New MapMaker from National Geographic

National Geographic has a new MapMaker; it allows the user to draw and add text.  It's also easy to use.

Not too busy today???? Why not take your students on a virtual field trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro

Yes it's free and your virtual bus leaves when you are ready.  Check it out.

IXL teacher handouts

getting your class started, setup your class roster, report options, using the program to meet VT’s math standards

IXL Membership has arrived

from Larry:

I'm pleased to announce that we have an SU-wide premium membership to IXL.com.  IXL is a comprehensive, standards-aligned math program offering unlimited practice in thousands of skills. One of the best things about IXL is that students can access it from school and from home!  There was a lot of demand for this program so I'm glad we could make this happen and I hope it gets a lot of use.  You can access the sign-in page at the faculty tab of the Dashboard.  And you can access login instructions for teachers and students here.  Please note that the instructions are different if you already have an IXL account.  Every student's password to get in is "school" and almost all of their usernames are first letter followed by last name (ie jdoe).  If you have any problems, as always please create a ticket and we'll help you out.

Google Docs Sharing

Watch a how to video.

Google Drive and Docs; Uploading and Syncing Files

This is one of the best tutorials that I've seen.  It addresses what you can do and gives you clear, concise directions that are easy to follow.  It also addresses problems, especially cosmetic changes,  that may occur when you convert files into Google Docs.  

Tech Tip from Larry

Hello all,

We introduced the Dashboard feature two years ago on the Windsor School District website.  It immediately became very popular as a quick and easy way for students, parents, and faculty to go to use their "apps" rather than bookmarking or trying to remember a bunch of web addresses.  Since then we have introduced to the SU and HES website redesigns and it became popular there too.  On all these sites (WSD, SU, and HES) it has become the second-most visited page, losing out only to the Home Page.  HES alone had over 200 visits today to their Dashboard!  Meanwhile, we have brought many schools into the fold of SU technology services and Dashboard "apps" including Google Apps, PowerSchool and PowerTeacher, WebHelpDesk, Alexandria, Skillful Teacher, and Curriculum, etc.  While there used to be many disparate "apps" with separate servers and links, things have been coming together.  It has been a chore to maintain three (and soon four) separate Dashboards as well as illogical since they have, over time, become virtually the same.  Accordingly, effective now, all Dashboard's on individual school sites will now link to the SU Dashboard.  We will continue to add "apps" to the Dashboard for the entire SU if they become a good fit.

A new one you will see on the Dashboard is Google Drive.  Google Docs is now Google Drive.  Basically, you will still create Google Docs, or spreadsheets, etc. as you have done in the past but Google Drive allows you a one-stop place to locate ALL your files:  Pictures, Charts, Docs, Video, etc.  Up to 5GB is available   And any Google-created Docs, Spreadsheets, or Presentations don't count against the 5GB.  It truly is your thumb-drive in the cloud.

Below is some more information on Google Drive.

Google Drive is the new home for all your Google Docs and more. Get started.

Google Drive is the new home for Google Docs Help

Thanks and have a great week,

Larry Dougher
Director of Technology