MI-STAR is constantly being updated. This comes from RESA. Several teachers have had some issues connecting from home. In doing some trouble-shooting, a “quick fix” is to update your browser. FireFox 18 is compatible with the MI-STAR site.
Email Certificate
You may see an Email certificate warning on email. The warning will note that our certificate has expired.
Action to take:
- If on Outlook, click “Yes” to the question “Do you want to proceed?”
- If on the web version, click on “Continue to the website (not recommended)”
- If on a Mac, click on “Accept”
Our certificate was renewed but has not propagated through the system. We are following up with our domain registrar.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Hanging Out at Salina Intermediate School
Chris K. and I are hanging out at Salina Intermediate School.
The great staff here has had some terrific questions. We’ve had the opportunity to share some tips, tricks, strategies and more.
- Inserting a Video from YouTube into iLearn.
- Promethean Basics.
- Setting up ActiVotes for Promethean.
- Adding video to a blog.
- Adding background to Promethean flipcharts.
- Setting up ActivExpressions.
- Using Rubrics with iLearn.
- Web Conferencing with iLearn.
- iLearn modules.
Thanks to the wonderful staff for an opportunity to share strategies.
Open Source Software
The Technology Department is constantly looking at ways to be fiscally prudent, future proof and modeling best practice. Part of our model of doing that is to implement open source software where appropriate. Here are some of the open source software pieces we’ve implemented:
- LibreOffice
- iLearn
- iBlog
- Joolma
- EtherPad
- BigBlueButton
- FOG
- LimeSurvey
- Ubunutu
- Mahara
We will continue to investigate resources to make district as efficient and responsible as possible.
Text on your Desktop
We are currently working on switching over our virus protection systems. This can impact you. We are uninstalling the old system and installing the new system. At the same time, we are working on our inventory system. We are working to automate as much of the process as possible. While the installation is taking place, some text is put on your desktop. Normally, this will disappear after a few minutes. Unfortunately, for some users, the text is not disappearing. This is a temporary situation whilst we are doing the installation of the new software. Within a couple of weeks, this issue will resolve itself. However, if the text on your desktop bothers you, you can change that by changing your desktop. (This may need to be done with every restart).
Please note that we are changing our virus protection in order to be as fiscally responsible as possible.
For Windows XP
- Right click somewhere on your desktop where there are no icons
- Go to properties
- Click on the desktop tab
- Choose picture
- Ok
For Windows 7
- Right click somewhere on your desktop where there are no icons,
- Click personalize
- Select the theme you want
- Then click on the red X to exit out
Again, this is a temporary situation. Once we have finished the entire installation, this situation will no longer occur.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the HelpDesk.
More “Fun” with SPAM
Please be aware that we have another piece of SPAM making it through our filter.
Please note that this does NOT come from a Dearborn email address. There is also very little real information. They ask you to click a link and then enter information.
Possible Internet Interruption
There may be several brief interruptions to Internet connectivity this Friday, 12/7, between 6 AM and 7 AM as updates are applied to the Wayne RESA ASA firewalls.
iTunes SPAM
We have a piece of SPAM that is currently making it through our filters. This is definitely SPAM. The message looks like it comes from iTunes. It claims to be a $500 credit, billed to Hilary Shandonay.
Do not click on the link. Delete this.
Thanks.
It looks like this:
HelpDesk Tickets
In order to more efficiently help you, we’ve set up a quick system for entering concerns with technology. This is a form (available at https://dearbornschools.org/helpdesk ) or by going to the Dearborn Public Schools Web page and clicking on Staff and selecting HelpDesk Ticket.
Why a form? This makes sure that we get the appropriate information to help you. For example, a teacher may be frustrated with a printer. Since we have a contract with a printing company, we forward Help requests to that company. However, that company needs the “A” number in order to follow up. Frequently, teachers don’t know that they need to include this number. What follows is frustration on many fronts. By using the form, the teacher is prompted for that information. That way, the frustration over getting the printer fixed is lowered.
Accounts
Periodically, we deactivate users who haven’t signed in for a period of time. Dearborn Public Schools utilizes email heavily. It is a professional expectation that all employees check their email regularly. In order to help keep our information current, we are currently deactivating users who have not signed into the system for 90 days.
If you have not signed into your account for over 90 days and can’t sign in, please contact the HelpDesk.