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Tech Tip Tuesday: Check These Three Things

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Dear WSD Colleagues,

Congratulations! If you're reading this, that means you don't have to come to work next Monday! We pulled some strings. You're welcome! 

We hope all is well as we tee off on the back nine of the school year! It's hard to believe that we're already getting started with third term and second semester. The school year will only continue to fly. Before you know it, it will be Spring Break. With that being said. . .

Let's get to it!

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Tip 1: Update Your Canvas Sandbox

Keep that hard work accessible!

Weber School District never deletes old Canvas courses; however, backing up your course in a Sandbox allows for easy access when it comes time to edit and revise for next school year. Once it's cleaned up, and old dates are removed, it will be ready to be imported into your course shell the next time you need to teach that material. Remember, you can now create a Sandbox through the Help menu in Canvas!

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Tip 2: Update Your Blocksi Lists

A new term might call for a new list.

If you teach a yearlong class that doesn't have any roster changes, like elementary teachers, you won't need to worry about this. For everyone else, be sure to log into teacher.blocksi.net and sign in with Clever to get access to your new lists. You're good to remove your old classes. If you're looking for any quick tips, be sure to check out this video from Maryann Broberg at South Ogden Junior! 

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Tip 3: PowerTeacher Pro Housekeeping

Be sure grading schemes are set up! 

Remember that the grading scheme in Canvas and PowerTeacher Pro need to be set up to match each other. If you implement a weighed grading scheme or custom grade scale in your course, you'll want to take time to double check that all of that is in place for your courses. If you use a points based gradebook and the default grade scale, you're good to go!

Any of this sound unfamiliar? Need additional help?

If any of these three areas sound a little hazy or you're unsure of what to do because you only really have to worry about this a couple of times a year, don't worry! Be sure to reach out to your building's edtech coach(es) or one of the Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists below for help! We'll be able to walk you through this and get you back up to speed.

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Remember to Save the Data for Learn 2025: Ignition!

We're so thrilled to be getting geared up for this year's Learn conference. Educational expert and author Matt Miller will be our keynote speaker this year! Be sure you're calendar is clear on June 4 and June 5! This conference is at no cost for WSD teachers and administrators! You won't want to miss it!

Wrapping Up

We know that you're ready to give students the same show stopping classroom experiences in second semester that you did during the first half of the year. Remember that our department is here to help along the way! Whether that is individual coaching, grade-level team planning, PLC team collaboration, or faculty training, the Digital Teaching & Learning Department can make it happen!

Take care,

WSD Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists


Monica Widdison, DT&L Specialist for Elementary Schools

mowiddison@wsd.net

Alan Rhees, DT&L Specialist for Elementary Schools

arhees@wsd.net

Jaymee Barrowes, DT&L Specialist for Secondary Schools

jabarrowes@wsd.net

Blake Pope, DT&L Specialist for Secondary Schools

blpope@wsd.net

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