Substitute Teacher Technology Assistance
With the LPS CLASS Plan’s full implementation, there is now a standard suite of classroom devices in daily use across the District. Technology as a tool used in teaching and learning is no longer a “sometimes” thing. It is an “every day” thing.
These changes place new expectations on the substitute teachers who keep things running smoothly while our classroom teachers are away. Following are helpful resources for getting started using some of the most commonly used tech tools across LPS.
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Projectors & Monitors
In most elementary and many secondary classrooms, you should find a wall or ceiling mounted projector.
In some buildings you may find a large monitor mounted to the wall above the whiteboard instead of a projector.
Plug In (HDMI)
Every classroom has an HDMI cable with a dongle that you can plug into a computer.
Substitute Chromebooks have an HDMI port on the left side of the device.
Plugging in will always be the most reliable signal. As long as the projector or monitor is on, it should pick up the signal from the computer without you needing to do anything else.
If you are not seeing your computer screen on the projector or monitor, find the INPUT (monitor) or Source Search (projector) button on the remote and press it. Wait to see if it switches to a computer screen. If not, press it again.
Remotes
Look for a remote that will power on the projector or monitor for the classroom. Most buildings keep them in a standard location, like a tub or velcroed to the white board.
Projector Tip
Projecting the wrong screen?
When using a Chromebook to project, you may find yourself projecting a desktop other than the one you want to project. In these cases, pressing the following key combination should toggle you from “Extended” to “Mirrored” projection. (Or vice-versa.)
Press ctrl + 
A/V Mute
Press this button to blackout the screen without turning the projector completely off. This allows you to have it off for a small period of time and then turn it back on almost instantly without going through the startup process.
Audio Enhancement System (Microphones)
Every classroom is equipped with an audio enhancement system. This system is not about increasing the teacher’s volume, it is about clarity and even distribution of sound throughout the classroom.
Using the system
Turning On / Off / Mute
- ON: Press and hold the PWR button for 2 seconds
- OFF: Press and hold PWR for 3 seconds
- MUTE: Tap the PWR button
(blue lights on the teardrop will flash)
Volume/Adjusting
- The teacher “teardrop” mic is on a lanyard. Wear it when instructing the students.
- Position the teacher mic 4-6 inches from the mouth.
- Use the up and down arrows on the teardrop (shown at left) to adjust volume level.
Tips
The microphones work with “line-of-sight” to a receiver, so if you cover the mic with your hand or turn your body so that you are blocking the signal, it will stop broadcasting over the speakers.
Power off your mic when you leave the classroom, so it doesn’t get ‘picked up’ by other classrooms as you walk by.
Charging
- Charge the teacher mic nightly.
- Make sure that the charger is plugged in right side up – look for the red CHG light to blink slowly.
Substitute Chromebooks
Substitute teachers in Lincoln Public Schools can choose to check out a Chromebook for use when working on LPS assignments or in professional learning opportunities. Arriving with your own device should ease the process of settling into our learning spaces each day, and provide you access to all of the digital tools that our teachers and students use, allowing you to preview or practice in the comfort of your own home.
To receive a device, you can attend one of the scheduled Chromebook orientation sessions, or request a device via a help desk ticket during the school year.
When you cease your employment with LPS, you will be required to turn the device back in, and pay for any damages incurred.
Orientation
Whether or not you are new to Chromebooks, you may benefit from reviewing the information about LPS Chromebooks provided here.
Quick Overview
Printing from a Chromebook
Staff who have been assigned a Chromebook can print from that device using these instructions. If you are a long term sub who has been assigned a teacher Mac laptop, you should use that device to print, instead of a Chromebook.
The Portal
To make it easier to get logged in to web services, district students and staff are asked to use a site called The Portal.
The Portal includes icons that take users directly to a web service (just like a bookmark would.) In many cases, users are also logged in automatically.
Learn more about the Portal in the video to the right.
The Portal should be the first web page you sign into each day. One signed in, you will have quicker and easier access to all other LPS tools.
