Building+Tech+News+2012-13

= = =Building Tech News= =2012-2013= ||
 * =[[image:newsmegaphone.jpg width="133" height="133"]]= || = =

**Welcome Back Teachers,**

Come back frequently to read about the latest technology news and updates happening in the building. My goal is to post all updates to this wiki so you can look back and have all the tech news in one location. You can read it as often as you like!

Please let me know if you have any questions!


 * May 30, 2012 **


 * iPad Trainings ** - The Technology committee would like everyone to take home an ipad for the summer for exploration purposes. We have a small set of apps we like but we need to continue to build our collection. Will you be ready to head off for the summer and use a school ipad? Please sign-up for an iPad training. This training will provide you with the information necessary to use the ipad over the summer. In the fall we will provide time for sharing.

Tuesday, June 11th 9:00 - 10:30 select 20 mins that work for you Wednesday June 12th 10:30 - 12:30 select 20 mins that work for you Wednesday June 12th 1:00 - 1:30 or 1:40 - 2:10 Tuesday, June 18th 8:30 - 8:50 Wednesday June 19th 10:30 - 12:30 select 20 mins that work for you Wednesday, June 19th 12:45 - 1:15.
 * Training Dates: (You need only attend one!) **

**Sharing Pictures with Brian** - here is the [|__link to the google doc__] with directions on sharing pictures with Brian for the end of year slideshow.

**Technology PD Feedback form** - Earlier today, you received an email with a link to a [|__Technology PD Survey__]. It would be great if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey to help guide the delivery of technology professional development for next year. Thank you!

**iPods Are Ready - Please let me know when I can deliver these materials to you.** Email from Rita Partridge: The "Using iPods to Access Text" grant had finally come to fruition. We have purchased 5 Books on CD for the Kindergarten, and that was all we were able to purchase with the available funds. But the good news is that Grade 1 had another book, "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" on their list that you also requested so I have loaded it for you as well. And there was one more addition, "Chrysanthemum" that Grade 1 asked some Wayland High School students to record for them. That one is also loaded on the iPods and has (WPS) after it to indicate it as a Wayland recording. (Maybe we can get them to do more next year!) Beth will bring the iPods and their associated pieces to you. We hope you will enjoy using these with your students. Please do not hesitate to email me any questions you may have. Rita

This is the list of current titles loaded on the Kindy iPods. Anansi and The Moss Covered Rock Eric A. Kimmel Caps For Sale Esphyr Slobodkina IT Looked Like Spilt Milk Charles G. Shaw The Snowy Day Ezra Jack Keats Chrysanthemum Kevin Henkes (WPS) The Three Bears retold by Paul Galdone The Three Billy goats Gruff retold by Paul Galdone


 * May 15, 2013 **


 * [[image:ipad.jpeg width="79" height="50"]] || **iPad Update: ** ||

**Teacher iPad:** Today I placed in the ipad cart an additional ipad. This ipad has been designated as a "teacher" ipad. Meaning - it has been setup with a Loker School teacher itunes account for the purposes of exploration. This will provide you some flexibility in exploring new apps without changing the setup on the student ipads. As of now, this account does not have any money on it so you can only explore "free" apps. We are looking to change that for next year.

The ipad is clearly marked and has a lime green magnetic cover along with a power cord (also marked).

account: itunes_lsteacher1@wayland.k12.ma.us (already entered in the itunes store but just in case...) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">password: Wayland21 (you will need to enter this information when you download an app
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Loker School Teacher iTunes information: **


 * [[image:schoolclosedsummer.jpeg width="111" height="150"]] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Summer Access to iPads:** We would love for you to take an ipad home with you over the summer for further ipad exploration and experimentation with apps. We will setup some training prior to our last days of school. Further information will be coming soon. Stay tuned! ||

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">If you have any questions, please let me know. Happy ipaddling!


 * <span style="color: #8800ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">May 6, 2013 **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Important Dates: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Wednesday, May 7th -** I will be out of the district attending an iPad seminar geared K-6. I will share all that I learn!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, May 14th** - Tech Tuesday after-school training in the HH computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. **Stop in and have your questions answered!**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, May 14th** - Technology Committee meeting - All are welcome to join our conversations. We meet in the computer lab from 8:00 - 8:45. Our notes can be found [|here].
 * **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Tuesday, June 4th **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;"> - LAST Tech Tuesday after-school training in the LO computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. Stop in and have your questions answered!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Teacher Laptops** - I'm happy to say that your teacher laptops will be upgraded next year!!! Please let me know if you would like a mac or PC laptop. Make your selection on this [|google doc].

