I was not able to obtain an electronic copy of the WW SD Technology Plan, however I do know that the plan is valid was validated by PDE and is subject to be revised this summer, 2009. It will be my responsibility to see this is completed. It is important for our technology vision to be laid out in a planning stage. It provides focus and strategies for the District. Any requests for ERATE funding, internal connections etc has to coincide with our written and adpoted Technology Plan. For instance: I cannot ask for funding for Wireless communications equipment in my Elementary Schools with out wireless being addressed in my Tech Plan with goals/strategies outlined.
One major change in our Technology Plan this summer will be the direction of our HS and future path we would like to see given the current technology use with the Classrooms for the Future laptops.
I feel a technology plan is vital for giving the District goals and a set path for technology. It is important that our School Board also witness our planned path. Decisions are made daily and money is spent in technology in my dept to the tune of $300,000 yearly. It is important that our School Board see there is a reason for these expenses and a defined goal.
Another major change we will make to our Technology Plan is the implementation to our District of Thin Clients and Virtual Machine Infrastructure with regard to adding more computers while reducing costs and overhead.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Blog Assignment 4
1. WW offers shared storage and server space for all students and teachers in the District. There is no limit to what may be saved. This information is backed up daily. Students cannot write to Drive C or desktop, only to their “ HOME” directory or server My Documents. We are running on a Windows Server 2003 platform. Teachers are also asked to use MY DOCUMENTS . there should be nothing on their local computer, in case of a virus, computer crash. Just this past month we have implemented Network Access Storage the size of 4 terabytes. Students are not only saving Word documents, they are creating large Power Points, video files etc. Takes up enormous amount of space that we now have.
2. I personally have NOT signed an AUP until I came to Western Wayne School District. However, I do remember signing an AUP for Computer usage for my sons in 6th grade and every year since then while they were students at Western Wayne School District. Our students now sign an AUP every year especially this year when we re-vamped it. This Spring we are implementing a new AUP which will address “cyberbullying”. Our teachers also have to sign AUP this year so we have them on file.
3. Our email is for teachers only no students we are using Microsoft Exchange Server. All email is retained and backed up. Any folders teachers create to save emails is also retained. If a teacher deletes items from email they are not saved. We are encouraging our teachers to use the Calendar unit of Outlook especially the teachers in Instructional Support.
4. The most important thing I learned is that nothing stays stagnant. Two years ago I would never have dreamed that we would need 4 terabytes of internal storage. I also did not realize that the AUP should be updated yearly or reviewed yearly. We have a great attorney associated with our school district who really understand copyrights, AUP and school law. He has helped us move forward with technology while at the same time protecting our students and district from issues.
2. I personally have NOT signed an AUP until I came to Western Wayne School District. However, I do remember signing an AUP for Computer usage for my sons in 6th grade and every year since then while they were students at Western Wayne School District. Our students now sign an AUP every year especially this year when we re-vamped it. This Spring we are implementing a new AUP which will address “cyberbullying”. Our teachers also have to sign AUP this year so we have them on file.
3. Our email is for teachers only no students we are using Microsoft Exchange Server. All email is retained and backed up. Any folders teachers create to save emails is also retained. If a teacher deletes items from email they are not saved. We are encouraging our teachers to use the Calendar unit of Outlook especially the teachers in Instructional Support.
4. The most important thing I learned is that nothing stays stagnant. Two years ago I would never have dreamed that we would need 4 terabytes of internal storage. I also did not realize that the AUP should be updated yearly or reviewed yearly. We have a great attorney associated with our school district who really understand copyrights, AUP and school law. He has helped us move forward with technology while at the same time protecting our students and district from issues.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Blog 3- Desktop Support
THE Technology Coordinator
I have learned from the topic Desktop Support that the Technology Coordinator wears many hats. She provides desktop support for users of all skill levels for both hardware and software. A good description of the issue at hand is not always given or easily obtained. Solving the issue can sometimes be done on the phone in five minutes or take a series of attempts and days. We are fortunate to own 1100 computers in six buildings. To easily control our environment every computer has basic programs loaded on it. Even if the computer is 6 years old, they all have Office 2003, Windows XP Professional, Adobe Reader, Virus Scan and more.
