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Issue 01 - 2015 │T2 │W6

Technology4Learning today   News item

Technology4Learning (T4L) is DEC’s multi-faceted solution delivering end-user devices, robust networking & server platforms, desktop and cloud software as well as ICT service and support to schools in NSW. news.T4L is the new way we’ll be keeping you informed, through quick, easy to read articles delivered three times a term.

MS Office 365 in DEC Portal News item

Did you know that Microsoft Office 365 including unlimited cloud storage via OneDrive is now available for all students and staff via the DEC Portal? From the Staff Portal, the O365 link is in the My Learning Tools tab, while for Students, just expand the Learning tab.

Image of Office 365 icons

NSW DEC Office 365 guides Link item

Your core destination to assist you with your use of Office 365 in NSW DEC has been developed by the Microsoft in Education team. Here you will find all the information, resources, links, tips and tricks related to using Office 365 in schools and classrooms across New South Wales.  As long as your device has a modern browser, you’ll be able to access and use Office 365 online apps.

Office 2016 Quick Start Guides Link item

Keeping up with changes to software can be a challenge at times.  If you choose to become an early adopter of the latest release of MS Office, you will want to check out Microsoft’s great range of quick start guides that were recently published.  There’s a separate guide for each of the modules of Office 2016 which should help you get up to speed quickly.

It’s time to join DoE Yammer Tip item

One of the online applications bundled with DEC’s Office 365 is Yammer. What is Yammer? It’s social networking for organisations. A bit like Twitter, a bit like Facebook. Yammer is only for NSW DEC staff, making new connections and discussing:

  • YOUR job. YOUR interests. YOUR questions.
  • They are ANSWERING. They are SUPPORTING.
  • They are DISCOVERING and SHARING.
  • But overall, EVERYONE is LEARNING.

It’s an instant Professional Learning Network. The collective knowledge & skills of thousands of DEC staff… all in one place. Breaking down boundaries. Providing Just-in-time learning.  It’s all at Yammer right now. Just access it from the Staff Portal.

DEC PC hardware standards News item

Hewlett Packard (HP) has been announced as the standard Desktop and Notebook supplier for NSW Public Schools.  New models with great new pricing are available with details on the DoE Intranet.

HPs desktop and laptop PCs

Windows 8.1 for eT4L Tablets News item

eT4L Secondary schools are now able to integrate their T4L rollout and approved discretionary-purchased Windows Tablet devices and Touch-enabled Windows laptops with Windows 8.1 into the eT4L environment.  This will allow these devices to be built and rebuilt via the eT4L Universal Desktop Manager (UDM).  The benefits then realised include individual DoE user authentication to Windows, access to eT4L file shares and home folders, software deployment via UDM, easy network printing as well as managed updates for the Windows system, anti-malware and core applications.  The same solution for eT4L Primary Schools is being tested and will be progressively released to all schools. Two separate guides have been produced: 

MS & Adobe software for staff Link item

Insight Enterprises currently holds the DEC contract for work-at-home rights for Microsoft and Adobe software for staff. The latest Windows and Office and Adobe Creative Cloud suites are available at great prices. Are your staff taking advantage?

MS & Adobe for students Link item

All NSW DEC students are eligible to download and licence Adobe and Microsoft software onto personally owned devices. Students will need to use their @education.nsw.gov.au student email address to register. One download per application only.

Setting IE Homepage in eT4L Tip item

Did you know it’s possible to set different Internet Explorer Home pages for both Staff and Students at your school?  If you are willing to give it a try, just follow these instructions. Otherwise, log a service desk call requesting your desired Home Pages to be set and it can be done remotely for your school.

WeCommemorate competition News item

Learning Systems has announced a great competition to integrate into the school’s WWI commemorative plans. WeCommemorate is a series of classroom-based challenges that will engage NSW students from Early Stage 1 to Stage 5 to produce creative, stage appropriate multimedia projects, marking the 100 year anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the First World War. Students’ entries will be judged and winners announced prior to Remembrance Day, 2015. Why not get your class(es) involved to produce a video, animation, artwork or a poem, story, letter or medal? Each stage has a different challenge. The winning entries will be showcased and awarded prizes.

Access eT4L Server at home Peer item

MyFiles is a tool in the DEC Staff Portal (Insight) that allows users to access their Home Folder and Faculty share on their school eT4L Server from home. But it does require a little setting up before you can use it. Here is a great video guide created and shared by Samson Fung from Homebush West Public School.

Easy Service Desk call logging Tip item

Of course, you can continue to log service desk calls via telephone on 1300 323232, but it’s also easy and convenient to do it via the online form - it even works from home if you are so inclined. Please provide as much detail as possible when logging a call.  

VC Remote batteries Tip item

It’s important to regularly check the batteries in your Connected Classroom’s Tandberg Remote Control.  If they leak and damage it, you’ll find it’s over $400 to replace and you won’t be able to run a VC without it.  It’s a good idea to remove the batteries during school vacations.

Principal’s Network Info Tip item

Many schools have forgotten that there is a great tool in every Principal’s DEC portal under My Applications called PNI. It allows you to investigate your school’s internet usage by providing graphs that show how much of your available bandwidth is being used and reports that describe the nature of the Internet usage at your school or campus.  What are the most visited sites at your school?  What PCs are the heaviest internet users? Why is internet slow during certain times of the day? It’s all in PNI.

SMART Notebook 11.4 Licence News item

The DoE Enterprise Licence for SMART Notebook has been upgraded from 10.8 to 11.4 for use on staff and student computers both at school and at home. For eT4L Schools, it is available for deployment across all computers via the Enterprise Software section in UDM. For access at home, just go to the download page.

Need PDF school plans? Tip item

Just click on this shortcut below from any computer at your school and you’ll be able to quickly find, view and print the latest version of your school’s AMS maps: http://tinyurl.com/amslookup

Digital Citizenship Poster Link item

Your students need to get the best out of using the internet and keeping themselves and others safe and healthy in an online world. This great poster can be printed to A3 and displayed around your school to help students learn what it takes to become a positive digital citizen. Click the images below for a printable PDF version.

Thumbnail of digital citizenship poster. Click to open a printable PDF

Information Technology Directorate publishes news.T4L three times every term. Remember to share each issue with your staff!

NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE