JB Tech Info - Coursera + Shortcut Cheat Sheet + Christmas Updates

Around the Net:

Coursera - Is a website that offers free courses from many top Unversities from around the world.  Best of all it's FREE.  These are college level courses, but are a great way to expand your mind and the mind of your students.  This is a great opportunity for students to try out college material for free.
"The website provides free online courses in the fields of Computer Science; Healthcare, Medicine, and Biology; Society, Networks, and Information; Humanities and Social Science; Mathematics and Statistics; and Economic, Finance, and Business" - Coursera.org
https://www.coursera.org/

Tip:
Shortcut Cheat Sheet for PC and Mac

Graphic from Lifehacker.com article: Back to the Basics: Learn to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Like a Ninja

Tech Updates:

Over the break we will be updating the rest of the Ubuntu Linux netbooks with the latest version of Ubermix.  Also we'll be doing a Wireless Survey.  This will help us deploy additional WiFi Access Points in the best locations, with less guessing.  This will help evolve our WiFi network from a maximum coverage with the least amount of AP's to a high density/maximum availability WiFi network. Certain areas will get an additional AP over the break, due to poor coverage.  Particularly the basement at Lee HSMS.

JB Tech Info - Khan Academy + RebelNet Tips

Around the Net:










Khan Academy for iPad/iPhone

Khan Academy is a great website with a huge library of educational videos.  The iPad app allows you to view and save videos to your iPad for later viewing.  If you create an account it will even save your progress.  Plus it's FREE.


Khan Academy Website
Khan Academy in Apple App Store


Tip:

You can update stored RebelNet passwords under Account > Password Mgr.  Remember to click the Update Stored Passwords after you make any changes.


Tech Update:

Added a link for Discovery Education under Staff Resources in RebelNet.  The link will also save your username and password just like Infinite Campus.

JB Tech Info - Zite + Keyboard Shortcuts + Tech Updates

Around the Net:


Zite is an app for your tablet or phone.  This works on Android and iOS devices (iPad/iPhone/iPod).  It will take a topic such as e-learning or technology or gardening and builds a custom magazine for you to read.  It takes news articles from all over the internet on each topic and puts them in your hands.  If the article isn't something you like or not related you can vote it down or up if it's something you like.  This is a great way to get information from sources you would never otherwise find.

Search for Zite in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store

Tip:

Can't find where to print?
Use this shortcut: Ctrl + P or Command + P on Mac

Have a bunch of windows open and want to get back to the desktop quickly?
Use this shortcut: Windows Key + D

Can't read the text?
Use this shortcut: Ctrl+(+ or - keys) or Command+(+ or - keys) on Mac

Tech Update:

Soon to begin pushing out the latest Java Update and later Adobe Flash.  For some you may have ran into the issue where Firefox disabled Java due to it being behind a version.  Most will noticed it, because the Gradebook in Infinite Campus' uses a Java plugin.  This update should automatically install itself on Windows computers.

Important:
This update will cause the computer to take a long time to login/startup, this is because it is installing software.  Please do not shut the computer off and be patient!

JB Tech Info - Newspaper Mapper + Tips + Tech Updates

Around the Net:

 Newspaper Mapper - This website geolocates newspapers from around the globe in different languages.  It utilizes Google Maps and Google Translate.  This means if you click on a newspaper written in the local language, it will do it's best to translate the newspaper for you.
http://newspapermap.com/

Tip:

If a page will not load at all (blank page), you've been there before, and you've double checked the spelling.   I use this website called http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/ .  Just paste the web address in there and it will answer your question.  However, it doesn't give you the answer you always want.

Tech Updates:

Created a new Ubermix image for the Linux netbooks.  This updates them to the latest version of Ubuntu and updates the web browsers, plugins, and other software.  We will probably be rolling it out over Thanksgiving Break.  Go to the website below if you would like additional information on Ubermix.  http://ubermix.org/index.html

JB Tech Info - PopcornMaker video editor + Tips + Tech Updates

Around the Net:

Mozilla Popcorn Maker - Online video editor that incorporates a whole lot more.  Take a video and add in elements from Twitter, Wikipedia, and other sources.  Visit the website to see what is possible and get some ideas.
https://popcorn.webmaker.org/

Tip:

Using your mouse button wheel to click on links opens them in a new tab.  Give it a try!

Tech Updates:

Changed the policies regarding incorrect network/RebelNet logins.  5 tries will lock the account out for 10 minutes, then reset automatically.

What is RebelNet?

RebelNet is a platform used by Godfrey-Lee staff and students to access several district-provided network resources from any device, any where, any time. It provides users with a simple web page where they can log in and see a personalized, customizable web desktop with icons and links to familiar web applications.

There are three types of applications that can be accessed through RebelNet: private, hosted, and public applications.

A private application is one which is managed by the district and runs on district-owned servers. Examples include Infinite Campus (our student information system) and Moodle. These applications can only be used by Godfrey-Lee users. RebelNet provides a secure portal to these applications from inside or outside of the district’s network.

A hosted application is one which is managed by the district but runs on servers belonging to entities outside of the district. The primary example of this is Google Apps for Education. The district manages Google accounts for all staff and students, but everything is stored on Google’s servers. RebelNet provides easy access to these applications by logging you in automatically so that you don’t have to remember an additional username and password.

A public application is one which is completely managed and operated outside of the district. Examples of this include, but are far from limited to, Glogster, Prezi, and VoiceThread. Users must create their own separate accounts on these websites in order to use the applications. RebelNet provides links directly to these applications and can store your usernames and passwords in order to log you in to them automatically.

On top of the different types of applications, RebelNet also provides web-based access to personal and shared files stored on district-owned file servers.

RebelNet provides a single point of access for all of these different types of applications and resources whether you’re on a district computer, a school netbook, a personal laptop, a public library computer, or even your smartphone. Just go to https://portal.godfrey-lee.org.

RebelNet is built on a product called Stoneware webNetwork. For more information on RebelNet, including how-to documents and screencasts, go to http://sites.godfrey-lee.org/rebelnet.

Welcome to Our Blog!

Welcome to our blog!  The Godfrey-Lee Technology and Media Team will be using this blog as a platform to share information as it relates to technology, education and all things interesting!  We hope to provide you with an unique perspective on the technology environment within Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and how we strive to build a web-based environment for our staff and students allowing access to resources anywhere, anytime with any device.

We encourage you to leave comments - we enjoy hearing feedback from people!

 The Godfrey-Lee Technology and Media Team