Instructional Technology Department

Instructional Technology supports staff/students in digital learning goals. This includes support for networking and VOIP, hardware, software, enterprise system support, and cloud based tools. We maintain classroom tools such as projectors, AV components, and a variety of web-based solutions. The department also supports enterprise applications including Canvas Learning Management System, Google Apps for Education (GAFE) and a variety of department based online tools in a mixed MAC/PC environment.

See Google Outage site if you are experiencing any issues with Google.

10/18:

On Monday, Traci Bonde/Carrie Bosco walked classrooms at Saratoga High. We had a chance to talk with Matt Holmes? (leadership) students about the wifi installations occurring in the following areas this week: quad, large gym, small gym, dance studio, and lobby outside gym. Students were encouraged to reach out directly to Traci Bonde if they experience any dead zones. Staff in the department continue to work on E Waste, updating Adobe products in applicable classrooms, and prepared another 5-6 gently used laptops for student who need technology at home. Data is being gathered now thanks to help from Adam Minyard/ Brian Thompson for the BOND Phase II installation of simple elegant classroom technology. The small black box is an audio system (see image) one HDMI cable to a laptop/desktop, and a projector. See new classroom building at LGHS to observe the equipment in action!

10/11:

The Instructional Technology Department unveiled a new website targeted for staff, students, and parents.It is linked on both school sites and the district website. It provides information on procedures, accounts, and new content on digital citizenship, privacy, social media tips for parents and more. Please take a moment and review the resources: https://sites.google.com/prod/lgsuhsd.org/lgsuhsd-it/home We’ll be adding more on a regualr basis. A survey was sent to all Classified staff requesting interest for their professional growth to assist in being more efficient using online tools. Staff responses and a series of trainings will be offered at LGHS/SHS/DO on Google Drive File Management, Optimizing Calendar, Google extensions for workflow. All sessions will be 1.5 hrs in length and a focus on bringing a work item so it is a “Make N Take” training and led by LGSUHSD staff! All critical servers were updated this week to the most current version. This is needed to remain secure and guarantee no loss of time accessing critical resources liek Aeries student information system, directory services, file servers, and storage used in courses at both campuses. Kudos to Matt/Julianne for running updates.

10/4: This week, we prepared 4 gently used devices and assisted students who do not have technology at home. We will provide information on our partnership with everyoneon.org/. See more here from our website:

LGSUHSD Access For All Students:

Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District offers gently used laptops to eligible families. Students will receive a gently used laptop with a free operating system (Ubermix), Google Chrome, so they can achieve their learning objectives 24/7. We have partnered with EveryoneOn to offer eligible families low cost ($10.00 monthly) at home Internet so all students can access resources online 24/7. Learn more here: http://www.everyoneon.org/ Please make a copy & complete this form. Submit to Traci Bonde tbonde@lgsuhsd.org for verification. I'll verify, respond to you & we'll prep a laptop and work with you for a handoff.

Student Technology Needs Assessment & Addendum

9/20: Instructional Technology Department is deploying enterprise level tools for computer management & getting very close on our Mobile Device Management solution for MAC’s & iPads. All of these tools will make management of said devices much faster and insure less down time for needed updates, adding APP’s etc. Stay tuned for more. Matt Lipford led the department in a comprehensive training on printer rollouts, industry best practices for management and troubleshooting tips. These trainings are going a long way to ensure both sites follow proven best practices. Thanks Matt.

9/13: We hosted our 2nd Cohort of GMasters (Google Chromebook recipients) September 11 for a full day of training/networking. Teachers were provided time to design 2 innovative lesson plans to be delivered utilizing Chromebooks within the coming weeks/months. Stay tuned for more udpates.

9/7: The Instructional Technology Department hosted five local districts learning wifi implementation practices on August 29 with two Apple System Engineers specializing in wifi deployments for agnostic student use. As a result we optimized the access points. We are finalizing formal heatmapping and CISCO controller settings across all campuses too. Access points in our McAfee Center were relocated this week to allow a better experience for our community in that space, thanks to Ben Brotzman and Steve Cunningham for their effort.

8/24: The Instructional Technology Department deployed new Chromebook carts in classrooms and Kristofer Orre/Traci Bonde have begun meeting 1:1 with Google Masters (aka.: GMasters) Cohort 2. Google Cohort 1 will be invited to all offerings made to Google Masters Cohort 2 Kris/Traci are also planning out the years worth of support for Tech Leaders. More to come on this topic. Staff in the department participated in the 1st of a 4 part series of training led by our beloved Steve Cunningham beginning with networking troubleshooting. Staff will have diagnostic tools to use in the moment network issues are identified to expedite downtime and guarantee a robust experience on WIFI.

8/17:The Instructional Technology Department has been very busy during the summer of 2018. Beginning with generating 927 freshman student accounts for all of the various software utilized in instruction. Working with contractors, temps, and our fabulous volunteer of the year, 12 new classrooms were loaded with audio visual technology and new document cameras. Two hundred plus classroom tasks were completed as staff removed old equipment/gear and streamlined functionality for teachers presentation stations. The most significant project of the summer was the total Wi-Fi overhaul that continues through August. We should expect to see great benefit from the changes made. Thanks to Julie/Steve/Julianne for all of the effort on that project.