Copiers: We have new copiers! We have added PaperCut software to track our copier usage. PaperCut uses your active directory username/password for authentication. To speed up the process of logging in, we purchased proximity cards. I will distribute cards to each building and principals will distribute cards to their staff. Programming the card is very easy. Simply walk up to any copier and place your card in close proximity to the reader. The copier will display a message that the card needs to be programmed and asks you to login. Enter your username/password. After a successful login, you will receive a message that your card is programmed. The next time you walk up to a copier, simply swipe your card to use the copier. If you send a print job to the copier using the "Print to ANY copier" driver (devices joined to active directory), you can pick up the job at any copier in the district. This will be very helpful for personnel that travel throughout the district. We do not have any labels or markings on the cards, other than the pre-printed number in the corner. Please let your supervisor know if you lose or misplace your card! The reason for not placing any identifying labels on the cards is we may be able to use them for access control in our new building.
Desktop computer replacements: I will be replacing 25 desktop computers. I have started purchasing large, widescreen monitors as well. My goal is to have all desktop computers with WiFi and large widescreen monitors by the time we move into the new building. Currently, we have 150 desktop computers throughout the district.
Blocksi: Blocksi has five components. The first is for systems administrators to track chromebooks and provide details on the chromebook inventory. The second component is for teachers. It allows you to view and control student screens. They have added a video conferencing solution that is very intuitive and you can control/interact with your students much easier that with Zoom or Meet. The third component is for principals. They can get reports and monitor usage. The fourth component is for students. They can join classes and view their activity on their chromebook. The last component is for parents. They can setup access control (how long their child is on their chromebook and forbid logins after certain hours), enforce a stricter filter (i.e. block YouTube) and view their child's web history. If you would like to know more about Blocksi, click on this link to a YouTube video. Blocksi uses Google SSO, so you login with your Google credentials. Training will be setup soon and I will share videos if you cannot attend.
Zoom: Zoom offered their paid version of their software for free during the pandemic. That ended on July 1. We have been moved to the Basic version, which is limited to 40 minutes and no cloud storage. We have three products you can use in place of Zoom. They are Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Blocksi.
Clever: Teachers are encouraged to use Clever for SSO (single sign-on) for students. In addition to apps that we use, teachers can add their own shortcuts and links. Sign in with your Google credentials at Clever.com. We will be adding more apps. I am in the process of adding Lexia. I hope to have that finished today (July 31, 2020).
Loom: With Loom, you can capture your screen, voice, and face and instantly share your video in less time than it would take to type an email. It is being offered to schools for free, so I have signed up our @loganelmschools.com domain. Go to Loom.com and login with your Google credentials. There are desktop apps and a chrome extension.
FMX: I have added Google SSO to the FMX login page. Google SSO is for students only. They will use FMX to enter technology requests. They do not have access to scheduling or maintenance requests. You need to use "Log In with AD FS" to access FMX. If you use Google SSO, you will not have access to scheduling and maintenance requests, as it thinks you are a student.
Tech Support: During the pandemic, I will provide as much assistance as I can remotely. I am able to access all desktop and laptop computers using ScreenConnect. If there is a situation where physical access is required, I will either use my own keyboard/touchpad or I will use hand sanitizer before and after work is performed. I will wear a mask at all times. If you come to my office, masks are required. If there is an issue with a student chromebook that requires physical access, a loaner chromebook will be issued and work will be performed after a 72-hour waiting period.
Directions on using FMX:1. Go to https://loganelm.gofmx.com. 2. There are 2 login boxes. Click on the "Log In with AD FS" gray box. 3. Enter your email address (first.last@loganelm.org) and your password that you use to access your email. Click on the "Create Request" button in the upper right corner and choose the type of request you need to add.
The site is very intuitive to use. If you have any questions or need assistance, click on the "Help & Updates" link in the bottom left. There are training videos and a FAQ.
Directions on using FMX:1. Go to https://loganelm.gofmx.com. 2. There are 2 login boxes. Click on the "Log In with AD FS" gray box. 3. Enter your email address (first.last@loganelm.org) and your password that you use to access your email. Click on the "Create Request" button in the upper right corner and choose the type of request you need to add.
The site is very intuitive to use. If you have any questions or need assistance, click on the "Help & Updates" link in the bottom left. There are training videos and a FAQ.
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