Screencastify (https://www.screencastify.com/) is an extension for recording and editing videos. Students and staff in Granite School District now have unlimited recording and editing when they sign in to Screencastify with their @granitesd.org Google accounts.
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Featured Resource: Scrible
A version of this post was first shared in our GSD Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers, authored and curated by Teresa Bruin, Educational Technology Team Leader. We’ve also included help resources created by Davina Sauthoff, Educational Technology Team Leader.
Scrible (https://www.scrible.com/) is a research and writing platform that can be used to bookmark, annotate, organize, and share articles and webpages.
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has secured a statewide contract to provide Scrible Edu Pro to all Utah K-12 educators and students! Find out more about this contract here and read on to find out how Granite students and teachers can access this resource.
Jamboard and Google Classroom
This post was first shared in our GSD Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers, authored and curated by Teresa Bruin, Educational Technology Team Leader. (Link: https://sites.google.com/granitesd.org/gsd-ed-tech-newsletter/2020-archives/november-2020/jamboard-and-google-classroom-integration)
Jamboard (http://jamboard.google.com/) is a collaborative whiteboard space with options to draw, add pictures, shapes, sticky notes, and text boxes. It’s simplistic collaboration, and now you have the option to add Jamboards as assignments in Google Classroom. To get started, go to jamboard.google.com. Students will not need the app to participate on a Jamboard you assign to them.
Students Can Jam From Anywhere
Educators can engage all students in the learning process, whether working together in a traditional classroom, a group seminar setting, or through distance learning. The Jamboard website and app for Android and iOS make it easy for students and educators to join in on the creativity from their phone, tablet, or Chromebook.
[Read more…] about Jamboard and Google ClassroomFeatured Resource: Zoom
This was first shared in our GSD Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers, authored and curated by Teresa Bruin, Educational Technology Team Leader. (Link: https://sites.google.com/granitesd.org/gsd-ed-tech-newsletter/2020-archives/october-2020/zoom-license-information-and-breakout-rooms)
Zoom (https://zoom.us/) is a robust video conferencing web tool that has been made available with the licensed version for all Utah teachers through UETN. Below, you will find instructions for logging into your licensed account and learn more about Zoom and the incredible Breakout Rooms feature that is included in your licensed account.
[Read more…] about Featured Resource: ZoomPresentations: Google Classroom (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced)
Looking for tips and tricks for using Google Classroom? These presentations, created by our school technology specialists, have suggestions to get you started and new things to try. These were first shared as part of the professional development menu for Granite teachers at the beginning of the school year.
Topics covered include:
- Setting up your Classroom
- Creating assignments
- Organizational tips
- Go Math & Wonders Integration
- Google Integration with Calendar, Drive, Meet, and Quiz
- Grades, Feedback, and Rubrics
- Using Hyperdocs in Classroom
- Creating a Grade Level Team Classroom
What’s New in Sora?
We’re adding new ebooks and audiobooks to Sora all the time, and also adding resources to help students and teachers with Sora. In this post we round up a few of those resources.
For example, you can
- browse our book lists and latest releases,
- suggest an ebook or audiobook for purchase, and
- see which schools are reading and listening the most.

Presentation: Intro to Tech Tools – Basics
Looking for easy technology tools for distance learning? This presentation, first shared as part of the professional development menu for Granite teachers at the beginning of the school year, introduces several great options and ideas for connecting with and engaging your students.
Tools covered include:
- Screencastify
- Loom
- Nearpod
- Quizizz
- Google Meet
- Whiteboard.fi
- Flipgrid
- Edpuzzle
Featured Resource: Loom
This post originally appeared in our GSD Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers created by Teresa Bruin, Educational Technology Team Leader. Note 10/14/2020: Loom pushed out a major software update just hours after this information was drafted and posted, so we will provide an update to these graphics and login information at some future time.
Loom is a simple screen recording and video messaging tool that can be used on Chromebooks, desktop computers, and iOS mobile devices. Granite staff and students now have access to the full professional features of Loom for Education.
[Read more…] about Featured Resource: LoomElementary Library Book Walk 2020
This post first appeared on Granitemedia.org, the website for the district’s school library programs. Link: https://www.granitemedia.org/2020/10/elementary-library-book-walk-2020/.
We recently held the annual Elementary Library Book Walk!
[Read more…] about Elementary Library Book Walk 2020Presentation: Best Practices to Use During Distance Learning
Looking for tips and tricks for distance learning? These presentations, first shared as part of the professional development menu for Granite teachers at the beginning of the school year, have suggestions to get you started, as well as new things to try.
Topics covered include:
- Asynchronous and synchronous learning activities
- Setting student expectations
- Developing strong connections
- Organization and scheduling
- Ideas for when you hit a roadblock