Updates to Google Classroom

Google Classroom will soon release five improvements to their app:

  • Groups integration: Ability to pre-populate classes using existing Google Groups. If your school uses tools like School Directory Sync, admins can sync class rosters from the student information system (SIS) into Groups.
  • Mark assignments as “done”: Students can mark assignments as complete even if there's nothing to turn in (e.g. watch a video, read a chapter, bring something to class)
  • Export all grades: Teachers will now have the ability to download grades for all assignments at once, making it easier to export assignments to any gradebook
  • Sorting: Teachers can now choose to sort students by first or last name, depending on their needs
  • Greater teacher controls: Teachers can now set permissions for whether or not their class can post or comment in the stream, they can mute individual students from posting or commenting and can even view previously deleted items in the stream

Full details here.

Bedford Email, Chat and Calendar Goes Google Jan. 5th

Bedford will officially use Google's web-based email, chat and calendar tools for all staff and students starting January 5th after Winter break.

This will reduce conflicts between Google and Apple programs and create a more consistent and predictable experience for everyone.

You will have until January 5th to familiarize yourself with Google's web-based apps (mail, chat and calendar) and transfer any data that you need to transfer. Apple's mail app (postage stamp), iChat and iCal will no longer be available.

Contact your tech team if you need any assistance.

BedfordBYOD wifi is disabled until Oct. 20th

The open BedfordBYOD wifi network is disabled due to conflicts with MAP testing. You can connect to the "Bedford" wifi. You can find the password in our beginning of the year tech slides. Slide 10

Website gets new look and is easier to update

Starting October 10th, our school website will get a new look, will be easier to update, and will be organized more functionally. The new site design will be using the Google Sites platform, so no extra logins are necessary to update your web page...simply go to your page, click the edit button (pencil icon) and start editing.

If you currently do not have a page that you are responsible for updating and would like one, just let us know and we will get your page created. Once created, you will be able to add as many sub-pages as you would like.

If you see any discrepancies, or experience any difficulties with the new site, let us know right away so we can get it fixed.

We aim to make the website useful for staff and students, as well as a public-facing resource for those considering attending our school. So please take some time to think how you can update your page so that it is both functional for you and your students, as well as clean and informative for the general public.

The editing tools are similar to your Google Docs tools, so you should be fairly familiar how to change colors, fonts, etc. There is a lot of power inside your "Insert" menu as well. The Insert menu allows you to quickly add videos, Google Docs, images, links and much more.