This Tech Update consist of information on the following topics:
- PowerSchool Web Access - cache pages not displaying changes
- Passwords - Keep them secure - Biggest security threat
- Technology Move - Hardware and file backup
- Laptop Project Phase 2 - Student Laptops
More information on these topics is below. Please let me know if there is a topic you would like me to address at a future Tech Update.
PowerSchool: when accessing PowerSchool through a browser please remember that information submitted may need a page refresh to view. Sometimes cache will cause a page to view as it did before the information was submitted. Please be careful not to submit the information twice. This can corrupt the system and cleaning up the data base is a time consuming task.
Passwords: It is advisable to change your account passwords from time to time for security reasons. The easiest way to hack an account is because of a password easy to observe (Shoulder Surfing) or simple to guess. You can check the security of your password and how easy it can be guess by visiting http://securitystats.com/tools/password.php
Technology Move: Our current plan is to make a lateral move of your room's hardware to your new space on the Even Yehuda Campus. For example, Computers currently in your classroom will be moved to your classroom on the new campus. Next year after you have had time to get use to your new space and we have check connectivity, we will assess your technology needs and plan needed adjustments. I strongly recommend you take this opportunity to make an external backup (CD or external storage device) of all your school related computer files. Include those on the server as well as any files you may have on your hard drive. This will provide an additional level of backup during the move. If you need any assistance contact a tech team member.
Laptops Program Phase 2: Phase 1 of the school's laptop program was focused primarily on teacher laptops. Teachers using laptops help prepare for students using laptops. The new campus is designed with this type of laptop culture in mind. The AIS Technology Committee and I recently reported to the Board our school preparedness for a 1 to 1 laptop program. A one-to-one laptop program is designed to meet computer access needs by having a laptop assigned to each student. This will provide computer access whenever and wherever needed. One-to-one laptop programs are being initiated at schools around the world. An Action Plan Committee was formed to explore this possibility and report action recommendations to the board. A project is recommended that will pilot a 1 to 1 program with our 7th grade students. This is model after some of the laptop programs we researched and is a low stress approach to the program. 7th graders are familiar with the culture and environment in middle school. Our 7th grade teaching team has key practices in place and is keen about the program. 7th grade is currently using the laptop kits on a regular basis. A pilot program will allow us to learn to do by doing. It is a gradual way to explore one-to-one student computing, address key issues and customize a program for our entire school community. Your feedback is needed to determine our preparedness for 1 to 1 use on other grade levels, assess our currently level of integration, and teacher training needs. I will be working on an assessment tool that will begin to give us this feedback. I hope to have it to you soon. Your input is an important part of this project.
Keep Computing!
Steve
Your Friendly IT Guy,
Steven Roberts
Technology Coordinator
Walworth Barbour American International School
"The man who can make hard things easy is the educator."
by ~Ralph WaldoEmerson~
