FAQs

As DJUSD staff engages in professional development our leadership, teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and staff are working to capture questions and provide timely answers.

For direct support please visit our Distance Learning Get Help page.


Updated: April 28, 2020

Distance Learning General Questions

  • How do I get hard copies to my students?.?

    • Hard copies may be provided to supplement Distance Learning. Please visit this page for guidance on printing, which will be done centrally through the District Office. Packets and hard copies will then be sent by mail directly to students.

  • Will we be having an all staff meeting every Monday?

    • There is suggested and protected time for that, but your site may use it differently. Sites are also working to build in collaborative time within the current schedule.

  • What is the district expectation of the amount of time spent on core academics?

    • DJUSD is expecting students to engage in content with frequency in small chunks, but we don’t expect this to replicate a classroom experience. We explicitly discussed a draft plan for minutes/per week and time in the Structures module.

  • I'm concerned that students with multiple siblings and a working parent at home will not be able to access the curriculum as easily as others if they are sharing one device; how can we mitigate this?

    • One part of this answer is adjusting our expectations while helping our students stay engaged with us, one another, and content. They will get less directed instruction and do less independent work; ideally only some of that is using screen time.

  • How do I balance the questions from parents and from students?

    • We will be partnering with parents, especially in primary grades. You will maintain the control in your delivery of instruction, guide some possible activities, and engage your students. Parents or caregivers will be with their students and are encouraged to pursue more if they have additional ideas that are engaging and fun. Please visit the DJUSD Distance Learning Center to review information shared with our families.

  • How should we be planning for each prep? What's enough work or not enough work?

    • The module, and schedules, shared during our fourth module: structures that sustain distance learning give guidance. We will continue to seek feedback through surveys from students, staff, and parents to do our best to calibrate

  • Can we have grade level meetings?

    • We encourage grade level and department meetings across DJUSD. A benefit of shared structures and the content mapping teachers did is the opportunity to share videos, office hours, resources, and collaborate.

  • How will parents learn about distance learning? Do we have support in building community, social emotional learning, and taking the baby steps?

  • What do we do about students who don't log on?

    • Students may not access the structures or systems you put in place. It’s important to reach out through phone, email, with our counseling staff, etc. to find out what is happening for them. Please try to call and if you cannot get in contact, get help from your counselor and administration team.

  • What are some classroom management strategies to consider?

    • Have a checklist before you start a WebEx meeting -- mute participants and remind students to keep themselves muted, request that all questions go in chat, use the “raise hand” function, etc.

    • Meet in small groups

    • Assign roles

    • Emphasize protocols

  • How will paraeducators work in this structure?

    • Paraeducators and Special Education staff received guidance and this can be found here.

    • It is very important that you share your plans with Special Education and English Learner staff on your site; in this way they can also plan for support.

    • Para educators will join your classes and office hours as assigned

  • How much information do you provide before checking for understanding or having students interact with content?

    • Much depends upon the age and content, whether this is review or new information.

    • A good rule to start with is to stop every few minutes and either ask a check in question or even for a “thumbs up” while looking at faces.

    • You can also embed forms in your Google Classroom and do quick formative assessments.

  • Do you advocate for using Web Ex to provide project intros/lectures/etc. or using video to introduce/lecture/etc.?

    • Both as it creates a more varied experience. A recorded lecture is easier to control, but introducing and discussing live is a great starter recipe.

  • Are there legal implications to recording and uploading, or not?

    • Yes. Please visit this page to review policies, norms, and expectations.

  • Can the District create norms to use in our classrooms and we can adjust as needed?

  • How does SEL fit into the minutes?

    • You can decide how that fits best into your work with students, it is not an explicit lesson we are asking you to provide.

    • One way to address SEL is by having predictable patterns, have a clear greeting, instruction, and closing of each lesson.

    • For more information, please view Module 3, Social Emotional Learning and Building Community and the Social Emotional Support Support page on our home page.

  • I foresee some of my parents wanting students with more to work on over the recommendations. Can we provide additional work items to students/parents for optional use?

    • Students and parents may want more independent work. You can provide ideas for optional depth or engagement.

    • Make clear what is assigned and what is an option for students who want to go further.

    • You can guide families to access the Supplemental Learning at Home resource from our Distance Learning Center.

    • High school students (current 10th and 11th graders) can also enroll in Sacramento City College Summer courses; more information here.

  • We often send out Mass Emails to families through Q, will Webex be able to link with Q?

    • Q and Webex are not connected. Webex events will invite students through their djusdstudents.org email account.

  • Can we have access to Gmail so we can email through Google Classroom?

    • You will be able to email class(es) thru Google Classroom. Teachers will not receive emails thru Gmail; it will go directly to your Outlook account. More information on this will come.

  • How can we show elementary kids how to use email? They haven't really done that and will need some direction.

    • You will model with them, but also connect with your teacher librarian; they have tools on digital citizenship and may be willing to co-teach a lesson with you. Teachers could also screencast a video of the process and post for students and parents.

  • What platforms can be used as a discussion board (other than just google classroom)?

    • We are also providing support in how to use padlet and flipgrid; please see the homepage modules

Digital Equity & Access

  • How do we add English captioning for narration?

  • If we create a video lesson, will there be a way for us to add closed captioning?

    • If the video is uploaded to your Google Drive, Google has built in closed captioning.

  • Do you have a list of keyboard shortcuts?

  • How do we get casemangers and paras who are attached to teacher classrooms going to negotiate a digital classroom without breaching confidentiality with the rest of students in the class.

    • Our modules about use of Google Classroom will address class setup, confidentiality, and this question.

  • Does voice typing work for Spanish?

    • Google's (Chrome & Chromebook's) Voice Dictation works in 117 different languages. We'll provide specific instructions soon.

  • Who will show students how to access these features?

    • We are in the design process for launching a public website similar to the Distance Learning HQ website for students and families to access this kind of information. Along with the website, our Special Education staff and English Learner Specialists are great resources for using these tools; please share your ideas early with them so they can help in planning for UDL.

  • How are office hours used?

    • This depends upon the teacher and content area needs.

    • We have heard using it in the following ways:

      • Focus on topics or assignments

      • Small group check in for relationships and SEL

      • Collaboration between students that teachers can monitor.


Webex

  • Is there a way to block chat? It is distracting. When I close it, every time someone writes something it pops up again.

    • Check to be sure your chat is activated (the text bubble) and notifications will disappear if activated.

  • I heard that we will use Hangouts. Can someone please clarify and confirm.

    • We will use Webex for better student monitoring and equity of accessibility features.

  • Also, how do we set up office hours in Webex?

    • We will show you how to set up Webex meetings in our module on Webex

  • Can I install Webex on a personal computer and a work computer?

    • You can use Webex on either - as long as you have a microphone and optional WebCam.

  • Are we only limited to Webex? Is there a chance to use Zoom?

    • We are moving forward with Webex so we do not have to implement, train, and use a different platform. Zoom is free now, but won’t be forever.

  • Can we use Webex for connecting with students and teaching lessons? How would students log in?

    • The week of March 30 - April 3 will have targeted professional development for use of Webex and Google Classroom. Students do not

    • need to log in to participate.

  • Do students come and go during Office Hours?

    • Yes. Office hours are options for students to get support and have access to you.

    • It’s best practice to ask students to plan to join, if even for the first five minutes, to check in.

  • Will we have, or need, access to the full Webex Suite?

  • How can we do polls?

  • How do break out groups work?

  • Does WebEx have a cc option?

This will be covered in the WebEx training and the Webex resource page.

Technology

  • Should we be loading security software on machines from home?

    • While we do not monitor personal computers, we recommended that you practice safe digital habits. See more information on securing your work at home.

  • Will paraeducators get computers or chromebooks?

    • Paraeducators will be given Chromebooks shortly. Details on this are coming soon from the Instructional Technology Department

  • When will our TK-1st students be getting their DJUSD Student Logins and Google Accounts? And will they have access to Google Classroom?

    • Information will be coming in the next week about a process for activation and login to DJUSD Google Accounts for Preschool-1st grade students.

  • How do we create invitations with Outlook?

    • When you open up Webmail you will see a calendar icon in the bottom left of your screen.

    • Click on the calendar and then create a new event using the blue tab at the top left.

    • You can also view DJUSD's Tech Tip "Managing Your Email & Calendar" for more Outlook tips and tricks!

  • How do we do the Outlook and WebEx plugin?

This will be covered in the WebEx training and the Webex resource page.

Student Communication

  • How do we arrange Schoolloop and high school integration?

      • SchoolLoop and Google Classroom can interact if you set up your Google Classroom through SchoolLoop. Visit the Digital Tools section for a tutorial on how to do this.

  • We often send out Mass Emails to families through Q, will Webex be able to link with Q?

      • Q and Webex are not connected. Webex events will invite students through their djusdstudents.org email account.

  • Can we have access to Gmail so we can email through Google Classroom?

      • You will be able to email class(es) thru Google Classroom. Teachers will not receive emails thru Gmail; it will go directly to your Outlook account. More information on this will come.

  • How can we show elementary kids how to use email? They haven't really done that and will need some direction.

      • You will model with them, but also connect with your teacher librarian; they have tools on digital citizenship and may be willing to co-teach a lesson with you. Teachers could also screencast a video of the process and post for students and parents.

