Meeting Tomorrow - May 19th

Hi all,
Just a reminder about the meeting tomorrow Tuesday May 19th. We'll check on the progress of the Technology initiative. See you @ 7:00 pm.

Upcoming Microsoft Event for Education

Something that might be of interest:
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032409129&culture=en-US

Core+

I spoke with Curt Landry at Core+ to give him the news I received yesterday concerning the client strategy at ASCS. He reiterated that cost-wise, Core+ should be a better option, new computers are not needed, new releases of software is part of the package. And offered to come to the meeting on 4/7. If there is any interest in that, let me know although I would guess not.

PS. How can the text "Working of bringing the best in Technology to All Saints Catholic School." be changed on the blog home page? Too much technology and not enough grammar. :)

100 minutes of telescope time for $15

I thought this was pretty neat, control a high power telescope via the web. Read more about this and other astronomy events going on.

The "Ayes" have it. Meeting Changed.

The date change for the next meeting seems agreeable to everyone, so we'll see you all on Tuesday the 7th of April.
Marie, if you could please make sure that Mike Malone and Ray get the message, that would be great.
Thanks,
Nick

April Meeting Date Change?

Hi all,
Because of a scheduling conflict with a SAC meeting, I need to see if Tuesday April 7th would work for you. Please email breakfast2222@yahoo.com to let me know. If it all works out, I'll post a confirmation soon.
Thanks,
Nick

Core+ Thin Client Followup

I took the concerns raised at the last meeting back to Core+ for their response. Please see the answers and let me know if you have any additional questions.

• Video editing - Whatever you are doing today to support this doesn't change. The files are saved/retrieved from the Core+ environment. Another customer is doing this right now.
• USB Thumb drives - Full access is provided, lots of customers do this, with 100Mbps connection we discussed at the last meeting, this should not be a concern
• Inkjet printing - Printing is instant even to ink jet printers based on existing customer experience.
• Number of users per CPU - Core+ does not virtualize complete workstations (cpu, ram, disk) but rather virtualizes storage, processors, applications, ram, configuration (SPARC). The amount of each of these resources is adjustable by the user.

Overall points expressed by Core+

• This is not Citrix and not directly comparable. Keep this in mind when drawing on past experiences for comparison.
  
• Mark Landry offered to meet with anyone who would like to discuss further. He also offered tours of the back end data center as well as a hands on demo of the front end client.

I hope this helps the evaluation of lab options.

A Quick Thanks and Reminder

Hey,
We're making some exciting progress on the RFPs for the Lab. Thanks to all those who are chasing them down.
Also, just a quick reminder that our next meeting will be on Thursday March 5th @ 7:00 in the Library. Agenda coming soon. See you all there.
Nick

Computer Lab - Citrix Virtual Desktop

I have contacted Citrix about getting bids to implement their XenDesktop virtual desktop solution. The representative is trying to help me get some bids from local vendors they have worked with previously. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up!

Chris Ganus

Please see my responses in **** below Frank's comments. Sorry I miised the meeting.



From: Frank B [mailto:frank.banul@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 11:37 AMTo: Marie PishkoSubject: [All Saints Technology Committee] Brainstorming on teaching aids for the clas...

Last night we talked about teach aids. I put together a list to start. Please let me know what you think.

Large screen digital TV
Pros:- accepts over the air (OTA) TV signals (antenna on the roof)- accepts PC input (can be used as a 2nd display, teacher screen is 1st display, TV is secondary display. Allows same or different content between screens. Play DVDs/CDs, stream from internet video sources.- accepts stand alone DVD and/or VHS sources- Does not require lights to be dimmed- Audio volume is sufficient to fill the room
Cons:- Takes a significant amount of wall real estate- Not as large as other options

**** Do not under stand this comment****

Mounted overhead projector
Pros:- accepts PC input (can be used as a 2nd display, teacher screen is 1st display, TV is secondary display. Allows same or different content between screens. Play DVDs/CDs, stream from internet video sources.- accepts stand alone DVD and/or VHS sources- Large display- mounted on ceiling out of the way

Cons:- May require lights to be dimmed depending on brightness (higher brightness = higher cost)- Requires more maintenance- Fan noise may be an issue- Usually weak audio volume- OTA TV signals require computer TV tuner

