Tests, Testing, and Testers.

With the move of standardized testing going "online" I have been busy installing the new "tester" on several machines.

What I have been  installing is the Smarter Balance Secure Browser 6.3  The icon for this program looks like this:

Basically, what it is...is a "secure browser".  It shuts down your ability to run any other programs on the machine while you are using it.  (to prevent people from cheating).  It connects directly to the smarter balance website, and asks the user to log in with their testing credentials. (username and password)

The program itself isn't difficult to load on the machines, but it takes a little time.  And, I'm happy to say that all the machines in the North Lab, and the Windows 7 lab, have it installed on them.  We have also enabled the SBAC tester on the chromebooks (which was much easier to do...I just authorized that app for all our chromebooks, and BOOM, it was done).

This also required me to take a trip out to Roland colony and make sure the newest browser was installed.

The HS Juniors all need this on their machines as well.  A week or two ago, I did this on the great majority of them.  If there is a Junior HS student who doesn't have this installed, they will need to come and see me, so I can install it on their machine.

Problems will probably arise...they always do with technology.  But hopefully the move to online testing will go fairly smoothly, and it will certainly improve and get better with more experience in using it.  (Both at the state and local level).

At the latest check the tester seems to be working (we had a slight hiccup last week, when the testing site was down for a few days...but that was on Smarter Balance's end of things), and hopefully we are prepared and ready to go when the testing begins.

In our weekly testing coordinators update, they did ask for people to begin "practicing"  (See paste below)
 "Secure browser installation – please try to get the secure browsers installed this week so you can have as many students as possible try the training test next week. "
 

We have the browser installed, so check with Ms. Bogue as to when you can begin a "practice" session.

Tuesday Teacher Tips: Websites and return of the podcasts!

In December, Mr. Erickson, Mrs. Neill, and I, were able to attend a workshop in Sioux Falls hosted by TIE which went over a number of devices and mobile apps that can be used on them.

While there...one of the instructors gave us a link to a google doc page where she had listed over 200 websites (and/or apps) that can be used on mobile devices.

The Link to that spreadsheet is HERE.  My advice would be to look through the list when you are thinking of trying to do something new.  There are many sites on there...some I have discussed here before, and many others that I haven't even heard of.

Secondly, I plan to begin recording some more podcasts in the coming weeks.  The main reason that I stopped, is that the phone that I was using to record the interviews had died (it would no longer charge), and I had a replacement phone that did not have a voice recording option on it.  I recently acquired a different phone that has a voice recorder...so we can pick up where we left off.

So, if you know someone with a coming event, or you have a team or organization that you would like to discuss on the podcast, please let me know.  They are very simple to do, and it does not take a large amount of time.

If you want to listen to any of the previous episodes from this past fall, they are located on the "Podcast Central" page.

Thanks for reading, and check out that spreadsheet...there are alot of good resources on there!

Changing Wireless Access Points

I am changing the wireless access points for the school today.

Formerly the wireless network had been named "elktonschool" and all wireless devices should connect to that automatically.

The "NEW" Wireless network is called "GoBigBlue", and will have a new and different wireless access code.

THIS WILL REQUIRE ALL WIRELESS DEVICES TO CONNECT WITH THE NEW ACCESS CODE.

So, Monday the 6th, I will need to enter the NEW access code into all student and teacher machines that haven't gotten it, yet.
(I WILL DO THIS FOR ALL MACHINES IN THE BUILDING TODAY)

So, I will need to see all students on Monday to enter the code.  Luckily, this will not take long...only about a minute to enter the new access code under "GoBigBlue".  I may even go around and visit classrooms at the beginning of the day.

We are asking that only SCHOOL OWNED devices connect to the school's wireless.  I know there are several staff members who connect their cell phones and ipads and other personal devices to the wireless networks currently.  We will NOT connect personal devices to the school wireless from this point on.

One of the bandwidth issues we faced during the Standardized testing this fall, was that our wireless network was strained by the amount of machines accessing it.  By limiting these 10, 20, 30? extraneous devices...we will lessen the load on our wireless system.  (Also, there is a chance that some students had access on their phones, or ipads).

If it is a school owned iPad, or something like that...there is no problem.

Thank you for your patience and help!

Screencast: How to begin editing your state webspace

Here is a brief (very brief), screencast, on how you can log in to your state provided webspace.



Note:  I don't go into much detail here on web editing here.  Just how to log in, and that type of thing.

When it comes to web editing, I would recommend "playing".  It's ok to experiment and work on new things and ideas.

Another helpful hint, is to look at other staff members pages, and if you see something you like....ask them how they did that?

And of course you can always ask me specific questions on "how to" do this, or that.

There is so many things that could be covered in a vast subject like this a 5 minute screenr video, won't even come close to scratching the surface.
(Note:  My son Cameron, just took a Semester Long online course on Web Editing...So he worked on building a web page for an entire semester.)
Here is what his page looks like:  http://ch3661.k12.sd.us/default.htm

I hope this short video at least helps a few of you "get started" and be able to start doing some basic work.

Some Interesting Reading - Malcolm Gladwell

Didn't get a Tuesday Technology Tips post out yesterday.

So heading into the Christmas break, I thought I'd recommend some reading material.

One thing you may or may not know about me, is that I am a very avid reader.

One of my favorite (nonfiction) authors is Malcolm Gladwell.

He has a new book that just came out a few weeks ago, called "David and Goliath:  Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants".

I haven't read it yet, but it is downloaded on my Kindle.

He's written some of my favorite non-fiction books, such as:

• Outliers: The Story of Success
• The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
• Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

If the thought of reading a whole book of someone you haven't read is intimidating... you can find samples of some of his work on his website.  Go to the "Articles" section...and check his archives.  Many of these articles are actually included in the books.

Have a great holiday season, and hope you read some Gladwell and expand your mind!

2013: The Year of Google?

According to Mashable.com it is.

Here is the Link to the article.

Tuesday Teacher Tip: LastPass

How many websites do you have to remember passwords for?

As a teacher, I would assume most of you would have:
State e-mail
Infinite Campus
SD STARS

at the very minimum.

Of course then you have(possibly):

•  your personal e-mail accounts (google, yahoo, microsoft....etc, etc) 
•  online banking account information 
• Social Networking accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest)
• Paypal account
• Youtube
• Photosharing sites
• Shopping sites (amazon, ebay, etc...)
• Fantasy Football or baseball 

Well, then you need to have a password for each of those accounts.  AND, although most people do it...you should NOT have duplicate passwords (using the same password for everything).

You should have an original and creative password for every account you have.

But who can remember 10-20 separate, original, unique passwords?

This is where LastPass comes in.

LastPass is an online Password Manager that basically stores all your passwords for all your websites.

For more information how it works:  Read this LINK

I think a key point to remember here, is that LastPass uses encryption technology on your local computer, so that even they won't know what your password is.  It's encrypted before it's sent out to them.

If you are wondering if a program like this is right for you... consider this information I "snipped" from their webpage.

The frightening part there for me, is that it only takes about 3 minutes to crack the average password.  

-However, don't get too worried about that...remember that MOST people have simple and easy passwords to hack, like: their last name, their maiden name, their kids name, the word "password"....by simply using capital letters, and adding a number...you strengthen your password greatly.

What a site like LastPass can do is actually pretty impressive.

1. It remembers your passwords, so all you need to remember is ONE Password, to log in to LastPass.
2. It allows you to "strengthen" all your passwords!  No more using the same thing for multiple sites!  You can make ALL your passwords, difficult and strong.
3. LastPass has settings that will allow you to use different accounts for the same site...for Example, Infinite Campus.  Many people have Staff logins for Campus, but also parent logins for Parent Portal.  LastPass
4. LastPass will allow you to "automatically" log in to certain sites...so once you log in to your LastPass account...you click on a link to go somewhere, and it will automatically log you in, if you have chosen to do so.

LastPass is available for free.  Why?  Well, they offer use of a "premium" package, which offers more features, and better protection, and "unlimited" use of their mobile apps.  (Yep, they will protect your phone too, if you are willing to pay).

LastPass looks like an interesting product, and definitely something that the average computer user should look into using.

Hope this is something that can be used, and also, hope this is something that you can spread to other people...who couldn't use a bit more security in their "online presence"?

Today's Music Video:  Though I'd reach back to my college days, and break out a little Social Distortion.

Have a great week everyone!