The TAC (Technology Advisory Committee) meets monthly to discuss issues related to district technology initiatives. You can find the latest news and updates from the meetings on this site.
Information from TAC meeting on Dec. 17, 2016
School and Staff Web Communication Policies
The District has an archival process and service for professional websites, blogs, etc. Any web-based communications from staff, our classrooms or school need to be set up through the Communications Department (OCR) so that they can keep the necessary documentation and accountability to protect students and teachers. The Communications Dept. can provide any staff with the necessary procedures and policies. This means that Communications is in charge of social media policy. It is state law that all versions for any dates or issues of such publications be archived and accessible for the correct number of years.
Transition Student File Storage to Google Drive
There is no longer student file storage/access on the Edison server. Students should be saving their work in Google Drive. The deadline for Edison server use is the end of June. Any student work currently on the server will be inaccessible.
Chrome Extension Whitelist and Blocking of Unknown Websites (.info)
Some extensions interfere with applications (Hapara, Noodletools, etc.). Unknown websites are typically malicious. The Tech Dept. is switching their practice/policy from individual blacklisting to a whitelisting approach. Non-listed existensions will not be able to be added or installed on district machines. If legitimate extensions are blocked or needed, contact the Helpdesk.
Digital Immersion Initiative Status Update
An update on this district initiative was presented to the Olympia School Board on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. You can view the Presentation here. L.P. Brown ES, Marshall MS, and Capital HS teachers shared their usage and impact of 1:1 tech in classes. Some baseline data about DII in classrooms was shared with the School Board during the presentation.
Tech Fair Tech Fair Website
Saturday, February 11, 2016
10:00 A.M - . 3:00 P.M. @CHS
10:00-1:00 Booths and Displays 1:00-3:00 Student Challenge Presentations
Tech Fair Fact Sheet (for more information)
Each school needs to form a Student Challenge Team--Limit of one team of four students per school!
(10 hours per building of curric pay available to be divided among teachers attending and supervising students)
Tech Fair Logo Contest - "Through the Portal" Theme
Thanks to all the teachers and students who participated: Nine schools, 15 teachers, many wonderful submissions!
During the second week of December, a committee made up of representatives from the Technology Department, the Communications Department, and the Tech Advisory Committee met to select a logo to be used as the inspiration for the posters, shirts, and other publicity materials for the Tech Fair. This design will be turned over to a professional graphic designer to make it camera ready and to provide the needed file formats.
The winner of this year's logo contest is Aspen Karns, a 10th grade student at Olympia High School in Mark Zarate's VisComm class.
The District has an archival process and service for professional websites, blogs, etc. Any web-based communications from staff, our classrooms or school need to be set up through the Communications Department (OCR) so that they can keep the necessary documentation and accountability to protect students and teachers. The Communications Dept. can provide any staff with the necessary procedures and policies. This means that Communications is in charge of social media policy. It is state law that all versions for any dates or issues of such publications be archived and accessible for the correct number of years.
Transition Student File Storage to Google Drive
There is no longer student file storage/access on the Edison server. Students should be saving their work in Google Drive. The deadline for Edison server use is the end of June. Any student work currently on the server will be inaccessible.
- Tech department can work with any teachers to move Edison files to Google Drive or other spaces.
- Tech is not requiring teachers to leave Edison. Only students need to be out of Edison.
Chrome Extension Whitelist and Blocking of Unknown Websites (.info)
Some extensions interfere with applications (Hapara, Noodletools, etc.). Unknown websites are typically malicious. The Tech Dept. is switching their practice/policy from individual blacklisting to a whitelisting approach. Non-listed existensions will not be able to be added or installed on district machines. If legitimate extensions are blocked or needed, contact the Helpdesk.
- Hopefully resolved with a reboot of the Authentication Server.
- District Firewall may start blocking at home internal servers.
- Whitelists are “allowed” as legitimate and legal.
- Blacklist are sites that are “not allowed,” blocked, illegal, etc…
- There are Chrome Extensions that will potentially flag the firewall system for SBA tests and block test usage. Tech is working on a “rumored” list for Whitelists that allow certain Chrome Extensions. This Whitelist will not allow students to “add” Chrome Extensions that are considered potentially harmful.
