Sunday, December 2nd is Network Down Day

This Sunday, December 2nd is our regularly scheduled technology maintenance "down-day."  We reserve the first Sunday of each month for network/system maintenance to avoid interruptions throughout the month.

We always try to keep interruptions to a minimum. Please plan accordingly for potential interruptions to TTSD Wifi, email, Google, Synergy and other TTSD systems on Sunday.  

...Susan & IT Team

Upgrade to Mac OS 10.14 "Mojave"

Mac Users: Update to Mojave

TTSD technicians have completed their testing of the new Mac OS operating system, Mojave version 10.14.  There are some nice features in this new OS that you can check out at the end of this blog post.  It's time to update!

We ask that you update your teacher Mac laptops to this new version in the coming weeks, on your own.  It will require about an hour of your laptop's time to download the software and install it after the restart.  

If you do not run this update, beginning in December, technicians will be asked to push this update (for security and compatibility reasons) to all who have not updated. This push (requiring a restart) may not be at the most opportune time for you. So it is highly recommended you perform these steps when it's convenient for you.

Steps for running Mojave update on your staff laptop:

1. Plug in your laptop to power.
2. Ensure your computer is backing up successfully with Google Backup & Sync (or other method if you prefer) -- to be safe. Tips for Backup & Sync.
3. Update your Mac to Mojave (~ 30 min for your laptop : start this before watching a movie, going to bed, etc...)
4. Restart. (This will complete the process, takes ~ 30 min for your laptop)

Your school technician will communicate the December date when he/she will run the automatic Mojave update on those systems that have not be updated by the staff member.

Apple TV "Package" available through the iVisions Warehouse

Announcing the availability of Apple TV's (with HDMI cable) in the Technology Warehouse! 
You are not required to purchase your Apple TV through the IT Department's Infinite Visions "Warehouse", but if you do, it will come pre-setup for you on our network, named & include an HDMI cable.

Purchasing Apple TV's this way make this device an easy "plug and play" setup in your classroom. No Tech Request needed!

See your Bookkeeper for details and to purchase!

It's grading time!

Hello secondary teachers,

Here are some Quick Steps on posting your grades with Standards for Quarter 1:

1 - Identify the reporting standards you have introduced this grading period.

• Check out your Course Reporting Standards HERE >> Scroll down to "Secondary Standards"

2 - Prepare your Grade book (import the reporting standards) for each class:

• "Loading Course Aligned Standards" (Knowledgebase Article)

3 - Attaching Reporting Standards to Assignment/s:

•  "Adding Standards to Assignments & Scoring Assignments" (Knowledgebase Articles)

The end result will display both your class grade, followed by any reporting standard that you have attached to an assignment and scored.

Important navigational changes in iOS 12

After upgrading to iOS 12, there are two important navigation changes in iOS 12.

1. Swipe down on the top right corner to access the Control Center in iOS 12

2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen will return to the first Home page

iOS 12 Available for All Teachers & Middle School Students

As of this week, we have opened up the TTSD network to allow updates on iOS devices for middle school students and ALL teachers to 12.1. We encourage ALL Middle School students and teachers to update their iPads.

PLEASE do not instruct your students to perform this update during school hours - it will take TOO LONG and interrupt classwork.  Encourage them to start the update after school and/or at home.

Sunday, October 7th = Network Maintenance Day @ TTSD

This Sunday, October 7th is our regularly scheduled technology maintenance "down-day."  We reserve the first Sunday of each month for network/system maintenance to avoid interruptions throughout the month.

We always try to keep interruptions to a minimum. Please plan accordingly for interruptions to email and other TTSD systems on Sunday.  

...Susan & IT Team

Internet Outage - October 2, 2018

At about 3:35pm on Oct 2nd, we experienced a full Internet outage at TTSD (and other neighboring districts). NWRESD was able to identify the source of the problem and had the connection back up by ~4:40pm.

Netop and Teachers using their Mac Laptops

High School Teachers,

If you are using your Mac laptop with Netop to manage your student Chromebooks, please download the Netop app in Self Service (vs using the Netop website).  There was a Netop update over the summer that requires the use of this app on your Mac to be successful.  If you have any questions, please just submit a Tech Request and we can assist further.

iOS 12 released today! (Monday, September 17, 2018)

Good morning!  Apple released iOS 12 today at 10am PST.  We have currently BLOCKED this iOS update for your iPads so that we can adequately test current apps and prepare our network for the update.  We anticipate this will take ~3 weeks.  Please mark your calendar for the week of October 8-12th for availability for student iPads to update to iOS 12.

