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FUSD > Departments > Information Technology > Instructional Technology & Innovation > Digital Portfolios > Digital Portfolio Updates

1/8/2010

Digital Portfolio Students Show Impressive Tech Skills

We just completed an analysis of the student technology survey, which has been taken by 1,198 students as of today. I must say that the results exceeded our expectations in terms of their current technology knowledge and skills.

For the analysis we wanted to point out strengths versus weaknesses. If 70% or more students responded "I know a little" or "I can teach others", we considered the skill a strength. Please take a moment to view the analysis below.

Going forward, we would like to make an effort to work on the listed weaknesses. Please contact us if you would like some assistance in working on these skills with your students.

Student Technology Survey for Digital Portfolio Participants (Fall 2009)

Student grade levels surveyed: 4 – 12
Total Number of Students Surveyed: 1,189

Results Analysis:

Knowledge of Topic (Percentages denote students who have at least some knowledge)

Topic/Question

Strength (70%+)

Weakness (69%-)

Do you have access to a computer at home?

Have access to a computer (82%)

Have access to a computer with Internet (70%)

  

Word Processing Software:

Formatting text (88%)

Inserting images (92%)

Inserting text boxes (81%)

Inserting objects (78%)

Inserting hyperlinks (60%)

Spreadsheets:

Entering and Calculating numbers (76%)

Creating Charts and Graphs (70%)

Sort and Filter Data (58%)

Multimedia tools:

Photo editing software (77%)

Digital Cameras (77%)

Presentation software (89%)

Video Cameras (67%)

Video editing software (62%)

Audio recording software (57%)

Communication tools:

Email (87%)

Blogging (73%)

Discussion boards (66%)

Web authoring software (43%)

Research tools

Using search engines (87%)

  

MySite Tools

Uploading files (79%)

Editing online documents (72%)

Using the status update tool (50%)

Knowledge of Digital Copyright Laws

Know at least a little (80%)

  
 

Frequency of Use (Percentages denote students who use at least sometimes)

Topic

Strength (70%+)

Weakness (69%-)

Word Processing

72%

  

Presentation Software

  

54%

Movie Editing

  

30%

Internet Research

88%

  

Blogging

  

42%

Creating original projects

84%

  

Digital Interaction with classmates

72%

  

Solving problems and making decisions with technology

72%

  

 

 

Posted at 11:00 AM by Brian Dvorak | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

11/14/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Updates 11/15/09

Student Blogging Update    

Thanks to a tip from one of you, we have discovered that the ability for students to write to their MySite Blog directly from Word is not working. We know that blogging from the MySite interface is limited, so please know that the bug is being worked on and hopefully there will be a fix soon. If you haven't tried having students blog from Word, watch this video… it is a very cool way to blog, that's how I post these updates to the Digiport Site.

 

Technology Standards for Students

I hope you will take a minute to bookmark and go through the questions on the student survey. They were built with the National Education Technology Standards for Students. The NETS for students as they are referred to are the national, state and district recognized measure of student technology proficiency. Please take a few minutes to read through the NETS website and check out the wiki for video examples and other resources on how to implement these standards with your students. By the way, you'll notice that the teacher and administrator technology standards are also posted here.

 

Important Week for Surveys

I know you are probably thinking two weeks of hearing me push the importance of the surveys was "plenty" … three weeks is over the top. Actually, I agree but I am compelled to take the chance because we need the data for completion of the district technology plan for 2010-2015. This is a document that keeps FUSD eligible to receive Federal and State grants, Erate, Stimulus/EETT funds and it must be submitted on December 4th. The survey data, especially the EdTech profile is a requirement. Thank for making this the week to get them done! If you need the links and instructions, past weekly updates are posted on the Digital Portfolio Blog.

Posted at 3:39 PM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

11/9/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Update 11/9/09

Technology Surveys…

Thank you for the quick responses to the student survey and EdTech Profile requests. We have a good start but you can still be part of the first 100 teachers and receive a USB drive. If you have any problems please let us know by email or call 457-3171.

