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Techno Talk
SW/WC Service Cooperative
Information Technology Department Staff
Administration
Dr. Luther Heller, Director [email protected]
Josh Sumption, Manager of Info. Tech. [email protected]
Denise Hoek, Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Technology/Erate Support
Mike Carter, Tech. Support Specialist [email protected]
Dana Coyle, LAN-PC Specialist [email protected]
Forrest Fosheim, Network Coordinator [email protected]
Darren Fransen, LAN-PC Technician [email protected]
Bill Schaefer, Database Specialist [email protected]
Josh Stukel, Pipestone Tech Coord. [email protected]
Craig Polkow, Springfield Tech. Coord. [email protected]
Tyler Krehbiel, Sleepy Eye Tech. Coord. [email protected]
Travis Rupp, Technical Support Assistant [email protected]
Tom Maxwell, LAN-PC Technician [email protected]
Christine Schmitt, E-Rate Support [email protected]
Student System Support
Barb Raske, MARSS/Student Srvcs. Coord. [email protected]
Wendy Asaker, Student Info. Support Asst. [email protected]
Technology Integration/ONLINE Education Support
Courtney Smith, Tech. Integ. Specialist [email protected]
Melinda Winter, American Sign Lang. Inst. [email protected]
Greetings from the SW/WC Service Cooperative Information Technology Department! This is the first of four newsletters that will be
sent to Technology Contracted Members throughout the year. We hope you find it informational and useful. If you come across articles
or information you think would be great to share—please forward them to us and we’ll be sure to include it in the next edition.
The Technology Department is one of the departments under the Administrative Services Division—our mission statement is as follows:
―The Division of Administrative Services is committed to delivering high quality,
reliable services to our members and partners,
which exceed expectations for responsiveness and expertise.”
We all know the challenges keeping up with technology can bring—this is where we come in—our goal is to assist you through providing
support, assisting with computer purchases, wiring, training, etc—just give us a call.
Office Schedule
The office will be closed on:
Thursday and Friday, November 27th and 28th for Thanksgiving Break.
Volume 2 October 2008 No. 1
INSIDE Techno Talk
Welcome to SW/WC SC Wendy Alsaker!,
Fall Testing Page 2
E-Rate Timelines and Deadlines Page 3
Project Lead The Way at Pipestone Area
Schools Page 4
Project Lead The Way (Cont’d), One Mil-
lionth SMART Board™ Rolls Off Produc-
tion Line
Page 5
One Millionth…(Cont’d), Page 6
Using Moodle in the Classroom, Fall 2008
and Spring 2009 Prof. Development Oppor-
tunities
Page 7
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Prof. Develop-
ment Opportunities (Cont’d) Page 8
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Prof. Develop-
ment Opportunities (Cont’d) Page 9
Website: www.swsc.org/technology
Phone: (507)537-2240
Fax: (507)537-6985
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 2
Fall Testing
School is back in session and before things start to settle down we begin testing students. Not all of them are
electronic tests, but the MAP, MCA-II, GRAD and MTELL tests are all delivered through testing applica-
tions. Generally, of particular concern is NWEA's MAP tests. NWEA's TestTaker application required an up-
date to version 6 this summer. Before you can commence testing, you have to ensure all of the computers you
are using for testing are running the updated version. Macintosh computers can be updated by pushing it to
each computer through Apple Remote Desktop, and if you're using a network install for the PCs, it just has to
be installed over the top of the older version of TestTaker. Also, there was another update to the audio files
for MAP for Primary, so be sure that you have extracted the update to the Audio folder. The TAA has not
changed, so you should be able to download your data the same way it has been done previously (Assuming
the data location has not changed).
TestNav will not be used very heavily if at all this fall, except for some retests. It has not been updated since
April, so you won't need to update this yet. From personal experience, I've found that TestNav works best
when installed on each local machine. This is because when content is downloaded from the proctor caching
server, it is stored in the TestNav installation directory for each TestNav client. If the TestNav installation
directory is a network drive, you are essentially downloading content from the proctor caching machine to the
server where the installation is, then downloading that content to the local machine. By installing it locally,
we take out this bottleneck step. Dealing with the updates are a bit tricky, but rather than re-installing Test-
Nav on each machine, you can set up a batch script to copy it to each machine. Assuming you're a domain
administrator and have windows firewall set up correctly (or off), you can use something similar to this:
copy c:\path\to\testnav \\computer1\c$\path\to\testnav
copy c:\path\to\testnav \\computer2\c$\path\to\testnav
copy c:\path\to\testnav \\computer3\c$\path\to\testnav
On Macs, again, you can just use the copy feature of Apple Remote Desktop to copy one installation to multi-
ple computers.
