TEC-SIG Meeting Notes - May 11th and 12th, 2006

Categories: AudioBlog, MGuhlin.net, Texas
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TEC-SIG Member? You may want to read this FIRST before proceeding.

Day 1 and 2 events are described here. Please note that these blog entries, photos and audio were collected at the TEC-SIG meeting for my edification and sharing of information with as wide an audience as possible. They do NOT represent the official views of TCEA and/or TEC-SIG organization. All audio interviews were gathered after permission was sought first from them.

DAY 2 - May 12th, 2006

Anita Givens' Presentation and My Notes : This includes audio recordings of Anita's presentations.

(Left to right: Tim Miller, Anita Givens)

DAY 1 - May 11th, 2006

This is a quick listing of the TCEA TEC-SIG Meeting Notes and content. The meeting--with 64 participants--featured a keynote presentation and a variety of sponsor presentations. Sponsors include (in alpha order):

Classlink
Classroom Connect
Dell Computer
PC-PAL Solutions

As always, TEC-SIG Meeting participants were smiling!

Below are some of the presentations and podcasts:

Topic: Disaster Recovery

Sheryl Abshire's Presentation, Audio and an Introduction by Jean Haverstick (Classroom Connect)
Dell Computer

Topic: Officer Elections and Making It Happen Award

View Photos

Listen to..
--Jim Hindes
--Randal Douglas

Topic: PC-PAL Solutions Podcast

Left to Right: PC-PALs Harold Mena, Floresville's Melissa Ramos, PC-PALs Mike Griffin, Miguel Guhlin

--Listen to Podcast

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Categories: AudioBlog, MGuhlin.net, Texas

Writing and Editing Bylaws Using WikiSpaces

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In yet another desperate procrastination effort prior to doing more work on my dissertation, I've revised the bylaws for two organizations--TECSIG and the Strategic Open Source Special Interest Group or SOS-SIG. I also threw them up online at Wikispaces.com and really got a nice feel for that free, web-based resource.

Here's the graphic Mark Cockrell (HoneyGrove ISD) designed to represent the group...I think it's great!

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Categories: MGuhlin.net, OpenLearning, Texas

Government Technology Conference (GTC)

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Government Tech Conference - Posted 02/04/05

On Thursday, Feb.3rd, Dr. Alice Owen (Executive Director, Irving ISD) and I had the opportunity to present on the topic of Online Professional Development. You can view an outline of the presentation online. In delivering this presentation, the audience seemed particularly interested in tools one can use to deliver online professional development. As such, a different way to organize the presentation came to mind. I'll share that soon.

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Solving Problems with Open Source Solutions

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"Each problem that I solved," wrote Rene Descartes, "became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." Finding and adapting solutions to specific problems is an exciting job. In educational technology, this is particularly true since we have access to so many solutions that can be adapted for use in educational settings. While I have always appreciated the value of free, easily adaptable solutions, one of my team members, Greg Rodriguez (grodriguez2@satx.rr.com), helped me appreciate it even more on a district-wide scale. Imagine the power of Blackboard or WebCT at your fingertips, but at no cost. Imagine a content management system that enables district level staff--and campus, too--to share documents securely through passworded levels of access, as well as update them without knowing how to create web pages. Imagine online helpdesks, frequently asked question (FAQ) repositories, and more--all management systems available to you and your District at no charge.
>
>What motivated Greg had been exactly what spurs others seeking out open-source solutions--powerful solutions that can be readily implemented without expensive licensing. Solutions this straightforward are ones that you can setup in your district--just like we have in our district. Once you begin to solve real life problems using open source solutions, I am sure that you will, like Rene Descartes, be able to solve future problems you may encounter. Four open source solutions are presented in this article along with tips on where you can find others.

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SUSE 9.1 Personal Works!

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In a last ditch effort to find a compatible Linux distribution that was not Red Hat that worked with a Dell flat panel monitor--E153FP--I installed SUSE 9.1 Personal.

