Category Archives: Technology

ACPS Summer Coding Camp: Now Seeking Facilitators

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ACPS Coding Camp Logo

The Department of Technology is seeking facilitators for this summer’s ACPS Coding Camp (formerly CoderDojo). ACPS Coding Camp is a coding academy that provides Albemarle County Public Schools elementary students with opportunities for creativity, innovation and fun.

ACPS Coding Camp will be the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on learning how to integrate the new Computer Science and Digital Learning Integration Standards of Learning! Facilitators will receive $40/hour for days spent instructing students, and $150 plus 5 recertification points for each professional development day attended (up to a total of 20 points). Continue reading →

Celebrate Digital Learning Day on March 15!

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Digital Learning Day 2023

ACPS Educators: Please join us in celebrating Digital Learning Day on March 15, 2023. The Department of Technology’s Learning Technology Team has developed a series of short videos that are both helpful and applicable to your role as teachers. These Tech Tidbits focus on common tools that are available throughout ACPS. We hope that you spend a few minutes watching whatever is most relevant to you. Follow along on Twitter: @acpslearntech! Continue reading →

ACPS Technology Survey: Please Participate by Feb. 28

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We want your FEEDBACK sign with green background

After several years of administering the Speak Up Survey, the Department of Technology has taken your feedback and developed a custom ACPS Technology Survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather information from our stakeholders to make better decisions about the use of technology in our schools. By implementing a custom survey, we will be able to gather data more focused on our division and school priorities, as well as provide you with data that can be cross-referenced with academic and demographic data sets. We have created separate surveys for elementary students (grades 3-5), secondary students, all ACPS school families, faculty, and school administrators.

At this time, we invite faculty to visit bit.ly/acpstechstaff23 to take our ACPS Technology Survey. The survey will remain open until February 28, 2023, and will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. Continue reading →

Network Connectivity Issues on Feb. 9

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Internet connection failure

The Department of Technology was made aware of network connectivity issues yesterday morning that intermittently prevented devices from connecting to network resources. Our investigation determined that the issues were caused by one of our network service providers, BrightSpeed. By midday, BrightSpeed had rectified the network issues. We wanted to share our thanks for your patience as we navigated these network connectivity issues yesterday.

TikTok App Banned by ACPS

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ACPS logo

In December, Congress passed a bill banning TikTok from being used on government-issued devices. The Governor of Virginia did the same through Executive Order Number 24 (2022). Accordingly, the County of Albemarle has mandated the ban, as will Albemarle County Public Schools. Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Department of Technology will block access to the TikTok app on all ACPS-issued devices. As always, if you have questions or need technical support, please contact the Service Desk at 434-975-9444 or ServiceDesk@k12albemarle.org.

iOS Update for K-2 iPads on Feb. 3

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update loading

Attention K-2 Teachers: The Department of Technology will push the latest iOS update to all K-2 iPads this Friday afternoon, February 3. Please leave these devices on and plugged in at the end of the day. 

Updating our K-2 iPads helps ensure that the devices are safe and secure to use and that they work properly for students. If you experience any issues after the update has occurred, please contact the Service Desk at 434-975-9444.

Connecting with Students & Families, Especially on Remote Learning Days

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mother and daughter working learning remotely

Whether you’re hosting virtual meetings on Zoom, using your personal cell phone to call families, or engaging with families through BrightChat, our instant messaging app, please keep reading for helpful hints and guidance on connecting with students and families. And, as always, if ever you’re in need of technical support, please contact the Service Desk at 434-975-9444 or ServiceDesk@k12albemarle.org.

Continue reading →

Keep Zoom Updated

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Zoom Logo

The Department of Technology has received several reports of video not working properly when using Zoom. Updating the Zoom application by following the steps below should fix or prevent any video issues from occurring. We suggest following these steps before joining any upcoming meetings through Zoom. Continue reading →

New VDOE Website

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VDOE Facebook Logo

You may have noticed that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has redesigned their website. The new VDOE website, including a new ChildCareVA site, launched on December 13 and includes an intuitive, modern navigation that aims to provide easy access to information and resources on dozens of topics. The redesign also incorporates a variety of features to enhance communication between the VDOE, schools, childcare providers, parents, and the general public.

With the launch of the new VDOE site, most links to VDOE content changed. Continue reading →