Java and Gradebook Steps on Macs

First Step - Uninstall Java 7 (45 version)

1) Click on Finder

2) Click on Applications tab on the sidebar

3) In the Search box enter JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

4) This will find the JavaAppletPlugin file

5) Right click on this file and select Move to Trash

6) Empty your Trash

To install the version of Java that does work (only after doing steps above):

1) Download the jre-7u40-macosx-x643.dmg from internet or from this link: Java 40 DMG

2) Double click on the file  jre-7u40-macosx-x643.dmg

3) Once it's finished installing, do a restart on your laptop

4) Open PowerSchool and Launch gradebook normally.

PTC February Conferences

Good afternoon everyone!  I know it feels like we just did this but we need to prepare for the February 2014 Parent Teacher Conference dates.  I am trying to give you as much time as possible to block out and plan these dates.

Please read the instructions below.If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.  For those that are new to this process, please see your mentor, Craig or myself.

PTC Wizard - Parent Teacher Conferences

Instructions for all teachers:

Conferences are February 10, 11, 12 and 13th from 7:00-7:50am and 2:40-7:00pm.  All teachers are currently scheduled as AVAILABLE for all of those times.  It is up to each teacher to log in and block out any times that they are unavailable or available before and after school.  By default, the school day is blocked off as UNAVAILABLE.  Please block off your available times by Monday January 20th.  

Click on the spreadsheet below to see room assignments.  One sheet is sorted by room# and the other by teacher/team name:

PTC Room Assignments

Teams are currently scheduled together in the same room.  Some other teachers have been scheduled together in rooms because of the lack of room for everyone.  Please work your schedules out with one another if rooms are being shared.  

The link for teachers is https://sau25bhs.ptcwizard.com/admin - this can also be access from home.

Please be sure you have blocked off times you are UNAVAILABLE so those slots

will not look open for parent signups.  

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1) Go to the link https://sau25bhs.ptcwizard.com/admin

2) Enter username, it is your email address (i.e. lunnk@sau25.net)    

*For team logins, I will send a separate email with your login information

3) Enter password, same as your network address (see me if any problems)

4) Click on Conferences

5) Click on the 1st conference day:  Monday, Feb 10 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

6) Click on the 2nd conference day: Tuesday, Feb 11, 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

7) Click on the 3rd conference day:  Wednesday, Feb 12, 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

7) Click on the 4th conference day:  Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

8) The parents will see the date & times you are available and will sign up accordingly.  

9) Once parents have signed up, their names will appear on your conference days, and there is an option to print on the top right.

NOTE:

The parent portal link will be available for signups on Weds Jan 22, 2014. It is important that you have blocked off your availability before the portal is opened for parent signups, otherwise all open times are fair game.  The portal will remain open to parents until  February 5, 2014 at midnight.

Newspaper Map is so cool

At NHCMTC conference last week, the keynote speaker on Thursday showed us a tool that they use. It is called NewspaperMap and the website is: http://newspapermap.com

This site is awesome.  It allows you to read local newspapers from those particular countries, cities, etc. Since being exposed to this tool, daily I find myself going to one or two newspapers in the world.  It gives me a perspective to how news is reported in those areas, what is important to them and how their view of other countries is reported.

Loving this new tool!  Try it out.....

Gradebook stopped working on Windows computers since Java Update

Many staff have approached me or brought their windows laptops in so I could fix the variety of problems with opening Gradebook since upgrading to the  newest version of Java.  Here are some steps you can attempt on your Windows computers at home if you are having issues opening PowerTeacher Gradebook.

For those that have run updates on their Windows computers and Java was updated to version 45, this is how to remove it and then reinstall version 40.

1) Log into your Windows computer
2) Go to Control Panel / Programs / Uninstall  (this may be different depending on version of Windows
    you are running)
3) Look for references to Java 7 version 45
4) If you right click on these, an option to Uninstall will appear - click that.
     Here is a link on how to uninstall a windows program: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uninstall-change-program#install-change-program-windows-7&uninstall-change-program=windows-vista

5) Once you have uninstalled all references to Java 7 version 45 then you are ready to install the version of Java that works with PowerTeacher Gradebook.

6) Go to this link to download a version of 1.7.0_40 for your PC:

    http://apps.fsd1.org/downloads/jre-7u40-windows-i586.exe

7) Once this is downloaded, install it

8) Restart your PC

9) Then go to PowerTeacher and launch your gradebook the way you used to.

If this does not fix the problem, please email me the error you are getting so I can look into further instructions for you.

Happy Grading!  

Gradebook App

PowerSchool has provided a different method to launch your gradebook for Mac users.  It allows you to launch the Gradebook by bypassing the java plug-in and does not require you to first log into PowerTeacher.  For those that followed my initial instructions but are still having issues with launching the new gradebook app or are receiving this error:  "Gradebook is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to trash."

Here is the resolution for this error on Mac OS 10.8x machines:

1) Open System Preferences

2) Select Security and Privacy

3) Click the General tab, under the Applications Downloaded from - select to allow downloads from anywhere.

