Please quickly scan the Topic list below.  Any task with a mustang has a deadline.  You will want to complete all of the activities at some point, but the identified tasks should be completed by the posted date.  Any task with a puzzle piece is a reading activity.  If you have any questions or need further help, please let me know!

To begin, stop by the media office to pick up the "Virtual In-service Packet" and a form to track your progress as you "Explore the World of the Media Center!"

FOR THIS INSERVICE YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING:

	Your "Virtual In-service Packet" available at the circulation desk. Handouts from this packet will be referenced throughout the Virtual In-service.  Please initial next to your name on the staff list when you pick the packet up.
	Your "Progress Form" also available at the circulation desk.  Please write your name, grade level, and room number in the space provided.  This form will be worth "valuable prizes" when it is completed and returned!
	Access to this Ford Media Center web page in order to use the links and the documents provided through it.

Media Center Orientation for Students 

• Orientation for students will begin the week of August 20th..  All teachers with a homeroom should plan to sign-up for a time period to bring their entire class to the media center.

• Grades  2,3, 4, and 5 will sign-up for a 45-min. block beginning with 5th grade and ending with  Kindergarten.  Kindergarten  and Grade 1 will sign up for a 30 min. block.  Teachers should plan to remain with their students.  The media schedule will be located on the circulation desk. Please check the schedule in the Media Musings newsletter.

• During the orientation, students will be reminded of the media center rules, given their media passes, and allowed to check out books (Kindergarten & 1st grade students - 1 book; all others - 2 books). KINDERGARTEN WILL NOT CHECKOUT DURING ORIENTATION.  KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WILL SELECT BOOKS FOR THEIR CLASS.

• Students that have attended orientation will only be allowed to return and check out books during specified times until all orientations are completed.  Wednesday, August 27th the media center will be open for returns and check out all day to students with their media passes.  Check your e-mail for other times that become available!

• Plan to complete this task by Friday, August 15th!

Scheduling the
Media Center/Media Specialist

• Monthly media center schedules are available the last Wednesday of the current month.  For example, plan to sign up for September visits on Wednesday, August 27th.

• The media center is available for a variety of activities.  These include, but are not limited to, reference instruction, project research, and reading promotion activities.

• Check the media website - Media Activities - to find suggested activities for the month! (These will be posted after school begins and the book of the month is selected and distributed).

• Reference instruction and project research will be provided at the request of an individual teacher or for a entire grade level.  Grade level activities can be planned during the monthly collaboration days.  Please let me know if you would like for me to attend your meetings.

• **When requesting books to be pulled for your class projects, you must select the exact books for us to pull by creating a bibliography using Destiny (handwritten works, too).  We do not pull by topic anymore as we end up spending way too much time reshelving books that are not needed. Please give us 2 days notice.  

• We offer one lesson and one story per month per class.  K-2 lessons and story times are 30 minutes.  Grades 3-5 lessons and stories are 45 min. with 15 minutes allotted for checkout  Classes may check out once per week .Individual students may checkout as needed.  Please limit the number of students to 2 when sending students without the class. Teachers, please be sure to indicate lesson, story, checkout, research, etc. when signing up for times on the schedule.

• Teachers are encouraged to send students to the media center on an "as needed" basis to return and select new books.  Students must bring their media pass when visiting the media center!  Reading promotion activities will include a time for whole class check out.

Return to top

Destiny

Automated Card Catalog System

• Destiny is our automated card catalog system and this year it will be available online.  You will receive information on this shortly after school begins.

• Please plan to attend the faculty check out training at your designated time on Friday, August 8th. (Please check Media Musings newsletter.)

• Destiny is an internet-based automation system that can eventually allow students and staff to perform searches from anywhere there is an internet connection!

• It is simple to  to locate a favorite picture book, works by an author, or non-fiction titles to support your curriculum.  The search screen for Destiny is pictured below:

• Complete a simple search using Destiny and print a bibliography using the following instructions.

• Open the Destiny website by clicking on the blue Destiny icon on your Application Launcher screen.  Type your subject in the Find box to locate information (EX:  electricity, mystery).  Click on the Keyword button.

• A Search Results list will result.  Look through the list and notice the book covers that are interactive!  Also you can identify the type of material by the little icon under its title (book, film, etc.).  A title that begins with Web Path Express will take you to a list of approved websites.

• Prepare a bibliography by clicking on the Add to My List button to the right of each title.  You can also select the Add Page to My List button at the top of the page to add every title that is on the screen to your list.

• Once you have selected at least 10 titles for your list, click the View My List button on the left side of the screen.  Click the Printable button.  Select File - Print or the Printer Icon to print out the bibliography.  Paperclip the printed list to your Progress Form.

