are different depending on whether or not your building uses eSpark or IXL. Once on the particular MDM’s page, you can click “Install” to be taken to a page with more details on that app, but you don’t need to download/install it from that page.

For those at Filewave schools (not where eSpark is used) please see these directions for how to add apps to student ipads using Filewave: bit.ly/filewavehowto

eSpark iPads have a fixed set of apps that are automatically pushed to the iPads once apps are requested or approved. That said, due to the nature of how eSpark works, students have a custom set of apps based on their individual needs.

For help and training in your classroom with any of this, please remember that you can request Tech Integration Help via the Tech Department Service Request System (JIRA): Service ticket

 

Rejoice, LanSchool is Ready to Go! (Grades 3-8)

LanSchool, the program the district offers teachers for student device management and monitoring, can now be used with dynamically updated student rosters. For those teachers who have students using Chromebooks, especially teachers of 3rd through 8th graders, you can now install and use LanSchool by following directions we are providing.  Please note, the following linked directions will NOT apply to new teachers or those new to Lanschool.  If you are a new-to-the-district teacher this year, OR if you did not install Lanschool last year, please submit a service request so that a technician can install LanSchool for you: Service ticket

Additionally, if after following the directions linked below, you cannot get LanSchool to load your student rosters, you will also need to submit a service request:  Service ticket

First, we’d like to apologize for the Lanschool delay. There were some unforeseen backend issues that had to be addressed related to rostering, Clever*, and Wayne RESA.  Our department spent many hours over several weeks working with staff from Clever, LanSchool and WayneRESA to address these issues and we’re not quite done, but for many of you, the install and load should now be doable without our further assistance. Please follow these directions ONLY if you were using LanSchool last year: Click Here

While the directions have a lot of “clicks”, it should actually only take a couple of minutes to load and install.

*A quick note about our Clever / LanSchool integration. Since Clever (Single Sign-on), syncs nightly with MISTAR, and then LanSchool syncs with Clever, unlike last year, class rosters in Lanschool can now be kept up to date and all classes a teacher has in MISTAR (including previously unavailable homeroom classes) can now be loaded in LanSchool.

Some WR-scheduled professional learning opportunities

EdTech in the Classroom

Wayne RESA has shared a flyer listing some learning opportunities they have scheduled in the coming months focused on EdTech In the Classroom. Please note, two of their twelve opportunities — the Google CS First and the Code.org CS Fundamentals sessions — are designed for users who are already implementing elements of these programs in their classrooms and are looking to take a deep dive into the content/curriculum.

EdTech In the Classroom

https://www.smore.com/ac5td

Exciting SMART Notebook Update to Version 19

Info relevant for elementary teachers — SMART Notebook 19 includes the following new features and updates.

All operating systems

  • You can import PDF files into SMART Notebook software.
  • Improved digital ink behavior over Chrome internet browsers and writing over multiple browser tabs.
  • You can create custom Super Sort activity themes.

Windows

  • When you import PDF files, you can import them as images or editable objects.
  • Improved importing of Microsoft PowerPoint files to SMART Notebook software. When you import PowerPoint files, you can import them as images or editable objects. You no longer need Microsoft PowerPoint to be installed on your computer to import files.
  • If you use Google Slides, you can download Google Slides as PowerPoint presentation

To download the new version navigate to: https://education.smarttech.com/products/notebook/download#trial

Then, make sure the following are selected and click the download button. The install will walk you through the prompts until it is fully installed. Plan for a half hour process from start to finish.

Read, create, translate, or download an endless stream of free stories.

StoryWeaver looks like an amazing site that is designed to create and translate children’s books into a ton of different languages and make them accessible online for free. Users can translate books on the site into different languages or easily create their own books. It’s also a great site for students to write for an authentic audience. ELL teachers and their students could get a lot out of the site, and it seems to me that other language teachers could have their students use it, too.

https://storyweaver.org.in/

FREE Digital Age Learning and Teaching Resources – MiTech Kids from REMC

The resources and content on this site are FREE to use and are Open Educational Resources. The MiTechKids website provides K-5 educators with resources for integrating technology into activities in the classroom to prepare students for success in the real world. This site extends the 21things4students.net website that is designed for grades 5-9 to the K-5 grade levels.

The site is divided by grade levels K-5 and the seven ISTE Technology Standards for Students. There are basic skills and hot topics available for all age levels.

Navigate here to access this AMAZING resources from REMC: http://mitechkids.org/

SMART Learning Suite and Reader’s Workshop Resources Revisited

We’ve received lots of great feedback from the Elementary i3 conference and our SMART trainers continue to be a popular addition to our professional learning options.  This year was no different, as Jason Smith and Sarah Storck shared their deep knowledge of the SMART Learning Suite platform and how easy, fun, and engaging designing content can be when using SMART LS in classrooms.  In case you misplaced the resource, or wanted to revisit the great resources Sarah and Jason shared with us, please follow this link: bit.ly/smartpccsworkshop

As always, you can request 1:1 or small group help with SMART Notebook by using our service request system and Matt Smoot or Rick Coughlin can come to your classroom to help! They love to help!