Technology Tips and Other Thoughts from JD

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Tech Facilitator Meeting April 28, 2011

Betty Weycker: Rewind of last month's meeting
Sending out information so everyone gets it the same way? is a difficult task

New Positions:

Jonathan zones 1/2, 7/8 Wife a teacher at Rural Hall
All the move arounds with the tech people: Darlene, Jeff Taylor, etc.
District Instructional Technologist Positions:

Charlie working on NCwise
Mandi from Cabberas County
Zach left from Help desk--Joan Proffitt took his position begins on Monday

Brian Elliot took a position in New Orleans, and that search continues
Lisa Turner from SE Middle to replace Jeff Nichols who went to Wake Forest University

Race for the Top Initiative:

How to get hand-held devices in kids hands so they can take the standardized tests.
So, many things need to be in place for that to happen--infrastructure wise.
http://cloud.fi.ncsu.edu

You can see WS/FCS's plan
one shot chance to get money to make sure students can be assessed

Print Management for example is part of this infrastructure improvement: Has to be in place so the other deluge of equipment can be handled--we have to be ready.

Kevin/Carla:

Wireless will be covered on all campuses
Wireless surveys are already underway
Technicians will be contacting schools who have not been made fully wireless
In classrooms--A radios, in halls B/G
Wireless security change is underway: WPA2

No wireless code anymore
Wireless access will be governed by active directory
All based on container membership of machines, machines not in containers will not connect
Nothing will need to be removed from containers (computers can be in more than one container at a time)
Laptops need to have SP3--Have to re-image all laptops...
They are going to do this for you, a day at a time
Need help to get teacher laptops on site the day of the "cut over"

You will have to re-image when they come back in.
Laptops need to be cleaned up anyway
Admitedly, DOT is in "react mode" on this wireless issue

Schedule will be issued, will do as many as they can between now and June
Some over the summer, some in the fall
Unauthorized laptops will not get on network--Period
Another issue that the re-image is taking care: the Trend Micro update.
Trailers with desktops and laptops will be a priority.
If you have a trailer with several machines--be sure to label the teacher machine, so they can get their machine back fast
Anything above R40 and higher will OK
With the race to top initiative, trailers need to be Hard wired...and then add access point inside.

Print Management

Has been rolled out in central office
Really a financial project to save on toner cartridges
Pay per page black & white 8/10 of a penny and color (8 cents a copy)
Strategic print solutions: http://www.strategicprintsolutions.com/about_us.php
estimated savings: $3000.00 per school per year
Policy Imperative on local printers? May become official policy
Not part of the program --printers that Guy Lucas purchased (printers/copiers)
It is a "click charge": based on the movement of the rollers
You will see one bill per school
With active directory upgrade: possible they will monitor by user, but NOT THERE YET...
This all started as a cost saving initiative...Dr. Martin actually started this based on Wilkes County
They will need to get out to schools to inventory
Local Printers: They will find them.

First phase --get to all that are networked
Then they will make the decision to remove the locals or not?
All lead secretary printers are not on the network, but they will be added, they will still be locked down from outside access.
With update to windows server, the process will be changing for how to add printers

Printer Inventories:

They need to know what they will need, such as add a drop, naming conventions, etc.
They will write down all local printers too.
You should receive e-mail telling you when they are coming to do inventory--trying not to do during testing.
Betty--will be looking at policies for using local printers.
There are issues with support for these printers, with positions being eliminated at schools...
Ink right now? If there is no toner in the pile (Joyce Jacobs is the person to call) they will allow an order to go thru until July 1st if they don't have any of a particular type.
Until policy is changed, no definite on local printers (principals for example?)
They will inventory toner back and the company may "buy them back" or use it out and not order.
You can use toner down, and still should so as to not be wasteful.
Goal is to have everything inventories by May 31st!
currently 1400 "printers on the wire", will be adding as they put on lead secretaries, etc.

Server Consolidation Project:

Working with East and Atkins doing testing
Video: Virtual Infrastructure Layer/VMware
Put in about 12 main controllers, a couple for printer servers
will retire about 80 physical boxes
All H drive data will have to be dealt with, a second SAN will be backed up here in this building
Testing at EAST HS, and there is no lag time in printing!
Bandwidth will be moving to a GIGABYTE this summer from 100 MB now
Should be no managing of servers at all now at school level
They will be looking at individual server run APPS, like waterford or AR reader--looking at web apps to run them.

DATA on the Server Drives

All that Data will be pulled back into the SAN
We need all teachers to deal with their own H drives (100 mb quota)
They need all teachers to back up their own files...meaning clean up and save locally, Lead Secretary, and office staff--DOT will deal with those files, will not move vacation pictures, music, etc. to the new server.
Tech Facilitators need to deal with their stuff too.
All those H drives will not be destroyed, put in a work order if you need something back
When teachers leave, all files needed to be backed up before they leave (student H drives will be wiped as normal)
S Drive should be cleaned up too
Kevin will give us something in writing to share with our teachers.
Put in work order if you need help
They are putting in a 17 Terabyte solution, they are tripling their space
They may put out a price list on an external hard-drive and we will get secretaries to buy a 1 tarabyte external hard drive --Kevin will put out a price list
K drive not currently part of any backup solution.

