GICSD – Instructional Technology

Tech Talk Sept/Oct 2011

Volume 6, Issue 1

Special Interest Articles:Welcome Back

Instructional Technology Resources

2011-2012 TIFs

Welcome Fran Olgetree

What’s New in 11-12

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide a medium for communicating, sharing and spotlighting our instructional technology goals and progress. Have an article or information you would like to contribute to Tech Talk? Contact Jamie Mancuso to learn more!

E-Mail:jamiemancuso@k12.ginet.org

Phone:773-8811

Fax:773-6830

Instructional Technology Resources: Asses4ed.net - is aimed at smoothing the transition to computer-delivered

assessments that rely on the Common Core State Standards and should be implemented in the 2014–2015 school year.

Basic Readings in U.S. Democracy is a collection of 73 historical documents representative of the way American history, culture and political thought have been shaped throughout the centuries. Each of the documents is presented with a brief introductory essay, chosen to illustrate “the essential idea of American democracy, that of many peoples seeking to find common ground.” The term document is interpreted broadly; traditional documents, such as court decisions and legislation, are supplemented by letters, essays and speeches.

DocsTeach – Bring history to life for your students, build your own interactive activities or access activities created by others and primary documents.

Wow! It certainly has been a very busy year for technology! In August we worked through 341 work orders and in just the first few days of September we have 147 work orders. This summer we imaged over 992 computers with the new operating system and new software. Continuing to virtualize servers has been an ongoing project for us allowing us to improve efficiency and maximize server resources. To date, we have 13 virtualized servers.

This summer we were busy upgrading Infinite Campus, Lotus Notes as well as a number of databases including Nutrikids, Mandarin, Castle Learning, AIMs Web, Global Connect, Type to Learn and Earobics to name a few. In addition, BOCES has updated our Content Filtering system. We have been working with them to open sites that you previously had access to. We appreciate your patience as we work to get the filter set-up correctly.

We continue to work diligently to resolve any open work orders and be sure you have what you need to work successfully with technology.

In the next few weeks, our district Technology Planning Committee will be working to write our 2012 – 2015 Technology Plan. With all of the new instructional technology tools and mobile devices available it is a very exciting time to develop this plan. We have reviewed the Horizon reports to learn more about emerging trends in instructional technology. We are also conducting a district wide technology survey to get input from you! I am confident our group will be well informed to create a plan that reflects our district needs and keeps us current in instructional technology. We look forward to a final state approved plan this spring!

Have a wonderful school year!

-Mrs. Molly Marren

2011-2012 TIFSSidway

Barbara GoldmanJanet Balk

Huth

Carol HorriganKathy BrownKristin PernickKaren Cassata

Kaegebein

Cyndi BookerHope HartmanPatti LudwiczakTricia McDonaldKathy ChadwickKristin JordanMiddle School

Sue WatersFrank Butcher Mary HowardJillian StapletonChrissy Fancher-CwiklinskiAnnalea MasielloEric CohoonBen GallegosTammi VonWreyzaRas

High School

Sue WatersJeff GreenFrank Butcher Paul ThompsonAndrea Spinelli Eric CohoonJeannine Scibilia

Welcome – Fran Olgetree

Please join us in welcoming Fran Olgetree as the new Microcomputer Decision Support Specialist. Fran will be serving as our Infinite Campus District Coach and supporting our many databases.

Tech TalkPage

2 o

f 4

Tech Talk

MoodleMoodle is an online course management system similar to Angel and Blackboard (used by a lot of colleges). Some of our teachers use the WNY Moodle to offer content to students.Grand Island has its own Moodle as a Professional Learning Space. Each building has a course or “Moodle” as well as some initiatives and groups like Peer Coaches and Instructional Technology.Over the summer both the WNY Student Moodle and the GI Moodle underwent a major upgrade. As a result all accounts on the GI Moodle were recreated. To login to the GI Moodle try the following:

Navigate to: http://gimoodle.wnyric.org/Username = first initial last name i.e. jmancusoPassword = changeme

If this login information doesn’t work, please submit a computer and a/v work order.

Not all buildings are currently utilizing their Moodle and there is no formal training for using the GI Moodle. It is either occurring as needed in buildings or in groups using it (like Peer Coach). If you would like assistance accessing & using the Moodle please contact me at jamiemancuso@k12.ginet.org. I would be happy to help!

Page 3 of 4What’s new for 2011-2012!!!

Windows 7 & Office 2010 We are now running Windows 7 as our operating system and Office

2010 for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint etc. We have home licensing for employees for Office 2010. Please see

your building’s Librarian to “check-out” the discs for home installation (office product only)

Check out this district-made e-book for detailed information about the new systems. It is also available on the Instructional Technology Resources Moodle in the Help Center.

The Technology Department is working hard to upgrade everyone; however, at this time there are still individuals in the district on XP and Office 2003. Whenever possible, please save as an older version of documents like Word to ensure they can be opened by everyone. If you need assistance with this please contact your TIFs or submit a work order.

Grand Island Central School

District

Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition, without you this newsletter would not be possible!

Infinite Campus – over the summer we upgraded to a new version. Here are some highlights of what’s changed:

The Lesson Planner is going away The Daily Planner will be visually enhanced, more

opportunity, can be a lesson planner Student Groups are enhanced, better organization Ability to copy assignments from different sections or

years Cannot create assignments from the gradebook All assignments will be created from the assignment

tool Assignments can be tied to multiple standards Some different viewing options

*Please note changes to the Gradebook only affect secondary teachers. Remember you can always refer to the Infinite Campus Document Library for reference materials!