Digital Immersion Initiative Status Update
An update on this district initiative was presented to the Olympia School Board on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. You can view the Presentation here. L.P. Brown ES, Marshall MS, and Capital HS teachers shared their usage and impact of 1:1 tech in classes. Some baseline data about DII in classrooms was shared with the School Board during the presentation.
Tech Fair Tech Fair Website
Saturday, February 11, 2016
10:00 A.M - . 3:00 P.M. @CHS
10:00-1:00 Booths and Displays 1:00-3:00 Student Challenge Presentations
Tech Fair Fact Sheet (for more information)
Each school needs to form a Student Challenge Team--Limit of one team of four students per school!
(10 hours per building of curric pay available to be divided among teachers attending and supervising students)
- Kindergarten Round-Up is also going on at the same times and place as the Tech Fair.
- We are encouraged to plan a student booth, large group presentation, or student challenge team. See DeAnne about our school Tech Fair Planning Form.
- Goal is to see ONE student challenge team per school. (3-4 students + adult (shepherd only). Students don’t need to know each other. They just need to be willing to problem solve together.
- TAC committee member (DeAnne) needs to complete the planning form for your school.
- 10 hours per building or 20 hours per high school of curriculum pay is available so you can get paid for your work. Each person working can get paid, but you only have 10 hours to divide up. (Certificated Staff Only) Paras, parents can volunteer, but there is no compensation available.
Tech Fair Logo Contest - "Through the Portal" Theme
Thanks to all the teachers and students who participated: Nine schools, 15 teachers, many wonderful submissions!
During the second week of December, a committee made up of representatives from the Technology Department, the Communications Department, and the Tech Advisory Committee met to select a logo to be used as the inspiration for the posters, shirts, and other publicity materials for the Tech Fair. This design will be turned over to a professional graphic designer to make it camera ready and to provide the needed file formats.
The winner of this year's logo contest is Aspen Karns, a 10th grade student at Olympia High School in Mark Zarate's VisComm class.
INFORMATION
“Guest” login on Chromebook Carts to Be Turned Off
Create a ticket to turn guest access on for specific schools/carts, with dates to turn on and off (example: curriculum night, guest speakers/presenters). Front desk machines are already separated out.
Chromebooks - Flashing or Out of Space or Other Problems
Contact the Helpdesk. Field techs will come to fix ASAP.
Tech Fair Classes on MyOSD (see notes from Nov. meeting below)
January 17 4:00-5:00 -Student-Centered Tech Booths #60429
January 18 4:00-5:00-Student Challenge Team Tips #60430
“Guest” login on Chromebook Carts to Be Turned Off
Create a ticket to turn guest access on for specific schools/carts, with dates to turn on and off (example: curriculum night, guest speakers/presenters). Front desk machines are already separated out.
Chromebooks - Flashing or Out of Space or Other Problems
Contact the Helpdesk. Field techs will come to fix ASAP.
Tech Fair Classes on MyOSD (see notes from Nov. meeting below)
January 17 4:00-5:00 -Student-Centered Tech Booths #60429
January 18 4:00-5:00-Student Challenge Team Tips #60430
#############################################################################################
Information from TAC meeting on Nov. 17, 2016
Domain: students.osd.wednet.edu
These accounts will be going away...These were set up when the district only had one domain, and they now incur a cost in management and support. The Technology Department wants to mitigate the impact on all staff as OSD moves toward elimination of these accounts. Email/Drive/Sites/etc. you may have associated with the older account can be saved through Google Takeout which will zip all your data and allow you to export the copy and import it to your current account
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3024190?source=gsearch&hl=en
Tech Professional Development Pay Process
There’s a change! Don’t put it into Skyward. Do sign the roster. Do fill out the timeslip. Do keep the pink copy.
Hour of Code, December 5-11
Kids love it. https://code.org/
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code," to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. If you want help participating, ask your friendly teacher-librarian!