Welcome to SW/WC SC Wendy Alsaker!
We would like to welcome Wendy Alsaker to the SW/WC Service Coopera-
tive’s Information Technology Staff! Wendy started on October 1 as our new
Student Information Support Technician. Wendy is quickly learning the ins
and outs of the TSIS student information system and will be helping Barb
Raske with support calls. Wendy comes to us from RTR Elementary School
in Ruthton where she worked for two years. Wendy also has previous work
experience in computer application training as well as experience with Cog-
nos, the application that SW/WC supports for our Data Warehouse program.
Welcome to SW/WC SC Wendy!
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 3
E-RATE TIMELINES AND DEADLINES
We are currently working in 3 E-rate Funding Years ~ 2007, 2008, and 2009
Funding Year 2007 (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008)
BEAR FORMS—if you do not have your e-rate discount applied upfront, be sure to complete the
BEAR form either online or by paper—June 30th is the last day of funding year 2007 but you do have until
October 28, 2008 to apply for your E-rate reimbursement.
If you filed them online, have they been approved by the service provider? Have they been paid by USAC?
Has your service provider reimbursed you? If the answer to any of these questions is "no," you have follow-up work to do.
Review the bills from your service provider(s). Remember that you cannot invoice USAC using a BEAR Form until after
you have paid for the services in full.
Funding Year 2008 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009)
USAC continues to release FY2008 Wave Funding Commitment Decision Letters. On the day the FCDLs are mailed, you
can check to see if you have a commitment by using USAC’s Automated Search of Commitments tool.
After you receive your Funding Commitment Decision Letter remember to file your FORM 486. The Form 486 notifies
USAC that your school is receiving, or has received, service in the relevant funding year from the named service provider(s).
In general, Form 486 must be postmarked or received no later than 120 days after the Service Start Date shown on the Form
486 or no later than 120 days after the date of the FCDL, whichever is later, to receive support retroactively to the Service
Start Date. This would be November 1, 2008 for services that started on July 1, 2008.
Certify your form online if you have a PIN After you file a Form 470, Form 471, or Form 486 on paper, USAC will check to see if you already have a Personal Identifi-
cation Number (PIN) associated with the Billed Entity Number (BEN) in Block 1 of that form. If not, USAC will issue you a
PIN that you can use to certify a Form 470, Form 471, Form 486, or Form 472.
If you have a PIN, you can certify your Form 486 online. After you click on the "Submit" button online, choose "Electronic
Certification" and follow the prompts. If you complete the electronic certification successfully, you will not have to file a pa-
per certification. However, it is a good idea to print out a copy of the entire form for your records.
Funding Year 2009 (July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010)
FORM 470
We will begin gathering information to complete this for those schools who signed on to participate in E-rate services for
FY09. This form must be posted at least 28 days before the filing of the Form 471.
FORM 471 WINDOW
This has not been formally announced but the window is generally open from the beginning of November to the beginning of
February.
APPEALS
Received or postmarked no later than 60 days after the date of the SLD decision letter
Be sure to check for updates periodically on the USAC website: http://www.universalservice.org/sl/
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 4
Project Lead The Way at Pipestone Area Schools
Project Lead The Way’s (PLTW) premier high school program, Pathway To Engineering™, is a four-year course of
study integrated into the students’ core curriculum. The combination of traditional math and science courses with
innovative Pathway To Engineering courses prepares students for college majors in engineering and E/T fields and
offers them the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.
Pathway To Engineering™ courses engage high school students through a combination of activities-based, project-
based, and problem-based (APPB) learning. APPB learning not only creates an environment for applying engineer-
ing concepts to real problems, but also prepares students to:
Solve problems
Participate as part of a team
Lead teams
Speak to a public audience
Conduct research
Understand real-world impacts
Analyze data
Learn outside the classroom
Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) is in the process of im-
plementing Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses in
both the Middle School and the High School this
school year (2008-2009). PLTW focuses on Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) integrated into each course offering that PLTW offers. The
course offered in Middle School is called Gateway To Technology, this course has 5 offerings that could be taught in
grades 5-8, they are: Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, Magic of Electrons, Flight and Space, and
Science of Technology. The Middle School curriculum is designed for a year of study but is less rigid than its High
School counterpart; I will utilize parts of the curriculum in the 9 weeks that I have the students.