4) Save your settings

5) Now the new Gradebook App should launch without any issues.

[If you have a Windows computer, see me for more detailed instructions on how to fix your gradebook issues.]

Q1 Grades Stored - 1 quarter down, 3 to go!

Q1 grades have been stored.  

Q2 grades can be entered now BUT please be sure Quarter 2 grades fall after 11-02-2013.   If you entered any assignments ahead of time and did not date them 11-02-13 or later, please revisit those to fix the date so they calculate on the correct quarter.   For Incompletes, in two weeks (by 11-22-13) you need to revisit these, print grade change reports where appropriate and deliver to the Registrar.  For any Q1 corrections, you must print a grade change report and deliver to the Registrar.  See our website under Teacher Resources / PowerTeacher Gradebook selection for instructions on how to print a Grade Change Report.  Please stop by Room 222 if you have any questions.

Grade Change Report Instructions

Here is the Grade Change Report Instructions.  If you have changes to your Q1 grades you MUST make the necessary changes in your gradebook then run this report for each student.  Please sign the report and hand into the Registrar Lisa Serard in Counseling so the stored grades can be adjusted accordingly.  

Click here for: Grade Change Report Instructions

PowerTeacher Gradebook App download

There have been many problems with PowerTeacher Gradebook each time there is a Java update for either Mac or Windows computers. PowerSchool now has an App that can be downloaded that doesn’t use Java.  

I have enclosed a link to the instructions on how to do this on your personal/home computers and also on your network login here at school.

PowerTeacher Gradebook App instructions

Please see me if you have problems.

Google Support & Help Page

Click the link for a Great Google Help page:  http://support.google.com/?hl=en

Hover over the google tool/icon you are interested in getting help on and click Help Center.

It will bring you to their library of tips, tricks, FAQs, etc.  Great resource.

Google Forms - Newer Features

Google Forms: Some New Features for Customizing Google Forms

1) Adding a progress bar to guide your users on longer forms being filled out - add

    from Form settings section at top of your Form.

2) Data validation to ensure info entered correctly on form.  Can be used to validate 

    email addresses websites entered, zip codes, etc.

3) Easily embed YouTube videos now

4) Custom messages for closed Forms

Shift to A Paperless Classroom 

By using Google Docs with your students in addition to utilizing Google Forms for student assignment submission is a step in the right direction to the paperless classroom.  When the assignment is due, the students fill out the teacher provided form, entering their Name, and provide a link to their google doc.  The Google Form will automatically enter this into a spreadsheet and timestamp their submission on your form.  When the time comes for the teacher to read & grade these papers, the teacher opens the Google Form Spreadsheet that is created and just clicks on the leach student's link in the spreadsheet to view & comment on the papers. One-stop reading. No carrying bags of papers to & from school. No printing necessary.  Comments can be made on the students google doc.  How cool is that!  

Gmail - Label & Archive

Keep your Inbox nice and tidy by labeling and/or archiving your emails once you've dealt with them.  You can label emails, archive them or use the Move To icon to do these simultaneously.  

What is "All Mail"?  This is your archived mail.  This is a storage place for everything you received or sent but never deleted.   Archiving lets you tidy up your inbox by moving message from your inbox into your All Mail label, so you don't have to delete anything.  It's like moving something into a filing cabinet for safekeeping, rather than putting it in the trash can.

9-11 Reflection

12 Years Later.......9-11-01
   Everybody has their own reflections of that day 12 years ago on September 11th.   As we all do, I remember the day like it was yesterday. Remembering the feelings of sadness, helplessness and disbelief.  Watching television that entire night into the wee hours of the morning witnessing the senseless destruction and loss of life.   As I continued to watch the coverage, with wonderment and awe, knowing & have worked with firefighters for so many years, I saw the heroic acts and unselfishness of our emergency workers.   While we were all trying to deal with the ache in our hearts, these men & women were running toward the danger, toward those that needed them and for some toward a certain death.  Can you even imagine?  Knowing if you enter that building to help others, you are probably not going to return to your family & friends.  That type of dedication and call to service takes special people.  Those that survived saw things that bring grown men to tears when reliving it.  It is tough to watch over again but sometimes we must so we never forget that these public servants gave their lives to save others.  It is with pure gratitude that I say thank you to those that serve us daily in these roles.  We take them for granted far to often.  The loss and heartache some of them still deal with today is felt each time I hear them speak.   So, from me to you, THANK YOU for your selfless acts of kindness and heroics!
 

Google Calendar tips & tricks

There are so many resources available regarding Google tips & tricks. Many of these are right at your fingertips while logged into your Schoogle account by clicking the Help button or just Googling your question. Here is a link to a Google Apps calendar tips & tricks page: Challenge yourself to learn one new thing each week and before you know it, you will be a Schoogle Pro! Have fun!!!!

