EWG's Technology for Instruction Journey
Friday, March 18, 2016
Broken Print Preview
Some incompatibility between recently updated versions of Chrome and MacBooks with the old Mavericks operating system are causing print preview to show a black or blank screen. If print preview is broken on your MacBook, you may be interested in the short video below. The fix highlighted therein has restored print preview for many EWG MacBook users.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Early Morning Metcalf Tech PD
What does early morning Tech PD look like at Metcalf? Watch the video below.
Stop motion video could be a great way to show parents what indoor recess or a group project looks like in your classroom. All you need is an iPhone, iPad, or any Android device and an object to prop your phone against. Are your students working on a hands on project? Capture it using the time lapse feature and show it off to your students and their parents.
Update, 3/3.
Okay, it is a boring video that doesn't show much movement. Select a livelier subject than three teachers sedately poking their laptops. You'll have fun. Your kids will like it, and parents will appreciate the glimpse into their child's classroom.
50 minutes of PD in 30 seconds!
Stop motion video could be a great way to show parents what indoor recess or a group project looks like in your classroom. All you need is an iPhone, iPad, or any Android device and an object to prop your phone against. Are your students working on a hands on project? Capture it using the time lapse feature and show it off to your students and their parents.
Update, 3/3.
Okay, it is a boring video that doesn't show much movement. Select a livelier subject than three teachers sedately poking their laptops. You'll have fun. Your kids will like it, and parents will appreciate the glimpse into their child's classroom.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Contacting IT
"How do I contact IT?" is a question I am frequently asked. EWG's IT department recently deployed a new help desk and trouble ticket system called Zendesk. Recently, I discovered a feature of Zendesk that makes submitting a trouble ticket super easy. Simply send an email to help@ewg.k12.ri.us. Include a descriptive subject and concise message. Sending email to help@ewg.k12.ri.us ensures it will be seen by Jeff, Chris, and Max, and your request will enter Zendesk's queue. Conveniently, the entire trouble ticket conversation can take place through your email, not in a system whose name and address you've forgotten. Additionally, if you CC people when you send the email - perhaps a colleague for whom the tech issue is also relevant - Zendesk will automatically include them in the IT ticket conversation.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
New Appreciation For Cloud Printing
When Google introduced cloud printing for Chrome OS in 2010, I loudly scoffed at the idea asking, "Why send a document all the way to Google so it can be printed to a local printer?" The entire process seemed ludicrous.
Since the 'early days' of cloud printing and my initial disdain, I've watched it seamlessly fill some important roles. As a matter of convenience, a few teachers shared personal printers with students for critical projects, obviating a long trek to a library or other distant network printer. And, EWG's Tech Crew enabled cloud printing on the district's Sharp copiers so any authorized user can print from any device. That bears repeating; anybody that has rights to the school's printers can print from any device. To print from a Chromebook, iPad, iPhone, Android, or Windows machine and enjoy real platform neutral printing is pretty remarkable.
What really changed my perception of cloud printing, though, was the request to network a label printer. It turns out that several people in the administration building print a number of 'one off' labels for a variety of mailings and other labeling chores. They had been told that the label printer could not be networked, and they lacked the basic ability to share a printer through their managed desktops, so they physically moved the label maker from computer to computer to print. The absurdity of disconnecting, relocating, and reconnecting a printer just to print a single label grew old quickly. In what must have been an office space moment of desperation, the people using the label printer reached out, and also threw me the 'can't be done' challenge. I really like can't be done challenges.
In short order, the printer was networked, shared, the users were smiling and labeling, and I gave a rejuvenated nod to Google's cloud printing service. Sharing a printer through cloud print is easier and more useful than I ever imagined. Let me know if networking your oddball/legacy/spare printer is something you need to do. I would be happy to help.
