TECHNOLOGY: Tech Talk for January 2006
Everyone: Below is the inaugural “Tech
Talk”
update. It is my hope that this can become a monthly newsletter
informing the District of current trends and opportunities
in technology. This first newsletter is a little bland in
presentation, and is something I will work on for future
editions.
Spam Update
Spam is a continuing problem for us. The spam
filter is still disabled. I am trying to ensure that before
it is re-enabled, we will not lose any email. I know that
this is an inconvenience and that it can be both burdensome
and bothersome to deal with all of the messages you may be
receiving. Please know that I am still working on this and
will have a solution soon. I anticipate re-enabling the spam
filter this evening, and then monitoring the system to see
if there is any adverse effect on email. If there is, then
I will disable it again and contact the spam filtering company
to find a final resolution.
Microsoft Office Home Use Rights
Beginning today, the Ed
Tech at your campus should have a copy of Microsoft Office
XP Professional. Because of the academic licensing that we
use for this software, all employees who use a computer with
Microsoft Office on it are entitled to one free installation
of the software at home. This is Microsoft’s “work-at-home”
licensing, and it helps lower the cost of using the software.
If you have an older version of Microsoft Office, or you
have a new computer that you would like to install Office
on, please see your Ed Tech to check-out the CD and install
it at home.
A Free Alternative to Microsoft Office
If you would like
to use something other than Microsoft Office, you may want
to consider OpenOffice (http://www.openoffice.org). OpenOffice
is an open-source, free office suite that is comparable in
features to Microsoft Office. I could write a lot about this,
and bore you, so I will just recommend that you visit this
site if you are interested and encourage you to pursue the
download, installation and use if you would like an alternative
to Microsoft Office.
Atomic Learning
Earlier this year, we purchased Atomic Learning, an online
tutorial site for technology applications. Please don’t forget
that this can be a great resource when you are using an application
and just can’t quite figure out how to do something. This
is freely available to all of our employees, students and
student families. From within the District, just go to www.atomiclearning.com and you will be automatically logged-in.
Staff Development Mini-Grants
Attached to this newsletter
is a reminder about the technology staff development mini-grants.
Don't forget that this is a great opportunity to identify
areas in which you would like training and support, and that
submissions are due January 31st. Is there a conference that
you would like to go to? A class? Is there software or hardware
that you need to help take advantage of technology in your
classroom or school? If so, then this mini-grant program
is for you.
— see mini-grant info
HP Grants
Grant announcement: HP grants bring mobile technology
to classrooms. K-12 public schools, as well as colleges and
universities, can apply for the HP Technology For Teaching
grants. HP will award approximately 100 grant packages. Included
in the packages are: $30,000, five PCs, five multimedia projectors,
five digital cameras, and a $500 stipend per teacher. The
application period is Jan. 2 through Feb. 15, 2006.
** Eligibility:
K-12 public schools, colleges, and universities.
** Deadline: Feb. 15, 2006.
** Funds: $30,000 and technology supplies.
** Contact: http://grants.hp.com/us/contacthp.html.
** See more
information
Joel Hames
Director of Technology
Tamalpais Union High School District
jhames@tamdistrict.org
(415) 945-3798
|
 |
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Spam Update
•
Microsoft Office Home Use Rights
• A Free Alternative to Microsoft Office
•
Atomic Learning
• Staff Development Mini-Grants
•
HP Grants
MORE:
See latest issue
See archives
|