I am inserting the instructions again this week in case you still need them.

11/1/2009

Data, Data, Data

As with all successful projects, data is important to the cycle of continuous improvement and decision making for the Digital Portfolio project. So…. it is time to collect some technology literacy data from the Digiport classrooms.

Students:    Please have all 5th-12th grade students complete the Student Survey on SharePoint.

  1. Have them sign into the computer using their individual student login and password.
  2. Have them open Internet Explorer and type go/digiport in the address line.
  3. Once on the Digital Portfolio site. students will need to click on the Sign in link in the top right of the page.
  4. If required, have them sign in again with the individual student login.
  5. Next have them click on the Student Technology Survey link on the top of the left nav bar.
  6. The next step will be for them to click on the link.
  7. Help is available on the survey site in the form of instructions and a video.

 

Teachers:    Everyone please complete the CA Department of Education EdTech Profile. Many of you may remember that we are required to complete this assessment every 18 months to continue technology funding.

  1. Go to the EdTech Profile website. (www.edtechprofile.org)
  2. If you have completed the profile before, there is a search on the site that can allow you to look up your login information.

     

  3. If this is your first time, complete the registration.

     

For Help, please contact the Tech Support for the EdTech Profile.

Data from both surveys will be used:

  • to inform future decisions for the digital portfolio project,
  • to assist with developing the 5 year technology plan,
  • for grant development.

Let us know…

If you have and questions or issues related to the use of the student laptops, accounts/logins, MySites, etc.

Posted at 6:43 PM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

11/1/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Update 11/1/09

Data, Data, Data

As with all successful projects, data is important to the cycle of continuous improvement and decision making for the Digital Portfolio project. So…. it is time to collect some technology literacy data from the Digiport classrooms.

Students:     

Please have all 5th-12th grade students complete the Student Survey on SharePoint.

Have them sign into the computer using their individual student login and password.

  1. Have them open Internet Explorer and type go/digiport in the address line.
  2. Once on the Digital Portfolio site. students will need to click on the Sign in link in the top right of the page.
  3. If required, have them sign in again with the individual student login.
  4. Next have them click on the Student Technology Survey link on the top of the left nav bar.
  5. The next step will be for them to click on the link.

    Help is available on the survey site in the form of instructions and a video.

Teachers:

Everyone please complete the CA Department of Education EdTech Profile. Many of you may remember that we are required
to complete this assessment every 18 months to continue technology funding.

  1. Go to the EdTech Profile website. (www.edtechprofile.org)
  2. If you have completed the profile before, there is a search on the site that can allow you to look up your login information.
  3. If this is your first time, complete the registration.
  4. Once logged

     

    For Help, please contact the Tech Support for the EdTech Profile.

Data from both surveys will be used:

  • to inform future decisions for the digital portfolio project,
  • to assist with developing the 5 year technology plan,
  • in grant development.
Posted at 11:43 PM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/24/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Updates 10/24/09

 

Do you Fritter & Freet…?

"hearing and steering the student voice"

What is this new "chat- like" tool on the student MySites? Fritter? Isn't that a breakfast food? Odd name or not…you don't want to miss this engaging 21st Century communication and collaboration tool. Want to see what this looks like outside of school? Sign up for Twitter and start following some conversations that interest you. The FUSD communications office, Instructional Technology and many FUSD individuals tweet, learn how to join the conversation on the ITI website.

As you plan to use Fritter instructionally, consider those times when you want students to talk about an idea or apply new learning to a situation. I'm confident you will find many applications for hearing and steering the student voice.

 

Video Tutorial Spotlight

"New Student MySite Overview - Featuring the Fritter Tool"

New videos are available to help you manage and use the MySites. You will probably notice new features on the student sites from time to time so don't be too alarmed if the videos haven't caught up, new ones are posted weekly. Check out the New Student MySite Overview - Featuring the Fritter Tool video posted specifically for you on the Digital Portfolio website.

