Technology Committee Minutes
Minutes from Technology Steering Committee
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
7:15 – 8:15am
CAO – Rm 133
Attendance: Monica Lentz, Dan Paese, Kristin Konitzer, Amy Andersen, Maxine Weisz, Angela O'Reagan, David Peterson, Rick Ziolkowski, Glen Allgaier, Rachel Russell, Jeanne Siegenthaler
7:15 – 7:20 New Equipment Installation Process
Tracking:
- Requisition created – Product received (help to manage vendors)
- Receipt date – installation (help to manage workload and customer response time)
Historically, Tech Services has not done an adequate job at informing users when their software or equipment has arrived at CAO and then installed it on a timely basis. To strengthen communication and support the centralized receiving of all technology equipment, as soon as equipment arrives at CAO we will open a ticket in bigWeb to track progress.
We do not have a commitment as to what is reasonable for installation time, but will review the process in two months to determine a target/goal for completion.
7:20 – 7:30 - Netbooks
- Quick presentation/description
- Would they meet any existing/future needs
Netbooks are mini-laptops, currently with a 10" display, full keyboard, limited memory (1gb) and hard drive (40gb), wireless access and in the $400 price range. They could be a cost effective solution to computer access at middle school or elementary. They could be a solution for a 1-1 initiative (1 student, 1 computer). We may try them on a limited basis to see if they adequately meet the needs without investing too much product development time (not a priority but could meet accessibility/portability needs). Chris does not see this as the solution to teacher laptops at secondary.
7:30 – 8:15 Facebook
- Build common understanding of application
- Identify Risks and Concerns
- New Staff Policy considered by Board on 2/10
- Student safety training ideas
- Staff safety training ideas
Internet Safety -
Monica, Angela, and Kristin demonstrated how Facebook worked and talked about the dangers of "friending" others. Because friends of friends can see one's facebook site, there is absolutely no way to control visibility. Various risks come from this personal use, more from a "teacher sponsored" site for his/her students:
Teacher is exposed to all student posts – parties, use of controlled substances, etc. – put in a position where he/she has to report
No documentation of "online" conversations for protection of the teacher/district
Blurred boundaries between professional classroom communication and casual social conversation
Potential for disclosure of too much personal information – exposing students
Policy: On Tuesday evening (2/10) the Board of Education passed a revised policy for staff use of technology that discourages:
"the use of non-district approved social networking and instant messaging sites by staff.."
This will be communicated to all staff the week of 2/16 – including clarification on existing blogs on blogspot, facebook sites, others.
Great discussion on what we can do for three different stakeholder groups:
Staff – need an overview on what the technologies are and how they are used/mis-used – texting, bullying, cheating,
Students – need training at all levels, coordinated approach to internet safety – 4th grade (ITL, 6th Gr computers) - 10 th grade (Health?). Perhaps it would be more effective if high school students (NHS or Key Club) presented to elementary/middle school students?
Parents – need awareness, tools to monitor.
- Parent Recommendations – facebook settings, location, monitor account frequently
- Videotape – facebook presentation – available for checkout or podcast
- Parent Network – Event –
- Continued message – newsletters or district events e-mail
- Aggregate resources – direct people to for education/awareness/training
- Collect benchmark district – education efforts
- Survey staff – parents of teenagers – how do you monitor – dangers/pitfalls
- Do we have a parent network advocacy group –
- Evaluate and recommend resources
Suggestion to invite FBI – Eric Szatkowski – eszatkowski@wi.rr.com, . Parent network brought him in last year but failed to invite Brookfield PD which caused some bad feelings. Chris would rather have a co-presentation with Brookfield Police and Elmbrook students.
Data review
Jan – 461 tickets
- Response: 4.25 hrs –90.5%
- Closure: 10 hrs – 95.7%
Dec – 325 Tickets
- Response: 5.5 hours (10.5 hour business day, 10.5 hr goal) – 88.5%
Closure Avg: 14.5 hours (10.5 hour business day, 31.5 hour goal) – 88.3%