For my final project in Technology and Infrastructure Management at Framingham State University, I wanted to create a professional development workshop applying the knowledge and materials covered in class. In order to consistently push forward and dive deeper into integrating technology into the curriculum, well-timed professional development is of extreme importance. For this workshop, an often misunderstood product, Google Apps for Education, will be discussed as well as touching on a few other smaller technology related topics. Read more…
My Darkest Evening of the Year
On September 14th, my greatest supporter, confidant, and grandma, Muriel Constance Coyne McCloy, passed away. Our connection was strong, and her passing left a large void in my life. I was her “best bubba boy”, “the prince,” and “my love.” To never hear her call me those nicknames again is stunningly hard.
Muriel was my biggest fan; dependable, optimistic, generous, full of wisdom, and oozed a certain class most people can only dream of. She had a particular way of making people feel comfortable and shaping an entertaining conversation. Nothing was ever off limits. She was engaging, a true conversationalist. She was funny and had a great wit. I loved our visits and am unsure how I will replace that memorable time. Read more…
Chromebooks: Ready for PARCC Assessments
With online assessments coming down the pike, especially the “big one” from Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), after some research, I wanted to squelch fears about properly setting up a Google Chromebook for the administration of the exams. Fortunately, our fifth graders will pilot the computer-based PARCC exam early next year, allowing myself to iron out any wrinkles before an official roll-out. Our middle school students are very comfortable using Chromebooks and after a little digging, it’s nice to know Google Chromebooks are comfortable with online assessments. Read more…
Google Scripts Needs Major Update
After a recent discussion on twitter surrounding Google Scripts, I thought it would be wise to take the discussion beyond 140-characters. As much as we all love twitter, without enough space to type up a more formal response, thoughts can can be misconstrued! Lucky there are blogs…
For many educators and administrators, the suite of tools provided by Google Apps for Education has become something of a must-have. Google Apps for Education is feature rich for everyone involved and unmatched in education today. Read more…
Changing Product Key in Windows 7
Before I get into changing the product key on Windows 7 using the command prompt, I wanted to share an excellent method for technology departments on small budgets to save time and money when it comes to the dreaded process of imaging.
We recently purchased (18) Dell 2120 netbooks, running Windows 7, for our third and fourth grade cart. The Dell 2120 is a sturdy, easy to use netbook, that is perfect for running the basics in an educational environment. When I order a batch of Dell’s, whether is be 18 or 100, I love to use a free and wonderful product called CloneZilla. Read more…