Wayne RESA is currently experiencing Internet issues. Since we connect to the Internet through RESA, we are as well.
Information
YouTube Update
We continue to work with Google on YouTube access. Google made some changes to YouTube in terms of delivering ads. Although we’ve opted out of ads, the changes end up impacting our filtering settings and the filtering standards. This is causing a frustrating experience for all involved.
We are working with Google and our filtering software to resolve the issue.
Subscribe By Email for Class Blogs
There was an issue with email subscriptions. This issue has been fixed. Please report any issues to Chris Kenniburg if your parents are not getting emails.
Gmail for iPhone/iPad
There are actually three different ways to set up your Google Apps account on your iPhone or iPad. Each of these has benefits and detriments.
- You can set up your account as an Exchange account.
- You can set up your account as a Gmail account (IMAP).
- You can use the Gmail application.
| Topic | Exchange Account Settings | Gmail Settings (IMAP) | Gmail Application |
| Advantages | Officially supported as the “correct” way to sync data.This will provide the fastest data sync. | All data syncs. This is a standard method for syncing mail. Many different email clients will work. Subscribed calendar information will sync automatically. | Constantly updated Allows for a distinct separation of accounts. |
| Disadvantages | Subscribed calendars must be added manually. Each time you subscribe to a calendar, you must add it to each mobile device. | Slightly slower sync speeds. Not the officially supported Google methodology. | A separate account to check. |
| Know this… | This method requires maintance, but will be the fastest to sync. | This is a separate application that is maintained and updated by Google. It can change. | |
Please note that you select which type of account when you are first creating your account.
iLearn (moodle) Text Editor Improvements
We have recently updated iLearn to include a nice enhancement to the text editor. The text editor is what appears for teachers when they are updating or adding text to an activity or other element of their iLearn course. As seen in the image below we have hidden most of the “unused or seldomly used” icons from view. This will help declutter the user interface and only provide the most used features of the text editor.
HelpDesk
We are pleased to let you know that we have new HelpDesk software available for you to use. When you click on the HelpDesk Ticket (available under the Staff Tab on the main Dearborn Public Schools web page), you’ll be taken to our new HelpDesk site called OTTERS. This new site will allow for better communication, feedback and efficiency.
Directions to use OTTERS are now available as a shared document.
Invite to Join Dearborn’s Pin It Website
Want to see something cool just for Dearborn teachers? You are personally invited to join Dearborn Public School’s Pin It website. The Pin It website works very similar to Pinterest but is limited to stuff we/you post as a Dearborn School employee. Our own private pinterest just for staff, students, and parents. This new tool is ideal for teachers who want to share and collaborate with web links and resources. Pin and Repin the content! With enough people pinning resources this could be an ideal website for sharing and finding new tools and ideas.
Directions:
- Go to the Dearborn Pin It website and login: https://pinit.dearbornschools.org using your district ID and password (Same as emial, computers, iblog, ilearn, staff resources, etc. etc. etc.).
- Once signed in, click on “Add > Pin ” in the upper right area of the screen and add a pin. You can checkout the quick Help page here first: https://pinit.dearbornschools.org/help/
- Check out other teacher Pin It profiles: https://pinit.dearbornschools.org/members/
You might want to try adding a board and multiple pins. It should work just like Pinterest for the most part.
Let us know what you think
Please send comments and feedback to Chris Kenniburg kennibc@dearbornschools.org
The End of Windows XP
MicroSoft is ending support for Windows XP during the next school year. This means that we will need to update our computers so that they are running Windows 7. In order to accomplish this with as little instructional disruption as possible, we will attempt to update as many computers during the summer as possible.
(Please note that we have updated some computers throughout the district. If your computer is already running Windows 7, we won’t be updating. However, it is still a good idea to back up your data. If the hard drive of your computer crashes, we have no way of getting that data back for you.
What this means to you.
- You must back up your data.
- (Please note that we back up network drives. Thus, any information that is on a shared drive or your H: drive is backed up).
How?
* As long as you save all of your files to your H: drive* (the network drive with your user ID in the name), you are all set.
* If you have your files on your C: drive, please copy them to your H: drive. This includes documents that are saved only on your desktop or in your “My Documents”.
What we do.
- We will try to reinstall any standard applications that we can. (If you have specialized programs, we may need the install disks). This includes Promethean software.
This is also an opportunity to clean up computers. We have seen computers where there are six different toolbars that have been installed. One computer had over half of the screen permanently covered with tool bars.
Please note that once we update your computer, we have absolutely no way of retrieving your data. Any data that is left “just on your computer” will be erased. All data saved to your H: drive will be safe, sound and backed up. Saving files to your H: drive is good practice as we back that up.
As we move forward with Google Apps for Education, you will want to save your documents in Google Drive. Google drive is persistently backed up through Google.
Thanks.
Gmail Access
We’ve identified an issue with Gmail delivery. Due to that issue, we have suspended delivery to Gmail accounts.
Resolution will be soon. In the meantime, please continue using Outlook to view and respond to email.
Thanks.
Filter issues
As we have tried to open the web more and more for adults, we have hit upon a few stumbling blocks. We still need to filter the Internet appropriately, there are lots of things that are totally inappropriate for schools.
You may see an Authentication Box if you are attempting to access sites that are blocked for students. This includes YouTube.
We are working on the issue.