******What about sound?***** You will need to allow for cabling from the audio jack to the device. I believe based upon my experience (even with DLP projectors) that at least a portion of the lights need to be dimmed. ********

Projector on a cart- Same pros/cons as mounted overhead projector with the following differences

Pros:- Allows resource sharing between instructors

Cons:- Not always available- Not easy to connect to instructor computer due to cabling

**** Same comments as ceiling mounted plus, purchase and storage of the cart, plugging the cart into a wall socket (hazard of wires on the floor for students/teacher to trip on. *******

SMARTboard- Same pros/cons as mounted overhead projector with the following differences

Pros:- Provides a touch screen enabling use of Notebook software

*** The most important PRO is that the students will become more engaed in what is being taught. Teachers will be able to save what is done on the board for later reflection and corrections
The SB will be immediately usable because it comes with all the software and training needed for immediate implementation. The Diocese has 3 or 4 Master Trainers on the SB.****
LCD display for each student

Pros:- Easy to see

Cons:- Difficult to setup and control- Takes a lot of personal space
**** If you are talking about an LCD monitor I do not understand the difficulty of set up. Several teachers have purchased their own LCD monitors and all we did was to plug them in, nothing else was required. A LCD monitor takes far less room than a conventional monitor. The tables/desks we are looking at have a protective lip to prevent the accidential falling off the desk/table if bumped. A LCD will give the students far more work space. *******

electronic whiteboard
Pros:- Replaces chalk board when considering wall real estate- Provides image of material taught during class
Cons:- No display inputs
****We do not have chalk boards. Not true for no display unit. There are several devices (relatively inexpensive) out that allow you to make a regular white board into a SB

Brainstorming on teaching aids for the classroom

Last night we talked about teaching aids. I put together a list to start. Please let me know what you think.

Large screen digital TV
Pros:
- accepts over the air (OTA) TV signals (antenna on the roof)
- accepts PC input (can be used as a 2nd display, teacher screen is 1st display, TV is secondary display. Allows same or different content between screens. Play DVDs/CDs, stream from internet video sources.
- accepts stand alone DVD and/or VHS sources
- Does not require lights to be dimmed
- Audio volume is sufficient to fill the room
Cons:
- Takes a significant amount of wall real estate
- Not as large of a display area as other options

Mounted overhead projector
Pros:
- accepts PC input (can be used as a 2nd display, teacher screen is 1st display, TV is secondary display. Allows same or different content between screens. Play DVDs/CDs, stream from internet video sources.
- accepts stand alone DVD and/or VHS sources
- Large display
- mounted on ceiling out of the way
Cons:
- May require lights to be dimmed depending on brightness (higher brightness = higher cost)
- Requires more maintenance
- Fan noise may be an issue
- Usually weak audio volume, will require audio cabling or alternate sound source
- OTA TV signals require computer TV tuner

Projector on a cart
- Same pros/cons as mounted overhead projector with the following differences
Pros:
- Allows resource sharing between instructors
Cons:
- Not always available
- Not easy to connect to instructor computer due to cabling
- Cabling on floor creates a safety hazard

SMARTboard
- Same pros/cons as mounted overhead projector with the following differences
Pros:
- Provides a touch screen enabling use of Notebook software, Diocese has smart board training
- Students can participate
- On screen material can be captured to save or distribute

LCD display for each student
Pros:
- Easy to see
Cons:
- Difficult to setup and control
- Takes a lot of personal space

electronic whiteboard
Pros:
- Replaces existing white board when considering wall real estate
- Provides image of material taught during class
Cons:
- No display inputs

eWeek Article - VMWare Virtual Desktop

Interesting online article about VMWare and the virtual desktop. VMWare is a market leader in the virtual computing space for servers. The article mentions the competitors and benefits of this model. I hope the information in the article is helpful.

http://www.eweek.com/index2.php?option=content&task=view&id=51505&pop=1&hide_ads=1&page=0&hide_js=1

Chris

Moving the Meeting

Hey,
Let's move the meeting to Thursday Feb. the 5th @7 pm. Hopefully that works out better for everyone.
Thanks,
Nick

February Meeting

Happy New Year everyone (belatedly).
Let's get together Feb. 6th @ 7:00 for a meeting. The new year is bringing us new challenges and new opportunities. Let's get started.
See you there.
Nick