 

Discovery Streaming and BrainPop

"not just the teacher's websites anymore"

By now, you've probably heard the news about BrainPop being available for K-8 teachers and students. If you need a login, check with your site principal or download the introductory letter from the ITI website. If you are not familiar with BrainPop, you will find it has a large number of animated videos on many topics in almost every subject area. Along with being engaging and aligned to standards, the videos are accompanied by quizzes and other instructional materials. Three products are available as part of the district subscription, BrainPop, which targets 4-8th standards, BrainPop Jr., for Pre-K through third and BrainPop Spanish.

The great thing about having the Mini Note computers is that great learning resources like BrainPop and Discovery Streaming are not just the teacher's websites anymore. Students can login and use them as a regular tool for learning. Now, we're talking powerful engagement! If you need the student passcode for Discovery Streaming, check here. During the day, students can use the school account for access to BrainPop.

 

Have a great week!

 

 

 

Posted at 10:41 AM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/12/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Updates- 10/11/09

        News to Know

Temporarily offline

The Student Accounts request process has been taken offline for the past several days for some server adjustments. If you have requested your accounts and not received them in the past week, please try again soon. If the problem continues, please email or call the helpdesk at 457-2600.

 

Tools and Techniques

Managing student's accounts

As you have noticed, the Colleagues list in your mysite, no longer shows your current students. While this change was needed to allow you full permission to your student's sites, we realize that functionality is very helpful. There are two ways you can use to work around this inconvenience.

1. Create a custom list on your mysite from the list sent with the student login email. Make sure you restrict permission to this list so students cannot see one another's accounts.

2. Copy all the student usernames and add them as a batch to in the Add Colleagues field...with this option you have to add the semicolon between usernames either manually or by taking them first into Microsoft Word to do a Find and Replace.

Videos demonstrating both techniques will be demonstrated at the Digital Portfolio Roundtable today and available online afterwords at go/digiport! Click on the button.

 

Training Today

Digiport Round Table- October 12, 2009 from 3:30-5:00

Don't miss the second roundtable training session this afternoon. Register online to join in with other Digital Portfolio Teachers as we discuss the student MySites and other questions you may have.

    

 

Posted at 7:33 AM by Patti Patrick | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/2/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Update 10/2/09

Don't Miss Out!

Student MySites are working well. Teacher and student feedback is positive. Don't miss out on another week of using these great tools.

Here is how:

  1. Open Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
  2. Enter go/studentlogins in the address field
  3. Follow the directions on the page to request logins (you will have to be signed in.)
  4. Your student's sites will be created and ready to use usually within a hour or two of receiving your request.

Create Your Class Website on SharePoint

Join a class at the Technology Training Center, 1833 E Street, Fresno

Walk away with a personal class site created and ready to use. You can begin immediately using the Homework Library and the "drop box" for getting out and collecting student assignments. Register today to attend and bring 21st Century Skills into your classroom. Check out these awesome class websites; Ludwig's Environmental Science, and Weeks Physics .

 

How To… Use the Student MySites

Classes and emails and videos, OH MY!
Blog entries, Frittering and uploads, TO TRY!

We have several ways to help you learn the way around the new MySite Design. New videos and Tips & Tricks are being created and linked on the Digital Portfolio site weekly and of course, there are classes planned this month and next on how to make the most of these unique tools. In October, the classes will be held on Thursday, 10/15 and Tuesday, 10/20 from 3:30 – 5:00 at E Street.

Have a great week!

Patti

Posted at 4:27 PM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
Weekly Digital Portfolio Updates- 9/28/09
 

Weekly Digital Portfolio Updates- 9/28/09

 

 

15,000 MySites and Counting

The Student MySite creation process is working and creating MySites by the thousands.   Kudos to the IT team of Mike Zachary, Eric Tilton, Darren Melton, Gary Duran, and Buck Kennington.  All of the sites have been created for those of you who previously requested your student logins on the student login page.   if you haven’t requested, or received your student login list on an email list, please do that now.

