Technology News

 

Online SOL Testing

 

Three elementary schools will be piloting the online SOL testing this year.  They are working hard to prepare their students and teachers for this exciting adventure.  We are looking forward to adding additional schools next year.

 

Use of Computers During On-Line SOL Testing 

Classroom and office computers that are not being used for testing should not be used for internet activities, video, graphics, games, photographs or music across the network during on-line SOL testing.  

 

Teachers should pay extra attention to classroom management and instruction during this time to insure that students do not access the internet or use computers for any activities that might disrupt testing  The intent of this practice is to insure that there is no interruption to data flow during testing sessions.

 

Reminder for Schools Participating in Online Testing This Year

Since all computers in classrooms and labs may be needed for testing, be sure to check that the computers are functioning properly.  If any are not working properly, it is imperative that work orders be submitted to Technology within an appropriate timeframe.

 

Early End of Year Reminder

 

This summer, teachers’ H: drives will be cleared!  This is necessary in order to maintain the servers, and this practice occurs every few years.  You will need to copy any files you wish to keep.

 

As always, student H: drives will be deleted this summer. 

 

Email

 

On April 3rd a permanent Spam folder will appear in all email accounts.  Any email that is identified as Spam or Possible Spam will be directed to this new folder.  This folder will automatically be emptied once a month (starting on April 28th).  It is your responsibility to review this folder regularly.  If there are any emails you wish to keep, you will need to move them to another folder.  See your TRT if you need help.  If you currently have a folder titled “Spam,” this will become the permanent Spam folder.

 

Reminder: If you use the word ‘Spam’ in the subject line of an email, it will be sent to the Spam folder.

 

Instructional

 

SOLpass

The district has purchased SolPass this year for all elementary and middle schools.  This is an SOL review website for students.  Students can also access this site from home.  The address is www.solpass.org  - the password is mcps.  The site contains fun and instructional SOL activities as well as printable handouts – check it out!

 

SOL to Go (the Pizza game)

Just a quick reminder, this application is on all computers.  The subject content is at the elementary and middle school levels, and it’s a great way for students to review SOLs.  It can be found in the courseware folder under KidzSolutions – SOL to Go.

 

Moodle

Kudos to those teachers using Moodle (an online instructional tool).  There has been an increase in the number of users, and we look forward to seeing that number grow.  If you are not familiar with Moodle, there is an introductory online course available in the Technology Department section of the Moodle course listings.  There is a link to Moodle on the MCPS home page; you can also get there by typing instruction.montgomery.k12.va.us at the address line of your internet browser.  Please see your TRT if you would like assistance.

 

If you have any questions, please contact your TRT (Technology Resource Teacher):

Kat Emory- FBES, EMHS, ELES, SMS

kemory@mcps.org

Claude Miles- CPS, CHS/ISS, CES, CHS, CMS

cmiles@mcps.org

Diane Fredericks- AES, AHS, BES, PFES,

dfredericks@mcps.org

Alicia McGee- KES, MBES, BMS

amcgee@mcps.org

Greg Harman- AMS

gharman@mcps.org

Pavli Mykerezi- BHS, WAS, GLES, HAES

pmykerez@mcps.org

Susan Lester – SES

slester@mcps.org