District Tech Fair
Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. 3:00 @CHS
10:00-1:00 Booths and Displays
1:00-3:00 Student Challenge Presentations--
10 hours per building @ curriculum rate/pay divided among teachers in attendance
Logo Contest
Theme is “Through the Portal”
Submissions by Friday, Dec. 2 2016
Flyer with instructions
Tech Fair Classes
January 17 - 4:00-5:00 - Student-Centered Tech Booths
January 18 4:00-5:00 - Student Challenge Team Tips
These classes are for teachers only--not students.
District tech staff will send out course info before Thanksgiving break. They will also develop promo/photos to share with you
These accounts will be going away...These were set up when the district only had one domain, and they now incur a cost in management and support. The Technology Department wants to mitigate the impact on all staff as OSD moves toward elimination of these accounts. Email/Drive/Sites/etc. you may have associated with the older account can be saved through Google Takeout which will zip all your data and allow you to export the copy and import it to your current account
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3024190?source=gsearch&hl=en
Tech Professional Development Pay Process
There’s a change! Don’t put it into Skyward. Do sign the roster. Do fill out the timeslip. Do keep the pink copy.
Hour of Code, December 5-11
Kids love it. https://code.org/
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code," to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. If you want help participating, ask your friendly teacher-librarian!
District Tech Fair
Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. 3:00 @CHS
10:00-1:00 Booths and Displays
1:00-3:00 Student Challenge Presentations--
10 hours per building @ curriculum rate/pay divided among teachers in attendance
Logo Contest
Theme is “Through the Portal”
Submissions by Friday, Dec. 2 2016
Flyer with instructions
Tech Fair Classes
January 17 - 4:00-5:00 - Student-Centered Tech Booths
January 18 4:00-5:00 - Student Challenge Team Tips
These classes are for teachers only--not students.
District tech staff will send out course info before Thanksgiving break. They will also develop promo/photos to share with you
#############################################################################################
Information from TAC meeting on Oct. 20, 2016
Wireless Network Change
The network folks in the Tech Dept will be changing the way the wireless networks will look and behave in the near future. The OSD Wireless network will be shortened down to a single network (SSID) during the day, and then the Public network opened at 2:45 P.M. until 7:30 A.M. This change is occurring because of some of the following reasons:
-5,000 connections of OSD public
-Seeing a trend. Previously filtered sites are more open on public wifi. Students are able to access anonymously.
-Get rid of all of the different SSIDs.
-Everyone will choose OSD wifi.
-OSD Public wifi turned off during school hours.
-A screen will pop up to join the network using username/password. All new devices will have to rejoin at least once. Once your device has the credentials approved on it, it will work anywhere in the district.
-Launch date and communication TBD.
Chrome OS and Android Merge on Chromebooks
-Android and Chromebook got together and made the ASUS.
-Can convert between a touch screen android tablet, but shares the same storage.
-Full touch screen and locks out the keyboard or can be used like a traditional Chromebook.
-Apply Android apps to PDFs.
-This could have huge impacts on one-to-one instructional access/teacher-tools.
Education On Air - Google Conference
Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher Online December 2, 2016 3:00 P.M.–December 3, 2016 4:00 PST. Sessions will be held around the clock, around the world. Join this free, online conference. Share with and learn from other educators. Hear from inspiring speakers. Get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity and in the classroom.
(LP Brown, MMS, CHS)
Carts are in classrooms.
-Initial LMS/Schoology training. A variety of trainings are being offered in different settings: large group, small group, online, etc..
-Gathering baseline data from Teachers, Students, and Families via survey forms which will be shared with the board.
Teacher DRAFT Survey
Student DRAFT Survey
Family DRAFT Survey
Tech Fair and Prep Classes Tech Fair
Date: February 11, 2017
A number of training sessions will be offered to help prepare interested staff who want to be involved with students at the fair.
January Classes (dates TBD):
-Student-Centered Tech Booths
-Student Challenge Team Tips-Beginning of November logo contest.
-Think up a theme!
-January classes about creating a booth and student challenge teams.
