Spring and Summer 2010 Tech Update

There are a number of technology projects currently under way and planned for this summer that I want to make you aware of.

District Data and Phone Systems Upgrades
Our entire computer and phone networks are being reconstructed this summer district wide. This project includes replacement of all of the switches that control our voice and data traffic in preparation for a new phone system in all buildings and high speed wireless services in the High School and Five Lakes sites. Specific information about this project will be posted at this site throughout the spring and summer.

The new Voice over IP (VoIP) phone system will use the computer network to handle our phone communications. Following are some key changes that you should be aware of:

• All phones will be replaced throughout the district.
• The new phones will be connected to the computer network so phones will typically be placed close to your classroom or office computer.
• All teachers and administrators will have voice mail services available to them.
• The new system will allow for a number of call control, routing, and transfer options and other features.
• Most offices and classrooms will continue to have the same phone number.
• Any old phones or answering machines will no longer work on the new system.
• Most classroom phones will be shut down during the summer while the new system is installed.
• The monthly costs to operate the new phone system will be less then our current monthly costs even though we will have more features included with the new system.

Computer Lab Upgrades
There are projects started and plans underway to update four computer labs.

• At the high school a 30 station mobile lab mobile lab is now on-line that can be used in the media center or set up in classrooms. Teachers should contact Mr. Bancks or one of the tech coaches for more details.
• The "big lab" in the HS Media Center is getting upgraded starting next week. New computers have been ordered and are being loaded this week. The existing computers will be refurbished and installed in the Computer Assisted Instruction classroom and the Tech 8 Classroom.
• We are exploring options for upgrading the 2nd floor lab at Five Lakes. We hope to make this a 2010 project. The existing computers from this lab will be placed in elementary classroom learning centers.
• We will be looking at Budd School lab updates as part of the building project when the referendum passes.

Migrating to Google Apps For Education

I am recommending that the school district migrate to Google Apps for Education during this summer and the 2010-2011 school year http://www.google.com/educators/p_apps.html . This along with the migration to a number of Open Source applications will replace much of our current Microsoft Office, Email and other productivity software that we currently have to pay for.

Please take a look at this send me your recommendations, questions and concerns.

What Should I Do If I Want A SMART Board or a Document Camera or a Tablet or a ... In My Classroom?

• Collaborate with others that have similar needs and ideas.
• Look for professional development opportunities.
• Put together a tech plan for yourself and the learning environment you are trying to impact.
• Present your tech plan to a member of your site technology committee.
• The HS Tech Committee is developing a survey for you to use to request hardware or software
  
  

Another Post for the Tech Class

Spring Tech Update

Following are some brief technology updates for our district:

Wm Budd and HS Math is getting SMARTer
During the past month SMART Boards have been installed in all of the grade 1 and 2 classrooms. Teachers at WB are actively working in teams to use this technology to improve their ability to help all students learn. Two boards will also be placed in math classrooms at the HS. All HS math classrooms will now be equipped with this technology.


New Computer Lab for Five Lakes
29 new computers are being purchased to replace the 7+ year old computer lab on the first floor of the Five Lakes Media Center. A combination of district technology funds, Microsoft funds and a $200 discount per computer break from Apple made this possible. The old workstations will be used to do reading and math computer assisted instruction at both Budd and 5 Lakes replacing some even older classroom workstations.


“New” Web Presence Going Live This Week
Bill Vader will be putting a new front page onto our old district web site that will redirect the general public to our new web sites. Both the old and new sites will stay on-line through the remainder of the school year. All new web information should be posted to the new sites starting today.


Tis the Testing Season
Computer labs will be used for testing in all three sites starting the last week of April. MCAII Science Tests in grades 5,8 and 10 will be administered April 27-May 1 and NWEA testing will be during the first three weeks of May.


Summer Project Bids Are In
Bids have been received and a vendor has been selected to do the summer renovation related technology projects at Five Lakes and the High School. Included in these projects will be projector mounting in all classrooms as well as classroom sound system upgrades at Five Lakes. The winning bid came in below budget. This will hopefully allow for more classroom technologies to be purchased in the future.


Mechanizing Essential Reading and Math Assessment Data Collection
Brad Wells, Bill and I are exploring ways to mechanize some of the common math and reading assessment items so that strand data from some assessments could be pushed into Educator Access (standards grade book) and/or View Point (data warehouse). The goal for this is to reduce some of the teacher time needed to administer some of the text based assessments giving you more time to do better non-traditional formative assessments and related interventions.

Tech Portal from February is Still Active
One shot professional development events, especially those that are technology related, are typically not very effective unless teachers and administrators contine to be active with the new content. The Tech Portal is desiged to allow folks to continue to get information and share ideas after the event. Please consider reviting this site if interested: http://www.soc6036.org/course/view.php?id=310

Know Your New Mac: Feel the Power

Bill Vader demonstrated many features of the teacher (Mac) computers that are being placed in elementary classrooms. High levels of learning and fun was had by all.






Workshop participants should post their comments about this workshop on this BLOG.

Many Tools, Applications and Ideas

Greg King and Bill Vader demonstrated many technology tools and technology integration possibilities. The possibilities are truly endless.



Workshop participants are asked to post their comments about this workshop on this BLOB.