Google Drive Tip: Backing up folders to Google Drive

Over the past few weeks, a few teachers have mentioned that they are unable to locate files on their laptops.  To prevent this problem happening from you, why not save your files to Google Drive.  

Figure 1

Saving files to Google Drive is easy.  

1. Simply open your Google Drive (drive.google.com).
    
2. Create a folder where you will upload your files by clicking New -> Folder (see Figure 1).
    
3. In Windows, open the File Explorer and locate the folder that you would like to move (see Figure 2).
    
4. Click and hold the folder that you want to move.  Move your cursor to the Google Drive folder that you created in step 2 and release the folder there.
   

   

   Figure 2

What kinds of files can you upload to Google Drive?

You can upload documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, audios, and videos files to Google Drive.  You are not limited to Google Doc files.

But isn't Google Drive just for Google Docs?

Google Drive does contain an suite of Office Apps but it is much more than just that.  Google Drive also allows you to store files of any type in the cloud as a backup.

Can I share the files that I store in Google Drive?

That is one of the bonuses of storing your files in Google Drive.  You can share your files with other teachers, your students, or anyone.  You can also include the link to files stored in Google Drive in emails, on your class website, and more.

Aspen Gradebook - Visibility Types

Aspen offers three visibility types: Private, Public, and Public -- no grades.  As you create an assignment for your students, you will be asked to set an initial status for the assignment.  The choice is up to you.  

What do each of the Visibility Types mean?

	Private	Assignments do not appear in the Student or Family portals
	Public	Assignments and grades appear in the Student and Family portals
	Public -- no grades	Assignments appear in the portals, but grades do not.

How can I see the Visibility Type of an assignment?

When viewing the Scores page of your gradebook, you will see privacy icons associated with each of the assignments located on the last line of the assignment.  

How do I change the Visibility Type Status?

Clicking on the icon allows you to toggle between the three visibility types.

Aspen - Printing your class roster

Many teachers like to have a printed copy of their class rosters for leaving in their Sub folder, their yellow fire drill folder, or for keeping a paper copy of attendance/completed homework assignments.  

Login to Aspen

Select Gradebook Tab and then select
the class for which you want the roster.

To print a copy of your class roster, login into Aspen.

Go to Gradebook

Select Gradebook from the top tabs.  

Select the course for which you want the roster by clicking the checkbox (see right).

Choose the Roster

Click Roster in the left hand navigation.
Then click the Printer Icon

In the left hand navigation bar, select Roster.  The next screen will give you a complete list of the students in your class.

Print

Select the Printer icon in near the top right of the page.

• Quick Report This option allows you to select the fields that you would like printed on the report.  For example, you may want the student name and email address.  This option walks you through the steps to create the new report.
   
• Web Page (HTML)
  When you select this option, a pop-up window will appear with the information that is on your screen.  You can then select Print from your browser window to print the page.
   
• Text
  Creates a comma delimited text file of the information on your screen.  Select this option if you will be importing the data into another software program.
   
• CSV ***
  This is a comma separated values (CSV) file.  Use this option if you would like to create an Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet of the data.   More about this below.
   
• Microsoft Word (DOC) 
  Exports the data to a Microsoft Word document.

Choosing CSV

All of these options have merits and the choice of how you print the roster is up to you.  However, if you would like to create a printable table, I recommend the CSV option.

The first time that you select the CSV option,  you will need to disable Pop-Ups from Aspen.  This is done by clicking the red X in the address bar (see the yellow in picture right).

Then select Allow pop-ups from Follett and click Done.

The window will call and you will have to select the printer icon and CSV again.  This second time, Aspen will download a CSV file.  When you click on the downloaded file, Microsoft Excel will open and show you the new file.

You may delete columns, add columns, and adjust the information that you have downloaded.  You may also print from Excel.  Just remember, when you save the modified file, use SAVE AS so that you can change the file type from CSV to Excel.

Creating a IT Help Desk Request

The IT Help Desk Request system, SchoolDude, has added an enhancement that requires that you are a registered user with a valid email address and password.  
To set your password, please click on Forgot Password (see circle in image below).  You will be asked to input your email address and then SchoolDude will send  you an email allowing you to reset your password.

If you do not know your individual password, click on Forgot Password? and enter your email address. You will receive an email to create a new password.

Welcome back - 2016-17

The Instructional Technology Specialists and the Technology Department welcomes all new hires to Winchester Public Schools! 

5 Technology Tips

1. Bookmark this blog!
   By bookmarking this blog, you will have access to relevant tips, links, and timely information regarding technology in Winchester.
    
2. Put in a Help Desk Request when you need help with technology.The fastest way to get fixes to your technology is by putting in a Help Desk Request.  Your requests also help the technology department to keep track of what kind of problems are happening in the district.  Putting in a Help Desk Request is easy - just click the link on the TechEd blog!
    
3. Try! Try! Try!
   As you start using the technology that the district has made available, don't be hesitant to try the new software and hardware and incorporate them into your teaching.  Take the advice that you give your students, try!
    
4. Get to know your Instructional Technology Specialist!
   Your school's ITS is there to help you to incorporate technology into your lessons and classroom.  Take advantage of their knowledge and invite them into your class!  They also can help you to use any new hardware and software in your class!
    
5. Take advantage of Professional Development offered by the district.We offer many workshops in Aspen, Google Apps for Education (GAFE), iPads, Web 2.0, and more.  Please join us for these workshops!  If you have any suggestions for workshops, please let us know.

ITS Staff

Ambrose Elementary       - Diane Pierce (dpierce@winchesterps.org)

Lincoln Elementary          - Phil Bellenoit (pbellenoit@winchesterps.org)

Lynch Elementary            - Phil Bellenoit (pbellenoit@winchesterps.org)

Muraco Elementary          - Lynne Peledge (lpeledge@winchesterps.org)

Vinson-Owen Elementary - Lynne Peledge (lpeledge@winchesterps.org)

McCall Middle School        - Patricia DeVries (pdevries@winchesterps.org)

Winchester High School    - Kathleen Grace (kgrace@winchesterps.org)

IT Technician Schedule