The 3-2-1. Tech @ CSD: News & Tips for Teachers
Today is Sunday, April 17, 2016. I'm tired. You?
On these pages, you'll find:
- a weekly status update on the TOP3 concerns of the week,
- 2TIPS to help things work a little better in your classroom, and
- oneIDEA to consider about technology and teaching.
This week's TOP3.
- The phones are out! We've had a couple of incidents this year in which the phone system needed rebooting. Happily, Chrissy has experience with our system from a previous job and has always been able to get them running again quickly. Last week, however, the problem was different. Our Nucentric network lead was on site, and he quickly figured that some changes that had been made to the back-up function for the entire network was causing a conflict with the phones. All should be resolved now.
- When will the ChromeBook inventory be collected for testing purposes? Our inventory has grown, damage and loss is down significantly from previous years, and, thanks to some key Tech Team members ChromeBook performance and up-time has improved. For that reason, it looks like we can delay collecting the ChromeBooks until Wednesday, May 11. From that date, grades 2-7 will have access to 32 ChromeBooks for general purposes--all other ChromeBooks will be reserved for testing. After Tuesday, May 24, we can make an additional 15 available @ 565. Admin will finalize the plan this week. Coming soon: a link you can use to advise of us your classroom device needs during that period.
- I'm having a hard time coming up with #3. I think that's good news . . . Or maybe you just quit telling me. So, in a future 3-2-1, we'll summarize support activity and ticket issues with Nucentric this year and compare them to last year, so we'll all maybe get a chance to see how far we've come.
2TIPs
- Remember! Chromebook collection day is coming! Please keep close track of the devices between now and May 11. Please report issues with individual devices to us immediately. As the state requires more and more online standardized testing, we want to make certain that we're doing all we can to provide students stable testing environments and that means counting on the full inventory of ChromeBooks and keeping them in working order.
- Take a look around now for the thumb drive (white and silver) you signed out in August. Teacher check-out for the summer will include returning that drive so we can update certificates and maybe add some additional useful references and tools.
TO MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
An IDEA of note.
Protecting your files and your identity. When you step away from your desk and your device, please make sure to take a moment to leave your screen in lock-out mode. Here's how:
- On ChromeBooks: CTRL + SHFT + L
- On Windows XP: Windows key + L
- On Windows 7/Vista: CTRL + ALT + DEL, choose lock.
- On Windows 8: Click on your user name, choose lock.
- On Mac: CTRL+SHIFT+EJECT or POWER
- On iOS: Click the little button on device edge
If that's one too many choices, let one of us know next time we're around, and we'll show you!
Don't forget:
TechTeam@csdspartans.org: wireless, peripherals, blocked sites & general performance issues
Support@nucentric.com: wired pcs and laptops, CSD.local domain
Tech Team Students for triage and diagnosis ONLY. Please do not tempt them to make changes to your device! They are currently on provisional licenses only!
See you next week!