Need to get older stuff off there too

Kevin will get that check list out to us ASAP
You can also use drop box, good for ipphone, ipad
I drive is for CTE...

VDI: Virtual Desktop Interface:
Another video: This project will take awhile, starting with new construction--looking at a totally different thin set model ($200) "computer"

"Video: Citrix--Xen Desktop the best way to deliver win 7 virtual desktops"

http://www.citrix.com/tv/#videos/1174

far less storage space, higher security
desktop streaming
Have to build a data center piece--currently sizing it to handle 1500 clients right now
It will take awhile to "grow" into this
Classroom solution will keep the main PC machines
We are talking about new machines going into classrooms--using these "thin-set clients"
What does it mean for us?

Application virtual streaming--takes the horsepower off the local machines--like office, adobe apps will stream off the server not from the local machines
Plan is in the fall to have a thin client running to show us in the fall
In the future, as they continue to size the data center piece and add infrastructure
Stay the course right now with purchasing new machines
This system will allow also allow you to launch your desktop from home.

Betty is saying to the Board that everyone needs a "refresh" other than new construction.

System Managment: KACE

KACE--Leader in System Management Appliances--DELL: http://www.kace.com/flashdemo/
Service Desk: Assist will continue through the end of the year...Then, in the fall
Service Desk Login next year to KACE
Will also be a link from drop down from website

Issue request field (going to keep as simple as possible)
Impact box (1 or many people)
Category: Will be added (goal to keep as slim as possible)
You can attach a document
There is a legend on the side
Hit SAVE--gives you a summary of the ticket (print out will be used when sending in equipment)
can add additional comments
Will assign to building level/or will automatically assign to you.

Why are they switching? Can decrease school wires cost, and this was part of the KACE program and it is faster--more of a system management decision.
Active directory will pin to the machine they are working on when you add a ticket
Will get training next month
"see also" button can link other tickets together.
right now, there is an hour time out feature, Kevin may increase the time.
You can search by keyword to find a ticket
You can also go to the Knowledge base and search by keyword to solve problems before you submit a ticket--will probably be specific to your level of category based on your AD log-on.
Software Clearing House will be handled under the Software Library--also where you install software that is approved.

Teachers will not see software library tab

Inventory Piece of KACE:

Should give more functionality, will keep computrace for theft recovery
This will be your new inventory
can see what printers are connected to that machine
If it's an unapproved piece of software, you can click on this list of software and uninstall
Start and stop the process on a machine from that same interface
Runs with an agent, will track who logged in inside or out of the network.
can search by user name or machine
Training next month...
Turning Live July 1 on KACE !

AMTR: (Annual Media and Technology Report)

Everyone filling out the AMTR will need to have a NCID User Name and Password.
These will be provided for you by Jackie Roland, a member of the WSFCS Helpdesk staff.

She will be sending each of you an e-mail which will provide you with your default NCID and password (all principals should already have their NCID and password established).

Before anyone can enter data on the 2011 AMTR, you must 1st go directly to:

https://ncid.nc.gov/.
Log in using the default user ID and password sent to you, then reset your password and establish your challenge questions and answers.

Once this is done you may subscribe to the 2011 AMTR by going to:

https://schools.nc.gov/amtr
(note: This URL has changed since last year. ).

Please be sure to click the correct role (School Administrator) in the section requesting information regarding your involvement with the AMTR.
Principals will choose School Principal.
Technology Facilitators and Media Coordinators will choose School Administrator.
After filling in ALL requested data, be sure and subscribe at the bottom of the screen.
Have to have the NCID user name and password to get into account
CL will e-mail further directions and put the files on the on webportal

Betty:/Parent Assist

Issues with Parent assist: Teachers not posting to Parent,
400,000 assessment not checked that Post to parent (this report came out of SAS)
To see this report...Administrators can:

Go to Webportal
All Principals
All Schools
Technology
All Secure Data
Secure Data

Basically, we need to get the word out to teacher who are not posting to parent as this is causing confusion with parents who see a change in the average on parent assist, but no detail to back it up.

Marlo: Time of year--everyone looking for tech credits by June 30th
On Workshop registration system: http://intranet.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/WrkshpReg.nsf/SDMenu?OpenForm
Looking for workshops by location, look for "Online"...after you register,
Teacher will get an email (within a certain amount of time, not immediately) telling them how to sign up in Moodle: http://moodle.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/

Atomic learning

To get credit, you have to do a workshop proposal and list videos they will watch
E-portfolio on atomic. Can see if they watched the videos
The number of CEU's depend on how many videos u listed and the number of tutorials
There are already created workshops on atomic learning
You can log in thru learning village

User name is whole email
Pw is on password matrix on the webportal
Not all for credit. They have to apply to school

Creative commons workshop is good

Betty/Couple of announcements

Remind everyone that on Saturday, May 14, at 800 am.

