And the Oscar Goes to...

AP Photo / Matt Sayles

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

You may have been expecting names of big winners like "The Artist" and "The Artist" or perhaps, "The Artist"(note to self: I need to go see that movie)...but instead, I'm celebrating the winner of the Animated Short Film category. I was thrilled when this film was acknowledged on Sunday night. Not that I knew anything about it before Friday, but I had recently been introduced and quickly fell in love so it was a delight to be "in the know" when it was announced.

I first learned about FFBoMML on Friday at a technology conference. Teachers in San Ramon are using the "Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" app. It's $4.99 and worth every cent (in my opinion). The app gives you access to the story, the short film and another film about how the short film was made. 

The story is about people who devote their lives to books and books who do the same. The way in which the story is told is nothing short of amazing.

This is our future - and it's happening NOW. This is the way stories are being published. Like it or not, apps are here to stay and interactivity (beyond turning the pages) goes above and beyond my wildest imagination.


Enjoy.

Patsy Templeton
ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Winners for the Best Animated Short Film: Brandon Oldenburg and William Joyce
AP Photo /Joel Ryan

Click here if you'd like to go to the iTunes Store (not that you have to, but in case you just can't help yourself).

Happy Valentine's Day!


This will be short & sweet -- please read if you're having issues with SMART Exchange accounts.


Over the last few weeks, many teachers have shared some frustration about being able to utilize SMART Exchange.


At this time, if you log on to SMART Exchange (http://exchange.smarttech.com), type your school email address and click on "forgot your password", the automated email should be available to you as our filter will no longer block it.

If you continue to have problems accessing your SMART Exchange account, please complete the following form so that your specific issues are addressed.


Thank you,


Patsy Templeton

Happy 100th Day of -- Schoogle!

Image created using AP Images and Notebook

Here's to the 100th day of school! 

I've been known to mention Google once or twice - okay, maybe 100 times. In honor of our 100 days of school, here are some tips to help you navigate our Google Apps for Education account.

Answers to two most FAQ -

How come I can't I log on?

You may still be using an older Google account ("ousd@gmail.com"). Instead, know there are TWO ways to sign in:

First Choice:

Go to: https://www.google.com/a/orinda.k12.ca.us

username:

first initial/last name (i.e. jsmith)

password:

ask a colleague (or check the wiki) if you can't remember!

Second Choice:

Go to: www.google.com

username:

first initial/last name@orinda.k12.ca.us (i.e. jsmith@orinda.k12.ca.us)

password:

ask a colleague (or check the wiki) if you can't remember!

Question #2: How come no one else can see my reserved spot on Google Calendar?

Google Calendar:

 

When you open your Google Calendar, there is a personal calendar automatically generated for you as well as other calendars you've either created or are sharing with others. Sometimes, when you reserve a spot on the calendar, you're working in your own instead of a shared calendar and only find out when you walk into the shared space (i.e. computer lab) and find someone else already there. Don't you hate it when that happens??

To avoid double booking, be sure to check that you're in the right calendar. When you select edit to your reservation, the editing page will show you which calendar you're working in - and give you a chance to change.

Another easy way to avoid a Calendar Catastrophe is to color code your calendars (including the one in your name) so that reservations from different calendars are detected by a variety of colors. 

Hope these tips are helpful. If you'd like more information about Google, please send me an email at your earliest convenience.

There is a page on my tech tips wiki dedicated to Google Apps.

Feel free to go to:

http://ousdtechtips.pbworks.com

You may need to request access to this wiki. If you request, I promise to grant you permission!

Patsy Templeton

Patsy Templeton

OUSD Technology Coach
ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us