Monthly Technology Meetings

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I would like to throw some topics out there and see what the interests are in some monthly technology meetings. I tried out a few "thumb up / thumb down" web apps, but I didn't really like any of them. Easiest way right now seems to be adding them to a wiki and letting people comment, rate, and add their own. For now, to give it a "thumbs up", increment the +n

Contents

[edit] Meetings

[edit] Dates

[edit] Agenda

Feel free to modify or make suggestions. The agenda is very flexible

1:00p - Meet and Greet, setup
1:30p - meeting topic (presentation, workshop, etc)
3:00p / 4:00p - Open discussion
3:45p / 4:45p - Wrap-up and planning for next meeting
4:00p / 5:00p - Social and appetizers at local restaurant (or after 5:00p?)

[edit] Locations

Feel free to add your district or another venue

  • Education Service Center - San Angelo, TX
  • Brownwood ISD - Brownwood, TX (Spring 2010?)
  • Angelo State University - San Angelo, TX
  • San Angelo ISD - San Angelo, TX (if the ESC is booked, we can usually host so long as I know enough in advance so I can reserve a room)
  • Howard College / West Texas Training Center - San Angelo, TX

[edit] Potential Topics

feel free to add more

  • Needed Technologies and Services +1
This somewhat falls under Round Table Discussions, but would be a session more focused on technologies and services that school districts need and want. The idea is that a collective effort could be used to acquire or provide these technologies/services.


  • Virtualization +5
dealing with running multiple "virtual machines" on a single physical server.


  • Cloud Computing +5
    The key characteristics of the cloud are the ability to scale and provision computing power dynamically in a cost efficient way and the ability of the consumer (end user, organization or IT staff) to make the most of that power without having to manage the underlying complexity of the technology. The cloud architecture itself can be private (hosted within an organization’s firewall) or public (hosted on the Internet).[1]
    • VM hosting +5
      hosting virtual machines within "the cloud" or within a datacenter (including another school district's datacenter)
    • (x)aaS possibilities ({Platform | Infrastructure | Software | etc} as a Service) +4


  • Open Source +4
    • applications for teachers / students / staff +5
    • system administration tools +5
    • Linux desktops +4


  • Thin Clients (including Virtual Desktops) +5


  • One-to-One initiatives +5


  • Shared Services +3
    with wireless WANs and higher bandwidth making it's way around school districts, possibilities exist that allow schools to "pool" resources together and share various technology services such as off-site backups, monitoring, file services, etc
    • Datacenter +3
    • VoIP +3


  • Stimulus Package +1
    Details about what is coming, how it affects technology, is there additional funding for technology, timelines, rules, accountability, etc.


  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting +1
    Description of the course that TCEA offereded last summer: This course will teach participants how to write custom Visual Basic scripts that will allow him/her to better manage the end user desktop. Topics will include; stopping services, mapping drives, mapping printers, setting the default printer, and importing users into Active Directory. The course will end by introducing the concept of using the WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation).


  • General Discussion Meeting or Round Table Discussions regarding topics we're all trying to deal with +4
    Possible topics:
    • FitnessGram
    • Online Testing
    • Technology Staff Development for your staff
    • 8th Grade Technology Assessment (what you're using to test, results, are we meeting TEKS requirements or not & ideas of how to fix, etc.)
    • Technology Plan update --- next Fall have working sessions at the ESC to work on updates


  • Web 2.0 Technologies +4
    • Example: Wikis, Blogs, FaceBook, MySpace, Podcasts, etc.
    • Have a course(s) that is for Technology Directors/Staff so that we know the ins and outs of the Web 2.0 technology. Need to know how to create accounts, how to use the programs/resources, what safeguards do we need to put in place to protect our students as well as comply with CIPA, etc. Main thing is how will it benefit K-12 Education. Course should be faster paced than if it was for teachers since it would be for technology personnel.


  • Network Security +3
    Tips of things to test or try in order to ensure network is secure from external attacks as well as dealing with internal attacks.


