208.733.6900
Menu
Menu
×
    • / Distance Learning Resources for Teachers

Distance Learning Resources for Teachers

Links to resources and tutorials to help teachers provide distance learning for our students.
What's Good?

In this brave new world of education that we are trying to conquer, we need each other now more than ever. As you come across tips and tricks or want to share your successes, this is the place.

You can submit your tips and tricks here and view submissions here.

Posting your successes, or those of others, can be done here, while viewing these can be done here.

Google Meet

Click the links below to access training related to Google Meets. Our students’ parents and guardians have already given permission for students to use this application.

Google Meet Training Center 

IDLA Google Meet Training Video (1hr)

Extension Google Meet Grid View – Allows you to see more than four participants at a time.

Extension Nod – Reactions for Google Meet – Allows you to silently use a few emoji to express thoughts and to raise your hand during a Google Meet.

When contacting parents via Calendar, make sure you use the BCC option and uncheck the “See guest list” option.

 

Zoom Meetings

We recommend teachers to look at Google Meet first, since it’s incredibly easy to use and the district already has signed permission forms.  Further, attendees have the ability to join by phone if they have device or audio issues (not a feature of the free Zoom).  That being said, there is no reason that teachers can’t use Zoom, but they need to collect signed parental consent forms to comply with COPPA.

 
If a teacher wants to use Zoom, they can but must collect the signed parental consent forms. If they can not do this then they can not use it.
 
 
Security Issues
To prevent “Zoom bombing” that can expose your students to inappropriate language or images, you need to ensure that all of your Zoom meetings are password protected. Passwords can be configured in the settings when you schedule your meetings. Hackers can enter your meetings even without you sharing your meeting links, and passwords are the only way to prevent intrusions. Additional guidance can be found here: The Risks of Using Zoom with Students
Elementary Specific Tools

Elementary School Instructional Coaches have compiled building specific Google Drive Documents with resources and tutorials. If you have trouble accessing these, contact your instructional coach.

Free audiobooks without signing in can be found at https://stories.audible.com/.

 

Video Editing Options
Screen Recording
ScreenCast-O-Matic: https://screencast-o-matic.com/
SnagIt is free until the end of June: https://discover.techsmith.com/remote-techsmith/
 
Basic Editing
YouTube’s built in editor: How to video
 
Simple Editing
I (TJ) have 90 licenses to use WeVideo Premium for the rest of the year.
If you want a license, apply here. Link contains info on live training Monday the 6th.
WeVideo Tutorial to get you started.
 
If you are looking for something more, you can review this list for options:
 
Teleprompter
Cueprompter is a free option if you want to help pace yourself as you go over content.
 
Pulling Student Distribution Lists from PowerSchool

1. When a teacher logs into PowerTeacher > Click the Backpack

2. Click Email Addresses > Select All or Individual Students > Selecting the Copy Button will copy the lists and allow you to paste the addresses into Gmail.

Contacting Home

Google Voice is not available on school district Google accounts because the service costs $20/user/month for business and education users.  However, Google Voice is free with standard consumer Google accounts.

An alternative is to dial *67 before the phone number and your number will be blocked on their screen. Doing so, however, will sometimes send the call directly to a spam blocker. In addition, this does not allow for two way communication as they have no number to use.