Tech Notes
August 2022
Legal Update - Software/Website/App Use of Student Data
HF 2353 (copy of statute linked below): Signed into law 5/22/22. In effect for 2022-2023 school year. Policies 515 and 524 were revised to reflect new language. Ask 6 lawyers and you'll get 12 interpretations of the statute, but here's the gist of the items have the most immediate relevance or impact:
Software Requisition & Review Process
Before the law described above came into being, we were already working on our processes for software requisitions and reviewing what we currently use. We have modified our process as needed to more efficiently gather information that may be relevant to the current legal requirements.
Here's a review of our processes related to software and apps.
- Free iPad app: Submit a help ticket to request for review.
- Paid iPad app: Submit a help ticket to request review and be prepared to provide a budget code for purchase.
- If an app qualifies for categorical review (the content of the app could be categorized as curriculum, assessment, or testing) it will undergo more detailed review and the requestor may be asked to complete the more extensive request form.
- Free and Paid software and websites: Complete the request form.
- We are reviewing as quickly as we can.
- Just because we have used something in the past doesn't make it automatically okay. Eventually every site will need review. Software or sites that fall into the buckets of curriculum, assessment or testing are being given priority for review.
We are continually updating the comprehensive list of all software and apps in use throughout the district. This exists in staff and community versions (different audiences have different needs when it comes to data presentation).
Software and Sites being phased out for 2022-2023
- Discovery Education video streaming (actual usage did not justify cost)
- PickaTime, PTC Fast, Sign-Up Genius (for conferences): District-wide move to Meet The Teacher software.
- Mystery Science: Full roll-out of Amplify science curriculum and resources makes this redundant.
- BrainPop (Paid version): promo pricing expired and not budgeted for renewal.
Software and Sites being added or revised for 2022-2023
- IXL Math: LT&E purchasing for all K-5. (Tech will centrally manage accounts; existing middle and high school licensing and accounts not impacted at this time.)
- Learning A-Z/RAZ Kids-RAZ Plus: Continuing to consolidate licensing for more efficient management.
ClassLink Launchpad
We are gradually rolling out the ClassLink portal for logging into common systems.
Single Sign-On (SSO) via Classlink Launchpad
ClassLink will provide a portal which is a single point with which to access all district sites, apps, and resources. You will sign in once to the ClassLink portal using your district email and password and then be able to access Google, Canvas, and nearly every other digital resource without authenticating again. This will be available across every platform - Mac, iPad, PC, and Chromebook.
Conference Software - Meet The Teacher
For the 2022-2023 school year, the district is using the Meet The Teacher site for handling Connect & Assess days and Parent-Teacher Conference events.
This replaces systems currently in use, including Pick-a-time, Sign Up Genius, and PTCFast.
It handles the typical tasks associated with these types of events, such as setting up schedules, communications, and options for in-person or video calls (which are handled directly within the site rather than using an external google meet link).
Aside from functionality, using a consistent system across buildings is less confusing for families, acknowledges the challenges of supporting translations, and is ultimately easier to support.
Network Updates
Our wired and wireless network is not a static system. It is a continuous area of investment and optimization in order to support all of our users and systems.
Here is a selected summary of recent changes and updates to the network that would have the most noticeable impact:
Firewall Upgrade: The firewall is a key piece of hardware that coordinates traffic flow for the network. The previous hardware was installed in 2015, so it was time for an update. This upgrade should help with high traffic times throughout the day which have previously resulted in slow response times.
Commercial streaming site rules: All students will be restricted from access to commercial video streaming sites (such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc) while on site. We conducted a trial of this setup late in the school year at the High School and found it to be helpful in relieving network congestion while not impacting curriculum needs.
MacBook Deployments 2022-2023
Summary of all MacBook Air current and planned deployments for 2022-2023 school year.
Staff:
Mix of 2020 Intel and 2020 M1 model.
Staff with 2018 model will have that swapped out with M1 model.
Substitute Teacher and Student Teacher devices, as well as middle school Art Carts, will be updated using the 2018 model MacBooks reclaimed from staff.
