October Update

We ended with 62 support tickets last month.  Our Highest categories were PowerSchool Password Resets (18), iPad Battery or Charging issues (12), and iPad Display/Hardware issues (7).

Some other tech notes for the month:

• All NWEA testing was completed including makeups by October 3rd.

• I created a tutorial I sent out for a reminder on how to do NWEA next time.

• I completely rebuilt our school website.  The old theme was not mobile device friendly.  Since most students and parents access the website on their mobile devices, it only makes sense to upgrade our theme.  This involved choosing a new theme (basic layout), editing the php script, css, and html to fit our needs, designing a new banner, finding a new slider plugin that would work on the new theme since the old one didn’t, and reorganizing the menus.  This took me approximately a month to complete, but is now completely accessible on any device.  If you have any pictures in a wide angle such as the ones in our slider on the website, please send them to me for posting on the sideshow.

• Mr. Dupras was able to resolve a couple major PowerSchool issues involving fees.

• Our fiber lines were upgraded outside the building.  Should give us a better connection to Comcast.  Most of you will not notice any difference.

• I updated our Mobile Device Manager(MDM) Server to accommodate the iOS 10 update.

• Speaking of iOS 10, this update is only available for iPad Airs and above.  iPad 3rd generation will no longer be supported.  Tech Team and I have been putting plans into place to deal with this.

• Met with an Apple Rep this week.  He shared with me some cool new features to iWorks on the iPad with iOS 10 (many of which can still work without iOS 10).  There is a better collaborative mode much similar to google drive, but with the full function of iWorks.  The best part is you can participate simply by logging into your browser using your apple id.  You do not need to have an iOS device.  Keynote also now offers a feature called “keynote live” where you can go through a keynote and users can follow along using any device through a link sent to them.  This is similar to Nearpod.

• Apple also has a new training program for educators on iPad and MacBook.  This program is free and online.  As you complete each section, you earn a badge.  I am currently working on this so I can become an Apple Teacher.  You can do the same by going to appleteacher.apple.comand signing up with your Apple ID.  For more information you can visit this website http://www.apple.com/education/teachers/

• Put into place restrictions for VPN users through MDM to prevent students from getting around web filter and network restrictions.

• Disabled option for students to toggle bluetooth on/off in MDM.  It should always remain on…I am not sure if this worked yet.

• Replaced Access point in main office due to malfunction.  Also added an access point into the support services wing to boost wifi.

• Created parent contact log form as well as converted our enrollment applications to digital forms.  Also created a form for parents to update their email addresses in our mailing lists.

• We will be performing some updates to our servers in the next couple weeks.