January DTC Meeting Agenda

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District Technology Committee
Meeting Agenda
January 26, 4:15-5:45 in the Tech Service Lab
http://techblog.psd401.net

Here is the agenda for this months District Technology Committee meeting. If you have any question before the meeting let me know.

Agenda:

Tech Tip: Why is my computer running slow?

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The speed your computer runs is determined by many factors. In PSD, most of the computers are over 6 years old. This is the primary factor as to why a computer will slow down. Here’s why.

First, the quality (age) and quantity of memory and storage is not ideal for a modern network and Internet. Low memory and storage simply means when the computer has many task to run or files to read and write as is expected in today’s computing things will go very slowly until it’s done. There’s really not anything that can solve this problem except a new computer.

Old computers often have old software, older operating systems and failing hardware. This is a lethal combination to computing speed. In PSD, our biggest problem is failing hardware. As motherboard capacitors slowly swell and leak, the computer may still work but at a much slower pace.

Finally, we have an operating system problem. We are all used to Windows XP. It has been a good workhorse for us over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, it’s past it’s prime and will be no longer supported by Microsoft. The more necessary patches and updates are applied, the slower older computers respond because of the new load on processors, memory and storage.

Because new the operating systems won’t run on old computers, we are stuck in a major dilemma as we wait for new funding for new computers. Do our best to keep old stuff running with the knowledge everything we do will ultimately slow things down.

The best thing user can do to try and extend the life of old computers is to run only one application at a time, try and only work in a web browser if possible and restart the computer whenever it “acts up”. Once in a while, re-imaging the computer with a fresh install of XP will help too. But that has a risk of the computer failing during the restore process because of the stress on the hardware.

Unfortunately, old computers can not run forever. And the harder we try to extend their life, the slower they go.

Tech Tip: Calibrating a portable device’s battery

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Calibrating your battery ensures you get the longest possible running time from it. Calibrate your battery during the first week you own it, and then recalibrate it every two months. If you use your device infrequently, it’s best to recalibrate it at least once a month. Whenever you purchase new batteries, calibrate them as well.

To calibrate a portable device battery:

  1. Plug in the power adapter and fully charge the battery.
  2. When the battery is fully charged allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer.
  3. You can use your device during this time as long as the power adapter is plugged in.
  4. With the device still on, disconnect the power adapter and continue to use it normally.
  5. When you see a low battery warning, save your work and close all applications. Most importantly, keep your device turned on until it goes to sleep or runs out of power.
  6. Then, turn it off or allow it to sleep for five hours or longer.
  7. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged.
  8. When the battery is fully charged allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer.

Samsung says the netbook is dead

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November 25, 2011 2:44 pm

Samsung netbooks are officially a dying breed, as an outed company memo has declared that the diminutive laptops will cease to be manufactured in 2012. So where will Samsung focus its portable computing efforts instead?

The news comes from a Samsung internal message enclosed with a ‘new 2012 strategy’. In it, Samsung asserts that it’s going to stop producing 10-inch laptops as of 2012, making it the first manufacturer to properly admit that the netbook form factor is dead in the water.

The death of Samsung netbooks will coincide with a stronger focus on devices in the Samsung Galaxy Tab range, as well as on Intel’s ‘Ultrabook’ category of high-power, incredibly slim 11.6-inch MacBook Air rivals.

The netbook’s been on its way out ever since the tablet started to shift its weight about with the launch of the iPad. Even ASUS, who invented the market with its Eee PC, has been trying to sidestep its death with combination devices such as the Eee Pad Slider and Eee Pad Transformer.

With Samsung dropping out of the race, it’s likely that the other big netbook names, such as Dell, Acer and HP, will follow suit next year.

October District Technology Committee Meeting

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District Technology Committee
Meeting Agenda
October 27, 2011
4:15-5:45 in the Tech Service Lab
http://techblog.psd401.net

We will be posting the agenda on the Tech Blog because it will evolve as we approach each month’s meeting. I will send out email reminders for the meetings with a link to the blog so that you can look at the agenda here on the blog.

