--- TIC-TECH message:
Technology Forum
October 25, 2001
A&S Auditorium
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
Charlie Walker called the meeting to order at 4:10PM.
Announcements
Charlie asked for announcements from the present school representatives.
There were no special announcements.
Dell Computer Updates - Susan McIver, Jerry Seaney
Dell and Corporate Software won the Microsoft Select bid for this year and
next year. Dell also just won the contract with Lexmark so SPS will be able
to acquire Lexmark printers through Dell. Dell will be the first computer
equipment vendor to be input into B2B/FAST. Schools will be able to
purchase computers, servers, student systems, software licensing, and
printers through FAST via Dell Computer as the vendor.
Jerry is going to put together standard servers to put into the FAST system
to make them available for schools to purchase. Jerry can assist schools in
determining the best server solution for the school.
Dell has a full suite of backup devices available to schools.
Susan talked about coordinating a program to make deployments work more
smoothly for the schools. Trying to put some organization with the
purchasing process to make the receiving of the product flow more smoothly.
Charlie mentioned that Windows 2000 server is being deployed in the
District. He talked about making certain that when buying servers that they
are compatible with the W2K environment. We want to make sure that the
servers we purchase are tailored for the schools needs and meet the
specifications of the new WAN.
Several of the Network Analysts have become certified in Dell products.
Those individuals are qualified to help the schools make decisions. Schools
should work directly with their Network Analyst to get the best customer
service from Dell.
Jerry is the District's link to the engineering department at Dell. He is a
good point of contact for issues when things are not working or when
planning your server needs.
Bruce Van Norman commented on the importance of standards and documentation
the rationale for following the standard. The schools need to be open, as
well as Information Services, to make sure that we are working together to
stretch our money.
We will still be able to order the Office Upgrade through Dell. If you
don't buy the Software Assurance program you will need to buy and upgrade
instead of getting the upgrade. DO NOT buy Software Assurance between now
and May 2002.
Charlie invited the attendees to use the questions link on the
Inside.seattleschools.org web page. If you have any questions, please enter
them on the web page and the question will be sent to the appropriate person
for a reply. The Helpdesk will respond to questions.
Does the MS School Agreement cover all computers in a building?
The MS School Agreement covers all machines Pentium and above.
Wizard Program - Bruce Van Norman
Bruce Van Norman, a parent volunteer at Laurelhurst, spoke about Wizard
program that was started at Laurelhurst last year. The program was started
last year and took a couple of kids from each grade (grades 3, 4, & 5) and
started teaching them what makes a computer work. Laurelhurst now has a
two-page checklist that says what a baseline working computer is. When a
computer is not working, the students go through a process to identify the
problem, troubleshoot a possible solution and see the issue resolved. The
goal of Wizards is to develop building standards and methods to solve
technology problems. The Wizard documents the problem and works toward a
solution.
U-Wired Program - Damien Koemans
U-Wired program is a technical assistance program designed to relieve some
stress from the teachers. Currently there are 50 schools interested in a
U-Wired technician. Currently, there are 30 schools with technicians. The
goal of the U-Wired program is to fix desktops, make printers print, set up
computers, etc. Some of the students employed by the program are
facilitating donations to the schools. Some of the students are organizing
programs to bring students in to learn the technology.
What does the U-Wired student do in the schools??
U-Wired students are able to service everything from the desktop to the
wall, everything behind the wall is handled by the Network Analyst.
Who do U-Wired students report to?
The U-Wired student reports directly to the school and the school directs
his/her day-to-day activities. The U-Wired student is officially an
employee of Information Services but is paid by the school. Information
Services is going to expand the Outlook deployments to the U-Wired students
at their request.
The program is also an extension of the Smart Tools Academy program. UW can
work one-on-one with teachers to provide desktop support.
Some schools do not have the money budgeted to support a U-Wired person at
their school. Can U-Wired students be hired to complete short-term
projects?
Short-term projects can be hired out. Please let Damien know of your need
and special arrangements can be made.
Where should I direct my U-Wired inquiries?
