EdTech Newsletter

The Educational Technology division has identified the Top Technology Issues submitted through ServiceNow that affect Dallas ISD students, teachers, and staff. We have created the Helpful Tips page which will provide resources to address those issues.

If you were not able to resolve your issue with the resources provided, please make sure to submit a ServiceNow Ticket.

Visit Educational Technology's Helpful Tips page on your Dallas ISD Portal Dashboard for additional resources.

Information Security

Prohibited Sites on District Devices

• Starting November 20, 2024 several apps will be blocked on district issued devices in accordance with state law.
• A list of prohibited software, applications, and developers are listed within the announcement.

Information Security

SharePoint Cleanup: Deletion of SharePoint Sites Inactive Over 1 Year

• SharePoint sites not used for over a year will be deleted during Fall Break.
• This helps improve cybersecurity and saves money.
• If you need anything from these sites, please access them before the break.
• EdTech will provide a 4-week countdown as a reminder.

Enterprise Support Services (Fulfillment Team)

Preparing Student Devices for Fall Online Assessments

• EdTech is requesting assistance to test devices prior to each test administration window.
• The PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT will be administered the week of October 21-25, 2024.
• The STAAR End-Of-Course (EOC) December Retests will be administered between December 3, 2024 and December 13, 2024.
• The Fall Assessments of Course Performance (ACPs) will be administered between December 16, 2024 and December 20, 2024.

2024-2025 Technology Back to School

• Student Device Assignment and Student Device Distribution

• 2024-2025 Non-Returned Student Devices process

• Review and reference the Educational Technology 1-1 Handbook this provides detailed guidelines on Device Management scenarios and resolutions.

Enterprise Support Services (Customer Experience Team)

Fall 2024 Training Schedule and Course Catalog

• The Application Training and Support (ATS) team has released the Fall 2024 Training Schedule and Course Catalog.

• The Course Catalog is available on the ATS website under Quick Links. Training schedules are organized on each application’s Resource page by subject.

• All interested or required campus staff can register for classes via Cornerstone.

Enterprise Architecture and Operations (Architect Team)

Student Password Policy Changes for the 2024-2025 SY

• Student Password Policy Changes for 2024-2025 SY

The Application Training and Support (ATS) team supports the district's technology initiatives by providing instructor-led and self-paced web-based training for multiple applications, including PowerSchool, Oracle, SchoolMint, and ServiceNow.

Visit the ATS website to find course offerings or search and register for classes from the Application Training and Support team through Cornerstone.

If you have any questions or require further support, please reach out to the ATS team by submitting a ticket via ServiceNow.

• Review the 2024-2025 Technology Back to School WAIP that was shared with the Principals on August 1, 2024

• Access CAM information through the Controllable Asset Management website - https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/38089

• CAM Training - Click Here to register

• CAM Guide - Click here to review

• Review the 24-25 Technology Handbook

• Review the Device Management Agreement (Selections were made in April 2024)

• Do you have a lost or stolen device that needs to be locked or located?
• Has a student returned a device that needs to be unlocked?
• Is there a device that has been found outside of the district that needs to be returned?

The EdTech Fulfillment Asset Recovery Team can assist you with these scenarios.

Contact the Asset Recovery Team at DGFCDeviceRecovery@dallasisd.org

ATTENTION COUNSELORS❗

Review the following instructions for accessing the Dallas College login for Dual Credit Students:

Dallas College Login via Dallas ISD Portal Guide

Dallas ISD has begun the process of upgrading the legacy phone system and voice network. The upgrade involves moving to a modernized Microsoft Teams solution.

To learn how to use Microsoft Teams or download the app, view the following resources:

• Windows Device using Teams
• MacBook Device using Teams
• Downloading the Teams App - iOS
• Downloading the Teams App - Android

These and other resources can be found on Educational Technology's Microsoft Teams Resources page.

If not, we recommend accessing your applications through the Dallas ISD portal to remain SSO enabled.

When you sign in to the Dallas ISD Portal, you are instantly signed in to all of your applications at once. You can switch between applications seamlessly, without having to sign in to each one separately.

Substitutes assigned to org 000 now have automatic access to HMH Apps Ed: your friend in learning, MyHrw and ThinkCentral via Clever!

Little SIS Premium is a web app add-on to Little SIS Classroom that can create and sync Google Classroom classes with student information system (SIS) data. For more information, please see the attached FAQ and document.

Little SIS Teacher FAQs

Little SIS Coming Soon

Dallas ISD staff can now report issues with Xerox Printers through ServiceNow.

