May 2013 Staff Technology Updates & Reminders tinyurl/tech-sbusd

1. May 2013 Staff Technology Updates & Remindershttp://tinyurl.com/tech-sbusd

2. May 2013 Staff Technology Updates & Remindershttp://tinyurl.com/tech-sbusd • Changes to District’s Internet Filtering system – “Warning page” for staff / blocked for students • Technology Support website and “Tech Practices Committee” (with staff feedback) • Work Orders in Opra for all technical issues (NOTICE: Submit work orders BEFORE you leave for summer break (Prop X work will take a toll on responsiveness in late July/early Aug) • Video/film use in SBUSD Schools – Must be directly related to learning objectives • Technical Reminders: • Beware of suspicious emails and websites (viruses, ‘malware’) • Conserve network bandwidth when possible • Projectors – Turn off when not in immediate use • Power – Conservation settings on all computers • Printers – Use printers for ‘masters,’ copiers for duplicates; Use duplex (front-back setting) for print jobs where possible • Laptops – Student & Staff laptops should NEVER be held by the screen

3. Always Blocked for all Users: Adult-themed, bandwidth intensive, and illegal sites (extreme sites) still blocked completely for all users. Internet Website Filter Upgrade: Access will now differentiate between staff and student users (Works on your District computer based on your standard 'staff member' computer login)

4. Many more content websites (such as YouTube) now available to staff by clicking the Continue button (or click Cancel to stay within higher filtering levels) on a "Warning" webpage: Warns students to click Cancel and reminds teachers to exercise caution if proceeding with the Continue button (particularly if students can view the screen)

6. Want a webpage opened to student access?Website “whitelist requests' to open up access to a website (for students and staff) should be sent to the Ed Leadership dept for review and recommendation to the Tech Dept.

7. Important: Never allow a student without direct and constant supervision on any computer logged onto by a staff member 

8. District "Technology Support" Website: Check for current updates, existing policies, & help resources  (http://tinyurl.com/tech-sbusd)

9. "Technology Practices Committee": Ongoing steering committee to refine SBUSD's technology implementation practices, includingimproving responsiveness and tech reliability A feedback form is posted on the Tech Dept website for recommending practices or focus areas for "TPC" consideration.

10. Technology help & technical support requests: SUMMER NOTICE: A) Technical support availability from July 18 - Aug. 9 will be extremely limited due to a summer modernization schedule of THREE campuses (PE, SS, NI). Review all of your classroom technology needs and submit an OPRA work request BEFORE leaving on summer break (and we recommend checking classroom technology readiness again by July 8).B) All staff are responsible for backing up any data or work on your assigned computer - Use either the U: drive while on the District network (for up to 5GB of data) or a flash drive or other device to back up your essential files. Better safe than sorry!

11. Please submit an Opra work order for any technical need….Always submit anOPRA request to initiate support, please! • OPRA link under "For Staff" website (username is two-letter school abbreviation, password is school abbreviation+4 digit #; see your Admin Secretary if forgotten) • There are no assigned technicians per site anymore - contact should always be through OPRA for Tech Team response

12. Note: While the Tech Dept. understands the inconvenience sometimes caused by our current user-restricted system (e.g., less individualized computer setup), it is not done to intentionally limit or control users, but rather as a compromise to ensure general reliability, security, and enterprise supportability of over 4,000 systems. The "TPC" group will focus on ways to increase flexibility while retaining manageability. For necessary changes to computer installations or images, long-term advanced notice is required (recommend at least 2 weeks ahead)

13. Quick Reminder about LEGAL video & film viewing in SBUSD schools:Must relate directly to current instructional objectives and be a legal copy of materials. Learning objectives

14. Email phishing& virus threats: Never click on links in emails or open attachments that you don't KNOW and recognize to be legitimate – Assume the worst! (CAUTION: Spammers and Spoofing are rampant --SBUSD’s email anti-spam system on average blocks 12,000+ external spam messages per day vs. “allowing” 4,000 legitimate external emails per day!) Staff reminders about safety- & budget-conscious technology use:

15. Sharing our Network Bandwidth:Please limit streaming video, streaming audio, and large file transfers during "business hours." With the new web filtering "flexibility" for staff, we share a relatively small network "pipeline" with use by almost 800 fellow "online" staff members and up to 3500 online students.  Just a few simultaneous streaming feeds can significantly slow down all users.

16. Projectors lamp life: • Turn off the projector (don't just "mute" the display) if you won't need again for more than 20 minutes. • If extremely dim image, submit a work order for a cleaning. Budget- & environment-conscious computing: 

17. Computer battery life & power savings: Turn off monitor and computer (or Fn+F4 to put to sleep) when possible.

18. Printer toner & paper conservation: • Do not use the printer to run copies, print one set, then use copier to multiply. • If printer can do "duplex/front-back page" click that option to save paper.

19. Laptop Care:  • Remember to never pick up or carry a laptop or netbook by the screen as it results in costly screen and/or hinge damage. • Avoid putting any liquids 'within spill range' of any District computers or devices.

20. THANK YOU & HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!