Tech eNews for June, 2013
1. Getting Computers/Laptops/iPads ready for summer
2. Surplus that old/unwanted equipment
3. LCD Projector Bulb Replacement
4. Creating a Vacation Message for summer
5. iPads motivate students, increase achievement
6. Archive of eNews on the Tech Blog
1. Getting Your Computers Ready for Summer
In the past, some WSD staff have placed garbage bags over computers to keep dust out. None of our tech staff have noted a problem with excess dust settling into computer equipment when it is off, so this isn’t necessary. Please save yourself the trouble, and leave the bags for the garbage cans.
Please make sure you turn all of your computers off before you leave. If you have a laptop that won’t be used over the summer, you should charge the battery fully, and then take it out of the computer for storage. If possible, store the battery in a refrigerator that’s turned on. If you have an iPad or other device with an internal battery, you should fully charge the battery, and then turn the device completely off before you leave. Leaving a device in "sleep" for an extended period of time can damage the batteries. iPads and cameras should be kept in a locked cabinet, or an office that's locked, to ensure they're safe over the summer.
If you can, please turn off all the surge suppressors that your computers are plugged into. This will let you leave your computer’s cables all plugged in. We are aware that the custodians will move much of the equipment to clean carpets, but doing this will cut down on the time it takes to get everyone back up and running in the fall.
Also, please remember that you can't take district owned equipment home over the summer without making arrangements with your principal, and filling out a check out form.
2. Surplus that old unwanted/unused equipmentDo you have old, unwanted, or unused equipment in your classroom that you don’t want to keep? Mark it as “surplus” on your year-end inventory, and let your building administrator know you want to get rid of it. The deadline for identifying items as surplus is June 14.
3. LCD Projector and Bulb Replacement
Let Sean, Kenneth or Linda, know if your projector’s image is darker than it used to be, has changed color, or is showing spots or dots in the image. In some cases, a new bulb is all that’s needed, and for most classrooms, the Tech staff has an extra bulb. If your projector’s problem can’t be fixed with a new bulb, we’ll put it on the list to get replaced.
4. Creating a Vacation Message
If you are going to be out of the office for an extended period of time, you can create a vacation message which automatically responds to your e-mail, letting folks know you’re gone.
- Log into your district e-mail. http://mail.
- Log in as yourself (first.last) with your e-mail password.
- Click the Sprocket in the upper left, then choose Mail Settings
- On the General tab, scroll down to the Vacation Responder section
- Click the Radio button for "Vacation responder on"
- Enter the text you want to have sent to people who send you email in the box
- Set an end date if appropriate (recommended)
(Note: You can opt to have the message sent to anyone, or just people inside the district.)
- Make sure you scroll down or up to click the save button!
If you didn't sent an end date, when you get back, follow the same directions, and set the responder to "off" to remove the message.
3. LCD Projector and Bulb Replacement
Let Sean, Kenneth or Linda, know if your projector’s image is darker than it used to be, has changed color, or is showing spots or dots in the image. In some cases, a new bulb is all that’s needed, and for most classrooms, the Tech staff has an extra bulb. If your projector’s problem can’t be fixed with a new bulb, we’ll put it on the list to get replaced.
4. Creating a Vacation Message
If you are going to be out of the office for an extended period of time, you can create a vacation message which automatically responds to your e-mail, letting folks know you’re gone.
- Log into your district e-mail. http://mail.
- Log in as yourself (first.last) with your e-mail password.
- Click the Sprocket in the upper left, then choose Mail Settings
- On the General tab, scroll down to the Vacation Responder section
- Click the Radio button for "Vacation responder on"
- Enter the text you want to have sent to people who send you email in the box
- Set an end date if appropriate (recommended)
(Note: You can opt to have the message sent to anyone, or just people inside the district.)
- Make sure you scroll down or up to click the save button!
If you didn't sent an end date, when you get back, follow the same directions, and set the responder to "off" to remove the message.
5. iPads motivate students and increase achievement
Washougal School District Technology funds were used in the Summer of 2012 to purchase iPads for three 5th grade classrooms as a pilot of a one-to-one (or 1:1, one device per student) initiative. Data from the iPad pilot suggests that the iPads are motivating students to attend school more regularly, to show up on time, and increasing student achievement as measured by the EasyCBM assessment.
Washougal School District Technology funds were used in the Summer of 2012 to purchase iPads for three 5th grade classrooms as a pilot of a one-to-one (or 1:1, one device per student) initiative. Data from the iPad pilot suggests that the iPads are motivating students to attend school more regularly, to show up on time, and increasing student achievement as measured by the EasyCBM assessment.
Data from the pilot will be shared with the Washougal School District School Board during the June 11, 2013 school board meeting, with participating teachers and students showcasing projects and classroom activities that worked through the year.