NEW NAME: GAFE (Google Apps for Education) is now G Suite for Education
https://blog.google/topics/education/introducing-g-suite-education/
ONGOING REMINDERS
The Portal (my.osd111.org)
Single Sign On access OSD Resources for students and staff--I demonsrated how many times we (AND KIDS) have to type in our login information. And I explained that it is somewhat random.
TECH PD
See webpage http://osd.wednet.edu/departments/instructional_technology/osd_technology_professional_development
Pay in Skyward Directions
6 hrs of Tech PD available
Guidelines and timeline here: Tech PD Application 2016-17
The network folks in the Tech Dept will be changing the way the wireless networks will look and behave in the near future. The OSD Wireless network will be shortened down to a single network (SSID) during the day, and then the Public network opened at 2:45 P.M. until 7:30 A.M. This change is occurring because of some of the following reasons:
-5,000 connections of OSD public
-Seeing a trend. Previously filtered sites are more open on public wifi. Students are able to access anonymously.
-Get rid of all of the different SSIDs.
-Everyone will choose OSD wifi.
-OSD Public wifi turned off during school hours.
-A screen will pop up to join the network using username/password. All new devices will have to rejoin at least once. Once your device has the credentials approved on it, it will work anywhere in the district.
-Launch date and communication TBD.
Chrome OS and Android Merge on Chromebooks
-Android and Chromebook got together and made the ASUS.
-Can convert between a touch screen android tablet, but shares the same storage.
-Full touch screen and locks out the keyboard or can be used like a traditional Chromebook.
-Apply Android apps to PDFs.
-This could have huge impacts on one-to-one instructional access/teacher-tools.
Education On Air - Google Conference
Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher Online December 2, 2016 3:00 P.M.–December 3, 2016 4:00 PST. Sessions will be held around the clock, around the world. Join this free, online conference. Share with and learn from other educators. Hear from inspiring speakers. Get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity and in the classroom.
- Share opportunity with staff.
- 25 hour virtual worldwide online conference.
- Highlights how Google Suite can be used in the classroom to extend learning opportunities.
- FREE!
(LP Brown, MMS, CHS)
Carts are in classrooms.
-Initial LMS/Schoology training. A variety of trainings are being offered in different settings: large group, small group, online, etc..
-Gathering baseline data from Teachers, Students, and Families via survey forms which will be shared with the board.
Teacher DRAFT Survey
Student DRAFT Survey
Family DRAFT Survey
Tech Fair and Prep Classes Tech Fair
Date: February 11, 2017
A number of training sessions will be offered to help prepare interested staff who want to be involved with students at the fair.
January Classes (dates TBD):
-Student-Centered Tech Booths
-Student Challenge Team Tips-Beginning of November logo contest.
-Think up a theme!
-January classes about creating a booth and student challenge teams.
NEW NAME: GAFE (Google Apps for Education) is now G Suite for Education
https://blog.google/topics/education/introducing-g-suite-education/
ONGOING REMINDERS
The Portal (my.osd111.org)
Single Sign On access OSD Resources for students and staff--I demonsrated how many times we (AND KIDS) have to type in our login information. And I explained that it is somewhat random.
TECH PD
See webpage http://osd.wednet.edu/departments/instructional_technology/osd_technology_professional_development
Pay in Skyward Directions
6 hrs of Tech PD available
Guidelines and timeline here: Tech PD Application 2016-17
#############################################################################################
Information from TAC meeting on Sept. 18, 2016
GOOGLE SERIES - An ongoing workshop series focused on essential features and classroom applications for GAFE (Google Apps for Education)The GAFE Essentials Series meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Knox, 4:00-5:00 PM. Workshops are geared towards new and intermediate level users of Google Apps. Each session is offered as a stand-alone class, but the series is designed to provide deeper understanding of the integrated Google suite. Workshops are led by the instructional tech coaches. Click on the title to visit the page describing the individual workshops. You can find these workshops on MyOSD.
VIDEO USE
The district policies regarding the showing of videos in the classroom include:
• Commercial DVDs - permitted (owned or rented)
• Purchased iTunes movie - permitted (same as buying a commercial DVD)
• Public streaming services like YouTube and Vimeo - permitted
• Personal streaming services like Netflix - NOT PERMITTED due to legalities of using their software, etc.
