Sydney Region Computer Coordinators Day Term 2, 2005 Sydney Region

Agenda Wrap Up of Term 1, 2005 CC Day Term Technology Update High School Transition Projects: In Term 3, Sydney Region schools will be standardising the way year 6 transition data is collected and electronically transferred to each high school. Office Tips and Tricks: This session covers both Mac and Windows versions A Closer look at the ASI Standard Operating Environment: The new SOE offers features that schools may not be aware of. This session will take a look at managing and maintaining the SOE Integrating ICT into Teaching and Learning: A regular session which highlights useful websites, Sydney Region ICT projects and often free software to assist teachers to integrate ICT into T&L Options for Recycling and Re-Using computers: Options for Recycling and Reusing Computers Eduweb Service Pack 1: A quick look at the new EduWeb tools Industry Presentations: Deep Freeze Sydney Region has negotiated region-wide pricing for both the Windows and Apple versions of Deep Freeze. This security tool will reduce your computer management workload Click View - Digital Video Delivery for Schools. There is another way to show video content to students other than the traditional VCR and masses of VHS tapes. Let’s find out all about it.

Sydney Region Wrap up of Term 1, 2005 Sydney Region T4L Hardware: Apple and ASI are the two vendors providing hardware on the Technology for Learning rollout for Sydney Region. Office Tips and Tricks: This session covers both Mac and Windows versions. Photo Editing Tips: This session will look at the sorts of things you can do with photo editing software Integrating ICT into Teaching and Learning K-6: Websites of interest EduWeb 2005: EduWeb has been updated with new features and benefits. Also a sneak peek at a new tool called EduWeb SPASMS Industry Presentation Sessions: GProxy:Allied Telesyn:

Sydney Region Term 2, 2005 Technology Update Sydney Region IT Website: Sydney Region IT support positions-update Help Desk changes Technology for Learning in Sydney Region- update and evaluation GProxy remote backup OASIS replacement project NSWCEG PD:ICT 2005 Conference Investing in Our Schools, an Australian Government Initiative Data cabling in demountable classrooms

Sydney Region Sydney Region Website Changes The New Sydney Region Website is now active. Content is being added by most Regional Consultants and managers. Most of the structure for the site is already in place, including comprehensive school lists and Support pages. The Technology section in particular contains many useful resources and links to both Internet and DET intranet websites. The Training Course bookings system is also being extended to include courses for other areas of professional development. Please alert all staff to the new website. We also now have a Sydney Region Bulk Licence deal for Deep Freeze – Mac and Windows. There is a session on Deep Freeze after lunch.

Sydney Region Sydney Region IT support positions-update Interviews were conducted in the first week of June for the first four technical support positions. We hope these will be filled by the end of term. The current planning is for two more positions during semester two with the remainder in 2006 The total complement of ICT support positions for schools in Sydney Region will be 11, plus the existing four Technology Advisers, plus two Web Services positions and the new ICT Consultant, Lena Arena This represents a major investment in ICT support for schools and should provide the region with great benefits through standardisation, reliability and remote and on- site technical support.

Sydney Region DET Help Desk – Previously the DET helpdesk only provided support to schools for OASIS, internet access problems and CISP hardware warranty claims. Technology Advisers were contacted directly (mobile phone/phone/ ) by schools for almost all other technology issues and queries. With additional technical support staff now available, a better method of requesting ICT support is required. DET has now extended the role of the Help Desk to take ICT-based calls of any type from schools. All Sydney Region ICT Support staff have now (finally) been provided access to the DET Help Desk system. This means that we can monitor, prioritise and appropriately respond to calls that are logged by our schools. This also means for the first time, the work we complete is actually documented. When to use the Help Desk: Any call that requires a visit Software/hardware installations OASIS issues or queries T4L Warranty Claims When to call or a TA direct: Any quick questions/advice Any emergency ICT situation eg. Server(s) down, Network down, major data loss

Sydney Region Technology for Learning Update T4L Rollout Status ASI desktops and notebooks rollout for Semester One is almost complete. Apple rollout of desktops, notebooks and servers is now underway ASI Servers Status Almost 50 schools are expecting ASI Servers through T4L. The vast majority of these are to be Windows 2003 servers. Because of this large number, the Region has decided to implement a standard Win2003 server build with individual student and staff logon accounts, scheduled backups and EduWeb installed as standard. Installations commenced in Week 6 with the majority completed by the end of term two (this year). The TAs and Technical Support Officers have been performing these installations. Sydney Region T4L ASI Evaluation An evaluation form for the current rollout is now available Please arrange to complete the evaluation ASAP after installation, or by the end of this term:

Sydney Region T4L Update #2 Q: What is the ASI LCD Monitor Pixel Defect Policy? A: Virtually all LCD monitors, regardless of brand have defective pixels. It is acceptable to have a limited number of pixels that do not work and are always fixed on one specific colour. Different LCD monitor brands have different limits for these defective pixels before they offer a replacement unit. ASI's LCD Monitor Pixel Defect Policy is detailed very clearly in this PDF document.PDF document We are seeking clarification of the iMac LCD Defect Policy with Apple Australia.

Sydney Region GProxy remote backup Following the Term 1 CC Days where GProxy Backup was announced as a new module in GProxy servers, Sydney Region is purchasing a fileserver to allow off-site data backup from school GProxy servers. Once the server has been commissioned we will be contacting schools with a GProxy server and offering this service.

Sydney Region OASIS replacement The NSW DET will replace all of the business software used to run schools and TAFE colleges under a multi-year program that received preliminary funding ($155 million, four-year allocation) in last week's state budget. The Learning Management and Business Reform program includes a long-awaited replacement of DET's Office Administration and School Information System (OASIS) school management system, as well as finance, payroll and human resources applications. "We'll introduce new student management systems and learning management systems as part of an umbrella program.“ said acting DET chief information officer Ken Dixon. Detailed plans for the program will be drawn up over the next 12 months, but Mr Dixon said it was too early to say how long it would take to complete the entire replacement program. Edited from: Ben Woodhead, The Financial Review: 30/05/2005

Sydney Region NSWCEG The NSW Computer Education Group will be conducting a Professional Development Activity: PD:ICT :00am Saturday 2 nd July until 3:00pm Sunday 3 rd July 2005 Wadalba Community School, van Stappen Rd, Wadalba, NSW 2259 Website: Phone: Fax:

Sydney Region Investing in Our Schools: an Australian Government Initiative The objective of the Investing in Our Schools Program is to deliver much needed school infrastructure projects through an injection of additional Australian Government funds. The focus will be on delivering projects which improve the infrastructure of schools in accordance with priorities identified by school communities – parents, friends, the teaching profession and students associated with the school. ICT initiatives may be an appropriate project for your school community. Guidelines and other materials are available from the Investing in Our Schools web site: The closing dates for submitting 2005 applications are: 31 May 2005 for grants of $50,000 or less; and 2 August 2005 for grants up to $150,000.

Sydney Region Data cabling in demountable classrooms Demountable classrooms installed during the 2004/2005 vacation period are eligible for data cabling to connect to the school LAN. Funding is from the Demountable Relocation Program as a not in contract variation to the installation. The Sydney Region Asset Management Unit is currently investigating the connection of these classrooms to the school LAN. Please contact Bambos Meitani if your school received a demountable classroom during this period that is not cabled to the school LAN. Bambos Meitani (ph) (fax) (mobile)

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