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**iPads** - **Three new math apps** have been added to all of the student ipads in the cart. They are [|Garfields Mental Math], [|Number Rack] and [|Quick Images]. Thank you Anne for suggesting these titles.


 * <span style="color: #8800ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">April 5, 2013 **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Important Dates: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, April 9th** - Tech Tuesday after-school training in the LO computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome to join us. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. **Stop in and have your questions answered!**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, April 9th** - Technology Committee meeting - All are welcome to join our conversations. We meet in the computer lab from 8:00 - 8:45. Our notes can be found [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Wednesday, April 10th** - Looking for some help with your classroom website? Are you having trouble uploading pictures or newsletters well stop by the computer lab from 2:15 - 3:00. **Please RSVP so I know who to expect.**
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Tuesday, April 30th **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;"> - Tech Tuesday after-school training in the CH computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome to join us. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. Stop in and have your questions answered!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Student Laptops** - On Friday, Joe finished installing updates on all of the student laptops. These updates were necessary in order to use the EDM games website. Please let me know if you have any further problems.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Website Photos** - Thank you teachers for sending me student photos to use on the main Loker page. Keep them coming! If you don't see your picture added - it's because the picture size wasn't a good fit for the banner pictures. Please only send me pictures of students who have permission for their photos to be posted on the internet. Thank you.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">March 28, 2013


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Important Dates: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, April 9th** - Tech Tuesday after-school training in the LO computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome to join us. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. Stop in and have your questions answered!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, April 9th** - Technology Committee meeting - All are welcome to join our conversations. We meet in the computer lab from 8:00 - 8:45. Our notes can be found [|here]. All are always welcome to join in our discussions.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Tuesday, April 30th **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;"> - Tech Tuesday after-school training in the CH computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome to join us. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. Stop in and have your questions answered!


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Tools: **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**TumbleBooks and TumbleBooks Cloud Jr.** - We have renewed our subscription to TumbleBooks and added on TumbleBooksCloud Jr.

**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">TumbleBooksLibrary **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;"> is an online collection of TumbleBooks – animated, talking picture books. In addition to books, there are videos, puzzles and games. Students can even have books read to them in French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. //**Read more about TumbleBooks**// // **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">[|here] ** //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">.




 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">TumbleBookCloud Junior **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">is an online collection of ebooks and read-along chapter books, graphic novels, educational videos, and audio books! It's designed specifically for children in grades two to six. //**Read more about TumbleBookCloud Junior [|here].**//


 * //<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Both links can be found on the "For Students" links page. //**


 * <span style="color: #4aff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">March 15, 2013 **


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Important Dates: **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Tuesday, March 19th **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;"> - Tech Tuesday after-school training in the HH computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30. All are welcome to join us. It's an informal training /work time with support from technology specialists. Stop in and have your questions answered!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">- If families are having trouble with Everyday Math games working at home, please refer them to this [|link]. Their support network should be able to assist our families.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Symphony Math -** We double checked and the icon for Symphony Math is on the desktop on the projector station in the computer lab. They are looking into the issue about the window size. Stay tuned...

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Student Laptop Procedures** - Here is the new student laptop plan. On Fridays, the last person using the cart should shut down the computers on the cart. //**During the day, you should logoff when you are finished using them with your class**//. There are a few things that happen at logout that we should have happen, which shouldn't wait until the end of the week. Let me know if this makes sense and if it is feasible.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Video Tutorials:** Looking for some help? I've created a new page along the left side bar called "Video Tutorials". I know that I can't always be there to assist you when you need it. I would like to build this page as a resource for you to refer back to when you get stuck. If you have any suggestions for videos you'd like there, please let me know. So far, I have a tutorial on //**how to upload newsletters to your classroom website**//.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">February 14, 2013

