Tech Office Update

I thought I would type up a short update with the goings on in the Technology Office, since I have been neglectful in my Technology Tips posts that I usually do on Tuesdays.

Chromebook Mobile Lab - Has been up and functioning.  Students really seem to enjoy using them.  We had one chromebook that the mousepad started malfunctioning on(it just stopped working, for no real reason....it worked when I set it up, but stopped working VERY early on in the school year)...this has been returned to Samsung, and they will be either repairing or replacing it.

Windows 7 Lab - The Windows 7 lab is also up and running.  Keep in mind that the machines in this lab are 4 years old, and have been re-imaged multiple times.  So far, the machines that have "had troubles" have been able to start running again.  It's VERY Important, that students who use these machines take care of them and shut them down correctly.  (2 of the 3 that "had troubles" were NOT shut down correctly)

Broken Screens  - We have had our first 4 broken screens of the school year already.  One of them was cause by a student dropping their machine.  Another was stepped on.  The other 2 did not know why their screen broke....but I DO see students often walking around with the screen open on their laptops.  This doesn't cause the screen to break...but if they are holding it open by putting pressure on the screen (thumb on the front...hand kind of on the back of the screen), it just makes it possible....the screens aren't very strong.

Broken Screen Repairs- Instead of returning the screens for repairs this year, I have found a business that sends me the appropriate part (replacement screen), and they send it to me and I do the repair here at the school.  This is a much more cost efficient solution (screens so far have been $67, in comparison to the $100 to have it repaired).

School Podcast - So far, I have completed 4 podcasts... although haven't done one since Homecoming week.  We had a few issues with guests who didn't want to be on the podcast, and/or trouble arranging a time to get an interview.  If you have an event or activity coming up that you would like to discuss on the podcast please let me know...  It does not take long to put one together, and I really enjoy doing them.  I record the interviews on my phone, so no special equipment needed, just some time set aside.

Forticlient/Symantec Issues - earlier in the year we had some issues with some student computers not being able to access sites at home.  This was a state issue with the Forticlient software that was installed on the student computers.  I believe this issue has been solved.  If a student is having trouble getting on a website that they need, they should contact me and I'll see what I can do.  Also, if a teacher has a site they need opened up for students...please contact me and I'll work with the DDN and get it opened up.

Colony Computers - I recently completed installing 4 new machines out at Roland Colony.  These computers have internet capability (although very restricted), and have Microsoft Office installed on them.  I also ordered some external DVD Drives for them, so that they can use some programs that they have on CD ROM.  I also need to install the printer on new machines (which I neglected to do when I brought them out there).

Microsoft Surfaces in Lake Benton - The Lake Benton Elementary school just ordered a bunch of Microsoft Surfaces for their "Upper" Elementary grades... they just came in (I think yesterday).  So I will be inventorying them, and begin setting them up for their students and staff.  With the growth of the Windows 8 Apps, and also Google Apps for Education...it will be interesting to see how they can use these in their classrooms.

Teacher Computer work - Most staff computers have been doing quite well, however there are a few "problem children" out there, that we need to look at replacing their machines.  Otherwise, it has mostly been installing programs that are needed on machines.  There were a few staff machines that were not functioning well, and they had a bunch of junk programs installed on them...these usually happen as "add-ons" when people are installing other programs on their machines.... for example...one staff member had 4 different toolbars installed on their internet explorer:  google, yahoo, ask, and avg!

Office 365 - I did a presentation on Office 365 to the staff a few weeks back on our Wednesday inservice time.  As we move forward, I'm continuing to wonder at what a valuable tool this is for our staff and students, and that if the State K12 Data Center is going to continue to provide this service to us... the possiblity of moving to chromebooks for our HS students is more of a possibilty than ever.

Server Power Back-Up - Earlier this fall, we had some problems with our back up power source on our Server.  It was just old equipment, and it would "overload" and it would shut down the server.  I replaced this and we haven't had any problems since.

Projector Bulbs - We have had a few projector bulbs already go out this fall.  When this happens, I have to order a new one...we don't keep them "on hand" as they are very expensive (over $100 for each of them).  However, I do have a projector in my office that I can "loan out" while we wait for the new bulb to come in.

I'm sure I'm leaving many things out...but just wanted to "highlight" some of the things I have been doing so far this school year.

Lake Benton: Adding a new printer

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The new office printer is installed!  However, it will need to be installed on each of your individual computers.

Thinking I could "save a few steps" I'm putting the directions in this blog post.

I was able to do this just fine on two lab computers, with the student login...so you should have no trouble.

1. Click on the Start Button 
   
2. Select "Devices and Printers" from the Start Menu
   
3. Select "Add a New A Printer" From the top menu
   
4. Select "Add a Network Printer"
   
5. Select "Ricoh Office" and click the "Next" Button, on the bottom right...
   
6. The Computer will start to install the Printer
   
7. It will tell you that you've successfully added RICOH Office...CLICK NEXT
   
8. It will tell you again that you've successfully added the printer.  Please make sure that the checkmark next to "Set as Default Printer" is checked (if that is what you want as your default printer).  THEN...Click FINISH! 
   