Any questions about U-Wired should be directed to Damien Koemans at
damienk@u.washington.edu <mailto:damienk@u.washington.edu> or Charlie Walker
at chwalker@seattleschools.org.
Technology Levy Update
Manny Ovena provided the classroom workstation update. Information Services
will be starting a pilot project. Manny distributed a copy of the draft of
the pilot workstation.
The hardware configuration is proposed to include a 17-inch monitor, Intel
processor at 900+ Mhz, 256 MB memory, 10_ GB hard drive, RW Cd drive, NIC
card - 10/100 MB.
Software configuration will be standard and will include Windows 2000
operating system, Office 2000 Professional (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access,
Publisher), Outlook 2000, Internet Explorer. Later deployments may include
web-based teacher/parent communications, web access to existing student
information, a computer resource management tool, curriculum mapping tolls,
and report card tools.
There will be a teacher focus group for requirements and prototype review.
That focus group will also provide requirements for the web based
teacher/student/parent communications, and web access to existing Student
Information.
Anyone interested in participating in a teacher focus group should email
Manny Ovena, MCOVENA@seattleschools.org <mailto:MCOVENA@seattleschools.org>.
Information Services and Instructional Technology staff will conduct
professional development in four 2-hour sessions. The first session will
focus on training teachers on computer components, operating system
navigation, printer set up, and MS Outlook. After the training the
computers will be deployed in the classroom. Subsequent training sessions
would expand to include training in Word, file and print management, the use
of network files, using Internet Explorer, review of SSD websites, and
review of professional practice standards.
The pilot project schedule is as follows:
* Develop a prototype of teacher tools by February 2002
* Initiate teacher tools training at high school pilot site by
March 2002.
* Initiate teacher tools training at middle and elementary
pilot sites by May/June 2002.
* Evaluate pilot site implementations in April and June 2002.
* Initiate full teacher tools training and implementation
beginning June 2002 for completion by June 2003.
Do the computers belong to the classroom or the teacher?
Computers will belong to the classroom, not the teacher. When a teacher
moves to a new classroom, the computer will remain in the classroom in which
it was deployed.
How is a teacher defined? A certificated employee who is teaching students
is being used to define what constitutes a teacher.
There were audience questions about MAC vs. pc.
Questions on who is going to incur the cost of the teacher workstation
hardware and software. Upgrades are going to be paid for - this issue is
yet undecided.
All questions regarding the pilot project should be emailed to Manny Ovena
at mcovena@seattleschools.org <mailto:mcovena@seattleschools.org>.
Network Operations Update - Charlie Walker
The e-mail backlog is now caught up. There were 400 outstanding email
accounts that have been created.
Each school can have up to five general schoolaccounts. Two staff at each
school will have control and responsibility for each mailbox.
Information Services deployed 3000 computers this summer. An 8th T1 line
has been installed. This is an interim solution to alleviate high Internet
traffic that is causing continued slowness. Ballard, Roosevelt and
Cleveland will be moved to the one T1 line. Information Services will be
installing a DS3 line by January 2002. The long-term solution is to
complete a fiber optic network. The fiber network installation will start
in January 2002.
On November 12, 2001, we are moving all teacher accounts from the Montana
domain to the SeattleSchools domain. The teachers will all be located on
their own server. After Veterans Day, Edumail will be used exclusively by
teachers and Webmail will be used exclusively by staff.
Bess Proxy
Will there be separate proxy servers for filtering websites between
elementary and secondary schools?
Changes here to say possibility exists but we need to set up a process for
the control process. Charlie deferred to Bryce Nelson on this subject.
Charlie responded that there would be separate servers between elementary
and secondary schools for proxy services. Roosevelt is experiencing problems
with N2H2 blocking sites that we need blocked. Charlie recommended that
those sites be submitted to Helpdesk for review and blocking if appropriate.
A one-page overview of what the filter is trying to accomplish was
requested. John Rowlands indicated that the School Board Policy should be
distributed again.
Next Forum
The next Tech Forum will be held at Mercer Middle school.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Minutes Submitted to Tic-Tech By:
Lesley Woodcock
Systems Support Trainer
Information Services
252-0333
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