Harding Technology Update October 26, 1997

Update

26 October 97

Here is a quick guest book.

All the available computers have been installed in Classrooms.

The initial phase of Technology at Harding, "A Computer In Each Classroom", is not yet complete but will be completed when a shipment of additional computers and printers is received.

The second phase of development has begun, "Learning for Teaching" , and should be the focus as teachers learn and assimilate computer skills as a starting point for future use of the computer as an educational tool for teaching. There is much experimentation in this phase by teachers and students. This experimentation is necessary and will cause a few "emergencies", "concerns", "questions", "opinions", etc. as Harding High School begins to incorporate this technology into a teaching-learning focus! "Experimentation" is a part of learning but "focus" is the necessary essential element in making this technology worthy of use in the school setting.

The policies and systems for using computers at Harding, in the Classroom, in the Macintosh Lab, and the Library, are developing. The "Technology Committee" will be making decisions on implimention of specific policies and a system for use of the computers. The committee would appreciate any input by people that read this page. Email to: Katherine Sullivan

Join in the discussions by sending an email message like this from Eudora:

To: autoshare@mail.harding.stpaul.k12.mn.us
Subject: subscribe
Body: sub tech-list Fname Lname

There are several uses of the computers and peripherals that are "expressed concerns".

Use of the computers for Word Processing tasks in the classroom, library, and Mac lab
Printing of materials (the only location available at this time is the Library Laser Printer)
Use of Netscape to Access The Internet (the starting point is a parentally-signed Internet Pledge).
Email Addresses (all faculty, some staff, and the students in the Networking class currently have email access)
Security of sensitive files and controlled access to areas of the computer.

Word Processing

Word Processing is accomplished using ClarisWorks, Microsoft Works, or Simple Text on all of the computers.
Word processing will be available on every computer by any "Guest" user (at the discretion of the teacher). Saving of files will be allowed (temporarily) in the "General Folder" or on a Floppy Disk. Printing of 1 copy of any item will be permitted. (Printing in the Library has a cost of 10 cents per page.)
There is no plan to allow students to permanently leave files on the computer or server. If your files are saved to the "General Folder" make sure the files are transfered to a "Floppy Disk" at the completion of a work session. Personal files left on the computer will be purged at times (you will never know when). If a file is important to you, take it with you on a floppy disk.

Printing Materials

There are a few printers available for use in classrooms but printing will mostly be done on networked laser printers available in various areas of Harding High School.
We are waiting for the arrival of 4 laser printers to be installed for this purpose.
Only one laser printer is currently available for use. It is located in the Library - serviced by library personnel with a charge of 10 cents per printed page. Printed materials must be personally picked up from the Library desk.
One of the problems is the "waste" of paper supplies by people printing unnecessary materials. If wasteful printer use continues, printing rights may have to be restricted.

Internet Access

Internet access requires a parentally-signed permission/wavier for any student to use Netscape to access the internet.
Internet access will be logged and will be available only with a proper password. Entering the password is the responsibility of the teacher-in-charge.
PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary when a user completes an Internet Session.

Email Addresses

Email addresses are not yet available to Harding students.
All faculty have email addresses and can send email using Eudora or POPmail/Lab clients. Sending email via the email client in Netscape will result in a "deadletter".
Netscape is not configured to be an email client for anyone at Harding.
Netscape is configured so anyone may send email to web sites that ask for email but there will be no response via "reply" to the person that uses this system.
If one sends mail using Netscape, it will be monitored and a direct reply will not be received. If a reply is desired, include a personal email address in the body of your message.

Security

Teachers will have a "secure" location in the "Shared Folder" for files and applications on the classroom computers. Grades or files placed in this "Shared Folder" will not be viewable by "Guest" users or "Internet" users on the computer.
PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of a "Teacher" user session to return to security.
Internet access for students will be available only with a password (entered by the teacher or person-in-charge) and the proof of the properly submitted "internet pledge".
PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Internet" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly may result in the suspension of Internet Access.
The System Explained
On library computers:
1. "Guest" users will have access only to Word Processing and POPmail/Lab. Files may be saved temporarily in the "General Folder" (viewable and useable by anyone).
2. "Internet" users will have access to use Netscape as well as items listed above.
  PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Internet" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly may result in the suspension of Internet Access.
On Lab Computers:
1. "Guest" users will have access only to Word Processing and POPmail/Lab. Files may be saved temporarily in the "General Folder" (viewable and useable by anyone).
2. "Internet" users will have access to use Netscape as well as items listed above.
  PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Internet" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly may result in the suspension of Internet Access.
3. "Network class" students will have special access through a login password. They will have Word Processing access, Internet Access, Email using Eudora and a secure place for files in the "Shared Folder" on their Lab Computer.
  PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Network Class" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly may result in the suspension of Internet Access.
4. "Teachers" will have access to all programs on the lab computers but limited access to System Functions. A password will be necessary to "login" as a "teacher".
  Files placed in the "Shared Folder" will be protected from any other users.
  PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Teacher" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly will result in lack of security.
On Classroom Computers:
1. "Guest" users will have access only to Word Processing and POPmail/Lab. Files may be saved temporarily in the "General Folder" (viewable and useable by anyone).
2. "Internet" users will have access to use Netscape as well as items listed above.
  PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Internet" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly may result in the suspension of Internet Access.
3. "Teachers" will have access to all programs on the computer in their classroom but limited access to System Functions.
  Files placed in the "Shared Folder" will be protected from any other users.
  PLEASE NOTE: A RESTART of the computer is necessary at the completion of an "Teacher" user session to return to security. A failure to "log-out" properly will result in lack of security.
Log-Out is Important
Teachers -
Failure to "Log-out" properly will result in the loss of security of sensitive files or the internet access.

Students -
Failure to "Log-out" may result in a discipline of the lose of your internet access.

Log-Out System -
This security system will only work if the following "Log-Out" procedure is used.
Users must concluded each session with a "Log-out".

Quit all programs (File Menu / Quit)
RESTART the computer (Special Menu / Restart)