What this means, is that when students sign in to SharePoint, (fresnounified.org) and click on the MySite link at the top, they will automatically be taken to the site that was created for them. We will post some short videos on how to use your blog and how to participate in the Fritter Activity Feed this week.

 


Student Login Update
Some of you have encountered problems with getting your student accounts sent to you.  If that is you, please try again this week.  If you get a blank or partial list, please contact the Help Desk so they can troubleshoot the glitch.  There are some new features on the account lists, the most helpful of which is the inclusion of a link to every student’s MySite directly from the email.  This will allow you to check or review student sites at a click of a link.

 

 


Need ideas and help with Integrating the Laptops?
If you find yourself looking for ideas on wanting to use programs or resources on the laptops with your students but need help learning or reviewing how or when to use them, check out the vast library of help and ideas in the Virtual Technology Training Rooms on the Instructional Technology website.  Check out the PhotoStory tab and learn how easy it is to have students create short digital stories or movies.

 

Have a great week!

Patti

 

Posted at 11:08 AM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/13/2009

Digital Portfolio Update Sunday 9/13

 

  It's Here!  The First Digital Portfolio Roundtable

The Digiport Roundtable is a time for gathering, in person or remotely, to answer questions, demonstrate ideas, and to share and learn from each other.  Brian, Charles and I will be on hand to facilitate the discussion but we find that the best ideas come from many of you who have solved issues, and tested ideas within your own classrooms. Don't miss this first Roundtable, Tuesday, September 15th @ 3:30, Room 209 in the Center for Professional Development, 1833 E Street.  This is the first of regular monthly sessions.  If you can't come in person, click this link to attend remotely:  http://tinyurl.com/digiround.

Ready to dig into the new MySites?

They are even closer now!

The good news is that the new template is in place and nearly 200 students have successfully set up their new sites.  They have begun vigorously testing out the new features like the internal Fresno Twitter (Fritter) status feed and finding it to be an engaging way to connect with peers. 

Caution… just a few days more!

Along with all the success, the creation process has not met standards, so we ask that you hold off a few more days while the student sites can be made up front for each of your classes.  We expect that waiting will result in a smoother and quicker student access process.

I will let you know when the light turns from yellow to green.

Digital Portfolio Check up?

Take a quick self-check

See how you are doing compared to expectations and other participants with the Self Check Up tool.  It will only take a minute or two to complete this self assessment and is will only be used as a tool to help you plan and to help us help you; a place where you can communicate your needs to us.   This two way communication tool will continue to grow, return to it often.  More to come!

Check how you are doing with:         

  • Student logins
  • MySites
  • Heat tickets
  • Upload documents
Posted at 4:04 PM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/5/2009

Digital Portfolio Weekly Update- Friday 9/4/09

Need Help? Who Ya' Gonna Call?

If you need assistance in any way using the student computers, we want to help. Your success is the number one priority we have as a support team. So here are some guidelines for who to call for help.

Are you having problems with a computer or with wireless? Call the IT Help Desk @ 457-2600 or submit a HEAT Ticket. If you need help with HEAT Tickets, watch this video on the ITI website.

Do you need help or ideas with managing the laptops with students, downloading student logins, or using any programs, call Stephanie at 457-6072 to request a visit from one of us.

 New Student MySites

Field testing began this week on the new Student MySites. Thanks to the team who helped with this process, they are another step closer to being ready. Watch for an email from me because we hope it will only be a matter of days. Thanks for your flexibility and patience, the IT team is working non-stop to provide a unique teaching and learning tool. Training videos and help files will be available also when the MySites go live.

  Pictures and Video, WaHoo!

What is your best use of the built-in webcam? Please share your successful ideas and lessons on the Digiport Community wiki site, or send them in by email. To get more information on how to use the camera to take still pictures and video, check out the Tutorials on the Digiport site.

Have a great week.

Patti

Posted at 12:45 AM by Patti Patrick | Category: Updates | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
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