New Teacher Features in Infinite Campus 8.08

1. New Teacher Features in Infinite Campus 8.08 Learn how to use new IC features Student Groups Messenger Newsletter New Report

2. Student Groups This is a new feature that will let you set up a subgroup of students in a section and assign a specific assignment to that group. For example, a Language Arts Teacher has identified four students who need extra support using fix-up strategies. The teacher will create a short-term, small group separate from the class to assign work and collect evidence of understanding. • Open Instruction > Student Groups (Make sure you have the correct section) • Click on New and you will then see this screen to the right. • Type in the *Name of the group. Make sure it is active. Save • When you click Save, you will see the list of students in that section. Use the dropdown arrow to assign students to that group.

3. Newsletter • Check which section you are sending the Newsletter to. It goes to both students and parents/guardians. • Instruction > Newsletter • Click on New • Select Starting / Ending dates. This is how long the newsletter will appear in the Inbox. Use the calendar button to set the dates. • Type the text. You can format the text to make it look more interesting. • Click Save. You will see it listed in the Newsletter List. It will NOT show in the senders Inbox.

4. Messenger Instruction > Messenger Allows you to send out messages to a whole section at one time. The message will appear in the parent/guardian/student Process Inbox and also in email. This system is another way to communicate, but only, if the Inbox and/or email are regularly checked. There are three options • Failing Grades • Missing Assignments • Teacher Messages

5. Messenger – Failing Grade • Instruction > Messenger • Failing Grade – The wizard will guide you through the steps. The message will fill in the specific names and teacher comments. • Delivery Devices – both Inbox and email are checked. The email is the one provided by the parents. • Duplicate Messages – check to allow repeat sending • Gradebook or posted grades – Gradebook will provide most current information, since Posted Scores are progress and quarter scores. • Filter – this is a combination of all grading scales. Most likely you will filter for D / U in middle school. • Farther down you will select students and task to check • Click Preview Notices • Review recipients and • Send

6. Messenger – Missing Assignment Instruction > Messenger • Missing Assignment – The wizard will guide you through the steps. The message will fill in the specific names and teacher comments. It looks much like the Failing grades option • Delivery Devices – both Inbox and email are checked. The email is the address provided by the parents. • Duplicate Messages – check to allow repeat sending • Gradebook or posted grades – gradebook will provide most current information • Farther down you will select students and task.

7. Messenger – Teacher Message Instruction > Messenger • Teacher Message – again the wizard will guide you through the steps. You will need a Subject and information in the Body. • You can Save and Continue if you want to use this message again later. • When you continue, you will be able to send the message to Guardians/Students/Test • As you scroll down, you will see the list of possible recipients. Click on the name(s) you want to add. You can do guardians and then add students for one long list. • You may test it by using the test option, and entering an email. Then preview message and review recipients.

8. New 2009 Reports Instruction > Reports • Assignment Analysis Graph – check the section you want, use drop down menu to pick specific assignment, generate report. This report will show how students performed, including mean, median and standard deviations. It is shown as a PDF. You will need to reselect the Assignment Analysis Graph to do a new graph. • Grades Report – pick a section, task and students and generate the report. This shows the comments and grades for a section. • Portal Usage Roster – (not new) but useful. This shows a record of who is using the portal, when and how often. • Take some time to review some of the other reports. For example, the Student Summary report is excellent for Parent-Teacher conferences. Blank Spread Sheet is helpful for recording classroom observations.