Merge EDU Self-Service Setup, Assisted Setup, PD Training, and Resources

Merge offers various types of onboarding and training options for Merge EDU customers. 

In this article, we’ll go over:

• Self-service Setup
• Assisted Setup
• PD (Professional Development) Training
• Onboarding and Training Resources

Self-service Setup 

Merge has a large collection of helpful articles and getting started guides to ensure you are able to get started adding teachers, classes, and students to your new Merge EDU subscription, as well as learn where to find resources like activity plans, STEM projects, quiz results, and more. 

If you have any questions about self-service setup, email support@mergeedu.com.

Find videos that go over self-service setup and onboarding resources here: Merge EDU Self-Service Onboarding.

 

Assisted Setup 

In addition to sharing the self-service setup resources above, a Merge Onboarding Specialists will schedule a setup call to walk you through getting started with your Merge EDU subscription. Paid onboarding costs $200, and lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour. This may already be included, depending on the package you purchased.

If you have any questions about paid onboarding or would like to schedule a paid onboarding session, email sales@mergeedu.com. 

 

PD (Professional Development) Training 

While most of our training sessions are virtual, we can also provide in-person training. If you are interested in an on-site training session, please contact us at sales@mergeedu.com for more information. 

Virtual Training

Merge offers a 90-minute virtual professional development (PD) training session for $499. Our training sessions give hands-on instruction to up to 25 teachers on how to use the Merge EDU Platform effectively in their science and/or STEM classrooms.

The Merge EDU trainer will focus on both science and STEM implementation for the PD training, but can focus more on one than the other upon request.

 

How to Prepare for Training

Because our training sessions ask that teachers follow along with the instructor as we go through several Merge EDU activities, you should ensure that prior to the session:

• All Teachers have created a Merge EDU account
• All Teacher accounts are activated via the teacher join code
• Apps Merge Explorer, Object Viewer, and HoloGlobe have been downloaded onto compatible devices for use during training
• All participants have access to a Merge Cube

What to Expect During Training

Our virtual PD training covers:

• Exploring the Merge EDU Dashboard
  • Adding classes and students
  • Sharing content in Merge EDU apps
  • Accessing Activity Plans
  • Accessing STEM Projects
  • Finding quiz results
  • Uploading your own 3D models 
    • Created in Tinkercad or other 3D modeling program
    • Found online
    • 3D scanned 
  • Editing your own 3D models
  • Creating custom object collections
• Using Science Simulations in Merge Explorer
• Using Teaching Aids in Object Viewer
• Using Globe Activities in HoloGlobe

Exploring the Merge EDU Dashboard

During the training, we will introduce participants to the Merge EDU Dashboard where most of the teacher resources are located. We’ll show you how to share topic cards, activities, and collections quickly, where the activity plans and standards alignment documents are located, and how teachers can track their students’ progress using the “quiz results” feature, and more.

STEM Projects & Merge Uploader

Participants will go over the Merge STEM Projects, as well as uploading created or found 3D objects with the Merge Uploader. This is an advanced use case for schools that typically have 3D modeling lessons or 3D printers. 

Using Science Simulations in Merge Explorer

Using the activity plans we located in the previous section, we will guide participants through a small lesson using Merge Explorer. This section covers: signing in, locating topic cards, learning about 3D, cube, and world modes, and the assessment and extension ideas found in the activity plans.

Using Teaching Aids in Object Viewer

This section will go over how to access collections and teaching aids in the Object Viewer app, how to create custom collections to isolate just the teaching aids you need for your lesson, and how these objects can be used in conjunction with an activity plan or existing lesson.

Using Globe Activities in HoloGlobe

Participants will access HoloGlobe to view real time satellite data from NOAA and NASA. We’ll look at some globe activities and discuss ways students can use this information to identify areas on the map, track changes across the globe, and make connections between multiple data sets.

 

If you are interested in purchasing a Merge EDU Professional Development Training session, please contact us at sales@mergeedu.com. If you've already purchased a PD Training session and would like to get it scheduled, please email us at success@mergeedu.com.

Onboarding and Training Resources

We have a series of self-service resources and help articles that will point you in the right direction with everything you need to know about Merge EDU:

• Setting up your Classroom - This series of help articles will help you get started setting up your Merge EDU Subscription including district account setup, using join codes, adding students, rostering options, and more.
• Teaching Science - This series of help articles will help you get started with activity plans, quiz results, using simulations, topic cards, and globe activities, and more. 
• Teaching STEM - This series of help articles will help you get started with STEM Projects, teaching aids for STEM, and 3D visualization.
• Uploading your Creations - This series of help articles will help you get started uploading creations to the dashboard, and includes directions on exporting objects from various 3D programs, adding labels, and finding 3D objects online.
• Dashboard login - Login to the Merge EDU dashboard to get access to Activity Plans, STEM Projects, and other resources.