Maintenance shut down of all servers
Will affect email
Down for 24 hours--All systems

Next meeting date?? With testing...Week before ? May 19th? Betty will announce soon.

"Brain breaks" Instant Recess videos on helpful living webpage: Go to ws/fcs webpage

click on departments, Healthyl living webpage: http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us//Domain/28

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Technology Meeting March 2011

Betty Weycker/staff changes:

DeLea Payne took a position with "Race for the Top"
Zach LeGrande from the Help Desk/networking taking a position as an assistant manager at a Winston-Salem Health Club.

WinstonNet-Connect:

Quote: "This is going to change my life"--from an elderly lady who was receiving training and getting a computer.
Pay it forward kinda thing
They just distributed 62 computers, and 90 more "graduating" this week, and 200 more coming...
In Schools, finishing Saturday classes at Glenn and Ashley
Working on classes at Bolton, and other schools like Kimberely Park, N Hills, Kernersville Y, Downtown library, here, and elsewhere...

Betty:

"Reagan Rooster"--February Issue--editorial opinion --what students like about parent assist, and parents--(Parent Assistant is our electronic gradebook..)
NCWISE has been bought by Pearson...a company of AAL
NCPearson has been in the business of student information management for a long time
Parent Assist: needs more understanding--

School Board Policy (AR 5124 Grade Reporting Regulations --grade and reporting) does not say we will continue to email progress reports...policy says you have a week to post your grades, and teachers must post to parent assist.

If a teacher chooses to e-mail progress reports--that is a multi-step process
Quotes from Reagan's paper: "What if there was a rule that says assignments had to be entered two weeks after they were assigned..." What?? Hard to believe parents are asking that when policy says assignments are to be entered within one week into electronic gradebook...
What can we do to better communicate to teachers that the policy is that assignments must be entered within a week...? and they must post to parent assist (a date makes it available for parents to see)
Here's what they are doing: Debbie Harmon and the data team have figured a way to lift that date out, and --everything that is blank would be viewable....on a screen--it looks like an excel spreadsheet and lists anything that is blank like post to parent, or a date of an assignment. SAS will make this be available to see.
Betty will be presenting this to principals.
EOG will be counted like a final exam grade for Middle Schools--25 % of the final grade
For Elementary, EOG will be 25% of the 4th quarter grade.
AR 5124 is the policy on the EOG
Elementary, NCWISE for report cards for grades 3-5 starting at the beginning of next year

Unknown devices Issue/Purchasing

AR3240--policy on grant funding,
As this train was rolling on unknown devices..teachers are finding grants for items that are not part of the standards...That is a philosophy they are not willing to accept.
Some teachers adamantly disagree with Betty on some of these issues...
Review of grant applications--clarification...Teachers must have a review by research and development...(#9 on her policy proposal change)-- purchase of all technology whether it be from school funds or PTA will have to go through department of technology>
For example, before you purchase software, it must be approved by software clearinghouse. So basically all technology purchases should be requested for approval before buying. Either with a HEAT ticket, or an electronic purchasing request form of some sort.
Question? What about Title 1 spending? Sometimes people go out and buy "stuff" for schools with these monies--Betty says that Title 1 folks already work pretty well with technology purchases.
BYOD--"Bring your own device" some districts are already doing this.

Firmware update for Mobi/CPS pulse (newer systems with texting capability)

Brian: Here is his blog on updating the firmware, Brian's Power Point (have to login to webportal)

mainly for the communication between the RF receiver and the remotes
6.70 latest version of CPS
8.90--latest version of workspace
Must first remove CPS from control panel--for re-installing from AICP

Open the e-instruction device manager
plug in the mobi receiver
right click on the mobi icon in the device manager and choose properties
press shift and control keys at the same time
click on the update mobi tab that appears
click browse and open the hex file that ends with f
update the firmware
the mobi will restart automatically

If on time line, it ends in F, it's already updated

Updating the Pulse RF receiver

Plug in the cps pulse rf receiver
open device manager from e-instruction system tray
rc on the pulse rf receiver
etc--will be posted on the webportal...

updating the Pulse Remotes

to check if they need updating FIRST...
press the menu button
press the right arrow key 6 times until you see diagnostic
press send the old version of the firmware is .00.47 and the new version is 00.54
only thing you have to do manually is put in the channel
make sure the receiver and the remotes are on the same channel

Kevin continued...

Self Mutilation is his middle name (ha!)--with all they are planning on doing this summer.