Teachers, until you hear otherwise, please do NOT update your iPads as this may cause compatibility issues with apps you use with your students.  We (IT and T&L coaches/TOSAs) will be testing the apps we use to ensure a smooth transition.

Thank you!

Welcome Back, Teachers!

Welcome back!

Here's a quick update on getting started this fall:

• Software/App Resources: TTSD Resource Menu 
• Search for grade- & subject-specific apps. Links to tutorials and getting started guides.
• Gradebook setup:
• Elementary
• Secondary
• Quick Refresher:
• Phones
• Email
• AESOP
• Looking for something else?  Check out the Technology Knowlegebase
• Need technical assistance?  Please place a TTSD Tech Request

Can't remember your password??  Call the IT Help Desk with any password questions: x4051

Wow! 17% growth in completed Tickets

Comparing Tech Requests from 2016-17 ad 2017-18, the technicians in our Technology Department (including school technicians) have successfully addressed over 9000 requests - this is a 17% INCREASE over 2016-17!  Way to go TTSD Technology Staff!!!

NNAT3 TAG testing software requiring update for 2018-19

Please note Pearson has updated the NNAT3 Talented & Gifted assessment software as of July 23rd.  Existing installations on Macs will need to be removed and the update installed.  iOS devices will need to update their App after July 23rd.

See TTSD Digital Resource Menu for NNAT for additional information:

https://menu.clever.com/ttsd/app/Naglieri-NonverbalAbilityTest-ThirdEditionNNAT3-ttsd

Digital Dreaming 2018 Classes

Digital Dreaming 2018 Classes (summer technology integration classes offered by TTSD, HSD, and FGSD) will be offered online (or at nearby Apple Stores) this summer. Please take a moment to review the list of in-person classes and self-paced online trainings recommended by TTSD for summer learning:

Digital Dreaming 2018 

Record the screen on your Mac

How to record the screen on your Mac - CNBC

https://apple.news/AgxrraJn9RxewSZrsCAckWQ

Mac Office 2016 for Staff

Staff,

If Microsoft Office 2011 is missing from your Mac computer, please follow the direction below to download Microsoft Office 2016.

1. Open the Applications folder
2. Launch the Self Service app
3. Locate Microsoft Office 2016 (under Essential Apps) and click Install

Note: 
- You don’t have to login in the Self Service app
- Once you click Install, please leave your laptop on for 10 minutes
- Click Skip Sign In when launching the Microsoft Office app for the first time.

They are coming....

Your new laptops are HERE!

We are working with your school to schedule a FULL DAY when they will be distributed in May.  Please note you will need to turn IN your existing laptop when you pick up your new one.  Here are the required steps to receive your new laptop:

1. Your current laptop will need to be backed up before you come to pick up your new laptop. You will be leaving with only your new laptop.
2. You must have your laptop charging cable with you to turn in along with your laptop.
3. Remove any and all stickers and personal markings on your District laptop.  We will be re-distributing these to students in the fall. 

Below are helpful links to a TTSD IT KnowledgeBase article for backing up and link to the TTSD Tech Blog that will provide you with additional tips:

• KnowledgeBase Article - Backup and Sync
• TTSD TechBlog

Thank you for your help in making this a smooth transition by being prepared when you pick up your new laptop! If you need any help after you attempt the backup steps (Backup and Sync, above), please reach out to your school technician for assistance.

Licensed Laptop Selection Time!

Below you will find the technical specs for each laptop available for Teacher replacement this Spring 2018:


Macintosh Laptop:
MacBook Air
13-inch/1.8GHz
i5 - 5th Gen/8GB/256GB SSD storage/Intel HD Graphics
6000



Windows Laptop:
ThinkPad 13 2nd Gen, Intel Core
i5-7200U-7th Gen (2.50GHz, 3MB) 13.3"
1920x1080 Multitouch, Windows 10 Pro
64, 16.0GB, 1x256GB SSD SATA, Inte l
HD 620, Intel 8265 ac, 720p HD
Camera, 3 Cell Li-Polymer, 3 Year Depot




Macbook Pro (upgrade $460)
13-inch MacBook Pro: 2.3GHz dual-core i5, 256GB
2.3GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 - 7th Gen
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
• 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
• 256GB PCIe-based SSD
• Force Touch Trackpad
• Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports
• Backlit Keyboard

Replacement of Licensed Staff Laptops - Spring 2018

It is time again to upgrade our current licensed staff & administrator laptops (last replacement was Summer 2014). These laptops will be replaced this Spring (May 2018). We will be moving to a 5 year replacement cycle after this replacement.  Next replacement date will be Spring 2023.

Laptop options include:

• Macintosh laptops: 13" Macbook Air
• Windows laptops: 13" Lenovo ThinkPad:
• For those who feel they would benefit from a MacBook Pro, this will be available for an additional cost, paid for by PDF or dept funds.

Please begin organizing and backing up your files.  Below are helpful TTSD IT KnowledgeBase articles and link to the TTSD Tech Blog that will provide you with tips:

• KnowledgeBase Article - Backup and Sync
• TTSD TechBlog

In the next week, you will receive a follow up email with additional laptop details and with a form to complete.  You will only need to complete this form IF you want to:

1. Switch platforms (move from Windows >> Mac or Mac >> Windows), or
2. Upgrade to Macbook Pro laptop ($$)

Getting started with Google Team Drives

TTSD staff, you may have noticed a new area in the Google Drive menu called Team Drives. Team Drives are a way to share folders and files other staff, but instead of an individual owning the content, the content is owned by the TEAM.  So, if someone were to move away or move to a different "team", the ownership of the files stays with the team. This could be very useful for group collaboration in SAT/PLCs, departments, schools, committees, etc. where the content shouldn't belong to a particular person, but rather the team as a whole. Click the graphic below to learn more about Team Drives.

Learn more about Google Team Drives

STAFF PLEASE READ: Social Engineering Attack Prevention Tips

• 
  Never allow anyone to take control of your computer unless you verify in person that the individual is allowed access!  Cyber criminals will contact staff impersonating Microsoft, Comcast, or other vendors claiming that your organization has been hacked and directing the employee where to go on their computer to fix the problem.  Don't do it.  You may be inadvertently installing a virus that will give them access to your computer or system.

• Never email sensitive documents to anyone without first verifying on the phone that the request is legitimate.  Cyber criminals can send emails that appear to be legitimately from superiors, like the superintendent.  These emails will request information like health insurance data, W2 forms, account numbers and financial wire transfer codes.  Never send this type of information without picking up the phone and verifying the request!

• Never give out your password to anyone!  And change it frequently on important accounts.  There is no legitimate business reason to share your password.  Customer service staff, who assist with account access, can reset passwords or direct you to a self-service password reset.

• Cyber criminals are pretending to be contractors and vendors who have changed their bank account numbers.  They will send your accounting department realistic emails that appear legitimate, with an explanation that the contractor/vendor has changed bank accounts or wire transfer accounts.  The request is fake and money will go directly to the cyber criminal.  Pick up the phone.  Call and verify!

• Conduct regular trainings on cyber security.  Experts recommend "people patching" or reserving a portion of your budget to fund employee cybersecurity training.  They explain that it is important to invest in hardening employee skills and keeping them abreast of new breaches and attack vectors.³ As a member of SDIS your entity has access to online training through SafePersonnel.  They offer training on a variety of subjects including Cybersecurity Overview, Email and Messaging Safety, Password Security Basics and Protection Against Malware.

• Individuals should strongly consider signing up for a credit and dark-web monitoring service 

Sources

1. Perrin, Chad. "Mitigating the social engineering threat." Tech Republic, CBS Interactive, April 21, 2010, https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/it-security/mitigating-the-social-engineering-threat/

2. Vigliarolo, Brandon. "Report: Email attacks increasing, but none as much as impersonation phishing." Tech Republic, CBS Interactive, December 5, 2017, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/report-email-attacks-increasing-but-none-as-much-as-impersonation-phishing/

3. DeNisco Rayome, Alison. "These 3 departments are causing the biggest cybersecurity probelms at your office."Tech Republic, CBS Interactive, December 6, 2017, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/these-3-departments-are-causing-the-biggest-cybersecurity-problems-at-your-office/

Google Calendar has a new look starting January 8th, 2018

Yesterday, Google announced that they will start automatically upgrading users to their new Google Calendar web user interface (UI) on Janurary 8th. You can read the original announcement which talks about the changes. Highlights of what's new are available in Google Calendar Help.

I switched to the new calendar this week and really like the look. This is what my current week looks like:

If you have changed any settings on any of your calendars, you will see more of a difference there, but I have been able to find what I need. The change is more in line with the new versions of Chrome and other web applications I have used.

Enjoy!