COVID-19 Educator Help Desk

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Good Morning Jennifer,

One thing we were discussing in my district is to have an area where parents can have training videos to watch to help them learn how to use different tools that the students are using. Examples would be how to access Google Classroom, uploading assignments to Google. We are thinking of creating short tutorials on how to from both a student perspective and a teacher perspective.

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Billy Krakower
Computer Technology & GT Teacher
Beatrice Gilmore School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

So we are currently working on one right now.  We are calling it Parent University.  Not finished with it yet, but here is what we have so far.  We are also going to do consistent Facebook live sessions at the beginning of the year to support parents.

https://sites.google.com/plsd.us/parent-university-technology/i-want-to

Also I am hearing rumors that Google is creating a training page geared towards parents to support their students with GSuite.
------------------------------
Brian Seymour
Director of Instructional Technology
Pickerington Local School District
Pickerington OH United States
2018 ISTE Distinguished District
2019 ISTE Learning Spaces PLN Designer of the Year

brian_seymour@plsd.us
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

One of the biggest concerns parents have is walking their child through the submission of assignments (for example in Google Classroom). I would also recommend creating visual tutorials that can be printed to accompany any video tutorials to provide multiple modes of delivery.

------------------------------
Aimee Bloom
Staff Development Specialist
Erie 2-BOCES
abloom@e2ccb.org
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Great question @Jennifer Freedman.  I have had some conversations with parents and one of the concerns was knowing how to get students started with some of the different tools being used.  Either setting up virtual office hours or sharing a screenrecording has been helpful.
Also providing a list of tools being used, what their purpose is and any age requirements is sometimes helpful too.​

------------------------------
Rachelle Dene Poth, JD, MSEd
Foreign Language & STEAM Teacher, Riverview H.S.
President, Teacher Education Network,
Mobile Learning Network Leadership Team Member
PAECT Outstanding Teacher of the Year, 2017
Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert
Nearpod PioNear
rdene915@gmail.com

Twitter and Voxer: @rdene915
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Here is a quick little site that was created in my district for parents.
https://sites.google.com/mahopac.org/mcsd-parent-and-student-tech-/home
and we have a complete site that has all of the apps our district subscribes to and instructions for those apps for teachers to reference but I am looking for a shareable version of that site which was made by Jen Cauthers.
Hope this helps
Brian Cauthers

------------------------------
Brian Cauthers
Science Teacher
MCSD
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Hi, Jennifer,

Our district creates tutorials of some basic "know hows" in regards to our platforms and links those on our website for parents and students.  This can be a great way to disseminate information.

Best of luck,

Marcy:)

------------------------------
Marcy Brugger
Dist. Technology Integration Specialist
Elmwood 322
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Thank you all for your help!

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

We are working on this, too - as I'm sure everyone will be.  I found a tool yesterday called Iorad.  It's a tutorial builder that provides interactive, clickable tutorials, as well as slides to view or even a PDF to download with the steps.  Has anyone see this or used it before?  I am the only Instructional Tech person at my school so I will be solely responsible for pulling all this together.  Any tool that will help me save time is worth it's weight in gold!  I'll put a link below.  I'm going to try it out, but wondered if anyone had any other experience with it?

https://www.iorad.com/

------------------------------
Tiffany Barton
Teacher
FAITH WEST ACADEMY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Tiffany, I've used Iorad before and love it! The "premium" is WAY out of my budget but I've found the free version to be all I need.

------------------------------
Angela Burgess
District ITS for Middle & High Schools
Forsyth Co Schools
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2020 13:39
From: Tiffany Barton
Subject: Parent Training

We are working on this, too - as I'm sure everyone will be.  I found a tool yesterday called Iorad.  It's a tutorial builder that provides interactive, clickable tutorials, as well as slides to view or even a PDF to download with the steps.  Has anyone see this or used it before?  I am the only Instructional Tech person at my school so I will be solely responsible for pulling all this together.  Any tool that will help me save time is worth it's weight in gold!  I'll put a link below.  I'm going to try it out, but wondered if anyone had any other experience with it?