• Please attend the Destiny Circulation training at your scheduled time.  (See Media Musings).  I will have a copy of the Destiny Circulation Instructions for use and also posted at the station.  If you need a personal copy, it is available in the Ford Handbook.

• You will learn more about Destiny as I introduce it to your students!  Plan to grab a computer and follow along with your class when we schedule the  training! 

• Plan to complete this task by August 25th!

Return to top

New Cobb Virtual Library (CVL)

• Click on the link to access the new Cobb Virtual Library (the new URL is http://cvl.cobbk12.org).  Read the information at the bottom of the screen.

• Click on the Elementary link.  Review the 9 resources available for elementary use.  List the resources on your Progress Form on which you would like more training!  Introductory or refresher sessions will be scheduled in the fall as needed.

• These resources are available for elementary students and staff only.  They can all be accessed from school or from home.  As password is needed for home use.

• Click on the Elementary Password List link at the bottom of the page.  Print out a copy of the password list for your personal use.  Remember that the password list should not be published in school newsletters or on web pages!  You can make copies of the list to send home with students as needed.

• The Cobb Virtual Library is the first place our students should be directed to when searching for information.  If you are looking for other "kid safe" search engines please check the Ford Media Center "Kids' Sites" page or use the Web Links on Destiny. Google searches and Ask Jeeves are not acceptable use  for elementary students.

• Plan to complete this task by September 7th!

Return to top

New GPB Video Streaming Information

• Review the green handout "GPB/Discovery Education Unitedstreaming New Login Procedures" provided in the Virtual Inservice Packet.

• All Cobb teachers will need this new information about setting up their own individual teacher account.  This went into affect last school year.

• Follow the directions on the flyer to set up your own video streaming account.  Record your new username and password on the Password Flyer.

• As a teacher resource the passcode information is to be used only by teachers (not to be distributed to students).

• Using your new user name and password, login to the GPB site.  Use the search screen on the left to locate a video resource that is appropriate for your students.  List the title in the Notes/Follow Up section of your Progress Form.

• In the same section of the Progress Form, also indicate if you need introductory or refresher video streaming training/information.  These session will be scheduled in the Fall as needed!

• Video streaming is an excellent way to use the LCD projector and your new laptops!

• Plan to complete this task by September 14th!

Ford Media
Website

• The Ford Media Center web page has a section devoted to you – the classroom teacher!  Click on the Teacher Resources link on the Media Center home page to begin your exploration.

• The web page is designed to help you as you plan daily lessons and curriculum units.  Take time to explore each section and make note of the sites that will be useful to you this year.  Let me know if you have some other “Wow” sites you would like to see added!

• For those of you new to Ford, don’t miss the LCD Projectors link.  The web page gives step-by-step instructions with pictures for setting up and using your projector.   The site also provides ideas for using the projector in the classroom.

• Knowing the current copyright laws pertaining to education is also very important.  Two links at the bottom of the Teacher Resource page will give an overview and help to answer any questions you may have.  I have other copyright resources available if you need more help.

• I use the Big 6 research process with the students when they visit the media center for information literacy skills.  I would love to work with your students on projects to support your curriculum.  Please let me know if you are interested.

Return to top

FMN Ford Mustang News

• Our morning news program is called FMN-Ford Mustang News and will broadcast daily from 7:50-8:00.  Don't miss all the fun and information.

• Our 5^th grade students are responsible for producing, directing, and presenting the broadcast. 

• News broadcasts will begin Monday, August 11th.  Every homeroom will send students to the studio to lead the pledge throughout the year.  If you know of great human interest stories from around Ford, please contact one of our news team members .  Supervisors this year are Cristin Kennedy, Leslie Watt.   We love suggestions!

• Click on this link to print a copy of the broadcast schedule for the year.  Highlight the days during the year that your classroom is responsible for the pledge.  Please make a note of these days in your calendar.

• Divide the number of students in your class by the total number of appearances and you will have the number of students to send each time!  Please make sure that all students have an opportunity to lead the pledge on television at least once during the year.

• Plan to complete this task by August 18th!

Computer Lab

• Please remember to follow a few simple rules to keep the lab ready and available for all students.

• Sign up sheets for the computer lab are located in the computer lab.

• Students should use hand sanitizer or wash their hands before entering the lab.

• Please assign students to a computer for the school year.

• Students should login to their computer with their student number. The student number is located on the shelf marker they receive during the media center orientation. When using their login for the first time this year, they should be able to type their student numbers as the password as well, if they had training last year. f  the computer prompts them to change their password.  Have them enter their student number again as their password.  Student passwords should not change during the school year. * The generic login is still available for login if student ID's don't work.  Username frd102  password ford.  I

• Students' work can only be saved to their home directory (the preferred way) or to a shared folder. Their home directory, like yours, will be labeled with their own unique student number only if they have logged in using their student ID,  Please instruct them in saving correctly when working on a project.  Any work saved to the C drive by a student will be deleted automatically when they log out!  If you need help with the saving process, please ask your Media/Technology team member or the media staff.