This topic also includes hardware purchases, forecasting and sustainability. We use a 4 to 5 year cycle ratio on computer life span. New computers are placed in our HS in labs or Library while older models are moved down to the Elementary level until they expire. We do not sell old equipment nor do we allow a teacher to take it home. When it leaves our premises it is dead!! New computers are all purchased from DELL with 3 year service warranties attached. We feel this is money well spent! We just traveled to Harrisburg to Federal Surplus to pick up 35 Pentium 4 computers which contained memory but no hard drives. The computers cost us $25 each. More memory and a hard drive will cost me $65. I will have “built” computers for $100!! If I can use these in classrooms as second and third computers for teachers and they last two to three years I will have recouped my investment.
Each large computer lab most typically has special software requirements such as MicroType or Business Simulations in the Business classrooms, Science may have the basic plus Logger Pro, Frog guts, Math Hallway may have Geometers Sketchpad. Software Licensing is a very important part of my job at Western Wayne. Each piece of software that the District owns has a folder, with a hard copy of the License Terms and End User License Agreement known as the EULA . Microsoft Office EULA is 10 pages long! Each folder has the Invoice with the date, invoice amount and number of licenses purchased. Another paper indicates WHERE in the District the software is loaded, in which classroom and how many computers. I cannot load a program on a computer if a teacher asks me unless I know I have a valid license for it. In the context of Site license such as our Site License for Adobe Creative Suite 3 including Dreamweaver, In Design Adobe provided me with a signed document stating I owned 500 licenses which I can deploy in any building as long as I did not exceed 500. We have made a District policy that all software must be ordered through our department. As an added precaution to illegally installed software our District does not allow teachers to install their own software. Our Dept can do it remotely or in person once the software is approved.
Security threats encompass viruses, malicious code, unwanted intruders to your network ( these can be students internally gaining unauthorized access to files) and securing our data, web server as well as email server. We use Windows 2003 Server environment with two firewalls. Our web server sits in between two firewalls with strong security. Our Virus Scan software is Microsoft Forefront Security which is downloaded to all computers and managed by a console for wide area administration. Updates are done daily, scans are run weekly. A report is provided to us daily of any virus found, the name and which computer.
Security comes with a price tag!. This summer we installed a new firewall at a cost of $7,500. We spend about $5,000 per year for Microsoft Forefront Security. We upgraded our wireless units in the HS to be more secure as well as to control traffic. Security is ever evolving and changing most importantly challenging. Keeping current with trends in security and threats requires yearly classes as well as reading service bulletins and correspondence from several firms that comprise our security solution.
As a Techie person I am always open to listen to a teachers needs in the classroom. I want to know how they will use a web site or download a program for the education process. I want to avoid a network that is so “locked down” that challenging learning is not available as is the case in many school districts. Since Classrooms for the Future laptops were deployed in Jan, 2008 we instituted major changes to our network infrastructure, security, wireless network and school policy. I have several Science teachers that challenge myself and two co-workers weekly with new uses for technology all in an exciting way.
Our IT Dept consists of myself for Tech Coordinator, Brian as Network Admin and Donnie who supports our web site and users. I am very fortunate to be part of a progressive team with many talents.
As far as Technolgy at Western Wayne…..So far the experience has been stimulating and rewarding.!!
I have learned from the topic Desktop Support that the Technology Coordinator wears many hats. She provides desktop support for users of all skill levels for both hardware and software. A good description of the issue at hand is not always given or easily obtained. Solving the issue can sometimes be done on the phone in five minutes or take a series of attempts and days. We are fortunate to own 1100 computers in six buildings. To easily control our environment every computer has basic programs loaded on it. Even if the computer is 6 years old, they all have Office 2003, Windows XP Professional, Adobe Reader, Virus Scan and more.