https://www.iorad.com/

------------------------------
Tiffany Barton
Teacher
FAITH WEST ACADEMY

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

I have been using iorad for about two years and this year I was recently able to secure the premium version. I absolutely LOVE it. I love that you can create clickable tutorials that simulate the steps that people will have to do when actually executing a process... I think that clicking through the actual steps (in a "you're not actually doing it... you're just simulating it" risk-free way) helps with muscle memory and gets people familiar with the actual process so that they're ready to do the actual steps on their own when it's time. I love that you can record your own voice-over for the steps, I love that you can mask data (in case your tutorial includes info that does not need to be public), I love that you can secure the tutorials and make them as private as they need to be. I love that the tutorials can be translated into many languages. I love that also get versions of each tutorial: a simulation, a PDF, text steps in list form, watch it as a (narrated) movie.

I find the premium cost to be STUPID expensive, lol. I survived just fine on the free version for a couple of years but ended up really needing the "mask data" option for my tutorials, so we saved up for a few years in order to justify the expense and we purchased a premium account. I now use it as my sole tutorial method and I have gotten rave reviews... and four other tech coaches in my region have followed suit and are on my subscription "team."

------------------------------
Kristin Edwards
Distance Learning Specialist
CiTiBOCES
kedwards@citiboces.org
@CiTiKristin
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2020 13:39
From: Tiffany Barton
Subject: Parent Training

We are working on this, too - as I'm sure everyone will be.  I found a tool yesterday called Iorad.  It's a tutorial builder that provides interactive, clickable tutorials, as well as slides to view or even a PDF to download with the steps.  Has anyone see this or used it before?  I am the only Instructional Tech person at my school so I will be solely responsible for pulling all this together.  Any tool that will help me save time is worth it's weight in gold!  I'll put a link below.  I'm going to try it out, but wondered if anyone had any other experience with it?

https://www.iorad.com/

------------------------------
Tiffany Barton
Teacher
FAITH WEST ACADEMY

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 7/29/2020 9:24:00 AM
From: Kristin Edwards
Subject: RE: Parent Training

I have been using iorad for about two years and this year I was recently able to secure the premium version. I absolutely LOVE it. I love that you can create clickable tutorials that simulate the steps that people will have to do when actually executing a process... I think that clicking through the actual steps (in a "you're not actually doing it... you're just simulating it" risk-free way) helps with muscle memory and gets people familiar with the actual process so that they're ready to do the actual steps on their own when it's time. I love that you can record your own voice-over for the steps, I love that you can mask data (in case your tutorial includes info that does not need to be public), I love that you can secure the tutorials and make them as private as they need to be. I love that the tutorials can be translated into many languages. I love that also get versions of each tutorial: a simulation, a PDF, text steps in list form, watch it as a (narrated) movie.

I find the premium cost to be STUPID expensive, lol. I survived just fine on the free version for a couple of years but ended up really needing the "mask data" option for my tutorials, so we saved up for a few years in order to justify the expense and we purchased a premium account. I now use it as my sole tutorial method and I have gotten rave reviews... and four other tech coaches in my region have followed suit and are on my subscription "team."

------------------------------
Kristin Edwards
Distance Learning Specialist
CiTiBOCES
kedwards@citiboces.org
@CiTiKristin
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2020 13:39
From: Tiffany Barton
Subject: Parent Training

We are working on this, too - as I'm sure everyone will be.  I found a tool yesterday called Iorad.  It's a tutorial builder that provides interactive, clickable tutorials, as well as slides to view or even a PDF to download with the steps.  Has anyone see this or used it before?  I am the only Instructional Tech person at my school so I will be solely responsible for pulling all this together.  Any tool that will help me save time is worth it's weight in gold!  I'll put a link below.  I'm going to try it out, but wondered if anyone had any other experience with it?

