Canadian Academy General Intranet: Meeting 4_3

Minutes

Nuts and Bolts and New Equipment
1. ASUS Eee - potential uses? potential problems? potential solutions? -
  1. David did a comparison of the ASUS with older iMacs. He finds the ASUS slow and clumsy. David compared the ASUS to old iMacs or iBooks that we have in storage. The old computers are the same speed pr faster than the ASUS and run the full productivity suite which the ASUS doesn’t do.
  2. Jon is concerned that (1) we have a few teachers using something like the ASUS while other classrooms are left without them, or (2) that we place them with teachers who won’t use them.
  3. Since the operating system is not OS X, there are operating problems. David’s task next year will be to ensure that students login when using computers, and that each has his/her own data storage. These computers would be difficult to include in that system due to the operating system.
  4. The track pad is awkward to use, but adding a mouse takes care of that problem.
  5. They can access the network wirelessly, but are slow to find the network if they are moved from one area of school to another.
  6. If the screen is closed, the computer turns off – or goes into deep sleep.
  7. If a flashdrive is added it shows up immediately, but waits to have something selected to open.
  8. The battery of the ASUS lasts about 2 – 2.5 hours. Replacing the battery is half the cost of replacing the computer. (Battery = $150. ASUS = $300). The ASUS is not as sturdy as an iMac but because it is so cheap, it would be easier to replace. We could afford to replace them every 2 years, or as they breakdown.
  9. They are light, portable, wireless, allow access to the Internet, have open-source software, and are inexpensive. They are being used successfully in other international schools in the region. The concern would be to place them in areas for specific purposes and with teachers interested in using them. Rhonda will place the sample ASUS with a few teachers to see if there is interest.
2. eBeam - potential uses? potential problems? potential solutions?
  1. We have purchased a sample. It is with Murray. He is having trouble making it work with his Intel computer. Gerad is interested in purchasing a few digital boards for the high school. If the eBeam works, the high school will order a few. We will need to see if we want to purchase some to use as shared resources for next year. It will be up to each school to purchase the eBeams in quantity, but (assuming the eBeams work), the tech department will purchase a few as shared resources. Jon would like one in Tech 1 and another in a "pilot" classroom.
PowerSchool Timeline - Quick review + Goal for next year. We will use PowerSchool next year in the same way we use MacSchool this year → for demographic data and reporting. Murray will work out how the MS/HS will do grade reporting. Todd will work out a system for elementary to use FileMaker Pro for an online reporting system
Home Internet Support -– The school Board decided to give 3,000 yen per household to support the cost of an Internet connection. It will not be required to have Internet connection next year, but probably will be the year after. We’ll have to think about the long-range impact on our technology plan if everyone has Internet access from home.
FinalSite development – This cost has been approved for next year. Murray and Steve will start the development. Murray and Steve will contact Clive to get more information about how to get started. We will also have to decide how we will gather data to decide what needs to be included in a learning portal. We used the Digital Communication Committee (DCC) to develop the current www site. We may have to get the DCC going again to help develop the FinalSite.
Draft Plan for Strategy 3 (Result 3 Year 2) and Draft Plan for Strategy 4 (Result 1) both mention IT initiatives. These will also impact the technology long range plans.
Impact of #1-5 on Tech Plan. Over the next few weeks, we will have to establish timelines and responsibilities for tasks.

Sonny's Report

DNS hosting was completed March 17. Has been working well. Changes must be requested by email to Softbank Telecom, but always get done in 1-2 days.
Yamaha router is old and should be upgraded ASAP. We are looking at online auctions for Yamaha RTX1500 to come along at a reasonable price.
MacBook batteries are dying sudden deaths. Two MacBooks lost batteries ("X" in menu bar icon) this week. Neither was covered in Apple's extended battery recall program. We bought some new batteries. I decided to label EQ numbers on batteries so we can get a free replacement if any of these dies in less than a year.
Library AirPort - MS/HS Library AirPort Base Station was upgraded to latest 802.11n model before spring break. We also placed an AirPort Express in N305 for more reliable network access. This room does not get a good signal from either N303 or N306A.