SPAM, SCSD’s Spam Filter and Email Safety

Protect Yourself and Your Identity at SCSD

First, on behalf of all of us here in the Technology Department, please accept Season’s Greetings and our very best wishes for a joyous Holiday break. Last week, the Technology Department was going to share some thoughts about email, spam and the SCSD SPAM filter at the Monday morning training, but Jack Frost had other plans. Our goal is to empower every user of an SCSD email account to have the safest, most productive experience. To do so, we need to protect ourselves AND our contacts from SPAM.

SPAM, in its simplest terms, originally defined email that was unsolicited and unwanted. Today, it is estimated that SPAM accounts for about 90% to 93% of the email that is sent. Most SPAM results from sales advertisements, phishing (attempts to obtain personal info), scams, appending (adding names to an email database), or spreading a variety of computer infections (viruses, worms, etc.). The good news at Socorro is that about 20% of our email is good and only 80% is SPAM.

How Do Spammers Get My Email Address?

The major way that spammers get your email address is through the process of appending. The best source for appending are those blasted chain-emails that share a wonderfully warm or funny or patriotic or serious email … and then you are asked to forward it onward (sometimes at the threat of supernatural catastrophe that will occur if you don’t … LOL!). Every time you receive a chain email, especially one that contains images, chances are your email address and others on the recipient list) were added to a SPAM database. When you forward such emails, you are putting the recipients at risk. While the person who sent you the chain email was probably just trying to be nice, or they needed your name for the required “ten” recipients, they probably did not realize all the risks.

Going to unknown web sites can also open you to phishing and appending. Many web sites have built-in programs to read your email address from your online profile. Typically, when web surfing, you should only visit sites obtained through safe search engines.

Are You Ready To Get Mini-Laptops for 2011-2012?

Mini-Laptops Improve Student Engagement

In July of 2008, Socorro Consolidated Schools boasted a very respectable count of 500 computers across the district. Based on our enrolment of about 1,700 or so students, we were at about a 3:1 ratio of students to computers. That’s not bad!

That number can be considered somewhat misleading. Although a goodly portion of those ‘puters were in the hands of staff, it is still one of the standards used in education to measure technology access. Silly technology folk like me think that the only number that should be acceptable is a 1:1 ratio of students to computers WITHOUT including staff computers (otherwise known as one-to-one computing initiatives). It happens in some places, but can it happen in Socorro?

In reality, SCSD is rapidly approaching a 1:1 ratio with over 1,500 computers district-wide! We are adding laptop carts in Zimmerly and Sarracino that have full-size HP laptops, and we already have carts at Parkview and SHS. Sarracino also has a laptop cart devoted to its Earobics program. A small lab is being added to the SHS art department to compliment the small lab in the SHS Music room, and Tech is looking to recycle some “use-’em-until-they-die” Mac-mini’s that are being removed from regular computer lab and staff use. You will even see administrators “going mobile” with HP tablets that cost far less than any computer or handheld mobile device.

Did I mention anything about mini-laptops? LOL!

Is It August 10th Already?

Back to School with a New, Different Perspective

The reality of the week when we get back into the classroom always seems to sneak up on me. It’s not so much that the workload is any better or worse; however, the sudden rush of energy as we approach the first day of school can be both a good and bad thing. The biggest problem for me is remembering that I forgot to take enough time off during June and July.

This is also a time for romanticizing about the days when I was in the classroom full-time. The memories of all the bulletin boards, wall posters, arranging desks, using cleaning fluid and attending endless hours of meetings are pretty much forgotten. What I do remember is the first looks from my new students. That is what I find so exciting about the one class that I am still lucky enough to teach.

Over the summer, good fortune (and the generosity of Dr. Wilson) gave me an opportunity to attend the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators (NMCSA) Conference in Albuquerque. It was quite a remarkable two days of presentations, networking and workshops. Meetings of this caliber often make you reflect on the things you do and then inspire you to try some new things.

On the last day of the conference, the guest speaker was Michael Smith of Difference Maker, Ltd.; Mike is a poet, author and possibly the most engaging speaker I have ever encountered. Michael Smith’s keynote speech was humorous, enlightening and informative.

Mike’s message was a simple one: it seems that the “Three R’s” from my generation (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic) have morphed in the technology era. That makes sense since the students have changed. You will probably be hearing lots about the New and Improved Three R’s: Rigor, Relevance and Relationships.

You Be the Judge!

Does Technology Make a Difference in Student Achievement?

Back in January of 2010, largely spurred on by Michelle Lewis of the PED and the late Vincent Gargotta from my staff, SCSD made its first investments into mini-laptops. It was a planned effort to begin increasing the amount of technology available to students in the classroom.

