Posts with Topic: Tech Tips Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Modern Pen
Posting student videos on the web
November 1, 2015
Tags: Instruction, Internet, Policy, Students, Video, YouTube
Over the past eight years, School District 21, like many companies and institutions around the world, has relied on its own media streaming server to share video and audio files with others via the Internet. Information Literacy Coaches and principals in each school have access to upload video and audio files then to link to […]
Google Classroom & Differentiation
August 17, 2014
Tags: Google, Google Apps, Google Classroom, Inclusionary Practices
With the launch of Google Classroom, School District 21 teachers have another tool to make the science and art of differentiation more powerful and more seamless in appropriately challenging all of our students. Google Classroom allows teachers to create as many classes as they might like. So, while parents, students, and even the team of […]
Google Classroom–Now Available!
August 17, 2014
Tags: Google, Google Apps, Google Classroom, Google Drive
Throughout the summer, we’ve shared information about Google Classroom, and we’re excited to announce that, in response to educators from around the world, Google has doubled-down its efforts in order to get Classroom out even earlier than had previously been announced. We’re pleased to share that Google Classroom is now available for teachers throughout School […]
New Staff Laptops–FAQs
October 14, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop
We’ve received a number of questions from staff members with regards to the new staff laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e. We’ve compiled them into this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)–and answers! How will I know my computer from others? Like the previous MacBooks, and like other large organizations that deploy devices, all staff […]
Organizing Your Google Drive
October 19, 2014
Tags: Chrome Apps, Google, Google Apps, Google Drive, Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop
As staff members move to the new Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e staff laptops, the only way to safely store and back-up files is in Google Drive. There, in addition to Google’s server infrastructure, School District 21 also has three additional services providing back-up and security for both our productivity as a school district as well […]
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga-Trackpad Settings
October 19, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop, Trackpad
In addition to the great touchscreen on the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e, when you are using the computer in regular “laptop” mode, you will want to consider customizing your trackpad settings to best meet your needs and preferences. First, be aware that by default, the Yoga 11e is set-up with a “two-button mouse”. The picture […]
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga-Connecting to WiFi
October 19, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop, Wireless
The first time that you are on a new network with your Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e, it should find available wireless networks and ask you to connect, entering a password if necessary. Staff members who already have their laptops have had no issue with this. Nevertheless, listed below are directions for how one might connect […]
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga-Setting Up a Home Printer
October 19, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Printing, Staff, Staff Laptop
Setting up a home printer on the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e staff laptops running Windows 8.1 has proven to be incredibly easy when tested on both wired and wireless printers–even older models. It is important to note that there is wide variance in printer models and the drivers that are used on computers to actually […]
Boardmaker Online: Initial Registration
October 19, 2014
Tags: Assistive Technology, Boardmaker, Special Education
After asking for a number of years for a web-based solution, School District 21’s wishes were met in 2014 with the announcement of Boardmaker Online at the start of the 2014-2015 school year. With the move to new staff laptops, School District 21 is also excited to remove 1990s technology of required CDs for Boardmaker […]
Chrome App Launcher Organization
October 19, 2014
Tags: Chrome, Chrome Apps, Chromebook, Lenovo, Staff Laptop
With the deployment of Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e laptops to CCSD21 staff members, students (on their Chromebooks) and staff members all have access to the Chrome App Launcher (pictured below) across ChromeOS and Windows. Did you know that you can organize your ChromeOS apps in whatever way you’d like–including with the use of folders?
Each District 21 school is named after an American author, and learning and literacy is at the center of our Professional Learning Community. The Modern Pen provides a collaborative location in which District 21 teachers can come together to learn the skills that will enable their students to learn new skills and to understand concepts at an even different level than before.