Tech Tip from Larry

Hello all,

We introduced the Dashboard feature two years ago on the Windsor School District website.  It immediately became very popular as a quick and easy way for students, parents, and faculty to go to use their "apps" rather than bookmarking or trying to remember a bunch of web addresses.  Since then we have introduced to the SU and HES website redesigns and it became popular there too.  On all these sites (WSD, SU, and HES) it has become the second-most visited page, losing out only to the Home Page.  HES alone had over 200 visits today to their Dashboard!  Meanwhile, we have brought many schools into the fold of SU technology services and Dashboard "apps" including Google Apps, PowerSchool and PowerTeacher, WebHelpDesk, Alexandria, Skillful Teacher, and Curriculum, etc.  While there used to be many disparate "apps" with separate servers and links, things have been coming together.  It has been a chore to maintain three (and soon four) separate Dashboards as well as illogical since they have, over time, become virtually the same.  Accordingly, effective now, all Dashboard's on individual school sites will now link to the SU Dashboard.  We will continue to add "apps" to the Dashboard for the entire SU if they become a good fit.

A new one you will see on the Dashboard is Google Drive.  Google Docs is now Google Drive.  Basically, you will still create Google Docs, or spreadsheets, etc. as you have done in the past but Google Drive allows you a one-stop place to locate ALL your files:  Pictures, Charts, Docs, Video, etc.  Up to 5GB is available   And any Google-created Docs, Spreadsheets, or Presentations don't count against the 5GB.  It truly is your thumb-drive in the cloud.

Below is some more information on Google Drive.

Google Drive is the new home for all your Google Docs and more. Get started.

Google Drive is the new home for Google Docs Help

Thanks and have a great week,

Larry Dougher
Director of Technology

PhET Interactive Simulations for K-12 Math and Science

This is one of the best sites for interactives and simulations on the web.  All modules are thoroughly vetted and continually revised.  Numerous new projects have been added since June.  Here's a sample of a simulation that was developed for physical science to detail flow through a pipe.  What the authors may not have realized was that this simulation would become very popular with teaching the concepts of blood flow and hardening of the arteries that cause high blood pressure.  It's one of many wonderful simulations that can be used both as a teaching tool and a student exploratory.

You may download and install all of the activities to either a Mac or PC. (The download is very large...if you  have difficulty downloading or just want the convenience of installing from a CD, send me an email.)

Click to Run the sample simulation.  (Then select the Flow tab...you can decrease the diameter of the pipe to simulate what happens in a restricted artery.)

Click to Run

Google calendar can send reminders to your email

Download the handout.

Google Docs issues...

Have you attempted to upload an image into a Google Doc only to find out that the image won't load. You may have used the image before in Pages or Word with no problem but for some reason, your Google doc doesn't like your picture.  It may be as simple as your image is larger than 2000 pixels; it simply needs to be downsized and it should upload.  This issue is one of numerous concerns that people are finding with Google Docs.  Please the Google Docs Known Issues site  for help; workarounds and updates are listed.

iOS 6

A new free operating system upgrade is now available for iPhones, iPads and iTouch devices. 

Document cameras and small USB microscopes that you can borrow

I have several portable document cameras and small microscopes that are available for you to borrow.  If you are interested, send me an email and I'll stop by and show you how easy they are manipulate.  Some of the microscopes have been designed to work with K-3 students.

2011 NECAP released items

All of the NECAP items, along with the support materials, have been placed into grade level folders on the WSeSU template area accessible from your email screen.  For directions to access these files, click on this link.