Print Management Program

Signed up with a company that will monitor all network printing.
The company will start shipping toner when cartridges start going out...it monitors the level of toner.
This may save up to $3000.00 per school per year
cost is based on "per page" model
includes fuser replacements
All purchase orders have been put on hold for toner, they are going to collect all the cartridges, and will have a central repository. and distribute until this company takes over.
They did analysis and looked at how much people were using toner and printing from printers
What about stand alone printers?

as they roll this new program out, one printer per person may not work

What about network color printers?

cost for color printers is 8 cents per copy with this program, should still be less than the current cost of replacing those expensive cartridges.

Auditing will bring to light excessive printing :)
Company will be responsible for all on sight repairs including fusers and other items up to $200.00
Printers not on the network will have to be put on the network...or deal with some other way
They are going to audit every school and look at all the printers
There may be older printers that might not be part of the program
Guy Lucas is handling it from purchasing end...

Wireless Security Project:

How we provide access--currently uses WEP code.
WPA2 is the wireless encryption they are going to use.
machines will have to log into the network to be able get access to the wireless access point
Known issues with the R-40’s
Pilot testing at SE, Kimmel Farm and one other school
Will have to reconfigure access points at all the schools (Carla)
Will start working through the three pilot schools
will push policy to all workstations regardless of container
will get another update next time
No time frame on how long it will take until they get through the pilot schools
Some hacker maybe able to find a way to get that certificate, but it should be much more secure.

Race For the Top Money

Current plan is to start outfitting schools that don't have wireless.
Carla will be heading it up.
First phase will be to survey schools and see what they need in terms of wireless

Email migration to move away from lotus notes

E-rate dollars will help support this
It’s time to look at something a little more flexible
A hosted e-mail solution, no more servers
Windows live—is the hosted cloud version of outlook
Issues:

blackberry integration
Lotus Client issues, street files, and all those client based applications

Active directory will be the database for e-mail names
Goal is to have this rolling out in the next school year
totally web based, supports multiple browsers and platforms

Server Consolidation Program:

Will start testing ...printing is one of their big concerns
start migrating servers to central office
migrating to windows server 2008
SSO will be replaced by server 2008 management

Classroom solutions:

Still working on 2006 bond schools

Voice over IP roll out

Can't tell you when all the new schools will be on-board
goal to all front offices as soon as they can

Dell Partnership/AICP/power Management/computrace for inventory

Product called KACE--rolling out this summer
some things run now by servers will run from this management service
this will run an agent on the machine that will take care of inventory--will be more efficient
will not replace computrace--will still use for theft recovery
will have ability to uninstall unapproved software
will keep up with the number of licenses at schools
will also be new power management tool
starting roll out now, does not need help to install
laptops will have to come in and get it installed

New delivery application system

Thin client devices instead of full workstations ($250.00) vs $750
Virtual desktop interface
When Betty presented this model, they do not cut the budget, and can refresh more schools with computers--new plan is to provide more resources with less of a machine.
Issue of Old computers in the Building? Barbara Sasso
Betty what can we do to alleviate the fears of "shared services"?

Peggy: a place for frequently asked questions?

Betty: people coming from all around the state to see what we are doing to offer resources yet save money.
Side bar from Kevin: When you don't get your H drive, every now and then it will drop a script, and not populate the home directory. It is going to happen particularly during start-up times.

Marlo Gaddis:

Monday is March 28th...and Dr. Martin said all staff should be attending staff development...She has had to say "no" to several principals in terms of providing staff development--just not enough people to go around :(
Any teachers can take moodle courses, atomic learning...(Erin Mulhern asked about the password)
On the webportal: info for tech facilitators for how to create a course in atomic learning

log into webportal, and click on : Instructional technology
atomic learning folder--document on how your teachers can get credit for courses on atomic learning...

There is a course on how to set up a course
Must set up a workshop proposal in the workshop registration system
Workshop Agenda should include a list of all videos that they will watch, and copy into the agenda
Needs to be at least 45 minutes of tutorials
not just watch and walk away
Make some product for them to produce
The workshops are customizable
Atomic Learning Student logins: all students should have accounts, tied to their student id number and wsfcs

Marlo..patience is the word --
In light of all the projects they are under-taking...Heat tickets--patience
Lots of changes coming...cloud coming...Change does not scare Marlo--she is a fan of change
How to manage change--she would be glad to help us with us
Technology is always changing and changing faster than we are moving

Youtube--"Lost Generation"-- all it takes is a "reverse of thinking ..."

She talked with AP's yesterday
They really want to see the best things
"I am just thankful I have a job..."