Agenda:

  • Technology Surveys and Steps Toward the 2013-16 Technology Plan – JB
  • Building Communication: Discussion on how information is being shared at the buildings and what we can do to support better communication. – All
    • Critical need to educate staff on aging computers, redistribution, surplus process, funding realities and no relief in sight. Constrained M&O levy funding and the future.
  • Update on the teaching stations – Lessons being learned – Ron
  • Teacher Dashboard: the next step? – Ron
  • Wireless update and feedback – Kris
  • Phone upgrade update – Kris
  • Building Reports and Feedback – All

    • Continue reading →

    District Technology Committee – Agenda 9/22/2011

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    Welcome to the first DTC meeting for 2011-2012. The District Technology Committee is an important communication tool between Technology Services and the rest of the district. As the representative for your buildings, you will be a important link in this communication. This will be even more important as we deal with aging technology and a lean budget.

    Agenda:

    GoogleApps: Google Reader and apps that help you view your Reader News. We will also take a look at the New Google Video capabilities.

    • Vision, Goals and Budget- JB
    • Phone System Upgrade – Kris
    • Work Order System & Help Desk Call Logging – Kris
    • New Wireless Network – Kris
    • PowerSchool 7 Upgrade Date – Kris
    • Infrastructure Initiatives for 2011/2012 (File Services/Mapping Drives/Printing) – Kris
    • Refurbished purchase opportunity – Kris
    • Skype In The Classroom – Kris
    • Teacher Dashboard – Ron
    • Doceri – Ron
    • New Teaching Stations – Ron
    • Open Discussion
    Upcoming Meeting Dates:
    Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15, Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 15, May 31

    2011-12 technology initiatives

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    The District’s vision for technology and action plans are based on 2010-13 Technology Plan and annual goals developed for the 2007 district strategic plan. Individual school implementation is directed through each school’s leadership team and/or annual SIP goals.

    2011-12 Initiatives
    Expected budget for non-employee spending is expected to be between $415,000 – $470,000 coming only from the M&O Levy. Please refer to the 2010 – 2013 technology plan’s priorities for a full understanding of what can be possible without additional revenue streams such as a new Bond or Capital Levy.

    Continuously improve customer service, support, training and communication: Annually re-establish the roles and responsibilities for the Technology Committee within budget constraints. Non-employee budget impact estimated at 4%-7%.

    Refresh 90 classrooms with new teaching stations: 50 locations being determined, 50 installed by November 1, 2011, remaining determined and installed by January 31, 2012. Goal is to refresh every classroom over the next 6 years. Non-employee budget impact estimated at 70%-75% of the total.

    Refresh 20 office computers: Locations to be determined and installed by January 31, 2012. 6-year cycle will replace 120 computers. Non-employee budget impact estimated at 5%-7% of the total.

    Low resource web only student access stations: Pilot in libraries and as requested in classrooms. Non-employee budget impact estimated at <1% of the total.

    Trying to do more with less: New web-based resources explored, Teacher Dashboard, Web Apps (Google Apps), Social Networking opportunities (Skype? Facebook?), extending the life of old equipment (WebOS), new limited offer for refurbished computers (10 per school), Continue to evaluate not renewing contracts (Did not renew AP Photo and Nettrekker for Secondary schools). Non-employee budget impact estimated at 1%-2% of the total.

    Mobile Technology: Continue to support iPod Touch pilot. Non-employee budget impact estimated at <1%-2% of the total.

    Support for formative data collection in the classroom: – Blufish and/or Senteos. Non-employee budget impact estimated at <1%-2% of the total.

    Continued support and/or increased interactivity in the classroom: Support existing Smartboards and/or Doceri on iPad. Non-employee budget impact estimated at 1%-2% of the total.

    Online Staff Development: Began a new web-based distribution of annual staff development topic in Moodle. Non-employee budget impact estimated at <1% of the total.

    Infrastructure: Essential to continue necessary upgrades (PowerSchool in November), support contracts and maintenance: Focused work on; portals, home directories, storage, back ups, disaster recovery, universal access (WebDAV), printing, implementation/support for new desktop OSs (Win 7 or MacOS), and a move from roaming profiles on the network. Continue to develop, expand and improve wireless. Non-employee budget impact estimated at 17%-20% of the total. (Reduced from 40% and not sustainable.)