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| Label printer networked via Cloud Print |
Since the 'early days' of cloud printing and my initial disdain, I've watched it seamlessly fill some important roles. As a matter of convenience, a few teachers shared personal printers with students for critical projects, obviating a long trek to a library or other distant network printer. And, EWG's Tech Crew enabled cloud printing on the district's Sharp copiers so any authorized user can print from any device. That bears repeating; anybody that has rights to the school's printers can print from any device. To print from a Chromebook, iPad, iPhone, Android, or Windows machine and enjoy real platform neutral printing is pretty remarkable.
What really changed my perception of cloud printing, though, was the request to network a label printer. It turns out that several people in the administration building print a number of 'one off' labels for a variety of mailings and other labeling chores. They had been told that the label printer could not be networked, and they lacked the basic ability to share a printer through their managed desktops, so they physically moved the label maker from computer to computer to print. The absurdity of disconnecting, relocating, and reconnecting a printer just to print a single label grew old quickly. In what must have been an office space moment of desperation, the people using the label printer reached out, and also threw me the 'can't be done' challenge. I really like can't be done challenges.
In short order, the printer was networked, shared, the users were smiling and labeling, and I gave a rejuvenated nod to Google's cloud printing service. Sharing a printer through cloud print is easier and more useful than I ever imagined. Let me know if networking your oddball/legacy/spare printer is something you need to do. I would be happy to help.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Locating the RTI Metcalf folder
There has been some confusion about how to find the RTI Metcalf folder. I hope this video can help bring some clarity. If it doesn't, feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to help you find the RTI Metcalf folder.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Aspen Documentation and Support Videos
| Aspen Help Video Tutorial Page |
Friday, January 22, 2016
Cloud Vs. Flash Vs. Other
A few weeks ago, several colleagues imbued with an abundance of cloud storage skepticism grilled me about cloud storage. It was clear from the start that they did not (knowingly) use cloud storage, and wanted to steer clear of anything cloud related. Later, I thought it important to share a summary of our conversation. Here it is.
What is the cloud?
The cloud has long been a colloquial term for a bunch of computers and servers connected by equipment and software to store, process, and transmit information. When nerds refer to 'the cloud', they do so because lumping all that 'stuff' into a single term is convenient. Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Dropbox, Apple and a bunch of other companies provide a variety of cloud storage and related services.
Why should I save my files in the cloud?
Several good reasons come to mind. The convenience of being able to access your files from any device and any location with a network connection is powerful. Sharing your files with others is also a good reason to use cloud storage. Say goodbye to tacky email attachments forever; share via cloud storage. With cloud storage, backups happen automatically. Most companies provide an uptime guarantee and store data in multiple, geographically disparate locations to protect your data against fire, bombs, or natural disasters. Jeff B., our district's IT Director reports that in the event that you trash a Google Drive file and then empty your trash can the school's IT department can recover those trashed files for about thirty days after you empty your trash. Trashed file recovery is a nice security blanket.
Is storing files in the cloud safe or secure?
First, if the NSA, a persistent hacker in Connecticut, or a nation-state backed group wants any of your data -- stuff on your iPad, iPhone, Windows desktop, MacBook -- chances are high they already own it. But relax. As an individual, you're not an attractive target. Further, we need to get over the notion that our flawed home routers, venetian blinds, and deadbolts can do a better job of securing our data than corporations who have the talent and ability to build and deploy fortress like solutions. Cloud storage providers have elaborate security policies for physical site access, and they also have the brightest geeks on the planet securing logical access to your stuff. Combined with two factor authentication and strong passwords, your encrypted cloud data is pretty tough to steal.
But I like my flash drive.
I am not sure if the washer or dryer causes the most damage. Flash drives do not reliably tolerate laundry cycles, though. And, they fall out of pockets, are susceptible to static shock, mechanical failure, theft, loss, and ingestion by your curious Newfoundland puppy. Flash drives can be an okay storage and backup solution, but don't count on them for primary, working storage. Some of our colleagues have already been burned by flash drive failure and loss. Don't be the next multi-year data loser. Every flash drive will, at some point, break. Back yours up (to the cloud) before the drive fails.