>

In a last ditch effort to find a compatible Linux distribution that was not Red Hat that worked with a Dell flat panel monitor--E153FP--I installed SUSE 9.1 Personal. Surprisingly, it worked. It gave me the same KDE Desktop I've come to appreciate with many popular applications. Adding software is not as obvious to me at this point--which is still irritating--since SUSE uses something called YAST to load software. I'm more familiar with the Debian "apt-get" and graphical program. YAST, apt-get, Synaptic all facilitate the software installation process and make it easier to add software packages to your Linux installation.<p>
>However, the SUSE installation on the desktop was easier to accomplish although the video drivers didn't work until the desktop started up in KDE (graphical user interface; see what it looks like). I then had to switch the monitor to something else; I reprobed for the monitor and it found something that worked. After enabling 3D and Virtual Monitor, it worked very well. Of course, I'm now able to download RPM (yet another way for one to add software packages to their Linux installation) files and install them easily. I did this with what has become my favorite FTP program on the Linux side, KBear and will need to do this with some of my other favorite software applications.<p>
>
>Some other helpful links:
>
> * SUSE Forum on additional sources of software
> * Linux A Beginner's Guide

>

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Categories: OpenLearning

SETDA Stuff

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The US Department of Education has asked SETDA to provide examples of innovative projects and programs from across the states that can be shared on the NETP Website. This is a great opportunity to highlight examples of great ed tech programs happening in your state and districts.

Over the Winter Break, TCEA TECSIG list members received the following request:

We just received word from Susan Patrick and Tim Magner at the U.S. Department of Education that Secretary Paige will officially launch the National Education Technology Plan at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7th in the Barnard Auditorium at the US Department of Education. The Department has asked SETDA to provide examples of innovative projects and programs from across the states that can be shared on the NETP Website. This is a great opportunity to highlight examples of great ed tech programs happening in your state and districts.

I encourage every state to send in one or more examples. The Department has provided the attached draft copy of the submission template that they are planning to use. While the final template may still see some tweaks, we wanted to get this out to you immediately so that you could begin collecting the examples and the detailed information they are requesting and get them back to SETDA NO LATER than January 3. Please send them to Tera Daniels at tdaniels@setda.org.

So, some of my time has been spent putting some of these examples together. Here are a select few that were submitted in MS Word (.doc) format:

1. Technology Assessment Literacy Institute (TALI)
2. K-12 Handheld Assessment
3. Technology Competency Certification Plan (TCCP) - thanks to Lacey Gosch for helping out on this one! -

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Open Source Content Management Systems

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In previous articles, I've shared the benefits of free software. The free software quest eventually forces one to look directly at Linux-based systems, as well as open-source solution for use in K-12 settings. While I do not advocate a 100% switch to Linux Operating System in all situations (e.g. office staff that must access ESC0-20's PEIMS system), I do see its use in many classrooms and computer labs.

