Senior Seminar--Preparing Your Online Presence

As our seniors prepare to leave high school and continue their journeys, we had the opportunity to share some "last minute" tips and reminders to help them on their way. I had the opportunity to visit with all seniors about the importance of their online presence as they leave high school to pursue their passions. We discussed the importance of promoting themselves online and creating a positive online network with others that share their career paths, goals, and passions. We also discussed that now is the perfect time to do some "digital dusting" and clean up their social media. Many students have old accounts to services they haven't used and they should remove those. In today's society, their digital footprint is as important as their resume. In addition to cleaning up their online presence, they should begin thinking about creating digital portfolios and/or an about.me page.  We wish our seniors good luck as they pursue their dreams and hope you find success in the paths you are taking!

I am including my google slides to share with all of you

Student Data Liberation

Graduating seniors face many changes in the coming months.  One change will be that graduates will lose their current school-issued iPads and accounts.  Please refer to the information in this blog to help you move your important data so that you will not lose access in the coming months.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UdLqxfRLouSAqZLgWMK5Ur8Vaki9k7BKrgoKXiSD6AM/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

School Accounts

• Google apps - All CCS students have a google account with many different resources associated.  You may not use all of these resources, but if you have data that you will need in the future, it is important that you have a strategy to move that data to a private account.
• Current account is username2016@cozadschools.net
• Accounts will be terminated on or about January 1, 2017.
• Until termination, you will be able to log into your CCS google apps and services using your current username and password.
• After termination, ALL data related to your account will be deleted and it cannot be recovered.
• You will need access to a computer (not an iPad or other mobile device) to liberate your data.  Please feel free to use school computers for this purpose.  You will also need something to which you can save your data (like a usb drive, or you could save to a private dropbox account)
• Google Takeout is the easiest way to do this.  
• Here is a video how-to...
• Log in with your current school account.
• Select the format of the export file.
• .zip is the easiest, but is limited to 2 GB (will create multiple files if you exceed 2 GB)
• .tgz or .tbz can be larger, but may require special software to open.
• Select the apps from which you want to export.
• Edit the settings for each app if you don't want the defaults.
• Select "Create Archive".  Google will create your archive files and email you when they are ready for download.  This may take many hours or days!
• When your archive is done, you can download it to a usb drive or save in a dropbox account.  
• After download, you can open the .zip file to pull your data out.  Docs get saved in MS office formats by default.  Mail can be imported into other mail clients.
• Since this email address will go away, you should notify contacts as soon as you have an alternate email.
• If you've used this email to create accounts for other services, you should update those account settings to reflect your new email account.

• School computer/network account - You will lose access to this account around July 1.

• eBackpack - You will lose access to this account around July 1.
• Use a home computer to download any files you need to keep, or transfer those files to google drive before your archive.

• iTunes/iCloud (Apple ID) - Since this is not a school-owned account, you will continue to have access to your Apple ID account.  However, you will lose access to your school email, so you should change the email address associated with your apple ID.  Here is a video that explains how to do this.  Note:  You need a private email account that you can access during this procedure.
• Make sure you have a complete backup of your iPad before you turn it in.
• In the future, you can restore from backup to any other iPad.
• You can install purchased apps using this account on any other iPad.  This includes apps and books purchased for you by the school.

• New accounts - Once you have a new account (at school, from employer, etc) you can import your old data from your archive files if needed.  You can also import google data into a private google account, if you have one.
• Private gmail accounts are free and have all of the google apps.  Free storage is limited to 15 GB, but you can purchase more ($2 for 100 GB) if needed.
• Organization accounts (and their data) are owned by the organization!  

• Social media accounts - 
• You should make sure your social media is "employer safe".  
• Remove inappropriate posts, videos, etc.  
• Check your privacy settings.
• Remove connections to others who post inappropriate content.
• Imagine an employer viewing all of your posts!

Need help or have questions?  