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**iPads:** On Wednesday, I took the opportunity to update 16 of the general education ipads. Three were missing from the cart. I will try to grab these after vacation. The following has occurred: > Maybe at the March staff meeting we can discuss this further. Currently the ipad is in the computer lab. Please let me know if you'd like to borrow it. (We may want to just store it in the ipad cart. Again - lets discuss.)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">deleted the ELA apps that you determined were not appropriate from Sarah's iPad session
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">deleted the apps that have been added only to some ipads (most have been exploration apps)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">installed Skype
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">changed the iTunes password (As a department, we decided that the grade level iTunes password should be reset.) If you'd like to explore new apps, we now have a Loker Teacher ipad that can be borrowed for app exploration purposes. You can still borrow the student ipads, but you will not be able to add new apps. You will only be able to explore the installed apps. It's important that the student ipads have the same items loaded on them.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Future PLC time will be used to determine the "new" ELA apps you'd like loaded

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Lastly, remember these ipads are shared devices. If you use the ipad for personal business, be sure to close the "tab" you are using. It's not enough to hit the "home" button to close Safari. The tab you were using will open the next time Safari is launched. Yikes! If you need help with this, please let me know.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">LARK **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;"> - Are you a good Digital Citizen in the Digital Age? Here is a link to the district site for [|LARK and Acceptable Use Policies]. There is also a wonderful article on [|Digital Citizenship from Dr. Stein] (for the Town Crier)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Technology Committee Update**: The Technology Committee met this week. Our notes can be found [|here]. All are always welcome to join in our discussions.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Technology Resources-Articles**: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">A new page has been set up on the tech wiki called "Technology Resources-Articles". This will serve as a place where we can compile technology articles and resources. Send any along that you'd like to share with the group. I've added a piece from Matt Gomez, a kindergarten teacher and his use of the Sentence Builder ipad app. Please read them at your leisure.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">January 23, 2013 - email update on student laptops **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Hi Everyone,

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">On Tuesday, it was brought to our attention that Internet Explorer (IE) was not working with Ten Frames. This is the second website we know about that is not behaving well with IE (Ten Frames and EDM). In a building update, I recommended using Google Chrome for EDM. Now, I would recommend using Google Chrome for most, if not all of our website links.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Today, with the assistance of Augusto, the following items have been completed or is in the process of being completed: **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">1. all student laptops (latitudes and netbooks) have google chrome on the desktop <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">2. the google chrome home page will be set to LO school (Augusto needs to make this change globally and it should be done this week.) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">3. the larger latitude laptops have a short cut to Everyday Math Games on the desktop using google chrome (I did not check this on the netbooks as with the screens being so small, I don't think anyone is using this website on the small netbooks. If I'm in correct, let me know and I will put the link on the desktop.) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">4. Symphony Math installed on the larger latitude laptops (there is not enough memory on the netbooks to install this program) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">5. the carts and calendars have been relabeled - Carts 1, 2 and 3 - main hallway, and Carts 4, 5 and 6 in the bookroom. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">6. computer updates done on all of the computers (However, updates happen frequently. We will do our best to stay on top of them.)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">If you are aware of any other issues, please pass them along so we can be sure to address them.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Just a reminder, if you'd like me to assist with the use of the laptops in your classrooms, please let me know. I'm at LO on Tuesdays from 8:30 - 11:30 and Wednesdays from 10:00 - 1:45.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Thank you for your patience and I know that your time with the children is valuable.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Have a good night.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">January 9, 2013 **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Website Training: **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">If you are looking for some help with your website, I have set aside the following times. Please let me know if you'd like to work together. If the times below do not work for you, please connect with me to see if we can come up with another option.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Wednesday, January 16th from 1:00 - 2:10
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Tuesday, January 22nd from 8:15 - 8:45
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Wednesday, January 23rd from 1:00 - 2:10.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Websites will be going Live on Friday, January 25th. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[[image:EDM.png align="left"]]Everyday Mathematics - **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Augusto has added a direct link to EDM on the thin client computers in the computer lab. The link uses the browser Google Chrome. We are finding more success with using Google Chrome when using the EDM website. We are working on getting icons on all of the student laptops as well. I will let you know when that has been completed. __//In the meantime, Google Chrome should be on the laptops, students would just need to access EDM games from the Student links page instead of the direct link to EDM.//__



<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Computer Lab** **Computers** - Ideally, we would like the sound level on the thin client computers in the lab to be set at an appropriate volume level. Right now, that is not the case. In order to have the children work more independently, I would suggest showing all the children how to adjust the volume. I have shown several children recently and they seem to remember how to lower the volume. If you need assistance, or a refresher, please let me know.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Technology Committee Meeting** - Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 15th from 8:00 - 8:45 in the computer lab. All are welcome as we continue our discussions around technology vision and planning. Here is the link to our [|planning document].


