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Issue 31 - 2017 │T4 │W6

 

Link - access past issues in the archive

Unblocking OS updates News item

The option of updating the operating system on unmanaged Windows devices and on Apple MacOS computers and iPads has been blocked during school hours for the past two years. This was a necessary change to address a serious network congestion problem that was affecting all schools and was caused by the auto-update function of these devices. From 3pm on Wednesday 15 November, OS update blocks will be removed and replaced with OS update limiting.

Windows and Apple OS update limiting

Minecraft Early Access program News item

In term 4's issue of Technology News for Schools, we announced the launch of the Minecraft Education Edition Early Access program (MEE EAP). There has been great interest already, with many application forms submitted by schools and teachers who would like to access free MEE subscriptions for their students. A limited number of subscriptions in total are available and to allow us to finalise the schools that will be included, only applications received by Friday 24 November will be considered. All schools that apply will be contacted and advised of the outcome of their application before the end of this year.

Minecraft Education Edition

Searching Software Catalogue Tip item

Sometimes, people report that they can't find the software title they are after in the eT4L Software Catalogue so they end up contributing it - only to get an email reply saying that the software is either "in progress" or has been marked "unsuitable" or "retired". With new, popular software, it is common for staff from multiple sites to upload the same software source files for packaging. Before you contribute a new title, did you know that there is a way of searching for titles that are not active in the catalogue? Click the image below to magnify.

Searching Software Catalogue - Click for a larger view

SharePoint document libraries External Link item

If your school has taken up SharePoint Online or is considering doing so, one of the key uses will likely be for hosting files and documents in a document library. SharePoint document libraries are like super folders. They provide a useful way to separate your files and folders to keep things clean and organised within a SharePoint site. The graphic below compares SharePoint sites and libraries to a filing cabinet, to better explain the differences.

Sharepoint Online Document Libraries infographic

This useful infographic explains the basics of SharePoint document libraries and is a great starting point for schools that wish to move content to the cloud.

What is Computational Thinking?Computational thinking (CT) is widely recognised as a critical skill for the digital world we live in. CT is clearly identified in NESA’s draft Science and Technology K-6 syllabus and draft Technology mandatory syllabus.Whilst there is currently no clear timeline for when new documents will be implemented, NESA has published A Guide to Coding and Computational Thinking across the Curriculum that outlines where CT can be introduced using the current NSW syllabus. Get prepared now with free support to learn more about computational thinking and apply that learning into the existing syllabus.

The federal government's Digital Technologies Hub includes links to professional learning, lesson ideas and information for families. The DoE has developed the Technology mandatory unit, Crack the Code for teachers with no coding background. the NESA registered Foundations MOOC for Primary is at
CSER Digital Technologies Education. CSER also funds a NSW project officer Meridith Ebbs to support your school or community of schools. Ask her how you can access a lending library of equipment for you to test before you purchase.

The Australian Computing Academy (ACA) offers explanations of key terminology in the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies and workshops. Familiarise yourself with the terminology with Introduction to Computational thinking on BBC Bitesize to . Finally, Google offers a free computational thinking course!

New T4Lengage content! Peer item

Our T4Lengage site keeps growing every few weeks with great new content to inspire and inform teachers. Take a look at the two newest features we've just added!

Make sure you regularly check our T4Lengage resources page because we are adding more tools and stories to assist your school get the most out of technology tools. The T4L Innovations team would particularly like to thank the students and teachers from the Blacktown Learning Community’s STEAM Team for allowing us to be part of their experience and capture it to share with other schools. 

Learning LEGO Mindstorms

Speaking of LEGO Mindstorms... Professional Learning item

Microsoft and LEGO have combined to create and launch three free online courses for teachers who are using, or intend to use LEGO MINDSTORMS in their classroom. With these amazing kits, students become independent learners, develop critical thinking, grow ideas and build their own creations through teamwork and communication. By combining their design and coding skills, they can create innovative solutions to real-world problems. Access the free online courses through the Microsoft Educator Community.

 

ICT Thought of the day Fun item

ICT Thought of the Day

Leichhardt Campus BYOD Review Peer item

Following the survey results we reported on in our previous issue, we have identified hundreds of schools that have taken on BYOD as a way of delivering 1:1 device access in the classroom. But the survey has also shown us that BYOD is implemented very differently across schools. Some use it to add variety and convenience to lessons, while others have fully integrated the devices into all aspects of teaching and learning. Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus is one of the pioneers of BYOD in NSW and the maze they traversed and barriers they faced have delivered a great review document for other schools to reference. Their review "started from the belief that a BYOD was an appropriate response to the school's ICT requirements, and focused on what the school should be doing to support staff to implement the ICT in the best possible way". We are pleased to be able to share SSC Leichhardt Campus' 2017 BYOD Review and recommend that any school considering BYOD learn from their comprehensive experience.