 

HOO-RAH!  You have successfully installed the new office printer on your computer!

 

If you have any questions or problems with this, please let me know.  I'm only an e-mail or phone call away!  mark.harming@k12.sd.us  



Head East Young Man!

I'll be going to Lake Benton, MN today, to work on their technology issues.

Can't wait until next summer, since we are all moved in now, when I can load up the kids and go visit Lake Benton for recreation!

Have a good day everyone.

Tuesday Teacher Tidbits: Social Media

First of all, Happy Election Day!

As they used to say in Chicago.... "Vote Early, and Vote Often!"

Trivia:  Do you know who came up with this slogan?

Today, I will be leaving in the morning to go out to Roland Colony to work on Internet connection to some of their new computers.

Tomorrow, I will be traveling to Lake Benton and helping them with any technology issues they may have.

On to the subject at hand:  Social Media

Did You Know:

• 91% of online adults use social media regularly
• 83% of people believe platforms like Twitter and Facebook help them make new friends
• 40% of people spend more time socializing online than they do face-to-face
• Every minute of the day:
  • 100,000 tweets are sent
  • 684,478 pieces of content are shared on Facebook
  • 2 million search queries are made on google
  • 48 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube
  • 47,000 apps are downloaded from the App Store
  • 3,600 photos are shared on Instagram
  • 571 websites are created
  • $272,000 is spent by consumers online
• 80% of active Internet users visit social networks and blogs
• social media use has increased 356% in the US since 2006
• 93% of US adult Internet users are on Facebook

So, what does this mean for Educators, and Education?  

Well, simply put.... people out there are using Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, etc, etc...)
-What a better way, to bring your message to people... but to put your message out in a format that people are already using.
(Imagine Mom and/or Dad surfing their Facebook page at home in the evening, and they see "Don't forget History Test tomorrow!" posted by their child's History teacher.)

So I thought I'd break down a few of the more popular social networks out there.  Each of the 3 social networks listed below are free to use, and all you need is an active e-mail address to get registered.

Facebook:  The most widely used Social Network.  I would not suggest that you link to your own, personal, Facebook page... but, there is an option on Facebook, called "Create a Page"... you can create a page like "Mr. Harming's classroom" or something like that, where you post any and all information about your classes.

Also important:  Privacy settings - this will apply for all social networks.... I would set all educational privacy settings to private... so that they cannot be seen by the public at large, but only by people that you "approve".

Twitter:  Twitter is the fastest growing social network.  In fact, 53% of all Twitter users have been members for less than a year...compared to 19% of Facebook users.  Twitter is growing rapidly.  In addition to growing rapidly, it is the preferred social media of choice among young adults  (the 18 to 29 age demographic is the largest on Twitter).

 In Twitter, you post short messages (140 characters or less).  A great tool for announcements and things of that nature (Science Test Thursday!).  In Twitter, there is also a feature within your profile that allows you to connect your "Tweets" with your Facebook account.  So you post your message on twitter, and it goes on both Twitter and Facebook.

Google+:  Google Plus is basically Google's version of Facebook.  Since it was "late to the game" (meaning started AFTER Facebook and Twitter) it is not as widely used (yet).  However, Google+ has some features that the other networks do not have... or have since adopted in tying to "catch up".
-Video Chat... Google+ calls this a "hangout", and it allows you to video chat (think Skype) right over your Google+ account.
-Control your message - Google+ has a feature called "Circles".  In "Circles" you can choose who you send your message to.  You can create as many circles as you like "Students" "Parents" "Co-workers" and then share them with who you like.  Not long after Google+ went Public....Facebook tried to copy this format, and do something similar.
-Follow other social media - If you use the Google Chrome Internet Browser - You can add an "Ap" called "Streamified"... what streamified will do... is post all the messages from your facebook, twitter and other social media accounts....right in your Google+ stream!

In my opinion... and take this for what it is worth, because I tend to love most Google products.  But Google+, is the best and most advanced social network out there.  However, since it is the least used of the 3 I have mentioned here, it may not reach as many people... (unless you use Streamified).

Again... I want to Re-Emphasize...
If you want to use a social network for classroom/educational purposes.... make sure that you have set your privacy settings...so that you can control who sees your message!  Very Important!

If you are interested in starting or setting up a social network... but don't know where to begin, please don't hesitate to contact me:  Mark.Harming@k12.sd.us .  I'll be glad to give you some tips.

Trivia Answer:  Al Capone

Lake Benton Halloween

I'll be heading to Lake Benton today.

So, I'll be scaring all of them with my presence today.

Thursday, November 1st I will be out of the office, to attend an e-Rate training in Sioux Falls.

Everyone have a happy and safe Halloween!