• Mr. Evertson - dave.evertson@cozadschools.net
• Ms. Wolfe - patty.wolfe@cozadschools.net

CHS 1-1 iPad Program Changes

     At Cozad Community Schools, we believe that modern teaching and learning practices often require age-appropriate student internet access.  We strive to provide universal student access at school  in the most cost-effective and student-centered way possible.  The Apple iPad mobile device has proven to be easily managed by students and teachers, provides a versatile range of teaching and learning tools, is strongly supported in education, and has offered the most affordable path in establishing a 1-1 student device learning environment.

iPad Take-home Changes

     We recognize the importance of modern technologies in student learning.  Unfortunately, severe budget reductions mean we can no longer provide a modern, capable device to every student at CHS. Faced with losing our successful 1-1 program, we have worked to develop several affordable options for students and parents.  For the time being, our current inventory allows us to provide devices at school.  Unfortunately, we can no longer provide home use or guarantee a device for every student.

     CHS will provide iPad access to all students in 2016-17, but the devices may be shared, and will remain at school.  There will be no cost to any student electing this option, and students will not be required to provide their own device.  If necessary, the school will provide extended hours for students to complete academic work before or after school.  This is referred to as Option 1 on the device intent form.

A Home Device is Important to Our Students

     Over 90% of our students surveyed tell us that it is important to them to have access to their learning outside of school.  We very much agree, but we also recognize that not all of our families have suitable devices or can afford to purchase devices for their CHS students through normal retail channels.  For this reason, we have worked to develop affordable purchasing and leasing options so that each student may have the opportunity to have exclusive use of a device and be able to take it home.  CHS will not require any student to purchase or lease a device.  As explained above, should the student elect to not purchase or lease a device, suitable devices will be provided at school.

     Should the student or parent wish to purchase or lease a device for individual use, we are excited to be able to provide affordable iPad options (Options 2 and 3 on the intent form).  Through our status as an educational institution and group purchasing power, we feel these purchase or lease options offer a more cost effective opportunity than is available to consumers.  These options are available to all 2016-17 CHS students.  Please note that Option 2 is contingent upon the availability of devices currently in the school inventory.  Please also note that students may participate in only one option.

Bring Your Own Device

     Another option for students is to bring their own device (BYOD) to school.  This can be a current family or student-owned iPad, a laptop computer, or a Chromebook.  This is referred to as Option 4 on the device intent form.

Presentation - CHS Student Device Program

Please Let Us Know Your Plans

     Because we can only order devices for those who we know will be leasing, we ask that you and your student complete the 2016-17 device intent form and return it to the school by Friday, April 29, 2016.  Students will receive this document electronically, and paper copies will be provided upon request.  Parents and students may complete and sign this form electronically, or a paper copy may be returned to the high school office.

Access the device intent form here

Important!  If we do not receive your signed intent form, we must assume that the student will not be participating in the lease programs.  We cannot guarantee that devices will be available for lease at a later date!

Questions?  

Student Meetings:

• Juniors - Thursday, April 7 during home room
• Sophomores - Monday, April 11 during home room
• Freshmen - Wednesday, April 13 during home room

Parent Meetings:

• Thursday, April 14, 6:30 PM - CHS Auditorium
• Wednesday, April 27, 6:30 PM - CHS Auditorium

Contact us...

Dave Evertson - Technology Director

• dave.evertson@cozadschools.net
• 308-784-2746

Patty Wolfe - Technology Integration/iPad Coordinator

• patty.wolfe@cozadschools.net
• 308-784-2744

Bill Beckenhauer - HS Principal

• bill.beckenhauer@cozadschools.net
• 308-784-2744

NETA Conference

Updated Itinerary

Wednesday, 4/20/16:

• Depart from West HS parking lot (2 vans) no later than 4 PM.
• Arrive Chances R in York approx 6 PM.
• Depart York approx 7:00 PM
• Arrive at Courtyard Marriot approx 9 PM

Thursday, 4/21/16:

• Conference Schedule Overview
• Please take notes, pictures, etc. and be prepared to share your workshop experiences and resources with other staff when we return!
• Breakfast on your own.
• Final session ends at 4:15, we can dine or go out together as each chooses.

Friday, 4/22/16:

• Breakfast on your own.
• 7:45 AM - Load luggage in vans.  Don't forget to keep a change of clothes if you prefer for the trip back. 
• Final session ends at 4:15, meet in Meet in hotel lobby for departure.
• We will stop for gas on the way home, possibly at the Aurora interchange where you can pick up a meal or snack.
• Arrive in Cozad approx 8 - 9 PM.