Question about Youtube videos:
copyright still applies...
If they are copyrighted on Youtube, then technically it is illegal to download and save.
Still using zamzar
Downs recommends http://keepvid.com/

Betty --Couple of announcements

No open lab today--only been about 8-10 people who signed up...
Well regroup after today and decide on whether to have them or not, and whether they will be topic specific focus or not...
Matrix for passwords (log into Tech Facilitator web portal to access this) is being revised...and will be posted on the TBT

3 minutes input better communicate information:

From our table:

Frequently asked question resource site?

a searchable Frequently asked question blog or database

Something to notify us when something happens--like the old Heat Site did--something that is affecting everyone

Others:

More info about theme money and how it will affect us
an update and reorganization of the webportable (ditto from another group)
notes from this meeting posted somewhere?
Patience from you guys too and for our teachers
Not just putting it out once...Do a great job of telling us things are coming but then some where along the way it seems to get lost
Open labs--they like them...on a different day, topics announced that relate to the meeting?
Get an idea of training for new things this summer (scheduling vacations etc.)
On-line testing, writing testing, demands are increasing...technology to talk with assessment and give us a better idea when testing will impact computers
Links to the things are posted...
Common place for us to put in troubleshooting tips...
TBT is good on keeping us up to date
Possibly skype sessions to offer open labs so some locations would be more convenient
Do appreciate the helpdesk phone number...
A forum for tech facilitators for common problems...

Meeting in May will now be a test conflict:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Potpourri of education websites

At the NCTIES technology conference I recently attended in Raleigh, I was made aware of the following sites. I checked them out, and they seem really good, maybe something to investigate during your "freetime"...

http://www.21classes.com/: Just another recommendated site for student/classroom blogging. Kid blog is still great too! http://kidblog.org

http://sites.google.com/site/googlioproject/
This site is intended to be a collection of resources for those interested in using ePortfolios in Education.

If you need a website to help you edit your pictures (crop, red-eye, resize), you may want to try out some of these! These were actually recommended by the DOT too:

Photoshop Online: http://www.photoshop.com
Pixlr: http://pixlr.com/
DrPic: http://www.drpic.com/
Picnik: http://www.picnik.com/

A few cool sites for making collaborative slide shows:

Digital story-telling sites:

http://vocaroo.com/ is a great site for recording quick narration and saving as wav files without having to use more "complicated" programs like audacity.

Finally, Lots of discussion lately about the best way to download YouTube videos...was having this conversation over the weekend with Mr Bryant

Here are some suggestions: (got from http://www.bspcn.com/2007/05/06/23-ways-to-download-youtube-videos/)

Try: KeepVid is a simple site. No hassle, works not only for YouTube movies but for a number of other sites, including Google Video, MySpace Video, DailyMotion and others. Again, you have to add the .flv extension by hand.http://keepvid.com/

You also might try this free download software for converting file types--this is the best free one that I know of: http://www.formatoz.com/download.html

YouTube Downloads takes the cake in the longest domain name contest. It also separates itself by using a proxy for downloading videos, which means that you might be able to get videos even if YouTube access is blocked at your workplace or in the country you live. Just search Google for YouTube videos, and copy/paste the URL into YouTube Downloads.

www.downloadandsaveyoutubevideos.info

Windows Program:
YouTube Grabber downloads files from Youtube in .flv format. Just copy and paste the URL of a video from YouTube into the program, press grab, and the file will be downloaded into the same directory as the program.

www.download.com/Youtube-Grabber/3000-2071_4-10574801.html

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Notes from the Edge--NCTIES 2011

The following are my notes from the North Carolina Technology in Education Conference (NCTIES) this Year. It was excellent as always, and I am trying to wrap my head around what were the top things I learned:

http://tjmstechtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/ncties-2011.html

My Current Top 5 things from the conference (this is tentative--I will probably discover more and discount others as I read more thoroughly through my notes!)

1) Tammy worcester is always a great speaker to attend, and I have already incorporated two things from her session on adding gadgets to a blog : (I added a google translate widget and also "a page/tab" (I added the note on spam from this week's TBT as a separate page/tab since I get a lot of questions on that from parents) to our tjms weekly memo blog --that was exciting! But Tammy's section on widgets is what I really want to go through in more detail.

2) E-readers: My friend, Jennifer Lagarde gave a great presentation on E-books ( http://lib-girl.blogspot.com/2011/03/hooked-on-ebooks-presentation-for.html ) , and it inspired me to at least try them at my school--She provided some great resources ( http://edukindle.ning.com/ ) that are already out there and how people are using them. I have written a donor's choose grant, and am going to "keep on" my EC teachers to try the same :)

3) The session on Prezi reminded me how cool of a presentation resource Prezi is, and I want to revisit Prezi with teachers, and show them some of the cool new features that have been added recently.

4) Things I really want to try or revisit these tools (okay I know this raises my "top 5" to more):

http://www.rockmelt.com/ (platform for managing your
browser/feeds, etc)
http://mckeon.edu.glogster.com/ncties-presentation/ (want to revisit with my 6th and 7th grade)
http://www.formatoz.com/ (suggested by Barbara Sasso for converting youtube videos and other video formats to ones that will work with movie maker)
http://primarypad.com/ (place to take notes in the cloud)

5) Lastly, an overall theme that I was reminded of was: to Choose 2-3 tools and committ to them...It's easy to get overwhelmed or feel guilty about what you are using or not using, but if the tools are good For example, google docs maybe as good as drop box--one is not necessarily better than the other--just different options) I also want the IPAD2 !!