Follow these steps to report the incident:

1. Access ServiceNow using the Dallas ISD Portal https://portal.dallasisd.org/.
2. Click Report an Issue.
3. Enter your Location, Office Number and Phone Number.
4. From the Affected Service dropdown, select Hardware.
5. From the Service Offering dropdown, select Xerox Printer.

6. Give the Model number and Serial number of the defective devices in your issue description.

If you would like to move your printer to a new location or if you are having issues with your printer badge, please contact copierinfo@dallasisd.org.

This comprehensive glossary details services and service offerings for Portal Users.

Dallas ISD will discontinue the use of Zoom for virtual meetings and other video conferencing starting August 28, 2024, as a savings to the district and measure to enhance cybersecurity.

Zoom will be discontinued by August 28, 2024. Current meetings scheduled/published in Zoom must be recreated in Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.

• Professional and Digital Learning Resources: Video Conferencing Support Hub
• For support in navigating the Video Conferencing platform, please contact Professional and Digital Learning at PDL@dallasisd.org

Team members will be able to access Microsoft Teams, which is already in use, and Google Meet for their video conferencing needs. Both tools are available at no extra cost to the district and offer comparable features. The transition to these tools will also increase efficiency and standardize support.

If you have scheduled meetings or published Zoom links that will be used after August 28, 2024, you will have to recreate those meetings and links using Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. You will need to download your saved Zoom recordings to your OneDrive or Google Drive.

Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are available now to all Dallas ISD team members. Microsoft Teams is defaulted on your district devices.

Starting in December Dallas ISD team members will see a new tool in Outlook to help keep inboxes safe.

The Information Security Department will be working on adding this tool during the Thanksgiving break.

Team members will see a button with a red fish icon that says, "Submit Email." This button, powered by PhishNotify, lets you quickly report suspicious emails that might be phishing attempts.

Remember that keeping district networks secure is as easy as clicking on a red fish: "To report a phish, click the red fish!"

Starting Nov. 20, several apps will be blocked on district issued devices in accordance with state law. Blocking these apps will also enhance security on district devices.

Senate Bill 1893, adopted during the 88th state legislative session, prohibits the use of certain social media applications and services on governmental entity devices and Government Code Chapter 620 requires governmental entities, such as school districts, to ban the software products or apps listed below.

Dallas ISD has been blocking the social media app TikTok from district devices and networks as required by state law since Jan. 27, 2023. The ban that goes into effect on Nov. 20 extends the number of covered applications to those below.

Prohibited Software/Applications/Developers

• TikTok
• Kaspersky
• ByteDance Ltd.
• Tencent Holdings Ltd.
• Alipay
• CamScanner
• QQ Wallet
• SHAREit
• VMate
• WeChat
• WeChat Pay
• WPS Office
• Any subsidiary or affiliate of an entity listed above.

Team members can continue using these apps on their personal devices and networks. Your understanding and partnership as the district complies with state law requirements is appreciated.

If you have any questions, contact ITSecurity@dallasisd.org.

As a measure to continue enhancing the district’s cybersecurity, starting during the Thanksgiving break and continuing through winter break, Educational Technology will be deleting any SharePoint sites that have not been used in over a year.

Team members who have important documents or information in SharePoint sites that they have not used recently should access them before the break to move these documents and information to another location, such as a Google drive.

If you do not remember how to access the SharePoint site or need help moving documents or information, please contact the EdTech Help Desk at (972) 925-5630 or put in a ticket at https://www.dallasisd.org/departments/educational-technology/servicenow.

Please, be aware that once this information has been deleted, it will not be possible to restore it.

1. Reframe from using the same password for personal and work accounts.

2. Don't leave devices unattended. Lock your device before walking away from it.

3. Routinely transfer teaching curriculum to the cloud (OneDrive or Google Drive).

4. Shut down your computer at least once per week to ensure latest updates are installed.

5. Only contact DISD IT Department or Help Desk if you need any technical assistance such as passwords Contact Info: 972-925-5630 orITServiceDesk@Dallasisd.org

The district has recently observed an uptick in phishing attempts. Please be vigilant for these attempts to compromise our district's data:

• Look for this banner on the top of your emails to indicate emails coming from an external source:

• Think before you click - be cautious of any urgent requests, actions or threats from individuals
• Verify the authenticity of requests for sensitive information by contacting the person or organization directly through established channels
• DO NOT respond to unsolicited emails that ask for personal information
• Avoid sending sensitive/personal information to untrusted or unauthenticated third parties
• Never share your credentials (user ID and password), DISD IT will never ask for your current password.

For all phishing and SPAM concerns, contact Help Desk at (972) 925 - 5630, create a ticket in ServiceNow or report it by forwarding it to ITsecurity@dallasisd.org.