Introduction to Engineering and Design (IED) is the course that is being implemented this year. Principles of Engi-
neering (POE) will be implemented in 2009-2010. Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) will be implemented in
2010-2011. Digital Electronics (DE) will be implemented in 2011-2012. The Capstone of PLTW, Engineering De-
sign and Development (EDD) will be implemented in 2012-2013. Each of these courses offer rigor and hands on
learning that is focuses on real world expectations and experience. College credit may be obtained through the Uni-
versity of Minnesota as well as many others throughout the United States. This curriculum prepares students for de-
manding two- and four-year college engineering programs.
IED uses a design development process while enriching problem solving skills; students create and analyze mod-
els using specialized computer software. Students also will use a 3D printer.
POE explores technology systems and manufacturing processes; addresses the social and political consequences
of technological change.
CEA introduces students to the interdependent fields of civil engineering and architecture; students learn project
planning, site planning, and building design.
DE teaches applied logic through work with electronic circuitry, which students also construct and test for func-
tionality.
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 5
Project Lead The Way (Cont’d)
EDD is a research course that requires students to formulate the solution to an open-ended engineering question.
With a community mentor and skills gained in their previous courses, students create written reports on their ap-
plications, defend the reports, and submit them to a panel of outside reviewers at the end of the school year.
PAS has taken steps to ensure that our PLTW program is one of the best in the state and maybe the nation. PAS
has the equipment to provide students with the best technology available. The purchase of a Rapid Prototyping
machine (3 Dimensional Printer) ensures that the designs created by the students are feasible, practical, and free
of design defects. A large format printer allows students to see their parts printed on paper larger than the 8 ½ by
11 format. A print as large as 22 by 34 inches which is blue print size will be printed for students. A laser en-
graver is also available for student use.
PAS students have opportunities now that were never before available thanks to the support and vision of our
school board, administrators, and teachers involved in making this program a reality. For that I say Thank You!
Please check out www.pltw.org for more information on this program.
Endless Possibilities High school students involved in PLTW strive to complete a minimum of the three foundation courses, one spe-
cialization course, and the capstone course. The Pathway To Engineering system works in any standard four-year
sequence and prepares students for two- or four-year college studies in engineering and E/T by exposing them to
the true scope of the field. Most courses can earn course credit at accredited colleges and universities.
No matter where students pursue their collegiate training in engineering, Project Lead The Way provides an ex-
cellent foundation for addressing and implementing real solutions to real problems with contemporary technology
and applied logic.
One Millionth SMART Board™ Rolls Off Production Line
SMART hits milestone with world-leading Canadian product
OTTAWA, Ontario --- August 12, 2008 --- SMART Technologies an-
nounces that the one millionth SMART Board interactive whiteboard will
roll off the company’s Ottawa production line today, at approximately 1:00
p.m. SMART is the first interactive whiteboard manufacturer to reach this
significant milestone. Over the past 17 years, SMART has sold approxi-
mately three times as many interactive whiteboards as its closest competitor.
According to firsthalf data for 2008 for the interactive whiteboard product
category, SMART has a 53.3 percent global category share, up from 45.5
percent in the first half of 2007. The information comes from Futuresource,
an industry-leading global research company that has tracked interactive
whiteboard sales for the past eight years. SMART products are assembled in
a state-of-the-art 24,155 square meter (260,000 square foot) facility in Ottawa, Ontario.
For more than 15 years, SMART has continued to develop and refine its SMART Board interactive whiteboard
by improving hardware design and upgrading software. The company has steadily expanded its Ottawa-area op-
erations to meet increasing global demand for its wide range of popular education, training and collaboration
products. In October 2007, the company opened a new, purpose-built facility to provide the flexibility required
for accelerated market expansion. With greater production capacity, SMART predicts it will produce its two mil-
lionth SMART Board interactive whiteboard within the next couple of years. SMART acknowledges the strong
contributions of its staff and suppliers in reaching this notable milestone, particularly as other assembly opera-
tions have moved offshore in large numbers in recent years.
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 6
One Millionth SMART Board™ Rolls Off Production Line (Cont’d
―I’m really not surprised to see that SMART has produced a million SMART Board interactive whiteboards,‖
says Dr. Donald McDonell, former director of the Center for Distance Education at the University of Ottawa.