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">December 14, 2012 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Equipment Location Update** - There are now 3 laptop carts in the bookroom. Digital cameras and beebot mats are also now in the bookroom.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Tech Tuesdays** - **Looking for some tech help? On select Tuesdays from now - June, several technology specialists will be in the Loker School computer lab from 3:30 - 4:30 to answer your technology questions. This is a casual drop in time. Technology specialists will rotate around the room to help staff members. We try to move quickly and help as many teachers as possible. Mark your calendars and stop by if you need assistance. Please RSVP if you can so we know who to expect. This would be a great time to stop by if you have any website questions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Tuesday, December 18th
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Tuesday, February 12th
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Tuesday, April 9th
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Tuesday, June 4th

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Postini** - As I mentioned at staff meeting, the technology department is looking into why emails are not being received. If you feel that you have missed emails, please let me know and I will put in a request to the help desk to have them reset your Postini password immediately. Upon your first login to Postini, you will be able to reset your own password. We are working with postini to see if we can resolve this issue. In the meantime, it would be helpful if you could let us know the email addresses that are being blocked. So far we have determined that many yahoo email addresses have been blocked by postini. We are not sure why this has happened.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Need Tech Help in Your Classroom?** - Just a reminder that I'm available on Tuesdays from 9:00 - 11:30 and Wednesdays from 10:00 - 1:45 to help out. If you'd like me to run a computer or ipad station, beebots, or whatever - please let me know. I'd be happy to come down.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Website Help** - I'm available on Tuesday, December 18th from 8:10 - 8:45 to help with any website questions.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**November 6th**:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Tuesday, November 13th** - I will be out of the district attending an Interactive Whiteboard training!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Loker Website**: I'd like to update the Loker website with pictures of our current Kindergartners. If you have any photos of students with photo permissions, would you please submit them to me? Here is a link to the [|google doc with the sharing directions] we used last year (the process is the same)!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**Websites:** Your classroom websites are really coming along. One area we need to finish up is a Newsletter page. Here are several training times to set up your classroom newsletter page. We will work in the computer lab so please bring your laptops! If you could RSVP - helps me to know who is coming.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wednesday, November 14th 1:00 - 1:30, and 1:50 - 2:20 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Tuesday, November 20th 8:10 - 8:40 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Tuesday, November 27th 8:10 - 8:40 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Wednesday, November 28th 1:00 - 1:30, and 1:50 - 2:20 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**iPads** - I'm glad to see that the ipads are being used so often. Please remember to put them back into the cart and connect the power cord so they are charged for the next group. I have noticed over the past several weeks several ipad cases without iPads in them. I'm hoping teachers are just borrowing an ipad to use on their own and do not wish to use the cases. If that is the case, please make sure that you also sign-out the ipad on the sign-out sheet. It is very important that we keep track of all 20 ipads. At this point in time, there are two empty ipad cases. If you have an ipad, please update the sign-out sheet or return it to the cart. Thank you.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**iPad Apps** - I have noticed a few __//new apps//__ on several ipads. Please do not install any apps on the ipads - even if they are free. We need to stick with the process we started last year, where all the app purchases and installations go through me. If we need to revisit this process, we certainly can. But for now, we need to keep the ipads consistent and if we start adding apps here and there, it will become unmanageable.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Technology Committee Meeting** - We will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of month, beginning with December 11th at 8:00. A district focus this year is to update the Technology Plan and Vision for technology integration. All staff are invited to attend the December 11th meeting as this will be an agenda item to kick off our discussions. We will meet in the computer lab.

