In Zoom, you can set someone as either an alternative host or a co-host. I have been receiving some questions around the difference between the two, so I thought we could discuss them today.

Alternative Host 1 An alternative host is someone you designate another Licensed user on the same account (our TUSD Zoom account) to be the alternative host. The alternative host can start the meeting for you. Currently, we use this for our substitutes. This user will receive an email notifying them that they've been added as an alternative host, with a link to start the meeting. Once they start the meeting, they will have all the same privileges and controls as you, the host.

Co-Host 2 The co-host feature allows the host (you) to share hosting privileges with another user in a meeting, allowing the co-host to manage the administrative side of the meeting. A co-host can manage participants or start/stop the recording. The host must assign a co-host once the meeting has started. There is no limitation on the number of co-hosts you can have in a meeting or webinar.

Also, co-hosts do not have the following controls

HERE is a link to a video on our YouTube channel going over the difference between alternative host and co-host.

What is it? Kami is a PDF and document mark-up tool where teachers and students can view, annotate, share and collaborate on! Kami links to your Google Drive and your Google Classroom! Best part, the district has paid for the licensed version for us all! Kami also complements our Great Minds Eureka InSync, which provides teachers with fillable copies of all of the Math curriculum for K-8.

So What? With Kami you can add text, draw, comment, add videos and images, highlight, underline, and even add shapes to articles and worksheets. Kami also has a Math tools function, making it much easier for students to complete their digital work for Math! Students can use these tools to highlight, underline, and comment on a digital worksheet! Students can input text boxes and input answers on the pdf worksheets, so you don’t have to worry about any format changes or issues like you would with sharing a Word document. There is also a Turn In button built into Kami if you have made the assignment through Google Classroom. 1

Now What? Kami is an easy add on! Just visit the Chrome App Store and add Kami to your Chromebook! Your students need to also add this extension to their Chromebook as well. Need Videos to Help? How to Add the Kami Extension How to Use Kami- Student Video

How long have you worked in TUSD? This is my third year in TUSD.

What is your job title? 4th grade teacher and also the Lead Tech at Medeiros.

Where did you work prior to TUSD? I worked for Escalon Unified School District.

Any info you would like to share about your job? Average day? If you ever join us in our class Zoom meeting in the morning, you will find us singing to Disney music before starting our day. Besides teaching over Zoom during the day, you could find me going around the school helping other teachers with tech issues. 

Things you are most proud of? Making connections with my students and seeing those light bulbs going off when what they have been struggling with finally clicks and they are so excited to learn! 

Challenges? Teaching over Zoom has its challenges but so far I have been so glad to see my students every day and teaching. But I have built that community with my students and we are making the best we can with what we have. The most frustrating is not being able to fix/help them with technology or connection to the Internet.

Favorite memory/story? I would say that my favorite memory was our Gold Rush Day we did. Seeing how much fun the students were having recreating what it would be like in the Gold Rush in spring 2019 made my teacher heart so happy!

What are you reading? Right now I am reading Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. Such a cute story with a great message and hoping to share it with my students. 

Any favorite shows you’re watching on TV? The Good Place is my absolute favorite show and have re-watched it probably three times for it makes me laugh. I like to watch Parks and Rec, Real Housewives, and Friends.

Fave movies? I love watching movies and have too many favorites! I would say that Mulan (the original Disney Version), the Harry Potter movies, and About Time are all ones that I could probably watch over and over again. These are the movies that if I am having a bad day, I will instantly start feeling better.

Anything surprising we may not know about you? I am very much an open book and put my heart on my sleeve so I cannot really think of anything that may be surprising. Before all of my raveling plans have been halted, I have been blessed to have traveled to 21 states and 5 different countries.

Anything about your personal life you’d like to share? I love going to the Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. I love to cook and try new recipes.