McDonell was the instigator of a project that contributed to the development of the first SMART Board inter-
active whiteboard, making him SMART’s first Canadian purchaser of the product in 1991. ―I was very enthu-
siastic about the product and could see its use right away. We needed some way of displaying the computer
screen to the students in the classroom and to those who were participating at a distance. Professors who were
concerned about teaching well saw that they now had the ability to display what was on the computer and ma-
nipulate the information effectively, making it easier for all students to grasp the concepts.‖
―Since we first conceptualized the interactive whiteboard, we saw the potential for the product in numerous
teaching, learning and collaboration environments,‖ says David Martin, SMART’s cofounder and executive
chairman. ―It’s rewarding to know that a growing number of customers have come to appreciate the product’s
benefits, and we are very proud to have reached this milestone as a Canadian based company with global
reach.‖
―Adoption of the SMART Board interactive whiteboard reflects our strong commitment to understanding cus-
tomers’ needs,‖ says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s co-founder and CEO. ―We want to thank our customers for
supporting our vision by buying our products and the team of people, both inside and outside the company,
who directly support our customers and provide products and services to SMART.‖
A brief history of the SMART Board interactive whiteboard Twenty-two years ago, SMART’s executive chairman and cofounder, David Martin, conceptualized the
SMART Board interactive whiteboard, and in 1991 the first generation of SMART Board interactive white-
boards was introduced. The award-winning line of SMART Board interactive whiteboards is the most widely
installed in the world because of its unsurpassed product quality, versatility and ease of use. Currently in its
sixth generation, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard line has expanded to include models integrated
with projectors and other tools. SMART’s product development now also focuses on a variety of supporting
hardware, software and content. Today, SMART is recognized worldwide as an innovator of award-winning
hardware and software for customers who meet, teach, train and present.
A brief history of the interactive whiteboard product category SMART sold the world’s first interactive whiteboard to the University of Nevada 17 years ago. The university
saw the product as an ideal tool for its distance education program, and for the same reason, the University of
Ottawa was also an early customer for SMART. Similar to the emergence of most new technologies, it has
taken many years for the interactive whiteboard product category to reach a tipping point. Today, interactive
whiteboards and interactive displays have become standard in K–12 classrooms, higher education environ-
ments and meeting rooms around the world. Futuresource, an industry-leading global research company, fore-
casts continued strong growth for the interactive whiteboard product category, with a 200 percent sales in-
crease over the next five years. For education, that means one in six classrooms globally will have an interac-
tive whiteboard by 2011.
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 7
Using Moodle in the Classroom By Courtney Smith
Moodle is an open source course management system used to facilitate online courses and hybrid
courses. Many teachers are utilizing Moodle in their traditional brick and mortar classrooms to extend learning
beyond the regular school day. Tools such as discussion boards, chats, video conferencing, and online assign-
ments are easily created within Moodle along with online tests and quizzes enhance the traditional classroom
experience. Classroom-parent communication is improved as parents can access their student’s assignments,
announcements and grades 24/7. There are no external programs or software you need to install in order to use
Moodle because it is completely web-based. Moodle is also very inexpensive to schools. Teachers can use
Moodle within their classroom for only $0.75 per student per semester making it a very affordable option for
schools. For more information on Moodle or to register for an upcoming Moodle training, please go to our
website at www.swsc.org .
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Professional Development Opportunities
To register for any of the classes listed below, go to www.swsc.org, workshops, regis-ter online.
SMART Board Level 1 Training (Notebook Version 10) – I have a SMART Board, now what?
Level 1 SMART Board Training introduces new users to their SMART Board and how to get the most
out of your board. In this session you will learn how to get started with your new board, Ink Aware
tools, how to use Notebook software, objects in Notebook software, how to design interactive lesson
activities, lesson design and additional resources available to you online. Cost - $100.00
SMART Board Level 2 Training (Notebook Version 10) - Once you have mastered the skills taught
in level 1 training, you will want to consider moving onto the level 2 training. In this session you will
learn best practices and tools, review of Notebook software, structuring and organizing lessons, adding
style to lessons, building interactive lesson activities, integrating rich-media into lesson activities, les-
son development in Notebook software, delivering lessons and leveraging interactive tools, presenta-
tion tips, the value of assessment, Notebook and the Senteo interactive response system and additional
online resources that are available to you. Cost: $100.00
November 11 ....... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm March 18……...8:30 am – 3:00 pm January 23……...... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm April 16………...8:30 am – 3:00 pm February 17 ......... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
October 8 ............ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
November 3…. ..... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
November 18…. ... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
December 3 ......... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
December 17 ....... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
January 14 ........... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
January 28 ........... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
February 10 ......... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
February 23. ........ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
March 13 ............. 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
March 25 ............. 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
April 8. ................ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
April 22 ................ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
May 13 ................ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 8
.
