Agenda+October+11,2012

=**Agenda 10/11/12 BCMS Technology Committee**=
 * 3PM Thursday in The LMC**


 * Future Meeting Dates:**
 * 2nd Thursday of each month:
 * October 14 / November 8 / December 13 / January 10 / February 14 / March 14 / April 11 / May 9 / and June 13


 * Go over the minutes from the Meeting our last meeting:**
 * We mostly discussed the redistribution of computers in the building. Committee asked that I make a policy to give to the staff.... Here is new list...
 * Laptop and iPad re-distribution for this year:**
 * **Here is what we discussed:**
 * //Go over minutes and the [[file:BCMS Computer Distribution list 2012_13.pdf|distribution list]]//
 * //Personal Device Protocol?//

LinkIt has been updated many times since early September, Is this still an issue? Are you seeing this in more than a couple of courses. They are not able to automate our nightly roster changes for several more weeks.
 * Link it Update of Student Names:**
 * We still have names in the system that have not been updated since early September. If we want to use the online testing piece this issue needs to be addressed

The 8th grade science teachers gave their pre-test online through LinkIt and the one problem we experienced was that students were getting randomly kicked out of the test. When the students logged back in, the test reloaded and started them at the spot they got kicked off at. - Kristin


 * **Laptop carts Issues:**
 * Factors still to consider for iPads :
 * More training is needed for many staff
 * More likely to be used by teachers who already have their own
 * Can we get more for teachers? Especially PE
 * Wireless through out the building? - In proposed technology infrastructure upgrade presented to the board for inclusion in bond referendum under consideration.- Sal
 * Tom Michalek was asked to create a new [[file:bcmstechcommittee/BCMS Computer Distribution list 2012_13.pdf|distribution list]]
 * Justin brought up that we need better data collection to decide if we need to have more carts in the future. We need better data on how these carts are being used and by whom.
 * Sal said his staff could set up an event calendar on outlook for each of the Macbook carts in the building - This would be done by BOCES who manages our hosted email. Request may take a week or so once we decide to move forward.-Sal
 * Suggestions were made we use outlook and set up a calendar for each cart per assigned team to be run by the person that houses the cart and other teachers could sign out the cart. Protocol at sign up would be Name, dates of use, apps used,...
 * Also for maintenance, a picture of what the cart should look like when returned should also be in the cart.
 * When using the laptop carts the time it takes for students to log in is still too long. There have also been several times this year when I had to restart the computers two/three times just so it could pick up the network. - Kristin


 * Personal Device Protocol- **
 * Bill Reilly brought up the idea that parents expressed during the Open House about bring Kindles into school
 * Other members of the committee expressed concern about the slippery slope it create because if we allow one device should we allow all?
 * The counter point was that the students would not be allowed on the public network.
 * However, some students had older siblings at the HS who already knew the password. How would teachers and staff know?
 * Further discussion was need ....Bill Reilly was asked to possibly write up a protocol for review by the committee


 * Laptop cart Issues: **
 * Teams and tech liaisons did not know where carts were located after being used at various workshops this summer
 * Once the carts were found...
 * Mohawk 6 cart is missing two mac books
 * Patroon 8 cart is missing two macbook pros and was brought back a mess
 * macbooks that were updated were not put back in the same cart they were originally (teams had them marked to keep proper inventory)

Major modifications to our procedures need to occur for next summer. Carts need to be properly labeled, inventory and procedures for who can use them, how they are "checked out" and returned will be developed. Maintenance logs will be added to carts. -Sal

Better communication needs to take place so the carts are returned after the summer updated and ready to go with software/hardware that teams and teachers need. Every summer they get cleaned out and nothing gets put back on. - Kristin


 * Other Items: **
 * **Laura Forman would like a Mac Computer for her room (132) instead of a PC She teaches Art and has a mac at home. she says she has compatibility issues with projects she does at home when she brings them in to school.**

There are likely several requests for hardware. These should be directed to Mike Klugman for consideration in an overall building plan for next year. Platform changes in any content area should be a departmental consideration to insure consistency in program. -Sal


 * **New computers for Computer Lit and ATM Update of there status-**
 * Rm. 147
 * How can students change their password if not using a PC?
 * Is their a password key app for the teacher machine for the Mac? Or can that be put on the PC version of Boot camp?


 * **LMC Needs-**
 * **Labs -**
 * Since class sizes have increased and the possibility of online testing with link it an APPR would it not be a good idea to increase the amount of PC in the two labs back up to 30?
 * I agree that this is a very good idea but again, requests for hardware should be directed to Mike Klugman for consideration in an overall building plan for next year. -Sal
 * I agree that this is a very good idea but again, requests for hardware should be directed to Mike Klugman for consideration in an overall building plan for next year. -Sal


 * **Policies-**
 * Do we have teacher's sign the lending policy for equipment they sign out still or does the AUP cover it? - YES! - All teachers (without exception) should have a signed user agreement for any equipment that has been assigned to them that leaves the building. This includes short, long term and temporary arrangements. If you need a copy of the agreement please email Jen Cannelll in our office. We made a valent effort this summer to make certain user signed an agreement. Please note that the district insurance deductible is such that if teh asset is lost or stolen, the employee is not covered and will be responsible for the replacement cost. Third party insurance is now available to staff who have iPads. For $37.00 per year the policy protects the ipad against accidental damage ($50.00 deductible) and theft. If you would like more details please see below:

> === Teachers can elect to purchase insurance through a program we have set up with the Worth Ave. Group. The annual premium is**$37.00** for a policy with a **$50 per incident deductible**. This will protect the iPad2-16GB (up to $399) against accidental damage (drops/spills), theft, vandalism, fire, flood, natural disasters and power surge due to lightning strikes and provide replacement cost coverage on and off school grounds worldwide. If you choose this option you must purchase the insurance online at: [], use promo code bethlehemcsdny.===


 * **Updates on the new BC@home?** We are hopeful that BCcentral will be tested this fall/spring, with a implementation planned for July 1, 2013.
 * Will the Librarians have access? - BC@Home and Bccentral are driven by class rosters integrated from SMS. What functionality are librarians looking for?
 * PDF creator- this is helpful with all the versions of word out there. - Not sure what the question is here? Are you requesting the program?
 * Maybe I am out of the loop on this, but what are the updates? - Kristin