Daily Almanac

We have a new service available at dailyalmanac365.com. A short daily video with events, word for the day, extremes and health tips. All of the schools should have IP access available. If you are asked for a password, please contact us.

September Media Statistics

The September media statistics show a large increase in digital requests. Learn360 was 23.6% of the items shipped or viewed. EdVideo Online was 9.5%. The digital videos on our own server were 45.4%. These figures are a little high because I have done a number of trainings where I have shown teachers how it works. 16% of the shipments were videotapes and 4.4% were DVDs.

All teachers with accounts for the media catalog can search Learn360, EdVideo Online and our own titles as soon as they login to the media catalog. There is no need for a second login.

LTAC Meeting Notes - September 18

LTAC (Learning Technology Advisory Committee) met on September 18. Moravia, Auburn, Port Byron and Union Springs representatives attended.

Roundtable discussion included reports from the districts. Moravia reported that they now have layer 3 switches and are using the RIC firewall. Union Springs is changing to VOIP. Auburn replaced core switches and fiber. They are using School Messenger and reported it worked well with the school closing on Monday. Port Byron realigned to a K-6 and 7-12 configuration. They purchased I-Macs to replace PCs.

Tecnology plans were discussed. Additions to plans for the year beginning July 2009 need to be submitted by October. Budgets for 2009-10 need to be submitted by October 1. Kathy Smith, E-rate person from OCM BOCES will join us prior to the next meeting to discuss e-rate requirements.

Tony discussed the data network and the RIC to RIC connection. We are hearing that it will be active soon and that it will have access to Internet 2. Internet 2 requires IP6 at the building level. It was mentioned that the shaper at the CNYRIC doesn't seem to be working and that DOTs need more training.

Distance Learning is running 5 courses which is up from last year. Polycoms are available in the 7 districts in the distance learning co-ser.

Ann addressed the start of the school year with 3 more buildings on OPALS. Everyone thought that the download of student information from SIS was very efficient.

Tony and Linda explained NovaNet. The purchase order has been sent and training will be scheduled as soon as possible. Port Byron, Union Springs and Jordan-Elbridge have signed on.

Tony talked about an announcement system that would allow the server to be shared. Each building could have a monitor and have control of the announcements, cable TV, etc, which will appear on the screens. More information will coming.

Tony announced that the Seward House in Auburn now has a Polycom and FIOS so they are able to host videoconferences. They are considering purchase of a WI-FI video camera which would allow them to move around the House for videoconferences.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 16. Kathy Smith will join the group at 9 AM for the e-rate requirements. Superintendents and business officials will be invited. The regular meeting will be from 10-12. Jennifer Fosegan from NovaNet has been asked to attend to answer any questions.

Important Upcoming Dates

SEDDAS training September 12
TAG committee September 17
LTAC committee September 18
School Library System September 30

Open House October 9
Data Warehouse Meeting October 9
CSAC (CNYRIC Customer Service Advisory Committee) October 10
Media Council October 14
TAG Committee October 15
LTAC Committee October 16
Distance Learning Committee October 17

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the new school year. We have been working over the summer to add new materials to our media catalog. More than $25,000 worth of titles have been added. Many of the new resources are in digital format. More will be added through out the year. Check out the media catalog and look at the new titles. During the months of July and August the top 10 requested titles were Driver Education subjects including Defensive Driving, Distracted Driving, Driving in Bad Weather, Night Driving Tactics, Dying High: Teens in the ER.

We have added logins for new teachers. If you need a login or need help in using the catalog please ask for help by calling us.

Videoconferences

We have added video conferences aka Virtual Field Trips to our Media Catalog. These are video conferences that have been used in our BOCES. They have had good evaluations. Contact Tony Abbatiello for more information. Districts that participate in the Distance Learning service have the equipment in their districts to receive these interactive programs. The form to book video conferences is available on our website. It must be signed by an authorized administrator so that we can schedule your conference.

New Medianet Service

We have begun to add links to websites in our Medianet catalog. There are links to election sites such as CNN and MSNBC. A teacher can click on the link and go automatically to the website. Try it by searching for CNN or MSNBC in the media catalog.

We are also adding links to teachers guides on videos and DVDs. We began with PBS American Experience. Search for "New York Underground" to find one of these links. Click on the Resources link to be taken to the site.

We will be adding more links. If you find a link that you would like added please email to lnichols@cayboces.org