ED Schools Technology Update

Server Issues

2010-04-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Last night the Office Server crashed due to a failed hard drive. While it is repairable, and parts are ordered, the system may be down for a day or two.

Services that will be unavailable until repairs are complete include:

STI Office
STI Classroom
STI Classroom Web (online grade book)
STI Home Plus (online parent portal)
Meal Magic (Lunch Program)
Meal Magic Back Office
H:// drive folders/files (office files)

We have been trying to nurse the Office server along since it will not be needed next year. With the move to hosting student management services online, the use of a local server will be a thing of the past.

We should be up and running quickly.

An Alternative to Traditional Interactive Whiteboards?

2010-04-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

On Friday, 04/16, we will be hosting a demonstration of the new Epson BrightLink 450Wi projector. This is a projector that works as an Interactive Whiteboard, without the board.

The demonstration will take place in Karla Powers' classroom (elementary) from 11:00am until 12:30pm. All teachers are invited to view the demonstration and to try it out for themselves. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Over the past year and a half the district has installed interactive whiteboards (Promthean boards & two Smart Boards) with great success. As with any technology, products and processes evolve (albeit quickly) and we need to be aware of alternatives. If you are interested in interactive whiteboards, please stop by and see how the Epson BrightLink might be of use in the classroom.

For a preview, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SK_SlNPVdM. From what I have seen, this is an amazing piece of equipment. The demonstration will reveal if we should pusue or not.

East Dubuque Schools Technology Update

2010-03-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Alot of changes have been taking place over the last few weeks.

We just received 16 (donated) computers from the Substance Abuse Service Center of Dubuque. These are all Windows XP machines that will be used to replace many of the older computers in several of the classrooms.

Another Promethean board was installed at the Junior High. Mr. Beck's science room received the latest addition. That makes a total of 8 Promethean boards and 2 Smart boards used in the district.