TECH PD PAY PROCESS
For Technology hours (professional development), the process for receiving payment has changed. There will be no time slips. Participants will enter and manage their own TECH PD time for payment through Skyward. Presenters will help OEA members through this process. You can review the process for the Directions here.
DIGITAL CLASSROOM SYSTEMS
Hapara
We are in the second year of a 2-year subscription with Hapara. All 2nd - 12th teachers have access to Hapara this year. Here is a description of Hapara's product from the company's website:
The Hapara Instructional Management Suite consists of three tools that all give teachers greater visibility into student work and activity:
Google Classroom
Google's description:
Classroom is a free web-based platform that integrates your Google Apps for Education account with all your Google Apps services, including Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Calendar. Classroom saves time and paper, and makes it easy to create classes, distribute assignments, communicate, and stay organized. Google Classroom is free.
Teachers can quickly see who has or hasn't completed the work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades right in Classroom.
Watch a video about Classroom.
Schoology
Schoology is being used by the three schools in the Digital Immersion Initiative (1:1). It is a purchased Learning Management System. If you are curious, you can sign up for a free account which has a great deal of functionality and try it out.
OSD PORTAL (my.osd111.org)
The district portal is attempting to provide a single sign-on, jump-off point for students and staff to all resources/tech accesses. Development on this initiative is still on-going.
TECH FAIR
The annual OSD Tech Fair is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2017 at CHS. Be thinking about what you could have students share at this event!
VIDEO USE
The district policies regarding the showing of videos in the classroom include:
• Commercial DVDs - permitted (owned or rented)
• Purchased iTunes movie - permitted (same as buying a commercial DVD)
• Public streaming services like YouTube and Vimeo - permitted
• Personal streaming services like Netflix - NOT PERMITTED due to legalities of using their software, etc.
TECH PD PAY PROCESS
For Technology hours (professional development), the process for receiving payment has changed. There will be no time slips. Participants will enter and manage their own TECH PD time for payment through Skyward. Presenters will help OEA members through this process. You can review the process for the Directions here.
DIGITAL CLASSROOM SYSTEMS
Hapara
We are in the second year of a 2-year subscription with Hapara. All 2nd - 12th teachers have access to Hapara this year. Here is a description of Hapara's product from the company's website:
The Hapara Instructional Management Suite consists of three tools that all give teachers greater visibility into student work and activity:
- Hapara Workspace consolidates all the various apps, resources and activities into a series of cards in a particular workspace. Teachers can add learning goals and rubrics, and they can customize particular students' workspaces. They can also organize collaborative workspaces around ability-level, language barriers, learning or conceptual goals, and more. Activities contain a built-in workflow with embedded due dates and submission instructions. Teachers can see a summary of their entire class's activity and track The assignment submission status and individual activity levels. Workspace can also be used with teachers in a professional learning setting.
- Hapara Highlights enables teachers to track students’ web activity and makes it visible and immediately actionable for teachers and administrators.
- Hapara Dashboard enables teachers to track student activity across all sites within the school's cloud-based platform. Teachers can organize these individual activity dashboards by class, by the specific application and by a specific student.
Google Classroom
Google's description:
Classroom is a free web-based platform that integrates your Google Apps for Education account with all your Google Apps services, including Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Calendar. Classroom saves time and paper, and makes it easy to create classes, distribute assignments, communicate, and stay organized. Google Classroom is free.
Teachers can quickly see who has or hasn't completed the work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades right in Classroom.
Watch a video about Classroom.
Schoology
Schoology is being used by the three schools in the Digital Immersion Initiative (1:1). It is a purchased Learning Management System. If you are curious, you can sign up for a free account which has a great deal of functionality and try it out.
OSD PORTAL (my.osd111.org)
The district portal is attempting to provide a single sign-on, jump-off point for students and staff to all resources/tech accesses. Development on this initiative is still on-going.
TECH FAIR
The annual OSD Tech Fair is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2017 at CHS. Be thinking about what you could have students share at this event!