In this issue:

• Adirondack Technology Showcase
• Results from the technology satisfaction survey
• Introducing Bernie Capron
• HS virtual field trip
• What is a GIFTed Group?
• EdTech Corners
• Cool Web Sites

The newsletter can be viewed by visiting this site: http://moodle.queensburyschool.org/twt/file.php/1/tidbytes/tidbytes_spring08.pdf

We were thrilled that exactly 200 teachers participated in the 2008 Technology Use and Satisfaction survey. Your insight is invaluable as we continue to improve our ability to provide technology support, both instructionally and technically.

I have gathered the reponses and create a series of graphs. In cases where we asked the same question on our 2005 survey, comparison data was presented. Please contact me with any questions that you may have about the survey and results.

2008 Technology Use and Satisfaction Survey Summary

You see, the need for good tech support really hasn't changed much over the years...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ

Thanks to Pete Hochsprung for sharing this...

Most of us have seen Google Earth and probably spent time finding our house, the house we grew up in, the house we lived in during college, and the lovely piece of retirement property you've been eyeballing in Hawaii (...or is that just me?).

Nevertheless, there are a number of wonderful uses for Google Earth not only for the teacher demonstrating to the students, but also actual activities that the students can do in a computer lab or using a laptop cart. Finally, there appears to be a single resource that is putting all of those sites in one place.

Google Earth Lessons will show you the How-To's of Google Earth, but also has a substantial collection of lessons for both teacher-directed and student-centered activities across multiple subject areas.

We often get lots of questions about why staff members have to change their passwords so frequently, or why we have the computers lock after 90 minutes of inactivity. We are constantly reminding staff members to log off when they walk away from a computer, and while it may appear we are nagging, there's a very important reason.

If you take the time to read this article, you'll see why maintaining a high level of security with our computer network is so critical.

In 2005, we conducted a technology survey that measured the competency and satisfaction levels among our instructional staff. Starting today and available until March 15, we would like to offer a similar survey for our instructional staff to see areas where we have grown over the past three years and areas still in need of improvement. In 2005, we were thrilled to have 165 teachers participate in the survey and we would like to see that number grow even higher this time around. The survey is entirely anonymous and should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete. The responses you give on the survey will help shape the direction of this department in the coming years. A survey for non-instructional staff will be released with our next issue of Tidbytes in April.

You can access the survey by clicking the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4jtYnlcBDOGvtPTGbrnymA_3d_3d

If you use the shortcut on your desktop to access the VOD system, you have noticed a problem connecting to the site. The VOD system was upgraded by the manufacturer on Friday, and as a result, the address that is used to connect to the VOD system changed slightly.

To connect to the VOD system, there are two things you can do. The first way to connect is to use a link on either the Staff Tools page or the Queensbury home page. Both have a link to the VOD system on the front page.

The second option is to change the target for the shortcut on your desktop. To do this, right-click on the icon on your desktop and select Properties. In the windows that appears, replace the location in the target field with the following: http://192.168.3.50