9 Components of Digital Citizenship

I was researching exactly what the phrase "Digital Citizenship" has been defined to mean. Digital citizenship is defined as appropriate, responsible behavior with respect to technology use. This has even been broken down into nine elements that help to outline its definition.
 1. Digital Access - electronic participation in society
 2. Digital Commerce - buying and selling of electronic goods
 3. Digital Communication - exchange of info electronically
 4. Digital Literacy - process of teaching & learning about technology and also using technology
 5. Digital Etiquette - standards of electronic conduct/procedures
 6. Digital Law - responsibility for actions & deeds
 7. Digital Rights & Responsibility - freedoms extended to everyone in the digital world
 8. Digital Health & Wellness - physical & psychological well-being in the tech world
 9. Digital Security - precautions that guarantee safety

Ready.....Set.....Go

As I started my normal summer work in Bedford, the list of things to do looked daunting. But as the beginning of August was upon me I realized we were in great shape for the start of the school year. Or at least I thought so.... then staff started to come back into the building and before you know it that list just got longer. The following weeks before the start of school are completely frenzied. Trying to take care of that one thing that is a show-stopper for them, yet the other 75+ teachers feel the same way. To tell you the truth, I love it! I love the craziness and being able to help those around me. I still felt this way today even when the exhaustion finally set in. After a week of being open, the list is dwindling down and we are making progress. Hang in there everyone....your item on the list is in progress! Here's to a great year!

Add Widget to Blog

Here are the instructions on how to add a Twitter Widget to any blog.  How To Add a Twitter widget

Google Picasa Web Albums - Allows Users to Post to Drop Box

Allowing staff to directly email your Picasa Web Album with photos of activities.

In your Picasa Web Album administrative area:

• When logged into Google and navigate to picasaweb.google.com
• Click on the gear icon/settings icon in the upper right hand corner 
• Under the General tab 
• Go to the Upload photos by email
• Check off the "Allow me to upload photos by email" 
• Enter a secret word in the space provided
• You will be provided with an email address to email
• The photos will be sent to this address and placed in a Drop Box
• The owner of the picasa web album can then move the photos to specific albums

This feature is a great way for teachers or contributors to email photos of activities.  Then you can embed a picasa web album on a website where you can continually update photos on a frequent basis.



Making it happen..... love it!

Blogger direct posts through Email

Allowing staff to directly email our Intersession blog to post intersession activities and photos immediately to the blog.   In your Blogger administrative area:

• Click on Settings 
• Click Mobile and Email
• In area designated "secretWord".  Enter a keyword here.  
• Check off "Publish email immediately"
• A special email address with the keyword is provided.
• Give this to those users you wish to have the ability to post to a blog directly.
• All posts will show IMMEDIATELY on your blog

Love this feature when working with staff and teachers to share ideas, activities and photos during school events!  

Google Apps Used for Hybrid/Online Course(s)

Over the past year, we have implemented a twist to offering some courses at BHS.  Last summer we offered hybrid/online courses utilizing various Web 2.0 applications in conjunction with Google Apps. The summer courses were a success.  We learned that there were some aspects we needed to change by finding alternate tools to use.

Our second attempt at the hybrid/online courses as yielded successful results!  We are utilizing all Google Apps for Education (GAFE) tools.  The ease of use and seamlessness of all the tools has been very successful.

Some of the Google tools we are using are:
Google Drive
Google+
Google Hangout
Gmail
Google Groups
Google Sites
Google Communities

The select teachers we are working with have embraced these tools and provide valuable feedback.
The students are very comfortable with the tools used as well.  

We are currently running two hybrid/online courses during our 2nd semester here at BHS.  So far so good.  I will post our pros and cons after the semester is over but looking pretty promising thus far.

Intersession 2013

BHS Intersession 2013 is gearing up to begin in two weeks.  There are many cool intersessions on tap for this year.  All blogging, tweeting and pictures will be posted to our Intersession 2013 site which can be found here:  BHS Intersession 2013   

Chrome Extension tool - Tab Scissors

Cool Extension Tool to add to Chrome: Tab Scissors allows you to split your screen with your open tabs in Chrome - Tab Scissors Info

Q3 Closing Dates

Quarter 3 closing will move to April 5th.  This will make Q3 and Q4 each 10 weeks.

April 5th        Grades close
April 10th      Changes to Deans
April 11th      Deans verify grades to Lisa Serard
April 12th      Grades stored

Days Getting Longer

Days are starting to get longer. It's brighter earlier in the morning and light until after 5:15pm every day!  Soon Spring & warmer temps will be upon us!  Hang in there everyone!

Q2 Grades Closing - Important Dates

If you have any questions with regards to midterm/finals gradebook entry or closing your grades, please stop by Room 222 for assistance with Craig or myself.  Have a good week.

Q2 Important Dates

Quarter 2 End                                                1-18-2013

Teachers Grade Due to Deans                      1-24-2013

Verifications Due to Registrar in AM               1-25-2013

Store Grades & Queue Up Rpt Cards in PM  1-25-2013

Print Report Cards                                          1-28-2013