IHMS Tech Tips

Webex Teams, formerly known as Spark (and still is to me), is a great tool for quick communication between teachers.  I have previously done a post on Spark, but I wanted to revisit this app again for our new teachers or teachers that have yet to jump on board.  What are you waiting for?! Webex Teams is a messaging tool that easily allows for sharing of files and communication (and most importantly, GIFs).  I find it to be much faster than email or phone and is definitely my preferred way of being contacted. ⟸Note to self To use the app, you can install it from Manager.  Go to "My Apps" and "(Re)install/Update" Cisco Webex Teams. After you open it, you will be asking to sign in.  Webex sent emails out to all staff for you to set up your account.  If you trashed it, no worries.   Open the app and type in your fullname@smsd.org (new teachers will type in their 80000number@smsd.org).  If you know your password, go ahead and sig...

We've talked about how to use WebEx for contacting parents, and I know some of you have used it for PLCs, but it is also a great tool to use with your students in the classroom or away from the classroom.  We are all aware of the trouble with AirPlay.  Using WebEx is a way to avoid having to use AirPlay in the first place.  With WebEx, students are viewing your screen on their Macbook in real time. Here's how to use WebEx: Instructor Load WebEx with the following link using Google Chrome:  smsd.webex.com  . Log in via the link in the top right corner of the page Click the green 'Start Meeting' button This will launch the Cisco Webex Meeting Center application Click on the 'Meeting Info' tab Take note of the meeting number, as you will need to provide this to your students Post the the number in Google Classroom, or simply write it on the board Once your students have all joined the meeting session, go to the 'Quick Start' tab and click ...

There are a few non-traditional options for meeting with parents.  While face-to-face is always the best route, here are a few other ideas you could utilize to communicate with parents: 1.  Cisco WebEx Another Cisco product! This one is for video conferencing. To schedule a WebEx: Go to smsd.webex.com Login. My login username is haydenferguson@smsd.org.  There's an option to reset password if necessary. Select "Start a meeting" You can either copy and paste the meeting URL into an Outlook Meeting or into an email with a specified time.  It's up to you to start the meeting at the designated time. Parents can join by going by following the URL you emailed them or entering the meeting ID See even more information in the district ICT newsletter . 2.  Google Voice "Google Voice  is a voicemail service from  Google  that enables users to send free text messages, customize their voicemail, read voicemail text transcript, and more."...

We all know that email you get following a voicemail doesn't lead to the voicemail.  Cisco Jabber does!  Like Spark, Jabber is already downloaded on your computer, it's just waiting for you to install it from Self Service. To get Cisco Jabber: Log into Self Service Choose "Cisco" from the right-hand menu Install Jabber (one time)* Open Jabber from your Launchpad (F4 on your keyboard) *You will know you were successful in your install if you click on the down arrow in the upper right-hand menu of Self Service and see: To log in (note, this is different than Spark), use your computer login credentials.  See below: Like Spark, Jabber needs to be open for you to see the notification of a voicemail. Once open, you will see this menu: Jabber will also notify you of an incoming call if the application is open.  I do not answer calls from my computer, but you can certainly try or reject incoming calls. :)  This will pop up on your scre...