• We ask that each attendee post a reflection or summary of their conference experience here as a way to share thoughts and resources with others.  Please have this done by Friday, April 29.  Links to other resources are welcome!

NETA 2016 Conference Program

We are excited to have 8 staff members attending the Nebraska Educational Technology Association conference in Omaha April 23 and 24, 2015.  Those attending the conference are:

Elementary

• Teresa Barnett - Second Grade
• Theresa Lemmer - Fourth Grade

Middle School

• Barry Mraz - Social Studies
• Carly Rexing - Math

High School

• Logan Morris - English
• 
  

District

• Patty Wolfe - Tech Integration (Presenter and NETA board member)
• Dave Evertson - Tech Administration (Presenter)

Information for Attendees

NETA is a large conference and there will be several thousand attendees from all across the state.  We will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Omaha, and the conference is moving this year to the CenturyLink Center.  There will be a lot more space!

Hotel Information

Courtyard by Marriott-Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 346-2200

Departure & Return

• We will depart at approximately 4 PM from the East parking lot of the High School.  We will be traveling as a group in one large school van.  You may arrange your own travel if you wish, but the district will not reimburse travel expenses.
• We will return immediately after the end of the conference (approximately 4:30 PM) on Friday.  We should arrive back in Cozad by 8 or 9 PM.

Meals

• All attendees will receive a $62 cash meal per Diem at departure time.  That probably won't cover all of your meals, so you may want to bring some extra cash.  No other meal expenses will be covered by the district.
• For those traveling with the group in school vehicles, we will stop in York at Chances R for Dinner on Wednesday evening.  If you are providing your own transportation, please feel free to join us!  Time will be at approximately 6 PM.
• Lunch - You can purchase lunch from vendors at the conference (kind of pricey) or you may walk off-site to the many downtown options available.  There is no lunch break, sessions run from the keynote at 8:30 through the end of the final session at 4:15.  If you are going off-site for lunch, you'll have to miss a session.
• Dinner - We will go to dinner together as a group on Thursday evening (optional).  All are welcome!  We will not be stopping for a formal dinner on the return trip Friday, but will likely stop for gas some place where you can get a meal or snack.  

Dress

• While you will see some people dressed in jeans and shorts at the conference, we ask that you dress professionally, as you would at school.  Please remember that you are representing our entire school district.
• Note that we will need to check out of our rooms on Friday morning.  Plan to take your bags to the vehicle before Friday's keynote.
• If you plan to change to jeans or something more comfortable for the trip home, plan ahead and carry a bag with a change of clothes on Friday.  It's difficult to find the person with the keys during the conference, so don't plan to be able to get to your bags in the vehicle.

Keynotes and sessions

• Conference Schedule & Map
• Each day begins with a keynote, and everyone is expected to attend.  There will be one large keynote session at 8:30 each morning.  There should be a lot more space this year.  We do not all have to sit together as a group, but you might save seats for a few if you have made arrangements ahead of time.  You will want to be in the hall early if you want a good seat. 
• After the keynote, sessions begin at 10:30 and run every hour until 4:30.
• Please look over the session descriptions ahead of time and plan which you might like to attend.  This year NETA is using a program called SCHED.  You should have received an email about this.  If you don't already have a login, please create one.  This looks like a great tool for planning your conference experience.
• Session room locations should be easier to find this year.  The map printed in your conference guide will help.  There are many volunteers who will be happy to guide you as well.

Technology

•  You may bring your iPad, computer, phone or all three.  You will receive a bag during registration with the conference guide and many other flyers and goodies, but I usually carry a backpack.  Note that charging a device during the day is difficult, so you may want to leave your computer at home.
• Some prefer paper and pen for notes.  If you are looking for good note-taking apps, I personally recommend Evernote, but there are many others.  Whatever your preference, you should plan on being able to take notes without a WiFi connection (so a google doc is probably not the best choice).
• WiFi is available in the conference center all day, but there are thousands of people connecting multiple devices, so don't plan on speedy internet!
• Etiquette dictates that each person limit the number of devices they connect to the WiFi.  Please stick with just a single device on the WiFi network.

Post-conference

• We ask that each attendee post a reflection or summary of their conference experience here as a way to share thoughts and resources with others.  Please have this done by Friday, May 2nd.