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.
Showing posts with label roland colony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roland colony. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Tuesday Teacher Tidbits: Social Media
First of all, Happy Election Day!
As they used to say in Chicago.... "Vote Early, and Vote Often!"
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:
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
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
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
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 29th
The November Newsletter is online. Click the link to read.
Reminder: Teachers, if you want something in the newsletter, you need to get it to me by the due date. My goal is to send to the office for publication at the end of the day, on the due date.
Weekend Wrap-up - The SDSU Jackrabbits had a successful Hobo Day with a decisive victory over Youngstown State. I attended and had a great time.
This week, I'll be working with the Lifetouch Photo program, and loading the photos of the students onto infinite campus.
I'll also be making a trip out to Roland Colony again, to try and get Internet connectivity to a few of their computers.
Student computers with broken screens are being sent off, and are coming back. If your student has turned in a laptop with a broken screen, check with me in the Technology Office to see if it has returned.
Reminder: Teachers, if you want something in the newsletter, you need to get it to me by the due date. My goal is to send to the office for publication at the end of the day, on the due date.
Weekend Wrap-up - The SDSU Jackrabbits had a successful Hobo Day with a decisive victory over Youngstown State. I attended and had a great time.
This week, I'll be working with the Lifetouch Photo program, and loading the photos of the students onto infinite campus.
I'll also be making a trip out to Roland Colony again, to try and get Internet connectivity to a few of their computers.
Student computers with broken screens are being sent off, and are coming back. If your student has turned in a laptop with a broken screen, check with me in the Technology Office to see if it has returned.
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