Synergy (Attendance)
A day sub can take attendance electronically in Synergy. The school office will create a ‘sub slip’ which includes a password you can use to access attendance, seating charts and lunch count.
If no sub slip containing the password is provided, the sub will take attendance on paper on a slip provided by the office.
Taking Attendance in Synergy
You will need to be logged into LPS Google Drive to view these resources. See “The Portal” section above for more information about signing in.
- Day Sub Using Synergy to Take Attendance
- Using Synergy to Take Lunch Count
- Day Sub Accessing Sub Plans in Synergy
- Example Sub Slip with Password
A long-term sub shares access with the teacher of record and should use the resources published on the SLIM page in the TeacherVUE areas.
Connecting with Remote Learners
During the 2020-2021 school year, nearly every classroom will have a number of students who will be attending class remotely. Those students will join teachers’ Zoom meeting rooms by clicking on a link in StudentVue.
Substitutes will launch the teacher’s Zoom meeting rooms from Synergy.
Resources
You will need to be logged into the LPS Portal to view these resources. See “The Portal” section above for more information about signing in.
Document Camera (IPEVO Ziggi or V4K)
When you plug an IPEVO document camera in to a Chromebook, the native Camera app in ChromeOS should see it without any software necessary.
Click the “Switch camera” button to switch between the built-in webcam and the document camera.
Learn more…
The camera software does not have any of the presentation features you may desire. See the instructions below if you want the necessary software.
NOTE: The IPEVO Ziggy and V4K cameras require different software, though the process to install it is the same.
- The Ziggy cameras can use either the “Presenter” or “Visualizer” software
- The V4K cameras require “Visualizer” software
Install the software
The IPEVO Presenter or Visualizer software does not really install on the device you are using. It installs to your Chrome profile. This means it will follow you from device to device. You should only have to install it one time, and it will stay with you as you move from building to building.
- Open the Chrome web browser by clicking on the Chrome icon on the bottom left of the Chromebook screen.
- Use the appropriate link (below) to be taken to the install page in the Google Chrome Web Store.
- For the Presenter software
- For the Visualizer software
- Click the blue “Add to Chrome” button.
- Click “Add App” on the pop-up.
Using the software
- Open the Chrome launcher by clicking the circle at the bottom-left of the screen.
- Find the green icon for IPEVO Presenter and click on it.
You may have to click on “More Apps” if it does not show up. - Plug the document camera into one of the USB ports on the side of the Chromebook.
It will now show an image from the doc cam (instead of a video of yourself from the front facing camera).
-
- Presenter app
-
- Visualizer app
Tips
- If you do not see your Chromebook screen on the projector or monitor, it may be that your Chromebook is not “mirroring”. To mirror your screen press
Ctrl+
[Full screen]. - Plug the Chromebook into power when using the document camera, or your battery will drain down faster than you would like.
- Use the Presenter software at FULL SCREEN in order to have the best display for students.
- Use the Zoom feature to move in and out from the materials you are displaying.
The Web Filter
While you are on the LPS network if you attempt to load a web page that is restricted for students, you may notice a login & password field appear on the block page. LPS employees may enter their LPS credentials to access most web pages.
This is known as “Role Based Authentication” and respects an educator’s right to make professional decisions about the content accessed in instructional settings.
When to Authenticate
From time to time, a teacher may need you to access content (for projecting to students) that students do not have access to.
In these situations, you will need to “authenticate” as a staff member in order to view it.
How to Authenticate
- When you view content that is restricted, you are presented with the LPS web filter’s “Block Screen” as shown below.
2. Click on the [Login] button found above the Acceptable Use policy.
3. You will be taken to a “ContentKeeper Authentication” window where you can enter your LPS Username and Password.
4. When you log into the filter a small pop-up window will appear. As long as this window is present, you are able to access restricted content.
NOTE: All of the URLs (web addresses) accessed while this pop-up window is open are logged in the filter software.