>

In previous articles, I've shared the benefits of free software. The free software quest eventually forces one to look directly at Linux-based systems, as well as open-source solution for use in K-12 settings. While I do not advocate a 100% switch to Linux Operating System in all situations (e.g. office staff that must access ESC0-20's PEIMS system), I do see its use in many classrooms and computer labs. I was recently asked about a particular solution--not open source although based on open source--for use in K-12 schools. Here's is my response:
>
>About two months ago, some of us in had an eye-opening experience. As you
>know, we'd been working on the Internet Drivers' Permit. Two of my team had
>been looking for open source quiz solutions and evaluated quite a few of them.
>Then, one day, a vendor showed us a new solution they had been working on and
>wanted to sell to Districts. As my team listened to the presentation, they
>became aware that it was the same solution that they had rejected earlier (free
>because it is open source) because it was not developed for our specific
>purposes. At that point, my team customized an alternate solution. Had we been
>caught earlier in the game, the Company might have made a sale.
>
>Open Source solutions--like the ones upon which SchoolFusion is based--are
>freely available on the Internet. Some entrepreneurs are taking existing open
>source solutions, repackaging them, and then selling them to school districts
>and businesses (Source: http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/5157089.html).
>If an Instructional Technology team can put up a content management system
>(http://lms.saisd.net/dms), then certainly a school district can. It only requires a
>carefully thought-out implementation plan and necessary resources.
>
>
>Furthermore, some districts lack the level of access required to fully realize the benefit of a
>content management system. Such districts would spend $50K minimum to get in the game
>but then not be able to get its users to get on the system due to bandwidth,
>lack of access, and adequate training.
>
>Another point to consider--The cost of $150,000 for 2 staff members and
>hardware isn't outrageous. What would be outrageous is the recurring cost of a
>content management system. I do not recommend investing in content management systems at cost or any similar company. Of course, it may be easier to invest in a service than create two new staff positions and hardware.
>
>
>Open Source in Schools - http://edge-op.org/grouch/schools.html
>
>Some additional open source solutions/articles to consider:
>SchoolForge - http://schoolforge.net/software.php
>OpenAdmin - http://richtech.ca/openadmin/
>K-12 Project - http://k12linux.org/contents.html
>
>BACKGROUND AND SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK
>Content Management Systems have built-in calendar, classroom web pages, gradebook pieces.
>What some may be looking for is an integrated solution. A content management
>system offers some of that. Some questions to ask (not an exhaustive list):
>
>Does it have a single login?
>
>How well does it connect to other online database systems the District is using?
>
>How is user management handled? Is it an automated system or a single import
>from PEIMS?
>
>How are web pages maintained over time by teachers? What happens when the
>teacher leaves or moves from one campus to another? Does the web site travel
>with them? What's the process for that?
>
>Is it a per user license? Is charge calculated by student or
>teacher?
>
>Would the District want to use this with Departments as well as campuses?
>
>Will the Gradebook portion meet Texas Attendance Accounting standards?
>
>Should we really spend money on this project when Content Management Systems
>are already available at no charge? The cost for this project implementation is
>in user management and training...and it is a hidden cost.
>
>Does it have an electronic bulletin board (e.g. online learning environment)
>and how easy is that to integrate into this solution?
>
>How will this interface, if at all, with a Learning Management System (LMS)
>to manage professional learning in the district?
>
>How many levels of approval are needed for calendar posting? Is that
>workflow type in environment supported?
>
>How much "customization" will be needed to make this solution work for
>the District?
>
>How is file management handled? Can an administrator restrict how much
>space a user has for putting files on the server as part of their web page?

>

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Crossing the Divide: Digital Videos that Engage, Not Supplement

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District Instructional Technologist Jim Baldoni knows that multimedia can hook students in ways that books and simple stories cannot. "It's the power of video in teachers' hands," he shares, "of being able to go to the video segment that you need, when you need it." For a campus instructional coordinator at the campus level reflecting on teachers' use, it's all about "tailoring video to instruction more effectively." But, these two large San Antonio, Texas school district professionals aren't referring to videotape. Rather, they are referring to digital video delivered via the District's new digital video distribution system, AIMS Digital Curriculum. Yet, while there are clear benefits, there are also chasms to be crossed and bridges to be built during implementation. It's all a question of crossing the digital divide, recognizing the diversity in teacher attitudes.

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Download a la Mode: Over 50 Free Software Tools to Make Computing Easier

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"So, what new software," I ask myself some late evenings, "is available out there for free?" Over the last few months of research, over 51 software programs have jumped out at me, 92% are free (or, if you prefer, 95% of Windows programs mentioned here are free, as opposed to 75% free Mac programs). On the Windows side, you could get by with free tools and not purchase a single program. On the Mac, purchase depends on what your needs are, and, Macs come with many free software tools already (e.g. iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie). Also, you won't need all 51 or more software programs depending on your platform, needs, or choices. You have a few choices to pick from!
>
>If you don't mind, come along with me and we'll take a quick look at some of the free software out on the Internet. Many are freeware programs that are fully functional programs that the author or company allows anyone to use without asking for ANY payment for it. A few are "try before you buy" shareware.

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Categories: Download a la Mode, OpenLearning

Staying in Touch: "How To" with Bulk Emailers

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This article is focused on exactly how to mass email your colleagues. You need to know how to do this, and what tools are available to get the job done for a simple reasonâÃÃ®as a technology director, staff development coordinator, or anyone who has to routinely mass email work colleagues, itâÃÃ´s important that you get the information out.

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Change: Learning PHP/MySQL

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Resources on MySQL/PHP have been compiled into an article available below:
>
>Facilitating Access to Campus Technology Data: Read a story of how a large school district used PHP/MySQL and Dreamweaver to build a Campus Technology Data Center.

>

Resources on MySQL/PHP have been compiled into an article available below:
>
>Facilitating Access to Campus Technology Data : Read a story of how a large school district used PHP/MySQL and Dreamweaver to build a Campus Technology Data Center.