Image - BYOD

Apple BYOD parent portal Information item

Most schools that offer or even expect their students to "BYOD", also provide parents with recommendations on what devices to purchase. Some of these schools even make suggestions or recommendations for where to purchase these devices for their children. And some have even gone as far as working directly with a vendor to provide a device ordering web portal that is customised specifically for their school and containing only those recommended devices. Did you know that Apple's Retail stores are also offering schools a similar option where their BYOD program includes iPads and/or Macbooks? Just contact your local Apple Store Business Team to set up a custom online store just for your school. This will give your parents access to special pricing and a personal setup service to help them get started with their new device.

Apple news update

Simplifying iPad management Information item

The Apple Education team are partnering with Think3 (Scott Barnham) to benefit NSW public schools that currently manage their fleet of iPads with Configurator or individual iTunes accounts. Schools that have already transitioned to Mobile Device Management (MDM) for their iPads understand the massive effort and time savings that it delivers. But transitioning to MDM may not be a straightforward task for schools to complete by themselves. To assist, Think3 are offering access to free technical support for schools to move to best-practice iPad deployment and management. If your school is still struggling with Configurator, get more details and register your interest for this Apple-sponsored service.

Apple Webcast: Deploying iPad Professional Learning item

Join ITD and Apple for a webcast that will help you find out more about deploying iPad in your school. We'll explore iOS - Apple's advanced mobile operating system and discuss features such as Mobile Device Management, Apple School Manager and the Classroom app for iPad. All designed to make it easier for schools to put devices in the hands of students. There’ll even be opportunities to ask questions of the Apple Education Team. Be sure to grab your colleagues and register your school for our upcoming half hour session on Wed 29 November at 3:30pm.

EDU.WIN is shutting down News item

The legacy EDU.WIN domain previously used by students in some schools prior to eT4L, will be shut down in the evening of Wednesday, 22 November. All DoE managed devices in schools should be logging onto the DETNSW domain, however a small number of users in some sites may be incorrectly using an old @EDU account rather than their current @DETNSW account. If students are reporting that they cannot logon after the EDU.WIN shutdown, please ensure they are logging on with their @DETNSW account.

Miss our Brekkie webcast? Professional Learning item

Brekkie with a Tekkie is back after a few years off, with an exciting new format! Held on the first Wednesday of each month (during school term), our first episode attracted over 70 sites in the Adobe Connect webcast. While there's still a bit of fine-tuning to do, we successfully presented multiple sessions in about 38 minutes, which even included guest presenters from other schools. You can watch or even relive that first episode by clicking the play button below in Internet Explorer or Safari. If using Chrome, read the article below to get past the block if you're stuck. Finally, don't forget to participate in the Brekkie Yammer group to ask any questions, share your feedback or volunteer to present in a future webcast! Thanks to everyone who joined in. Our next episode will be on Wednesday 6 December - only on Adobe Connect!

Click to watch the first episode in your browser

Acrobat DC for older Win 7 PCs News item

Adobe Acrobat DC has been included with every Windows 10 eT4L build and every Windows 7 eT4L build since Term 3 2016. However, any Windows 7 PC that was last built (or rebuilt) prior to that, would still have the older Acrobat Pro 11 installed. To allow for better compatibility and consistency, ITD will be silently upgrading older versions of Acrobat on eT4L-managed Windows PCs that are turned on, commencing 29 November. No user action will be required, with the upgrade occurring in the background. If schools wish to get Acrobat DC installed on a device sooner, there are two options available:

  1. Logon, open Software Center and run the Acrobat_DC_AV17_012_20098_PV4_1 task - OR -
  2. Rebuild the PC to either Windows 7 or 10 (any data files on the PC will be wiped).

Adobe Connect with Chrome Tip item

Some schools that tried to join our Brekkie session using Chrome browser had problems. They quickly found that it needs Flash Player and Chrome blocks that plug-in by default. If you would prefer to use Chrome browser to join an Adobe Connect session, just follow these quick steps to allow Flash to work for these webcasts. Click the image for a bigger view.

Settings to allow Adobe Connect in your Chrome browser - click for larger image

Staff repairing faulty IT devices Information item

The department strongly advises against school staff trying to complete their own IT device repair, particularly in regard to power supplies and connectors. The key reasons being:

  • any vendor warranty on the device will be voided
  • there is a potential risk of litigation if anyone is injured through unauthorised repair by unqualified technicians.

Vendors review warranty claims, such as broken power connectors on laptops, on a case-by-case basis and claims of this nature have been approved, more often than rejected. It is important when logging a service desk ticket that you provide a clear photo showing both the broken laptop power port and the power supply's jack. The online form for logging an EDConnect service desk request - has the options: IT Support/Hardware Support/Warranty Repair of equipment. The forms have been updated to allow for uploading photos.

More news.T4L in Week 9

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

NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE