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MediaCast® is our AAPS video streaming service. We can record a TV show for you to show later in your classroom. You use your MediaCast account to access recorded videos via the MediaCast website.

Login to MediaCast website:  http://mediacast.aaps.k12.mi.us  or click the link on the AAPS Staff webpage. Teachers log in with their Active Directory password (same as the teacher laptop.)

Click on the Live TV button.

At school (only) you can click directly on a network icon to watch TV.

To see what’s scheduled, click on the TV Guide tab.



To request a recording

At least two school days before your show is on...create a HelpDesk ticket for MediaCast.
The subject line will be “Record TV.”
  In the request, make sure you tell us ALL the identifying information:

  • TITLE of the show;
  • NETWORK;
  • DAY/DATE of broadcast;
  • TIME beginning and end.
To access your recording
Recordings will remain available for 45 days after recording date.  Log into MediaCast and search for the name of the show or, easier yet, use the  Sort By: “Newest.”    Students can access the recording by logging in using their Student ID as both their name AND their password.


(K. Houser  April 20, 2015)
​
Are you looking for the M-STEP Test Administration manual:
Click the following link to view:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/EMI577_G3HS_MANU_TA_SP15_03.17.15_484350_7.pdf

​Is there a video to show my students how to use the M-STEP Online Tools​?
http://mediacast.aaps.k12.mi.us/tight_url.cfm/URLID/101152
Are you looking for tools for formative assessments? 
Below are a two tools that you may find useful:



Plickers : A tool that turns your iPad or iPhone into an assessment reader for Paper clickers. https://www.plickers.com/help



Kahoot: Create, Launch, and Play! A survey/ quiz system. https://getkahoot.com/

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For ideas about Activities & Lesson Plans visit: http://www.digitallearningday.org/domain/27

Do you have plans for Digital Learning Day? Let us know and add your event to share across the globe at http://www.digitallearningday.org/join

And don't forget to share your ideas and events on twitter with @a2schools.  
The Technology Department has begun to install the MSTEP: DRC INSIGHT browser to on to every iMac lab computer, laptop cart and teacher computers. The icons below will show up on the desktop.


The DRC INSIGHT can be used to access the Spring Preview, sample, and calculator practice tools. This will allow students to practice in the same environment as the test.

Please note: The DRC INSIGHT shortcut will not work when you are off campus as it is tied to the local TMS servers in the schools.

The MI Online Tutorials shortcut will allow you to get to the training documents and videos available through eDirect and MDE.  The online tools training video has been posted on the eDirect site. 
PowerTeacher Gradebook Update 

Users impacted: All Powerschool Users during the update and Teachers​ utilizing Power Teacher Gradebook​. Teachers will need to install the grade book as an app on their laptop.
Minor Version Update to PowerSchool v 7.11 and PowerTeacher v 2.8

The great news is that the new Gradebook version includes a new way to launch the Gradebook that protects against Java updates.

​Directions: ​When you log into PowerTeacher next week, you will see a new option for the Gradebook launch. You will want to use the Installer link and follow the steps provided. Here is a link to a short YouTube video showing you the installation process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mgiIxucBNo&feature=player_embedded



NOTE: If you have a shortcut on the Dock or Desktop for the previous version of the 'alternate' Gradebook, be sure to trash that shortcut and make a new one to match the updated app.
 Here’s how to login, either for the first time, or if your password has had to be reset (which can be necessary with this particular database).

WHERE DO I GO?  Safari, NOT Firefox, NOT Chrome
Using Safari, go to the AAPS home page http://www.a2schools.org/aaps/homeClick on Staff. Then, under Payroll/Finance links, click on "Payroll Inquiry" or “W2 inquiry” to view payroll or W-2 information.  Note that you can get to W-2 information from the Payroll site and the login is the same for both. Or just go to https://payroll.aaps.k12.mi.us
If you get a message that “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website, “payroll.aaps.k12.mi.us”, click Continue. Then make sure the URL starts with https—that “s” identifies the site as “Secure”.

WHAT IF THE PAGE DOESN'T SEEM TO LOAD--I don't see a login screen?  
FIRST: Make sure you’re using SAFARI. Then, check to see if popups are blocked:
Go to the top Menu Bar and click on the word Safari. For older Operating Systems, in the drop down menu, there should be NO check next to “Block pop-up windows”. If there is a check, go down to that option to highlight it, and then release. That removes the checkmark and allows popups.
For newer OS computers, click on the word Safari and go down to Preferences. Click on the Security icon. There should be no check in front of “Block pop-up windows”.

WHAT'S MY USER ID AND PASSWORD?
First time login or after a reset:  ID is the first five letters of your last name, first initial, birth month (2 digits so 01, 02, etc.), birth year (2 digits).  ie., cothmh0652
For the first time login in, or after a reset, put all this info in BOTH boxes--the User ID box AND the Password box. If your last name is less than 5 letters, then use your whole last name and first initial.
If you’ve already changed your password, put that ID in the User ID box and your own password in the password box.

DO I HAVE TO CHANGE MY PASSWORD?
WHAT ARE THE PASSWORD REQUIREMENTS/SPECIFICATIONS?
You MUST change your password the first time you log in or after an account reset. If you just fill in the User ID and Password lines and click Continue, you will be told the password has expired. 

To change the password, fill in both the New Pass box and the Confirm box with the same password using a password that meets the requirements.

Requirements: Passwords must be between 6 and 8 characters. They cannot be all numbers. They can't start with a number (but they can contain numbers).
[Reported that it wouldn’t accept all letters, either.]

Since you can't just go to your computer tech for a password reset, choose a password you can remember, especially over breaks and summers. 

Once you've filled in all 4 boxes (User ID, Password, New Pass, and Confirm), click Continue.

WHAT IF MY LOGIN OR PASSWORD DOESN'T WORK?
If you’re new to the District and have never logged in before, you may not have had an account created for you. eMail Finance @ finpayroll@aaps.k12.mi.usconfirm you have an account. Their number is 994-2256 but emails are preferred.

If you just can’t log in, note that this database can be problematic--the password you have been using successfully may stop working. Make a ticket and HelpDesk can reset it back to the original and you can use the information above to log in and change your password.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INFORMATION IN THE DATABASE ABOUT MY PAYCHECK OR W-2?
eMail Finance @ finpayroll@aaps.k12.mi.us
Their number is 994-2256 but emails are preferred.  ITD can only assist in accessing the database itself, not with content issues.