This topic also includes hardware purchases, forecasting and sustainability. We use a 4 to 5 year cycle ratio on computer life span. New computers are placed in our HS in labs or Library while older models are moved down to the Elementary level until they expire. We do not sell old equipment nor do we allow a teacher to take it home. When it leaves our premises it is dead!! New computers are all purchased from DELL with 3 year service warranties attached. We feel this is money well spent! We just traveled to Harrisburg to Federal Surplus to pick up 35 Pentium 4 computers which contained memory but no hard drives. The computers cost us $25 each. More memory and a hard drive will cost me $65. I will have “built” computers for $100!! If I can use these in classrooms as second and third computers for teachers and they last two to three years I will have recouped my investment.
Each large computer lab most typically has special software requirements such as MicroType or Business Simulations in the Business classrooms, Science may have the basic plus Logger Pro, Frog guts, Math Hallway may have Geometers Sketchpad. Software Licensing is a very important part of my job at Western Wayne. Each piece of software that the District owns has a folder, with a hard copy of the License Terms and End User License Agreement known as the EULA . Microsoft Office EULA is 10 pages long! Each folder has the Invoice with the date, invoice amount and number of licenses purchased. Another paper indicates WHERE in the District the software is loaded, in which classroom and how many computers. I cannot load a program on a computer if a teacher asks me unless I know I have a valid license for it. In the context of Site license such as our Site License for Adobe Creative Suite 3 including Dreamweaver, In Design Adobe provided me with a signed document stating I owned 500 licenses which I can deploy in any building as long as I did not exceed 500. We have made a District policy that all software must be ordered through our department. As an added precaution to illegally installed software our District does not allow teachers to install their own software. Our Dept can do it remotely or in person once the software is approved.
Security threats encompass viruses, malicious code, unwanted intruders to your network ( these can be students internally gaining unauthorized access to files) and securing our data, web server as well as email server. We use Windows 2003 Server environment with two firewalls. Our web server sits in between two firewalls with strong security. Our Virus Scan software is Microsoft Forefront Security which is downloaded to all computers and managed by a console for wide area administration. Updates are done daily, scans are run weekly. A report is provided to us daily of any virus found, the name and which computer.
Security comes with a price tag!. This summer we installed a new firewall at a cost of $7,500. We spend about $5,000 per year for Microsoft Forefront Security. We upgraded our wireless units in the HS to be more secure as well as to control traffic. Security is ever evolving and changing most importantly challenging. Keeping current with trends in security and threats requires yearly classes as well as reading service bulletins and correspondence from several firms that comprise our security solution.
As a Techie person I am always open to listen to a teachers needs in the classroom. I want to know how they will use a web site or download a program for the education process. I want to avoid a network that is so “locked down” that challenging learning is not available as is the case in many school districts. Since Classrooms for the Future laptops were deployed in Jan, 2008 we instituted major changes to our network infrastructure, security, wireless network and school policy. I have several Science teachers that challenge myself and two co-workers weekly with new uses for technology all in an exciting way.
Our IT Dept consists of myself for Tech Coordinator, Brian as Network Admin and Donnie who supports our web site and users. I am very fortunate to be part of a progressive team with many talents.
As far as Technolgy at Western Wayne…..So far the experience has been stimulating and rewarding.!!
Monday, September 22, 2008
GRANTS
The list provided is awesome, after careful research I chose a grant from NEA web site, where I also found many more grants.
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/StudentAchievement_Guidelines.htm
this is regarding engaging students in critical thinking/problem solving while mastering knowledge of standards-based subject matter.
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/StudentAchievement_Guidelines.htm
this is regarding engaging students in critical thinking/problem solving while mastering knowledge of standards-based subject matter.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Software Selection Forms
My school currently does not use Software selection forms. I can see the benefit of one. Each building governs itself as far as software needs. With in the building the teams of teachers such as Third Grade team consisting of 6 teachers decide among themselves if they want/need software. This request is then taken to the building principal for approval. Depending on the cost of the software building principal may need to budget for it for upcoming school year. Teachers are encouraged to seek funds from grants but very little do. Each teacher has a classroom budget of $100 per year for MISC items. If the software is approved at any time the Technology Department will order the software. IT works with the vendor on network specifics, file sharing, permissions. We do not have CD-ROM’s in most computers, we encourage the use of shared technologies. IT dept is responsible for keeping records of site licenses, where the software is loaded and who approved the expense.
