Technology

This page is now archived because it relates to information for a previous school year.

For urgent technical assistance, please call 202-442-5885.
You can also find troubleshooting tips at backtoschool.dc.gov/.

Educational Technology Learning Tools 101 for Students

This resource consists of self-paced mini-courses on the educational technology learning tools students will be using in their classroom. Students can access here:  https://dcps.instructure.com/enroll/6WX3LN.

Using Canvas for Learning at Home

Visit dcps.instructure.com and enter your DCPS Office 365 username and password. If you don’t know your username or password and did not receive it, please contact your school.

Logging into to Canvas is easy.

Canvas, our online learning management system, will be used by teachers and students to keep learning at home resources in one place. From student schedules, to teacher assignments, to Microsoft Teams live lesson links, everything will be on Canvas.

You can also download the free Canvas Student App for Android or iOS devices.

• iTunes (iOS) (Links to an external site.)
  
• Google Play (Android) (Links to an external site.)

Learning with the Canvas Course Companion

In grades PK-5, you’ll have one Canvas Course “Companion” (CCC) that incorporates all subjects. For grades 6-12, every course (e.g., Math, Science, Art) has a companion that serves as a learning hub for students.

The course companions will house student learning materials, meeting schedules, assignments, quizzes, instructional videos, and course information.

Canvas also has accessibility features such as immersive reader, translation, and dictation.

Virtual Attendance

• For SY21-22, virtual attendance will closely mirror in-person learning attendance by requiring synchronous learning. The new virtual attendance practices for SY21-22 will aim to better gauge attendance and engagement.
• Effective for SY21-22, virtual synchronous is defined as two-way, live instruction between teachers and students, through the computer or other electronic devices. Students enrolled in the DCPS virtual learning program will be assigned a virtual class schedule and must be required to be available for live, synchronous instruction during each school day.
• Students will be asked to log in and join their teacher virtually each day for each class period or subject in school. The teacher will take attendance for each of the scheduled online sessions and will record attendance in Aspen. Students will be asked to either turn on their cameras and verbally acknowledge their “presence” during roll call or verbally respond to attendance request to verify presence.
• Some virtual students may be cross-enrolled, however, regardless of whether student takes all classes at their home school or from a teacher located at another school, students’ attendance will be connected to their home school. Any required interventions must be completed by the attendance staff at the students’ home school.

Need help accessing Canvas?

We know that technical questions or troubleshooting needs may arise when learning at home. DCPS and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) are partnering to provide a family-facing technical support center.

Call the hotline at 202-442-5885 to get help with student logins/passwords or other technical issues with accessing learning platforms (i.e., Canvas, Teams) or DCPS-issued device support. Technical assistance is available 24/7 because we know learning at home looks different for every family. Visit backtoschool.dc.gov for additional troubleshooting support.

You may also contact your school for questions about Canvas.

Request a Technology Device

Contact your school if you need a computer or internet access.