  • What platforms can be used as a discussion board (other than just google classroom)?

      • Our modules about the use of Google Classroom and tech tools will support more advanced options too. We do want to stay within Google Classroom for consistency across the district.

  • Can we set up a school site, grade level Google Site instead of a single classroom? This would allow for more grade-level collaboration and continuity

      • Google Classroom has an integrated gradebook, organizes workflow, and keeps discussion boards within an established class. All of these features would be lost on a singular Google Site. The district has put together a shared resource Drive folder, which all teachers are encouraged to use for purposes of continuity.

      • You could explore a class at your site “3rd grade at CCE” or 7th Grade World History in the modules covering how Google Classroom works. Collaboration is encouraged.

  • For secondary, can we just use SchoolLoop as a teaching platform and not use Google Classroom?

    • The platform that we are training staff, students, and families on district-wide is Google Classroom. We are asking all teachers to have Google Classroom space, however simple it may be, to ensure a consistent presence. SchoolLoop can continue to be used for communication (LoopMail).

Digital Equity & Access

  • How do we add English captioning for narration?

  • If we create a video lesson, will there be a way for us to add closed captioning?

      • If the video is uploaded to your Google Drive, Google has built in closed captioning.

  • Do you have a list of keyboard shortcuts?

  • How do we get casemangers and paras who are attached to teacher classrooms going to negotiate a digital classroom without breaching confidentiality with the rest of students in the class.

      • Our modules about use of Google Classroom will address class setup, confidentiality, and this question.

  • Does voice typing work for Spanish?

      • Google's (Chrome & Chromebook's) Voice Dictation works in 117 different languages. We'll provide specific instructions soon.

  • Who will show students how to access these features?

      • We are in the design process for launching a public website similar to the Distance Learning HQ website for students and families to access this kind of information. Along with the website, our Special Education staff and English Learner Specialists are great resources for using these tools; please share your ideas early with them so they can help in planning for UDL.

  • (NEW!) How are office hours used?

      • This depends upon the teacher and content area needs.

      • We have heard using it in the following ways:

          • Focus on topics or assignments

          • Small group check in for relationships and SEL

          • Collaboration between students that teachers can monitor.

  • (NEW!) Do you know if there are any students who may have access issues? I know the school is providing laptops but can we assume internet access is a given?

      • We are working to check in with families to double check their access to technology and wireless internet. If you learn of someone without access, please let your Principal know.

Webex

  • Is there a way to block chat? It is distracting. When I close it, every time someone writes something it pops up again.

      • Check to be sure your chat is activated (the text bubble) and notifications will disappear if activated.

  • I heard that we will use Hangouts. Can someone please clarify and confirm.

      • We will use Webex for better student monitoring and equity of accessibility features.

  • Also, how do we set up office hours in Webex?

      • We will show you how to set up Webex meetings in our module on Webex

  • Can I install Webex on a personal computer and a work computer?

      • You can use Webex on either - as long as you have a microphone and optional WebCam.

  • Are we only limited to Webex? Is there a chance to use Zoom?

      • We are moving forward with Webex so we do not have to implement, train, and use a different platform. Zoom is free now, but won’t be forever.

  • Can we use Webex for connecting with students and teaching lessons? How would students log in?

      • The week of March 30 - April 3 will have targeted professional development for use of Webex and Google Classroom. Students do not

      • need to log in to participate.

  • Do students come and go during Office Hours?

      • Yes. Office hours are options for students to get support and have access to you.

      • It’s best practice to ask students to plan to join, if even for the first five minutes, to check in.

  • Will we have, or need, access to the full Webex Suite?

  • How can we do polls?

  • How do break out groups work?

  • Does WebEx have a cc option?


Technology

  • Should we be loading security software on machines from home?

      • While we do not monitor personal computers, we recommended that you practice safe digital habits. See more information on securing your work at home.

  • Will paraeducators get computers or chromebooks?

      • Paraeducators will be given Chromebooks shortly. Details on this are coming soon from the Instructional Technology Department

  • When will our TK-1st students be getting their DJUSD Student Logins and Google Accounts? And will they have access to Google Classroom?

      • Information will be coming in the next week about a process for activation and login to DJUSD Google Accounts for Preschool-1st grade students.

  • How do we create invitations with Outlook?

        • When you open up Webmail you will see a calendar icon in the bottom left of your screen.

        • Click on the calendar and then create a new event using the blue tab at the top left.

        • You can also view DJUSD's Tech Tip "Managing Your Email & Calendar" for more Outlook tips and tricks!

  • How do we do the Outlook and WebEx plugin?

Have questions? We are uploading the most popular questions here, but you can always fill out our Support Form for a direct response.