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Professional Development Opportunities (Cont’d)
Senteo Training – Actively engage students in the classroom with continuous feedback
and assessment using the Senteo classroom response system. In this session you will
learn how to set-up and utilize your Senteo in your classroom. Cost: $75.00
December 18 ........ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm January 15…….9:00 am – 12:00 pm
————————————————————————————————————————- Digital Storytelling- Transform storytelling with the use of technology. Using today’s technology tools
teachers and students alike can bring text to life through digital storytelling. Whether you want to have a
student narrate a Thanksgiving story or you want to have students create a story about mammals, digital
storytelling is the answer. Cost: $125.00
November 14 ....... 8:30 pm – 3:00 pm
———————————————————————————————————————— Podcasting- This is a PC based session on podcasting centering
around the Tool Factory Podcasting software. In this session you
will learn how to create a podcast and publish it for others to view.
Key concepts include RSS feeds, finding and subscribing to pod-
casts, using digital audio recorders and using your cell phone to cre-
ate podcasts. In this session you will also receive a digital audio
recorder to take home with you. Cost: $200.00
November 12 ....... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm March 9…………...8:30 am – 3:00 pm February 11……...8:30 am – 3:00 pm April 20…………….8:30 am – 3:00 pm ________________________________________________________________________ Moodle 101- Moodle 101 is an introductory course in using the online course management system
Moodle. This three-day training is a hands-on learning environment where teachers learn online learning
best practices and how to create course content in Moodle. During this training, you will have a course
set-up for you on our Moodle server and begin creating course content. Cost: $200.00
November 6, 7 and December 4 ........ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm January 20, 21 and February 18 ........ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm March 10, 11 and April 7 ................... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm ________________________________________________________________________ Advanced Moodle- The advanced Moodle training session is taught online during a two week pe-
riod. Topics addressed include iPodcast, Geogebra, JMol, NetLogo, Stamp Collection, Audio Re-
corder, Questionnaire, Free Mind, Books Module, Dim Dim Web Conference Tool, Wikipedia filter,
Wiki's, Lessons, Workshops, SCORM Packages, and SoftChalk Lesson Builder. This course will
take approximately 15 hours to complete. Cost: $200.00
January 5 – January 16
SW/WC Service Cooperative: Techno Talk
October~ 2008 ~ Page 9
SW/WC Service Cooperative 1420 East College Drive
Marshall, MN 56258 507.537.2240
Fax 507.537.6985 Montevideo Service Center 306 North First Street Montevideo, MN 56265 320.269.9243 Fax 320.269.7132
Pipestone Service Center PO Box 69, 713 6th St. SE
Pipestone, MN 56164 507.825.5858
Fax 507.825.4035
Willmar Service Center 611 Southwest 5th Street Willmar, MN 56201 320.231.5184 Fax 320.231.5302
Windom Service Center N. Highway 71, PO Box 265
Windom, MN 56101-0265 507.831.2936
Fax 507.831.2938
www.swsc.org
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Professional Development Opportunities (Cont’d)
Beginners Guide to PowerPoint 2007 for Education- This session is designed for educators who are new to
PowerPoint and/or need to learn the very basics. Upon completion of this session, you will be able to create a
PowerPoint presentation, add text, add images, edit text, format slides, add tables and charts and have a com-
pleted presentation. Cost: $125.00
November 4………….8:30 am – 3:00 pm February 20………..8:30 am – 3:00 pm December 30 ........ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm May 6………………… 8:30 am – 3:00 pm _______________________________________________________________________ Advanced PowerPoint 2007 for Education- This session is recommended for individuals who have a basic
understanding of PowerPoint. We will take a look at the new set-up of PowerPoint 2007 and upon completion
of this session you will be able to customize a design template, add diagrams, movies, music, animations, spe-
cial effects and much more to create dynamic, powerful presentations. Cost: $125.00
November 10 ....... 8:30 am – 3:00 pm April 15……………...8:30 am – 3:00 pm January 26………….8:30 am – 3:00 pm
For more information, please contact Courtney Smith at 507/537-2259 or email at [email protected]
Upcoming Technology Coordinator Workshops: October 31st, December 2nd, January 27th, and March 24th. The Technology Conference has been scheduled for February 25th. Mark
your calendars and watch for more details as the dates get closer.
