What is PowerTeacher?

PowerTeacher is an internet based classroom management system that is gaining popularity among school systems. PowerTeacher allows for digital management of class rosters, student demographic information, grade books, attendance, progress reports, report cards, etc. Currently, New Milford has enabled PowerTeacher in such a way that it is visible only to faculty and staff. However, during phase two of implementation, certain PowerTeacher resources will be available to students and parents in "real-time", meaning parents can log on and track their child's progress and statistics at any time. The district is excited about the program's potential for increasing communication about student progress with families.

#2 Is this just another disconnected program that I'll have to spend a lot of time learning?

No! Powerteacher is a single all encompassing program that allows for grade management, record keeping, access to student demographic information, and immediate feedback for students and families.

#3 How do I create my categories in Powerteacher?

1. Launch your gradebook

2. On the bottom left corner, you will see different categories listed.

3. To edit any of these categories, just double click on the name. You can change the name, abbreviations, and colors.

4. To add additional categories, click the plus (+) above the list.

# 4 How do I add an assignment in Powerteacher?

It's simple! Follow these steps:
1. Select a class and click the assignments tab at the top

2. Click the plus (+) on the bottom of the screen.

3. Type the NAME of the assignment and choose the appropriate CATEGORY. *You must select a category or you will not be able to create the assignment. Is this assignment under the category of homework, quizzes, tests, projects, etc..?*

4. Click Save

5. Still confused?...check out this video: (Please note that New Milford has not enabled the standards feature of PowerTeacher yet)

#5 Tips for avoiding future problems with PowerTeacher:

So now you have adjusted your categories and created an assignment, but suddenly, you receive a "null" message! Don't panic! This is PowerTeacher's way of telling you something was not inputted correctly. Read these tips for avoiding common mistakes before contacting your help desk!

If you are trying to create a new assignment....
1. Be sure you selected a CATEGORY. PowerTeacher needs to know under which category each assignment falls so it can calculate grades based on the weights you initially set up.
2. Be sure to select the category BEFORE you assign a point value to the assignment. PowerTeacher is set to default to a point value of 100; if you change the point value before selecting the category the system will automatically revert back to the 100 point value.

If you are trying to input grades for an assignment you have already created....
1. Be sure you have clicked on the "scoresheet" tab and are working from that screen. The tab will be highlighted in white and will look like this:

2. Be sure that you are inputted your grades based on whatever pre-determined point value you have given the assignment. (For example, if you created a 20 point assignment be sure to input your grades based on the total number of points the student earned out of the possible 20; not the percentage grade!)

References

Images courtesy of google images

Videos courtesy of youtube.com