There was motivation from my own selfish desire to give our students an opportunity to use computers for something other than short-cycle assessments and the follow-up assignments. Like most of my cohorts in educational technology, the concept of students using computers for research, creativity and productivity was a deep, dark dream lurking in a belief system firmly implanted in my heart and soul.

Once again, as stated time and time again in this blog, it is my stated belief that computers in and of themselves do not make kids smarter. If we follow the research of Dr. John Medina, the developmental molecular biologist who spoke at ISTE 2011, learning is the result of taking crystallized intelligenced (memorized facts and learned skills) and then immediately using it in a creative way. If you are a fan of Bloom’s Taxonomy, you might attach this to the cognitive domain through application, synthesis or evaulation.

As we started the 2010-2011 school year, we found ourselves on the edge of a mini-laptop explosion. In fact, we went from being a school district with about 500 computers (mostly to staff and teacher machines to) well over 1,250 machines. We even have laptop carts! (I was told that laptop carts would never work at SCSD … and YOU proved that wrong!).

However, the School Improvement Grant (SIG) at Sarracino Middle School created a unique opportunity. The English Langauage Arts teachers used SIG funds to add mini-laptops to their classroom. They then applied for more laptops from the Tech Department. What would happen if these ELA classes at SMS had almost a 1:1 ratio of students to computers? This was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

ISTE 2011 in Philadelphia

Curriculum and PD Dominate the Exhibits

WOW! it has been four months since my last post! It is hard to believe that we are already in July with less than one month until school opens. The Tech Team, now in the transitional stage of Vern, Chris and Grabiel, is getting ready for an exciting year ahead. Craig Addis of SHS will join the Tech Team in August, teaching at SHS in the morning and working with the Tech Team in the afternoon. Other news includes the new laptop carts at Zimmerly and SMS, and the addition of a small computer lab in the Art Room at SHS.

Having completed my third year here at SCSD, I was looking forward to the International Society for Technology in Education Conference at the end of June. As the President-Elect of ISTE’s local affiliate, the New Mexico Society for Technology in Education (NMSTE), it was a chance for me to attend some of the world’s best leadership training. Affiliate leaders also receive great networking ideas on how to build membership and funds for their local ISTE chapter.

During the past year, I’ve had the privilege of being the apprentice to Dr. Marcy Oxford from Las Cruces Public Schools. Marcy is the President of NMSTE and one of the brightest, hardest-working people I have ever met. I am so proud to say that she has built our membership from about 80 members to well over 400 members this year (largely through HARD work and ideas we got last year at the Affiliate Conference). Best of all, NMSTE can now help all these new educator members reach their students with technology and other teaching tools.

The neatest thing about ISTE 2011 is that it was held in Philadelphia. I have a very strong attachment to Philadelphia because I received my Masters Degree from Drexel University, located just a stone’s throw up Chestnut Street from the Convention Center. This promised to be a great look into the future of technology for the coming year and beyond.

In Memory of Vincent: One Year Later

“This World Was Never Meant for One as Beautiful as You”

Today was just another typical day in Socorro and at Socorro Consolidated Schools. People went about their ordinary business, enjoying a beautifully warm and luscious day that made you forget about the awful cold spell from a few weeks ago.

My day was, on the surface, no better or worse than the experience of any other person in Socorro. In some ways, mine may have even been better. My Photoshop class at the High School was fun, my email wasn’t too horrific, and Central Office celebrated birthdays for Stan, Anton, Bonnie and me with two of Jean Walker’s best desserts. I had some quality training time with two teachers and a Board member, and even the School Dude requests were agreeable.

And, as typical, I forgot to go to lunch but I made it to Sonic after 3:00 PM. I managed to finish eating my nutritious feast somewhere before 5:00 PM. Yep, some things just never change.

Beneath all the normality and business as usual was an uncomfortable undercurrent: it was one year since the passing of my friend Vincent Gargotta, one of the most beloved teachers and personalities in Socorro.

This arrival of this day had been on my mind for a couple of weeks, not so much from the perspective of grief or a sense of loss but more from looking back over the trail that led from that horrible day last year to today. It was one year ago that my life was irreversibly changed. As I have said too many times in my life, “What a long, strange trip it’s been!” (Truckin’ by The Grateful Dead, 1970)

New Opportunity for Teachers to Sharpen their Microsoft Office Skills

Federal Funds to Pay for Training & Stipends

As part of the two grants that Socorro Consolidated Schools received from Federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) funds, teachers will have an opportunity to improve their Microsoft Office knowledge and skills.

Teachers completing the professional development course will earn a Certificate of Completion, and they will also receive a stipend for their work. The Technology Department will be making the final arrangements with Skillsoft over the next few days for the training program. Please click HERE for some information from Skillsoft.

