Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Google Nexus 7

Google released their "Nexus 7" tablet computer today.



It is similar to an Ipad, but it runs on google's Android system.

Here is a quick review I found for this product online.


Basically, although not quite as "fancy" as an iPad, the Nexus looks to be a pretty quality product for less than half of the price.  For $200, you probably won't find a better deal on a tablet.

Coming Soon... Teacher Tuesdays

Greetings Blog Visitors!

One of my intentions as the Technology Director is to do a weekly feature on the use of Technology in Education specifically for teachers.

This could be the use of software, websites, social networking, etc, etc...  Basically just things that you can use in the classroom, or that your students can use to help with learning and technology.

Again, my plan is for this to be a weekly feature, but I'm sure there will be things that will come up, so bear with me if we miss some things.

Have a good day!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Back to the grind.

I got back to the school today a little after noon.

Busy, busy, busy, in the technology office.  Lots of equipment coming in, and lots of work for me to do.

Got a few more things ordered today, and continue to work towards getting everything ready for the new school year.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lake Benton today

Today is my first day working in the Lake Benton School.

Principal Neilsen has been helping me out greatly, and we're getting things ready for next year.

Lake Benton school staff, feel free to stop in and say hello.  Looking forward to working with you.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tuesday Blues day...

Not sure why it's a blues day, I just thought it sounded good.

Working in the school, driving myself koo-koo in the search for wireless drivers for some teacher laptops.  I'll get it figured out, I'm sure, but it's something new for me to learn.

Hoping to get a few more teacher laptops finished today, and then moved into my office tomorrow!

Nettop computers are in, and I'll need to get them formatted and up to speed, along with ordering the rest of the devices to go with them (touch screen, dvd/cdrom drive, projectors, etc...).  Feeling good about getting ready for school.  I know that I'll be putting in some long hours in the coming weeks, but I'm hopeful, that we'll have everything "ship shape" and "ready to sail" by the start of the school year.

Since I named it "Blues Day", I thought I'd include a video...  Enjoy one of my favorites, The Gaslight Anthem


Monday, July 23, 2012

Monday at work

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

I am putting in a few more hours this week.

Getting lots of tech equipment in the mail, and working toward completing all the orders and getting everything up and functional by the start of the school year.


I'm sure I am going to be very busy in the coming weeks, installing programs, and putting in hardware.  Hopefully things turn out for the best.  I am going to try my best to be ready for the "Open House" on August 16th.


Have a good one! 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wednesday.

Well, today I'm logging some new equipment in the technology inventory and ordering some more new equipment.

It's been a productive week, and I'm slowly but surely getting the hang of things.

Yesterday, I added my first teacher to the school network.  Starting to feel like a real tech guy.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

A lot of learning going on

If you stop in to see me in the coming weeks, and I seem distracted or uninterested, it's probably because I'm suffering from information overload.

I do have to remind myself that I'm new to this position.  It's one thing to be trained in something, it's quite something else to be put in charge.

I'm really learning a lot, and I'm hoping to have everything ready for the start of the school year.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Monday, Monday...

Back to work for the tech guy.  Busy installing some programs on the "demo" of the touch screen computers, and also formatting and installing programs on a staff computer.

Keeping very busy, making orders, adding to inventory on new purchases, etc, etc..


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Working for the Weekend

Been busy today, ordering things, learning a bit of this and a bit of that.

We will be installing the state's new firewall system today.  Former Tech Director Gabe Pooler will be assisting me in setting this up.  I'm grateful for his help and advice (not just today, but for answering my numerous e-mail questions, as well).

One of the features I did on my blog last year, was to post a weekly "Friday Video".  Just for the fun of it, I post a music video here, just for the weekend.  I'm tempted to actually put Loverboy's "Workin for the Weekend", but that would be too obvious.

So, for this week, let's go with something a little more modern.

Enjoy Foo Fighters...




Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Back to School

I am back at work for the next few days, after a weekend at home, and coaching at a Team Camp with the Lady Elks in Madison, yesterday.

I coached the Junior Varsity, and we went 1-2 on the day, although one of the losses was in overtime.  The girls played hard, and I think a lot was learned.  We didn't run any set plays of any kind, and we're still able to be right in the game.  The probably the biggest improvement that needs to be made, is that the coach needs to learn his players names.

Coach Krause and the Varsity were able to win 2 of 3 games.  They played pretty well, and also didn't run any sets on offense.  It was a fun day to get to meet some more of the girls, and get better acquainted with those that I met previously.

Well, back to work.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Meet the New Guy

I thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce myself to the Elkton staff, since as the Technology Director I will be working with all of you.  Some of you I already know well because we're related, and a few of you may remember me from my Student Teaching days, which I did here in Elkton.

A bit of my professional background, I have taught for 16 years, the last 8 being in Chamberlain.  I started out as a Social Studies teacher, then gradually moved my way into Physical Education.  This May I graduated from Dakota State University with a Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET).

On the family side of things, my wife Shana and I have four children.  Taylor is 16 and will be a Junior, Cameron is 14 and will be a Freshman, Marcus is 9 and will be in 4th grade, and Miles is 8 and will be a 3rd grader.  My parents Robert and Rita, are originally from this area and my father is actually an EHS graduate. They currently live in Aurora.

We are currently looking for housing in Elkton, and hopefully we can get something lined up, and soon (school starts in just over a month!).

I will be here each week until we get completely moved, but I'm going to be running back and forth between here and the River City trying to prepare for our change in location.  If you stop by the school for anything, don't hesitate to stop to see me and introduce yourself.

This is me talking to some dude at State CC a few years ago.

I'm very excited to meet and work with each of you.  This is a new position for me, and I'm sure I will have a great deal of learning to do.


Thursday, July 5, 2012

First "Official Day" at work

Today is my first official day as the Technology Coordinator at Elkton School District.

Spent a few days last week, training in with the former Coordinator, Gabe Pooler.  He was kind enough to show me around and help me out, and get me rolling.

I've been quite busy actually, looking up some equipment for purchase, and doing some updating on my website, and things of that nature.

Looking forward to meeting and working with more of the Elkton staff.  If you drop by the school in the next few weeks, stop in and say "Hi".