I will be sharing more in the weeks and months to come!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

NCTIES 2011

Conference Website:
http://www.ncties.org/conference/index.html
NCTIES Conference Schedule: http://2011nctiesconf.pbworks.com/w/page/36285054/Concurrent-1-and-Technology-Fair-1

Hey, The following are a list of sessions that I attended and took notes--realizing I was taking these "on the fly" please excuse any grammatical errors, but I did try and go back and edit a little. The purpose of these notes is "for the record" and as a resource if I need to go back and check something I heard and likely won't remember. I will blog later about the top five or ten items that I feel will be really useful to me...You know how conferences are: If you can take just a few good things away then it is a success. For me, these conferences always inspire me to try new things, share new things and mainly learn from my wonderful colleagues who were there with me! Thanks, Tanya, Erin, Cathy, Barbara, Gina, Jenny, Sandy, Jeannie, Lelsie, Maryanne, Peggy, Nanette--You all are the best! John

Hooked on eBooks! Using eBook Readers to Promote Reading and Impact Achievement.

Prezi Presentation: http://lib-girl.blogspot.com/2011/03/hooked-on-ebooks-presentation-for.html

From choosing the right device to evaluating their success, participants will learn how to integrate eReader devices, (such as Nook and Kindle) into classroom instruction in ways that engage reluctant readers, integrate 21st century skills and impact achievement for all learners. Session materials will be available online.
Target Audience: Elementary, Middle, High, K-12, Administration, Other
Jennifer LaGarde, New Hanover County Schools
Christine James, New Hanover County Schools

Youtube video--high school that bagged textbooks for e-readers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5jf-dfN4fU

"Kindle, Nook and more educators"--resource webpage
Buffy Hamilton in Georgia--Kindle Program--google her--link is on

They went with the nook (Barnes and Noble--because they have onsite training at the store for their teachers, and you can walk in the store and get support)

They bought 30...$150.00 each--no discount--no tax free weekend. either.
Someone said--Durham would give a discount--

Tammy Worcester, Featured Presenter 11:10-12:10: Firday (11:10)

Blogging, podcasting, digital forms, shared calendars... it sounds overwhelming, doesn’t it? In this session, Tammy will show you how easy it is to go digital in your classroom. Using some fabulous free web tools, you will be able to share student successes, communicate with parents, gather feedback, organize events and more -- all in just a few minutes per week!
http://www.tammyworcester.com

go digital...is her handout for today's session.
Make a "sandbox blog" to play, to demos...
blogger.com --must have a gmail account...
You can set up an email account to have email content, like pictures, etc. sent directly to the blog
Could have students post pictures from cell phone camera...for example.
You probably don't want to allow "live" publishing...save emails as "draft Posts" and then you can decide to publish or not...
Each blog that you create you can generate a separate email to send content to...
You can embed many things into blogs...for example sound.
vocraroo: http://vocaroo.com/widgets.php
Online voice recording software--need a microphone, click record button, allow...You can get the html code, or embed code, copy code, edit in html tab of blogger...put some instructions to say something like : click on triangle to hear my message
The great thing--It's on their server, so not having to save high MB files...

Blogger added something else about a year ago (Ability to add pages or tabs along the top of your blog)--go to posting tab--choose EDIT PAGES
You can add up to ten pages about your blog...
More information on widgets: http://theedublogger.com/2010/10/21/top-widgets-for-the-sidebar-of-your-class-or-student-blog/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheEdublogger+%28The+Edublogger%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

It then adds those pages as tabs to the top of your blog...

Google maps:

put a map of your school on the blog, create a custom map under my maps button
on the map, add a place mark, and give a title,etc.
go to upper right to "LINK" choose the html to embed on the website,
paste the code in the "about our school" tab...
You could have kids do this..."flat stanley project"
track the location of battles...etc.
For kids to be able to use custom maps, students will have to be logged into a google account, could have a generic google account

Google docs-- doc.google.com
she used a google spreadsheet for online lesson plans...
across the top, the subjects
Could then embed the spreadsheet into the blog
go to share menu, choose "publish as a webpage", chose the sheet you want to publish, choose to publish as html to embed in a page
can create a new sheet in each spreadsheet
you can duplicate the spreadsheet to keep the colors etc.
then in your blog, go to html tab, and paste the code
you can play around with the sizes in the html code..

Google calendar is great--you can embed your calendar in your blog...
beside one of the calendar names, click on the triangles and go to calendar settings and it can give you the html code and paste in the html tab.