As part of the district EETT grant for 2009-2011 that led to the creation of the model lab at Sarracino Middle School, outside educational services were included in the budget. Originally, the training was for to be for classroom technology like remote responders, interactive white boards, and other “freebies” known as “Web 2.0″ tools.

However, the greater need seems to be developing mastery, not just a comfort level, with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, Access and even Outlook so that students can be given assignments that use these tools. SCSD spends more money on Microsoft Office than any other application; accordingly, it should be more fully utilized by our teachers and students.

If you noticed that Power Point was left off the list, it was done so intentionally because of the common perception that these presentations cause more boredom than engagement. However, Power Point presentations could have EXTREME RELEVANCE if teachers and students learned to use the “multimedia” features that make Power Point presentations tolerable (and more like a Windows Movie Maker show).

Technology Dept. Unveils New Online Professional Learning Community

Lesson Plans by Professional Teachers for Professional Teachers

The Technology Department has completed work on its online Technology Professional Learning Community for teachers at Socorro Consolidated Schools.

The online PLC features lesson plans developed by teachers participating in one or more of the Tech Department’s professional development and grant programs such as the Consortium for 21st Century Learning, New Mexico State University’s RETA Webinar Series, the mini-laptop program, the interactive projector program, and other in-house training. Based on guidance from the Educational Technology Bureau of the NMPED, teachers need to submit a technology-oriented lesson plan and a reflection when receiving stipends from technology grants. This new concept helps to assure that professional development learning translates from the workshop into classroom practice.

The PLC site also has a discussion board that will allow teachers to submit questions, comments and observations regarding Technology-enriched lessons and general technology issues. It is the first discussion board that has been added to the SCSD web site, and it represents a great opportunity for teachers across the district to share their thoughts and ideas with each other.

Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) are more than just another hot buzzword in Education. As teachers and leaders, we understand and promote the value of collaborative and social learning by students in the classroom. As Educators, we need to have the same opportunity to share new ideas and innovative instructional strategies with our talented, hard-working colleagues at Socorro Consolidated Schools. Why shouldn’t we teach each other? Why shouldn’t we learn from each other?

Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam

Spam = {1,000,000 * (Junk Mail + Internet)} Squared

Back in 1970, while turning the dial through the channels on the little black & white TV in my bedroom (the one with the clothes-hanger antenna), I found this goofy show on PBS (WNET – Channel 13 in New York). I paused for a moment to see a bunch of Vikings singing what has become a Monty Python trademark and a comedy standard, Spam.

The funny part is, like anyone who survived a Boy Scout camping trip, I had come to like Spam because it came in a can (with a little key) that could be hidden in a knapsack. It was less likely to be sacrificed to a food fight like hamburgers, hot dogs, eggs and other foodstuffs that were easily thrown.

Today, a team of doctors would beat me senseless if they saw me within 100 yards of a can of Spam. But that’s another story.

Let’s state the obvious: spam in a technology context is the use of electronic messaging tools to send bulk amounts of unsolicited announcements requesting the recipient to respond by clicking a link (called phishing), downloading a file (often a virus), buying something (NO, I don’t need it or want it), sending money (dumb) or replying with information (more phishing). Some experts estimate that between six and eight trillion spam messages will be sent in 2011.

Spam is an annoyance at SCSD because it accounts for over 93% of the email processed by our server. Fortunately, users who properly program their content filter settings only have a handful escape the filter. And while spam for pornography and male enhancement products are irritating and degrading, the biggest complaints that we receive are about INTERNAL spam – spam generated by the users of SCSD email.

Spam is a considered a severe violation of the Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Are you a spammer? Are you at risk for disciplinary action?

Attendance Calls Highlight New Notification System

School Messenger Provides Many Information Services for Parents

At the direction of Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Wilson, fulfilling a goal of the Socorro Conolidated Schools Board of Education, the Technology Department implemented School Messenger last fall. At that time, the primary purpose of this communication tool was to provide emergency notification services in the event that a situation required rapid notifications to staff, parents and the community.

As we all know too well, there have been many sad events around the country that make emergency notification system a necessity. An event like a school lockdown (for any reason) requires fast and effective communications. Dr. Wilson, however, decided that SCS needed more from its emergency notification system and School Messenger was upgraded to the full suite of communications products. Besides the emergency notification package, School Messenger gave SCS the ability to communicate all kinds of news and information.

The most immediate impact started just after the Christmas break when School Messenger began making automated phone calls to the parents of any student who had an unexcused absence earlier in the day. For the most part, the calls have been well-accepted by the parents and administrators at the participating schools.

During the course of the school day, teachers record their attendance using SCS’ student information system, JMAC. When a teacher records an absence from a class, the absence becomes an unexcused absence if the parent has not informed the school attendance secretary of the absence. An absence can be reported either by a phone call or by leaving a message in the school’s attendance voice mail.