• If problems develop with a computer, list the problem on the white board at the front of the room giving the date, computer number and problem.  Often minor glitches can be fixed just by shutting down and restarting the computer.

• Encourage the students to bring their media sticks to the computer lab to help them with their login.  When they have a problem or questions, have them raise their stick instead of leaving their seats.  This will help you as you try to assist the entire class!

• When exiting the lab, all students should log off (not shut down) the computers, hang up their headphones, push in their chairs, and collect their pencils, paper, etc.  Leave the lab ready for the next class!

•  I will also schedule some times with you to introduce your students to Destiny, the Cobb Virtual Library, and the media webpage!  These activities can be completed in the computer lab.

Return to top

Laptop Carts

• Ford has one cart containing 24 wireless laptops, and one cart with 14 wireless laptops available for classroom checkout.  As these laptops are aging quickly, you may find that not all of them work properly or are missing.  Check the cart that you intend to checkout to be sure of the number of available laptops. 

• The laptop schedule is posted on the wall in the computer lab.  Laptops may be reserved for the morning (8:00-11:15) or afternoon (11:15-2:00).

• The yellow cart keys are stored in Mrs. Millican's classroom and red keys in Mrs. Soto's.

• Carts must be picked up and returned by adults.  Students MAY NOT be used to push the carts.

• When getting ready to move the carts to the classroom, turn off both power buttons located on the upper back corners of the cart before unplugging.  Secure the cord before rolling the carts.

• Once the carts are in the classroom, the cart must be plugged in for the printer to work.  All laptops must have their recharging cables unplugged to prevent electrical shortages.  If you have printing problems, please check that the students are selecting the correct printer.  The cart printer often defaults to a Print Shop printer that does not exist!

• Laptops should be removed and returned to the carts only by adults.  Students in grades 3 and up may carry laptops to the cart and back.  Please demonstrate the correct way to safely carry laptops before allowing the students to transport them.  Kindergarten through 2^nd grade should not carry laptops.

• There should be no food or liquids around the laptops while in the classroom.  Please instruct students not to place objects such as pencils on the laptop to prevent damage to the screens.  Also instruct students not to touch the screen.

• Laptops boot up faster when the logins are staggered.

• If a message appears that the laptop is locked, simply hold in the power button until the laptop shuts down.  It should work fine when rebooted. 

• Please lock your door if leaving the laptops out when you are away from the classroom.  Otherwise, return them to the cart, lock the cart doors, and remove the keys.

• When returning the laptops to the cart, plug the recharging cables back in to all laptops, check for cords that are hanging down in the front, and lock the doors.

• After returning the cart to the storage area, plug the two electrical plugs into the dedicated outlets and turn both power buttons back on so the laptops can recharge overnight.

• Report any problems on the clipboard chart and return with the key to the correct location.

School Software 

• A variety of software programs are available from the student and teacher Novell launcher.

• Teachers should not install programs onto the classroom, lab, laptop, or media center computers.  You are allowed to install on your teacher laptop.

• Check the Password List flyer in your packet for any program passwords that are needed.

• Please list in the Notes/Follow-Up section of your Progress Form any software programs on which you would like to receive introductory or refresher training.  Sessions will be scheduled as needed in the fall.

• Plan to complete this task by September 15th!

Subscription Resources

• Ford currently has a school wide license for the BrainPop website and the Enchanted Learning website.

• Check the Password List in your training packet for the user names and passwords.  These logins are to be used by staff members only and not given to students.

• Ford also has a login for Mailbox and Bookbag magazines.  Check your Password List for this information.

• This year we are including Book Flix for use with K-2.  The link to this is currently located on the Home page of Destiny.

Return to top

County Work Orders

• If you are experiencing problems with your teacher laptop, desktop computer, or printer please submit a County work order by e-mail or by calling 770-426-3330.

• Other problems with your, GroupWise program, or local software can be reported to the media staff.

• An e-mail sent to Sonjia or Gwen stating the problem is the preferred method of reporting.  You can also leave a note with your name and problem.  This allows us to have a written record, not just a memory record!

• We may ask you to do a couple of quick fixes or try to troubleshoot the problem before placing a work order.  Most problems can be remedied quickly, so make sure you remind us if the problem is not fixed in a couple of days!

• Check out the troubleshooting ideas on the Ford Handbook page.

Training

• Maureen Friese, along with volunteers and our own technology team are planning Thursday, trainings throughout the school year.  Please watch for sign-ups for these important classes.

Return to top

Return to top