Students
12th grade: 2018 Intel
11th grade: 2020 Intel
10th grade: 2020 M1
9th grade: 2020 M1
We are expecting to have all of the 2015 model (magsafe charger versus USB-C charger port) phased out by January 1, 2023.
Security Camera updates
Orders have been submitted for equipment and software to do new systems/upgrades at District Office/Tokata (addresses breakdowns and creates efficiencies; replacing two systems with one) and Eagle Creek (system is marginally functional). Once we account for some low voltage wiring work expecting those locations to ring up at about $160K.
The graphic above shows our current expectation of how we will progress through the buildings. Prioritization is based on how poorly each system is currently functioning and the immediate security needs of the location. As a reminder, we are funding this via surplus device sales (the bottom numbers of the graphic), so we are hopeful that those sales will keep up with the needs and we can get through the entirety in 3 years. Currently projecting this as an approximately $1.2M project; we have secured not quite half of the necessary funding as of now.
Each updated location will switch to Avigilon camera software (rather than the Exacq software) and there will be strategic upgrades and in some cases re-location of cameras. As each location is completed we will follow up with training sessions.
Walkie Talkie updates
We are in year 3 of a 4 year project to update all walkie-talkies in the district while also standardizing the model in use.
- Completed Locations: Eagle Creek, Sun Path, Sweeney, East, West, Tokata.
- Summer/Fall 2022 wave: Jackson, Red Oak, Pearson ELC.
- Summer 2023 wave: High School.
Video Streaming (Encore edition)
It is common for video streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney and so on to have protections built into their systems that prevent the use of Airplay to wirelessly stream content to an Apple TV device. This is not new, but recent software updates may have closed some loopholes on that functionality.
If you are going to use this type of service for showing a video, the best option is a physical connection to the display.
Is this legal? Kind of depends who you ask and when, but this summary on the Common Sense Media site does a decent job of covering this question. Briefly, legitimate educational use in an in-person setting is okay but there are some drawbacks to using a personal account.
Wouldn't this work on Apple TV if we installed the vendor apps? Yes, but then you'd be logging in to that app on that device with your personal account. We have no way to control that or protect the account, and it also increases the likelihood of personal streaming accounts being locked down or flagged for violating terms of service.
Why don't we just get a bunch of district streaming accounts? As far as we can tell, the use of personal accounts on streaming services to access content is not documented in a way where the district can even begin to determine the actual needs to support the curriculum.
What about alternative streaming services that are targeted to school use? As noted above, we do not have good data on the amount of usage and the specific content (movies) being shown. Exploring other options needs to start with an accurate picture of the needs. Open to suggestions on how to gather that data.
To request tech help
The fastest and best way to get help is by opening a ticket using one of these contact methods. Less effective and in some cases inconsiderate: Sticky notes, direct emails, or giving out the direct phone extension of whatever tech person you happen to have known forever.
E-mail: helpdesk@shakopee.k12.mn.us
Web: https://whd.shakopee.k12.mn.us/
Phone: 952-496-5100
If you need a call-back please add a good number and time to contact you in ticket.
Whenever possible and necessary we may also use remote support tools such as Splashtop to assist you.
Details help! For instance, student name and ID number is useful when submitting a ticket in regards to a student issue. Or letting us know if you already tried common troubleshooting steps such as restarting. "Student 123456 had this specific problem on their iPad starting at 9 AM this morning." is a much more useful starting point than "I have student with a problem." We appreciate the detail and it helps speed up the process of resolving an issue.
Building tech staffing
High School: Jen, Ben & Pilar
Tokata & DO: Maria
West: Robin
East: Ahmed
Red Oak & Eagle Creek: Trask
Sweeney and Jackson: Joe
Sun Path & Pearson: Covered as needed by support coordinator group.
Shakopee Instructional Technology Services
Email: helpdesk@shakopee.k12.mn.us
Website: https://techtools.shakopeeschools.org/
Location: 1200 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee, MN, USA
Phone: 5100