Tammy has an entire help on embedding various things into your blog
You could create a twitter account just for your classroom, and
you can add code to add google translate to your entire blog

Prezi 101: Replacing Your Static PowerPoint Slides with an Interactive, Dynamic Canvas 9:10-10:10

Tired of your static, linear PowerPoint presentations? Want to create an entirely new type of Flash-based presentation that uses a map layout and zooming to engage your students? Join Patrick Crispen as he shows you the tips and tricks behind Prezi, a relatively new presentation-creating tool. You'll even learn how to get a free Prezi 'EDU Enjoy' account that will allow you to make your presentations private and even remove the Prezi watermark.
Patrick Crispen, Featured Presenter

Prezi Help is so easy and well done...
Creating hierarchy with size on a "canvas" --there is depth and scale
Prezi accounts
CHOOSE Student Teacher on the bottom left corner--you can make the content private and your logo instead of Prezi's logo on it, and you get 500 MB free...
It is a cloud based solution, it is all on-line and works on mac/pc

edu/enjoy account
Limited number of fonts is actually a nice thing
The ring of the "zebra" allows you to change the (inside ring) font
The outter ring allows you to rotate
The lack of design types is actually a liberating thing--not so many choices and forces kids to focus on the content
If you get stuck in a mode, like color selection, just click up on the home circle
Try: http://www.gaggle.net/
You can link to video sites if youtube is blocked, you can also convert using something like anyvideo converter to flv file types,
but thing to remember...
You have to click on the edge of the frame to move a frame...
Tips:
click anywhere to start typing
double click to edit existing text
done typing: escape key works for getting you out
There is unlimited numbers of "UNDO's" during that session.
cntl c and cntrl v do work too
http://prezi.com/learn/
http://prezi.com/learn/keyboard-shortcuts/

Setting up a path...with arrows and lines
space bar to always get the bubble bar back...
Show mode to see how it works...
list of known issues: http://prezi.com/learn/known-issues/ (have your teachers read)
Something about changing an "s" to a "t" for a power point show that is online and you want to be able to edit it...
Prezi meeting--allows you to invite someone to view your presentation...
can also invite someone else to edit it!
Barbara Sasso recommended:

Format Factory to convert Youtube videos...

http://www.formatoz.com/

Towards Best Practices for Integrating Web 2.0 Technologies in the Classroom 8:00-9:00 Friday March 4

The sheer number of the available Web 2.0 technologies and tools is incredible. For non-tech-savvy educators and teachers just beginning to integrate technology into their classrooms this fact can deter them from even trying. This session will propose a number of best practices that are emerging from our research with teachers of technology.
Target Audience: K-12
Matthew Kruger-Ross, North Carolina State University
Lori B. Holcomb, North Carolina State University

View Michael Wesch’s video on YouTube exploring Web 2.0 ideas at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

Choose 2-3 tools and commit to them...(prezi--for example--use their help on their site)
join that community since they have the most enthusiasm and knowledge of it--Ask for help!
People are afraid to ask questions on google for some reason--just type in a question on google and you will probably find the answer.
Passwords: review these passwords management tools

People to follow on twitter:
David Warlick
Follow Richard Byrne on twitter--from Maine--
follow Matt the speaker: @mjkruger on twitter
evernote--remember everything...
Has to be sound pedagogy and must have several backup plans...technology is just the tool
TPACK--research framework/theoretical framework (technology/content knowledge/pedological knowledge--where they all intersect)
Dean Shareski--Google him! Education is all about sharing
Don't assume....KIDS ARE NOT NECESSARILY DIGITAL NATIVES

Location: 307, 3:50-4:50--What are you glogging about: Maureen Davis--Albermarle Middle School
What are you ''Glogging'' about?Maureen and her daughter spoke about applications in both elementary and Middle School. It is very easy to add text, audio, video, links and digital images on glogster which is a basically an in-line poster maker. She suggested you set up accounts on edu.glogster (http://www.facebook.com/GlogsterEDU#!/GlogsterEDU?sk=app_10442206389)

Glogster.edu is a site where students can create interactive, collage style posters. A ''Glog'' can include text, audio, video, links, and digital images included in Glogster library or upload your own. Learn how you and your students can create online posters and embed on your web page, blog, or wiki. Giving away 2 month FREE Teacher Premium Glogster License to participants while supplies last & Grand Door Prize = FREE 1 Year Teacher Premium Glogster License
Target Audience: K-12
Maureen Davis, Albemarle Middle School / Stanly County Schools
Brooke Davis, Aquadale Elementary / Stanly County Schools

Link to presentation:
http://mckeon.edu.glogster.com/ncties-presentation/
as opposed to just glogster.com
Follow glogster on face book with more ideas: http://www.facebook.com/GlogsterEDU
(Sorry Tanya-- I lost my notes on this one--wireless network failed, and this is all I have) But, she bascially went through the different ways to add text, pictures, links on glogster. She also talked about how easy kids took to this platform and ease of use, etc.

Bethany Smith--Will Ipads replace Laptops 2:40-3:40
The answer seems to be depends, Bethany outlined the pros and cons of both platforms:
She did a poll:

http://transparentlearning.blogspot.com/

Here's a blog Bethany wrote on it:
http://transparentlearning.blogspot.com/2010/06/ipad-vs-netbook.html

It comes down what you are using it for, the limitations of flash (which ipads don't have). Battery life is a great advantage of the ipad, portability and convenience. She said that some of the upgrades of the ipad 2 are enticing like the fact that it will have a built in camera for skype, it is thinner and lighter!