>

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Categories: OpenLearning

Five Actions to Big6 Enhanced Professional Development

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“Most professional development is so boring,” shared an administrator. “When I wake up in the morning, I jump out of bed and I can’t wait to get to work. I love solving problems, wrestling with the issues. But, if I have to attend a principals meeting, go to professional development session at Central Office, I can barely drag myself up out of bed and I tap the snooze button at least twice before getting up.”

If you have worked in K-12 education, then you have been subjected to this type of energy-sapping professional development. During a workshop, Jennifer Green, a middle school principal, confesses, “I can’t wait for my mobile phone to ring. And, if they don’t call me, I call them as I walk out pretending that I’ve received an all-important rescue-us 911 call from my campus.” At the end of the workshop session, teachers and administrators stagger out the door. Even technology facilitators are finding that, as familiarity with technology grows, it is not enough — if it ever was — to put administrators on the computer to produce some multimedia product.

Tips about Apple's Mail.app

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As a technology director, I seldom have time to explore web sites, actually sit and trouble-shoot issues that arise related to computers. So, it was with pleasure that I began working on really understanding the Titanium Powerbook. Before investing in Eudora or some other email program, I decided to check out Apple's Mail.app.

As a technology director, I seldom have time to explore web sites, actually sit and trouble-shoot issues that arise related to computers. So, it was with pleasure that I began working on really understanding the Titanium Powerbook. Before investing in Eudora or some other email program, I decided to check out Apple's Mail.app.

Apple Computer's Mail.app offers a lot in terms of email. Significantly, it's ability to import email from a variety of sources (e.g. Eudora, Entourage, etc) make it very friendly. Another neat feature includes its ability to filter out junk mail. Other email programs require payment of shareware fee to accomplish this, but not Mail.app. Unfortunately, Mail.app also has a few problems, but they can be overcome with patience and a willingness to use Applescripts. Several Applescripts--all available at VersionTracker.com--that are required when using the Mail.app include the following:

-Mail.app Conduit 0.5.0: Apple Mail Conduit allows you transfer email messages between the Apple Mail.app and the Palm PDA. By selecting mailbox(es) within the Mail.app, you can specify the Conduit's settings to Add the PDA's/Mac's messages. Supports Palm mail programs "Mail" , "Mark/Space Mail","VersaMail2.0" and "Clie Mail".

- Mail Enhancer: Has the following features: a) Show activity viewer when doing a manual mail check; b) Display a status dialog after doing a manual mail check; c) Dock icon count shows all unread instead of just inbox unread; and, d)Automatically update signature to match sending address

-MailScripts: A must-download, this provide a wealth of features to Mail.app.

-MailPriorities: Mail.app lacks built-in priority mail, but this script adds it in.

and an unrelated but very useful tip for POP3 Emailers behind a district firewall. You can use Postfix on Apple's OS X Panther to set up your own SMTP server. This is the server that sends email. If blocked behind a firewall, you usually can't send mail but you can receive it. By setting up PostFix, you're able to send mail from behind the firewall! You can find the original info online at http://www.reitter-it-media.de/software/osxpostfix.html#panther

Of course, woudln't you know it, someone has figured out an easier way to setup PostFix. Instead, use this handy utility called Postfix Enabler.

A long time ago, I started using Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). Unfortunately, no one I knew actually used PGP. What a disappointment. Here I was set to transfer encrypted emails about education-related topics, and no one wanted to...except maybe Wesley Fryer. However, in putting Mail.App through it's paces, I thought I'd see what level of integration was available. I read the article in USA Today and found out about two possible sources for PGP:

-PGP Corporation: Commercial Version with its freeware crippled version. Tried this but it lacked the functionality in the freeware version I needed. Essentially, be able to encrypt/decrypt email. I did like the Wipe File function, but other programs can do that. This program only lasted a few hours before I decided to move on to the more bewildering MacGPG.

-MacGPG. This really seemed the way to go but the way the information is organized on the web site was confusing. I went through the process and spent 10 extra minutes before I realized the utilities--download all of them--had actually done the job for me. Of course, I already had existing keys and didn't have to go through the generation process. Now that I have it setup--about 30 minutes in setup--I've decided that this is the tool to use for Apple's Mail.app.

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