Is your school a “Google school?” If so, Google for Education’s EDU in 90 YouTube series is a must. With over 110 recordings to date, each episode keeps viewers informed of recent product updates and other news. These videos are short, sweet, and to the point—perfect for your busy schedule.
          During the March 2021 episode, EDU in 90 host, Tim, gave a birthday shout-out to Chrome for its participation in education. What started out in 2011 as a pilot program has now grown to reach millions of students thanks to partnerships with manufacturers, such as Acer. In fact, according to Chrome OS Engineering Director, Archana Krishna, Chromebook was “The number one device in K-12 education globally for the last year,” (Krishna, 2021). Because of its partnership with Google for Education and Acer, DCTS has played a role in Chromebook distribution as well. Since the pandemic hit, we have passed out thousands of Acer Chromebooks to Ohio schools across the Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati areas.
          Product updates and news are not the only focus of EDU in 90, however. The popular channel also includes helpful tips and tricks for K-12 educators, administrators, and partners. In late 2020, for example, EDU in 90 discussed improvements made to Google Docs. Google implemented these improvements with students in mind. Docs, if you didn’t already know, is one of Google’s most popular classroom tools. With these changes, students can now add in-text citations and works cited pages within Docs using the academic citations feature. Refreshable Braille displays also work to enhance the overall experience to users of assistive technologies.
          ​In February 2021, EDU in 90 discussed changes to G Suite for Education (now called Google Workspace for Education). Though, its name isn’t the only update featured in the video. Google Workspace for Education has added four new tools suited to meet your district’s needs:

• Education Fundamentals
• Education Standard (New!)
• Teaching & Learning Upgrade (New!)
• Education Plus

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​Fun tip: The Classroom Android app is being revamped. Soon, students will also be able to work offline—a bonus for those with internet connectivity issues.

          Whether you’re a new teacher learning the ropes of implementing technology in the classroom, a seasoned teacher navigating remote learning, or an administrator looking for a refresher, these videos will provide you with the help you need to succeed.

OnMedia Spot is a media sharing solution for students, staff, and parents.  Another DCTS exclusive, OnMedia Spot provides one central location for storing and accessing videos, photos, audio, and PDF files--all within a secure environment.  While each program is designed to work independently, when integrated, users can conveniently share OnMedia files without having to leave Display Manager.  

Check out the list below for more information on how the integration between Display Manager and OnMedia Spot can benefit your school:
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1. Announcements:  Keep students and staff up to date with important information, i.e. testing schedules, early dismissals, and lunch menus, throughout the day.  Remote Refresh ensures the most recent content is displayed at all times.     
   
   
2. Display School Spirit:  During the school year, staff can encourage camaraderie and school spirit by uploading photos and videos of the many sports, clubs, and activities throughout the district.  Wish teams good luck, or give a shout out to a group of students volunteering in their community.     
   
   
3. Absent Student Access:  Being absent from school can quickly place students behind in their learning.  Help absent students stay on top of their studies during absences by giving them access to video lectures recorded and uploaded by their own teachers. 
   
   
4. Present Projects:  Students creating media projects can share and store projects in one convenient location.  This allows students to upload their projects from home, and gives them the freedom to choose the media format of their liking--promoting more creative freedom.
   
   
5. Support Blended Learning Styles:  Students have different learning requirements. While some students learn well from a teacher-led lecture, others benefit from audio or video recordings along with accompanying slides or PDFs.  Allowing students access to the same media time and time again encourages repeat exposure of tough concepts and lessons.      
   
   
6. Create a Media Club:  Allow students to take part in the creation of announcements and school spirit media by starting a media club in your school.  Hands-on learning is proven effective and promotes peer-to-peer collaboration.  
   
   
7. Stay Organized:  Teachers can group media together by topic for student review.  Additionally, school administrators can create and upload media content designed specifically for teachers, restricting access to district personnel only.  
   
   
8. Blizzard Bag Support:  Teachers can offer support to students by providing short lessons or instructional videos for student view when districts are closed due to inclement weather.    
   
   
9. Tutoring Support:  Teachers can upload videos for students unable to meet face to face for tutoring help.  This gives students an opportunity to reinforce problem areas with ease. Because OnMedia Spot is compatible with iPads, Android tablets, and smartphones, students can utilize bus time as tutoring on the go.
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10. Lesson Enhancement:  Teachers use pedagogy on a regular basis. Now, thanks to technology, teachers have the ability to provide students with relatable media content to accompany lectures and enhance the overall learning experience.  

With the integration of Display Manager and OnMedia Spot, media sharing is simple and affordable!

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          Referred to as “e-cigs,” “vapes,” and “Juuls,” these devices, when used, produce an aerosol or “vape” that is inhaled into the lungs and exhaled into the air—very similar to second-hand smoke.  The dangers of nicotine addiction are not to be taken lightly, as per the CDC, “Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.”  Due to the multi-functional use of some vaping devices, i.e. marijuana and other drugs, it is now more important than ever for school districts to remain one step ahead of these dangerous trends.
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          In order to help our customers combat the vaping epidemic, DCTS has partnered with IPVideo Corporation as a seller of the HALO IOT Smart Sensor—a real-time vape detection device.  The HALO IOT Smart Sensor is capable of detecting vape, smoke, and THC around areas of your school otherwise prohibited from video surveillance.  Additionally, sensors can be placed inside each classroom to discourage secret vaping, and allow teachers more time to focus on other important things, like educating.

          

In order to keep up with evolving classroom needs, ViewSonic has recently added some great new features to their ViewBoard Interactive Displays; each component enhancing the overall learning experience.   ​

​​We know what you’re thinking—computers are not cars.  But, hear us out . . .

​If we were to hop in a car and travel from Boston to Los Angeles without stopping other than to sleep or refuel, the trip would be tiresome and boring.  The driver would dread the trip, as would the passengers due to a lack of engagement.  All interest in the trip would be gone, with the driver and passengers simply going through the motions of travel, and failing to be impressed by the sights seen along the way. 
 
The same concept applies to education. 
 
In the past, teachers were limited in their resources, often clocking hours upon hours of extra time, effort, and planning into their lessons—all for the sake of reinforcing concepts and reaching as many students as possible.  Nowadays, through the use of technology, teachers have access to easy-to-use tools and resources designed to enhance the learning process, without requiring countless hours of extra work.  In hindsight, the Internet is the interstate of the educational world.      
 
“Interstate Internet” is nothing more than a name for the metaphorical highway teachers and students use to travel from Kindergarten to Graduation.  But its presence in education is nothing short of reliable and necessary, and is a priceless commodity to education as a whole.     
 
Referring back to the cross-country road trip analogy, if we were to replace Boston and L.A. with Kindergarten and Graduation, teachers become the drivers, and students become the passengers.  Without access to engaging sights meant to invest them in the trip, they, too, become uninterested.   Therefore, “Interstate Internet” is a game changer.   
 
In 2018, Acer published a twelve-page brochure highlighting 50 different tools designed to inspire students with Chromebooks.  These apps and tools serve as the “rest stops” intended to aid and refresh students along their academic journeys.  Erin Kohl, Principal of West High School, Oshkosh, WI. says, “Chromebooks help students take ownership of their education.  Accessing materials at the level they want each day dials them into the classroom experience, leading to better behavior, and higher grades,” (2018).  
 
Acer Chromebooks are, without a doubt, the vehicles driving academic success . . . and their versatility is the key that sparks their engines.  If you’re interested in learning more about the different tools and apps available, feel free to check out the K-12 Educators page on our website.  



Works Cited
50 Tools to Inspire Students with Chromebooks. Acer Inc., 2018.