October 10th

I will be working in Lake Benton today.

Thank you to everyone for your patience as I was out of the office yesterday with an illness.  Feeling a bit better today.

Last item today, a really cool video.

I heard about this on the radio this morning on my way to Lake Benton.

If you have a few minutes, take some time to watch.  (You may want to be alone, though)

Tuesday Teacher Tidbits: Websites

Did you know that this Friday is World Teachers' Day?

Inspiring Video below on the use of Google Drive - using forms to connect with students.

I really enjoyed that.

Just a quick note:  Tomorrow, October 3rd I will be working in Lake Benton, and then I will be leaving work at 12:30 pm to attend the Dakota Valley Conference Cross Country Meet held in DeSmet.

Instead of looking at tools and/or giving technology tips today, I thought it might be fun to share some interesting websites that you can possibly utilize in your classroom, or in research, or just in day to day work.

1.  http://www.google.com/edu/

-Google in Education website, just a good "portal" to access all of Google's education resources.
I really like this page - a showcase of student work using Google tools.  Great place to just get some ideas of things you can do.

2.  http://yesiknowthat.com/

-Interesting website with a lot of little know facts in all sorts of subject areas.
Good Example:  Article on Glaciers - could be useful in Science or Geography classes.

3.  http://mashable.com/

-Website dedicated to Social Media news and Web tips.
It's mostly Tech stuff, but there is a ton of information on here, like this article on Fake Apple Discount Cards.

4.  http://lifehacker.com/

-Website that focuses on technology, but also life in general, work, and just getting things done.
Example:  Enjoyed this article on why work stresses us out.

5.  http://tinybuddha.com/

-Just a neat little website with sayings and quotes to "find inner peace".  Great website to go to when you're feeling stressed out, anxious, nervous, etc.  Read a couple quotes, take a couple deep breaths, and go about your day.
Example:  Really liked this quote.  So much so, I printed it and hung it on my door yesterday.
(I actually discovered this website by following "Tiny Buddha" on Google+)

tiny buddha can help you relax.

6.  http://tvfury.wordpress.com/

-This is not really a classroom resource like the other websites, but still one I recommend.  TV Fury is the "pet writing project" of Terry Vandrovec (the Argus Leader SDSU beat writer) and Shawn Fury ( a writer in New York City).
-The neat thing about tvfury is that it's not just about sports, even though both of the writers are basically sports writers.  They cover all sorts of topics from movies, to the "big soda" ban in New York City, to just about everything under the sun.
-Both Shawn and Terry are both accomplished writers, so usually the articles are pretty darn good, and they post something new every single work day.
-The reason I include TVFury on this list, is not as an educational tool, but an example of the power of writing.  How can we include writing and the expression of our ideas in our classes?  TVFury shows that the number of topics, is basically...unlimited.
-Plus they also let the occasional "doofus" do a guest column for them, every once in a while.
.

Tuesday Teacher Tidbits: TEDTalks

Have you ever heard of TED?

No, not this Ted.

Funny Movie, but not what we're looking for.

I mean this TED:  http://www.ted.com/

Quoting directly from wikipedia:  "TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_(conference)

This website is a cornucopia of videos, with talks on everything from "What we're learning from 5,000 brains" to "The Power of Vulnerability".  TED probably has something that you could use in your classroom, and if not in your classroom, something you can watch and draw inspiration and knowledge from.

One of my personal favorites was the late John Wooden's "the difference between winning and succeeding", which is located here:  http://www.ted.com/talks/john_wooden_on_the_difference_between_winning_and_success.html


Lastly, I thought I'd include a shorter video here on the blog.  It's kind of a humorous look at using statistics to help you create your own TEDtalk.



This Wednesday I will be working in Lake Benton in the morning, and I will be leaving at noon to attend the CC meet in Colman.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Wednesday....taking a trip to the Lake.

I'll be heading to Lake Benton, Mn this morning.

Hopefully should be back some time this afternoon.

Thanks for all your help and patience so far this school year, everyone.

It's always tough being "the new guy" and even tougher when what the "new guy" is doing affects so many different people.

Wednesday, August 16th

I'll be heading over to Lake Benton this morning.

When I return, I'll be doing lots of work on the student netbooks.

Busy, busy, busy in the tech office this week.  I feel like I'm spinning in circles.

Open House will be Thursday night, August 16th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.  I'll be presenting on the netbooks and their usage to Freshmen and new students, and their parents.

Hope things are going better (faster) for everyone else.

Headed to Lake Benton

I'm leaving to work at Lake Benton School in about 15 minutes or so.

If you need to get in touch with me, just send an e-mail to my state e-mail account:  mark.harming@k12.sd.us

I should be back in Elkton some time this afternoon.

Back to Benton (Lake style)

I'm headed back to Lake Benton today, will be preparing the netbooks for the upcoming year.

Keeping busy and meeting new people each day.  Hope everyone is getting prepared for the new school year.

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.