Disadvantages--the lack of microsoft office applications?--not sure that is such a big deal with google docs, etc, but for some people it is a deal-breaker,

lack of flash programs,

and possibly keyboard or lack thereof (tho you can even get a keyboard built into your ipad cover!

Keynote Luncheon: Rushton Hurley
tinyurl.com/RH-NCTIES11
https://sites.google.com/site/rushtonatncties2011/
Rushton--guest lunch speaker--tons of free stuff...
Google advanced search
Saving time, and have students download three power points on say...India, and critique them instead of making a power point on India--Saves time! Isn't that the point of technology??
Have kids make videos on the things you teach!

From Leslie Fisher's ( http://lesliefisher.com/ ) Talk at NCTIES:
Gadget

Are you a gadget head? Do you surf the net or listen closely to geeks talking in hopes of hearing about a cool software product or gizmo? Leslie Fisher (Gadget Freak) will show you some of her favorite hardware and software gadgets that do everything from make your life easier to provide piles of fun. Hardware, software and even completely off topic gadgets will be discussed.
Target Audience:
Leslie Fisher, Featured Presenter

Here is here presentation: http://www.lesliefisher.com/handouts/gadgets_2010.htm

Eventbrite.com--great way to manage events on-line!
Rockmelt.com http://www.rockmelt.com/—a smart web 2—based web browser
Based on google chromium
Also puts up the rss feeds on the tab on the right
Invite only—she has 250 invites
Go to rockmelt.com—I would like an invitation—You can be lesliefisher.com—click on the facebook friend.
Google voice free –sign up and you get a free number, and someone calls it and they get a message, and you can get a voice mail to translate the message and you can set up a number, you can set up groups and have numbers forwarded without parents knowing your number
Primarypad.com http://primarypad.com/—started as etherpad
Primarypad.com/ncties--great place to take notes in the cloud!
Go to her website and download her google presentration
Twitter:com goodies
Profile widget
on twitter ---Can be used to update website
Evernotes.com

One location for all your notes. Synchronizes your notes to all your devices…everything goes to the cloud

Dropbox.com (2 GB for free) and can share your folders with anything else
Great for sharing large presentations…
http://www.ustream.tv/
post videos live as they happen
http://www.weebly.com--awesome/

website platform, and so easy to use!
googlesites is a little confusing at times…Hall Davidson is from Discovery Network has a page –looks kinda bad--she showed us how to make a page...
Many different designs
Google weebly for education

Cloud Backup

http://www.mozy.com/
online encrypted backup for mac or pc
amazon s3 is another cloud backup
pogoplug.com
is a cloud based hard drive
enabling people to see your pogo –works like drop box
uses wiki or Ethernet to post your personal cloud 99$
Mac people:
Orbicle.com/undercover
If your mac is stolenwill secretly transmit the ip and router information
Take it to the apple store and the apple people will confiscate it
Orbigle is based on when you tell it to turn it on
Novadevelopment.com
Clipart.com –can purchase by the week/month year and can download as many as you want…
Istockphoto.com
15% off coupon
90% are royalty free

Digital Cameras Leslie’s favorites:

In between camera—sony NEX, has interchangeable lenses…500-700
Selling very quickly
Sonycybershot HX5v
$349
She is sony focused
To her its all about the menu…right now her favorites are Sony and cannon
Camera slow: you probably bought a slow card
Rating 2, 4, 6—your card is affordable….
Want a category 8 or category 10
Lexar 1GB 133x speed
Or extreme 111

Photo-services:
Try smugmug.com
Free-$99.00
They also have a non profit
Hardware gadgets:

http://www.neatco.com/
scanner to capture receipts, tax receipts
start at $199.00
Pinacle PCTV HD pro stick…
EYEYV Hybrid
Can record shows and bring into school
Sling Media
External box that hooks to yur home theater no matter …broadcasts the signal to your pc
Netflix is killing your internet connections everywhere…
Hulu.com
Boxee
Home theatre nut
Logitech harmony one
Nanowatch band
Ipod hoodie??
Swipe
http://www.swypeinc.com/
use one continuous motion to enter text
irock:

game changer:
every major text book editor is signing with the ipad
favorite apps
proloqou 2 go
star walk
istudiez pro
1-2 punch—her other favorites
Newsrack and Instapaper
Goodreader:
Soundnote: record your notes
Ipad cases
Dodo case looks like an old copy book—might make it a little less conspicuous
Quirky cloak
Hard candy—protective case
Clamcase
http://www.getageadase/
blue tooth microscope for your ipad
the square reader_ swipe attachment for iphone
for phone: introducing word lens
translates—hold in front of a sign or whatever, take a picture and it translates what's there