AACPS OIT Byte

     In 2020 we were all introduced to video conferencing tools to keep connected personally and professionally while meeting in person was discouraged. Because everyone relied so heavily on our video conferencing tools, we saw rapid, extensive growth in the capabilities of the video conferencing applications. In AACPS, we used Google Meet for virtual instruction. If/when schools shift to virtual for inclement weather or other emergency closures in the future, Google Meet will remain our go-to application for students and teachers to connect. Are you familiar with the awesome instructional tools built into this application? Screen sharing options When you click to present your screen, you will have 3 options to choose from. You can choose to share a Chrome tab, a Window, or your Entire Screen. But WHAT are you actually sharing with each choice?      Chrome tab - this option shares a single application on your screen meaning one program or one tab in your ...

by Tracey Brown, OIT Teacher Specialist A lot of airtime has been dedicated this year to talking about the new world of virtual instructional days for weather and other unplanned events. Maybe you are still unsure if you’re ready. Most teachers seem uncertain about Asynchronous days. If that is you, check out the January 17th Planning for Asynchronous blog post by Kerri Lambert. But if you just want a refresher on how to teach synchronously, this post is for you! The number one tool in your teacher toolbox for a synchronous VID is Google Meet. Below is a recap of tools and features you may need to dust off and brush up on. Also, it has been over a year since we had to rely on this tool daily for instruction. There are some cool new tools that you and your students should know how to use, and you should know how to manage before they take over your virtual classroom environment. What's New in Meet Push to Talk -  To unmute yourself, press and hold the spacebar. To mute again, relea...

By Kerri Lambert, teacher specialist, Office of Instructional Technology The forecast is out. SNOW is on the horizon! Everyone is on the edge of their seats with the age old questions: How much snow will we get? Do I have enough toilet paper, bread, and milk or do I risk going to the store? Will the street get plowed? Will the kids have a snow day? And now, add a new question to the mix: will it be an asynchronous virtual day? Wait, what? That’s right, no longer is it a simple question of school or no school. Now the options include a traditional snow day, regular school, a synchronous virtual instruction day or an asynchronous snow day (and don’t forget the possibility of a delay!) There’s a lot to consider in each of those scenarios, but the one teachers are the most unfamiliar with is the idea of an asynchronous lesson when students will be working independently through assignments. So what should you consider when planning for these days? Let’s take a look at a few key points that...