https://www.iorad.com/

------------------------------
Tiffany Barton
Teacher
FAITH WEST ACADEMY

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Hi Jennifer,
There have already been some great feedback to your thoughtful question.   Here are some additional considerations centered around equity.
1.  How are parents finding out about your offerings?  Can the district send a text or call to all parents?  We have found that many parents operate by text and don't always check e-mails.
2.  Can the seminars also be hosted in other languages (like Spanish in my district)?  Planning on translation of sessions might be essential depending on your demographics.  If possible, close captioning is also an important consideration.
3.  As some families might be cell phone only families, will the trainings/videos be scaled for cell phone use?  Many district websites automatically scale for the device, but some still don't do a very good job.
4.  I would recommend some basic trainings on the LMS and attendance systems, and then perhaps have other trainings on specific tools.  Having classroom teachers point their parents to your trainings can be helpful for both teachers and parents.
5.  Can you set up a district help desk for families to call if they have questions?  Our help desk was very busy for the first several weeks as families/students had basic questions.  We also staffed this with at least some Spanish speakers.  I know that this might not be feasible to staff long term, but having an initial district help desk for a few weeks after the training roll outs could be of benefit.

Hope that these are helpful suggestions.

------------------------------
Matthew Hiefield
Teacher on Special Assignment
Westview High School
@MattHiefield
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Oh, I believe that it is a very good idea!

------------------------------
Edward Heavy Consultant/Trainer
NY High School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Sorry that I missed this months ago. This summer, I offered parent workshops on instructional and assistive tech. All the resources I used are in Wakelet, if interested. The workshops were 4 parts covering Apple, Google, Microsoft and other tech tools.   (in case hyperlink doesn't work: https://bit.ly/ParentResourcesKF)

------------------------------
-Karyn (@Filibuster3)
Technology Training Specialist
ISTE 2020 presenter! "Accessibility Tools Smackdown"
MIEExpert, MIETrainer, Apple Teacher, Google Certified Educator-Level 2, National Geographic Certified Educator
https://gktechies.wordpress.com/ (blog)
https://delivr.com/27zf2 (Accessibility collection)
http://bit.ly/gktechies YouTube Channel
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

This is a great resource!  Thank you :)

------------------------------
Oriana Kopec Librarian/Media Specialist
Library Media Specialist
Manasquan Elementary School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-08-2020 11:15
From: Karyn Fillhart
Subject: Parent Training

Sorry that I missed this months ago. This summer, I offered parent workshops on instructional and assistive tech. All the resources I used are in Wakelet, if interested. The workshops were 4 parts covering Apple, Google, Microsoft and other tech tools.   (in case hyperlink doesn't work: https://bit.ly/ParentResourcesKF)

------------------------------
-Karyn (@Filibuster3)
Technology Training Specialist
ISTE 2020 presenter! "Accessibility Tools Smackdown"
MIEExpert, MIETrainer, Apple Teacher, Google Certified Educator-Level 2, National Geographic Certified Educator
https://gktechies.wordpress.com/ (blog)
https://delivr.com/27zf2 (Accessibility collection)
http://bit.ly/gktechies YouTube Channel

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

 I would also recommend creating visual tutorials that can be printed to accompany any video tutorials to provide multiple modes of delivery.

------------------------------
pitter brayn C-Level Executive
Hope
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------

Hi Jennifer,
Reaching out to parents is critically important and of course the pandemic has posed some very difficult challenges.  For our most impacted families, there might be some room to innovate and have socially distanced in person meetings outside.  Here is a model that we pursued in the Beaverton School District.   Planning with counselors and translators (if needed) is essential for this type of outreach.  Best wishes for your efforts.


------------------------------
Matthew Hiefield Instructional Technology Coach/Director
Teacher on Special Assignment
Westview High School
@MattHiefield
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-09-2021 08:58
From: pitter brayn
Subject: Parent Training

 I would also recommend creating visual tutorials that can be printed to accompany any video tutorials to provide multiple modes of delivery.

------------------------------
pitter brayn C-Level Executive
Hope

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2020 10:33
From: Jennifer Freedman
Subject: Parent Training

I'm looking to create a Parent University training for parents in our district so they have a basic understanding of the edtech tools we use.  What are some common questions and/or problems you have had to solve for parents over the past few months?

------------------------------
Jennifer Freedman
Library Media Specialist / Education Technology Specialist
Lindenhurst Middle School
Twitter: @jlf74
------------------------------