But what about the documents and desktop folders on my MacBook?
Great! Are you backing the documents and desktop folders up on a regular and frequent basis? See the flash drive rant above. If your MacBook breaks and all its smoke escapes, and you don't have a backup, you lost your data.
I'm still not convinced. Has anyone ever seen one of these cloud things?
Well, sure. The data centers really exist. Here are a couple of videos that summarize what cloud storage buildings and equipment look like. EWG is primarily using Google's cloud storage, so the included videos are of Google data centers, but the representations made in the videos are typical of the data centers of other service providers.
If you would like to have a conversation about cloud storage, how you might get iCloud, Google Drive, One Drive, or Dropbox to play nicely together, or if you would like to double check your storage practices with a goal of preventing data loss, let me know. I'd be happy to work with you.
 |
| Typical Data Center Image: Wikieditor234 |
What is the cloud?
The cloud has long been a colloquial term for a bunch of computers and servers connected by equipment and software to store, process, and transmit information. When nerds refer to 'the cloud', they do so because lumping all that 'stuff' into a single term is convenient. Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Dropbox, Apple and a bunch of other companies provide a variety of cloud storage and related services.
Why should I save my files in the cloud?
Several good reasons come to mind. The convenience of being able to access your files from any device and any location with a network connection is powerful. Sharing your files with others is also a good reason to use cloud storage. Say goodbye to tacky email attachments forever; share via cloud storage. With cloud storage, backups happen automatically. Most companies provide an uptime guarantee and store data in multiple, geographically disparate locations to protect your data against fire, bombs, or natural disasters. Jeff B., our district's IT Director reports that in the event that you trash a Google Drive file and then empty your trash can the school's IT department can recover those trashed files for about thirty days after you empty your trash. Trashed file recovery is a nice security blanket.
Is storing files in the cloud safe or secure?
First, if the NSA, a persistent hacker in Connecticut, or a nation-state backed group wants any of your data -- stuff on your iPad, iPhone, Windows desktop, MacBook -- chances are high they already own it. But relax. As an individual, you're not an attractive target. Further, we need to get over the notion that our flawed home routers, venetian blinds, and deadbolts can do a better job of securing our data than corporations who have the talent and ability to build and deploy fortress like solutions. Cloud storage providers have elaborate security policies for physical site access, and they also have the brightest geeks on the planet securing logical access to your stuff. Combined with two factor authentication and strong passwords, your encrypted cloud data is pretty tough to steal.
But I like my flash drive.
I am not sure if the washer or dryer causes the most damage. Flash drives do not reliably tolerate laundry cycles, though. And, they fall out of pockets, are susceptible to static shock, mechanical failure, theft, loss, and ingestion by your curious Newfoundland puppy. Flash drives can be an okay storage and backup solution, but don't count on them for primary, working storage. Some of our colleagues have already been burned by flash drive failure and loss. Don't be the next multi-year data loser. Every flash drive will, at some point, break. Back yours up (to the cloud) before the drive fails.
But what about the documents and desktop folders on my MacBook?
Great! Are you backing the documents and desktop folders up on a regular and frequent basis? See the flash drive rant above. If your MacBook breaks and all its smoke escapes, and you don't have a backup, you lost your data.
I'm still not convinced. Has anyone ever seen one of these cloud things?
Well, sure. The data centers really exist. Here are a couple of videos that summarize what cloud storage buildings and equipment look like. EWG is primarily using Google's cloud storage, so the included videos are of Google data centers, but the representations made in the videos are typical of the data centers of other service providers.
If you would like to have a conversation about cloud storage, how you might get iCloud, Google Drive, One Drive, or Dropbox to play nicely together, or if you would like to double check your storage practices with a goal of preventing data loss, let me know. I'd be happy to work with you.
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