Weekly Lessons Learned 4/9/21

Welcome to the Technology Design Team Weekly Lessons Learned! This will be a recurring feature on Friday afternoons where the Technology Design Team will share top of mind resources and learning. Each week, we will post a few key things we hope you may find useful. We look forward to sharing our learning with you.
Some of the content may be specific to the realities of Austin ISD though, we hope, much will be useful to viewers worldwide.

The Weekly Lessons Learned Archive contains a list of topics from and links to previous updates.

How can I support caregivers as they check their childrens’ grades online?
This “Check Student Grades and BLEND Courses” Google Slide Deck shows caregivers how to help their child check for grades and attendance in Frontline SIS and feedback in BLEND. Please pass this information along to caregivers and students if they need support checking on their attendance and grades.

During the second week of April, all students K-12 will be able to use Minecraft: Education Edition on an AISD Chromebook.
Teachers can access it now on any device. Teachers will find a wealth of instructional resources as well as installation directions in the “Minecraft: Education Edition Training and Resource” course in BLEND, http://bit.ly/aisdminecraft (Austin ISD only).

Don’t know how to use Minecraft: Education Edition or how it can be used for engaging lessons?
The Minecraft: Education Edition Teacher Academy is a fantastic way to start learning not only how to use Minecraft: Education Edition but also how to harness game-based principles to personalize learning for students. Enroll in the Minecraft: Education Edition Teacher Academy by going to the following link: http://aka.ms/Minecraft-teacher-academy

What resources do I have to support district-issued Chromebook management for my 3rd-12th graders?
The GoGuardian Teacher training course in BLEND (http://bit.ly/aisdgoguardian) is updated with changes to the service and instructional strategies and announcements. Use the module view to locate the page, “Tab Management quickly.” This course is available to Austin ISD staff only.
⇰ GoGuardian Tips & Best Practices for Teachers: http://bit.ly/aisdggpractices

A student submitted a video for an assignment. When I try to open it, BLEND (Canvas) returns “Media is currently being converted, please try again in a little bit.” What should I do?
This is usually the result of an upload error. The best solution is to have the student resubmit their video.

Want an opportunity to influence New Quizzes workflow changes?
The New Quizzes product manager recently posted Timing Feedback Needed: NQ Instructor Workflow Changes for Action Buttons. You can participate directly in the conversation on the Canvas Community post by signing into the Canvas Community and posting your thoughts in the thread to help influence Canvas/BLEND design!

Will Technology Design Team Virtual Office Hours still happen?
The Technology Design Team will be joining the Austin ISD family in Spring Break.Virtual Office Hours with the Technology Design Team will return Monday, March 22nd. Virtual Office Hours with the Technology Design Team will happen on Monday-Thursday from 9:00-11:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM and on Friday from 2:00-4:00 PM.
Please check the Global Announcement in BLEND for the Zoom link.