  • Ghost Training +1
    • Imaging Training (to include packages such as FOG, Clonezilla, etc) +1


  • Build Your Own Computer (BYOC) +1

TCEA offers occassionally. Their description: This workshop will take you through a step-by-step process of building a computer from the pile of parts to the finished product. You will then take the computer system with you. The system will include the computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. While building your computer, you will learn tips and tricks for troubleshooting your system.


  • Introduction to Troubleshooting Windows Computer Hardware +2

TCEA offers occassionally. Their description: This hands-on workshop will cover the basics of maintaining your PC from the hardware to the software. The first part will cover the components inside the computer case. The second part will focus on the software by installing the OS (Windows XP Pro), updating the OS, troubleshooting the hardware components, and routine maintenance of the computer to keep it in running condition. Other software topics will cover potential, harmful software on your computer that include viruses, Spyware, and unauthorized access.


  • Advanced Troubleshooting for Windows Computers +2

TCEA offers occassionally. Their description: Come and learn a host of methods to increase the reliability of the computer equipment on your campus and create a technical environment that the teaching staff can rely on. Attendees will be introduced to a handful of useful troubleshooting tools that they can take back and use in their district. In this hands-on session, attendees will explore all areas regarding ways to troubleshoot Windows XP. Topics that will be covered include: Setup/Startup Failures, Windows Deployment, Hardware Devices and Drivers, Disks and Volumes, Printer Issues, Network and Internet Connection Issues, Use of Group Policies, Monitoring and Managing Shared Folders, and optimizing system performance. This course is designed for those who are responsible for Intermediate to Advanced PC troubleshooting on their campus or in their district.


  • Microsoft Products +1
    • SharePoint (what it is, features of it, how it can be of benefit to schools) +2
    • Hyper-V (an alternative to VMWare) +1
    • eLearning resources & Additional resources (most are free): Mesh program, PhotoSynth, Groove, Popfly, Worldwide Telescope, Expression Web +1
    • Office 2003 to 2007 migration +1
    • Windows 7 +1
    • Vista Enterprise info +1
    • Info about the next version of Office after Office 2007 +1
    • Microsoft School Agreement - have a rep answer questions about licensing especially in regards to school agreement (including work at home info) +1
    • Licensing server info for when on next program versions +1
    • Terminal Server +1
    • creating a search server for dealing with open records requests +1
    • Live@edu email for student email +1
    • IT Academy +1
    • Microsoft Internal Instant Messaging +1
    • Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/configurationmanager/en/us/default.aspx +1


  • Web software applications and technologies +2

Examples: IIS, Apache, HTML, Javascript, ASP, VBScript, CSS, XML, Dreamweaver, FrontPage, Visual Studio, Flash, Photoshop, and Contribute


  • Knowledge of databases +1

Examples: MS Access and SQL Server and the ability to web-enable them using tools such as ASP/ASP.Net and Crystal Reports.Net


  • Disaster Recovery --- What to do when you have one. +2
    (from a server crash, virus attack, denial of service attack, or a natural disaster) What you should do beforehand to be prepared for when one occurs. Possible topics:
    • How to test that your backups are working?
    • What are the different types of backup schedules that you can setup and what is the difference in them?
    • Having software downloaded and stored in a difference location.
    • What to do if you can’t get to the internet to access software downloads/releases.
    • Rebuilding active directory. Synchronizing all of your computers back to the domain controller. Synchronizing your servers.
    • Creating a priority list of what you address first and what to bring back up when. (ex: recovery of staff files is not as important as bringing up the domain controller and then possibly the gradebook package)


  • Project Management/Time Management/Stress Management Training & Tips for Technology People +2
    We all have more to do than there are hours in the day. The course might provide tech staff with tips for managing projects and decreasing stress. Examples of topics as part of the class:
    • Gain the ability to clarify the project to understand exactly what needs to be done
    • Control The Pieces: Schedules, Resources and Budget
    • Don't guess – accurately estimate project tasks and deliverables
    • Anticipate and overcome changes and setbacks that kill projects
    • Simple solutions to get the resources you'll need
    • Avoid Project Disasters: How to Make Sure This Doesn't Happen to You
    • Keys to becoming more efficient by setting a clear time line
    • What to do when others won't cooperate
    • Assertive statements that ensure co-worker's do their part and meet deadlines
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