Currently our system involves group input and a lengthy thought process. It is not on a paper request. However after reading the selection I am going to seriously consider Software Selection Forms. Analyzing criteria, vendors, programs all placed on paper would also aid in record keeping and future decision processes
Currently our system involves group input and a lengthy thought process. It is not on a paper request. However after reading the selection I am going to seriously consider Software Selection Forms. Analyzing criteria, vendors, programs all placed on paper would also aid in record keeping and future decision processes
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Susan Thivierge Blg-ED589
I think I will enjoy the Hybrid nature of this course, ability to meet my classmates and still have the convenience of working from home accommodating a busy schedule. I really enjoyed the two videos about Blogger and Wikispaces - I have bookmarked these to use later at our HS. I am keeping a technology notebook and log included will be all the sites, videoes, suggestions I receive from you as well as classmates.
After thoroughly reading the article "Digital Divide Leadership" I would like to comment on two quotes: the authors recommend moving from automating Admin practices to transforming teaching and learning. I feel this is the true role of a person with the title " Instructional Technologist". They will be critical in assisting the teacher and students to be comfortable in this new environment. After working with the teacher, I cimagine students will also take initiative and move forward with technology with challenging lessons. I would like to think that the use of technology will foster more critical thinking and challenge our students to be life long learners!
Item 2: Page 11- "Create new professional development initiatives".
I am a Tech Coordinator at Western Wayne School District. I work closely with teachers and our two Instructional Technology staff members to incorporate technology into any/all classrooms.
Professional Development is the key to having your teachers buy into technology. Start slow at first, our school offers " Java Mornings" breakfast, coffee provided for an hour we discuss how to segments and teachers share success stories with peers. The buzz started around our HS in October and never stopped.
Day two of this 2008-09 school year the teachers jumped on laptops, science projects, math lessons, Promethean Boards and began the year with heavy technology assisted lessons. This was a year long process of professional development in our HS that Administrators sent a directive to all teachers they WOULD go thru some sort of PD for the year. in school, at Wilkes or after school was offered.
This year any teacher (as not part of the CFF grant ) that did receive a Promethean Board and Projector in their room ( Mostly MS and Elementary Schools I was able to purchase 14 set ups from my budget) had to commit to 15 hours of Promethean Training or I would not recommend a board be placed in their room.
When teachers come to my department requesting the technology and thinking outside the box I am personally excited! It is all about the students and creating strong learners!!
After thoroughly reading the article "Digital Divide Leadership" I would like to comment on two quotes: the authors recommend moving from automating Admin practices to transforming teaching and learning. I feel this is the true role of a person with the title " Instructional Technologist". They will be critical in assisting the teacher and students to be comfortable in this new environment. After working with the teacher, I cimagine students will also take initiative and move forward with technology with challenging lessons. I would like to think that the use of technology will foster more critical thinking and challenge our students to be life long learners!
Item 2: Page 11- "Create new professional development initiatives".
I am a Tech Coordinator at Western Wayne School District. I work closely with teachers and our two Instructional Technology staff members to incorporate technology into any/all classrooms.
Professional Development is the key to having your teachers buy into technology. Start slow at first, our school offers " Java Mornings" breakfast, coffee provided for an hour we discuss how to segments and teachers share success stories with peers. The buzz started around our HS in October and never stopped.
Day two of this 2008-09 school year the teachers jumped on laptops, science projects, math lessons, Promethean Boards and began the year with heavy technology assisted lessons. This was a year long process of professional development in our HS that Administrators sent a directive to all teachers they WOULD go thru some sort of PD for the year. in school, at Wilkes or after school was offered.
This year any teacher (as not part of the CFF grant ) that did receive a Promethean Board and Projector in their room ( Mostly MS and Elementary Schools I was able to purchase 14 set ups from my budget) had to commit to 15 hours of Promethean Training or I would not recommend a board be placed in their room.
When teachers come to my department requesting the technology and thinking outside the box I am personally excited! It is all about the students and creating strong learners!!
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