<span style="color: #ff5f00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Looking for help - if you need assistance while your class is in the computer lab or using ipads/laptops in your classroom, please let me know. I would love to come in and work with you and your students.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">O <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">ctober 18, 2012 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Equipment:** The laptops for the main hallway have been brought down to Room 6. They are located just inside the door on the right.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Software Update:** [|Raz-Kids] class lists have been setup for your classrooms. You will need to login and set each child's reading level. Here is a link to their [|book level correlation table]. Please let me know if you need assistance in getting this up and running. Quick reminder that EDM and Lexia are also ready to go. If you need a test account to demo Lexia for the first time with your class, you can set up a fake student in your class list or let me know you need help.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**iPads** - I am in the process of making sure each iPad has iTranslate. I have added it to the apps bar at the bottom of the screen. At staff meeting, we mentioned iPad Rules. Here is my first go at the flyer. Let me know what you think and where changes should be made.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">October 2, 2012 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Equipment Locations:** For now, I have the digital cameras and beebot mats out and up in the computer lab. Hopefully we can find a space down in the lower area to store these items. There are sign-out sheets for each item. Please sign-out and sign-in the equipment so we can keep track of it's location.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Computer Lab Printer:** The toner has arrived and the toner has been replaced. The print outs look much better now. Thank you for your patience.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Book Room Printer:** As it turns out we cannot move the Book Room printer at this time, as their isn't a hookup for it in the copy room The hookup that I wanted to use is now being used by the copier. So the copier in the supply room is now available to use for scanning to our computers and printing from our computers.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Software Licenses/Subscriptions:** Lexia and EDM subscriptions are up and running and ready to use. Karyn is working on Raz-Kids. So we will keep you posted. I believe everyone printed the EDM password cards during the in-service. As for Lexia, students use their studentid (AKA lunch code) for the username **and** password. And I believe I put a copy of the password sheet (which we have used in the past) in everyone's mailbox. Let me know if you need assistance with either. Here's another copy in case you need it.



<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Student Laptop Carts for Main Hallway** - I have your carts ready to go. Where should we store them? There is not much space in Room 12.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**TA Training** - October 9th from 10:45 - 11:30 am. I created a [|google doc] so we could share questions ahead of time. Please check it out and add any questions you may have regarding technology.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">September 11, 2012 **

<span style="color: #ff5f00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">THE COMPUTER LAB IS OPEN AND READY TO GO!
 * <span style="color: #d400ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">We did have an issue with the sound being too loud. Until we work on a more permanent fix, I have adjusted the volume down to 3 on each machine. (Keeping my fingers crossed it sticks.) If the sound creeps up again, just click on the bell in the bottom right hand corner of the monitor then drag the slider down to 3.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">My Schedule:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Tuesdays 8:30 - 11:30
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Wednesdays 10:00 - 2:00


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Technical Items: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">New color printer - The printer has arrived and we are waiting for installation!!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Book Room Printer - In order to make more space in the Book Room, we'd like to move the printer into the supply room next door. Please let me know if you are not ok with that move. The table that is between the two copiers will be the location for the printer.
 * <span style="color: #ff008e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">There are two new copiers in the building. These copiers have the ability for you to print to them from your computers. You will need to add these copiers to your printer list. (Just like you would add any other printer in the building or district.) Their names are: LS_Room_12_Copier and LS_Copy_Room. [|Here is a link to directions for adding printers] - just in case you forgot.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lab Signups: **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">If you'd like to sign up for a weekly lab time, please see the blank calendar in the teachers room.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Equipment Location**: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I'd like to make accessing equipment as easy as possible for everyone. Please let me know if you have any ideas or want to keep things the same as last year.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Digital Cameras - Book Room
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">iPads - Room 6
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Room 6 printers - trying to get these moved back into the main hallway
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Beebot Mats - Book Room
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Laptops - Storage for these carts is very tight in both the Book Room and Room 12. Should we consider just going with 4 laptops carts - 2 in each wing. We would keep the larger laptops and get rid of the smaller netbooks. Thoughts comments...
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**New Video Camera and Tripod** - these were purchased over the summer and I have them currently in the tech lab. Not sure where we'd like to keep them.

** So to recap - info we'd like feedback on: **

 * ** moving book room printer **
 * ** location of other equipment **
 * ** reducing the number of laptop carts to 4 from 6. **