Tech Notes π»
π May 2023 π
End of Year Tech
A few notes as we approach the end of the school year:
If you are retiring or leaving and want to retain files, you'll likely want to use Google Takeout. This option is OFF by default for staff; if you need it enabled please submit a help ticket letting us know.
If you are retiring or leaving and suspect that you have content in your Google Drive that may be commonly used by other staff, the considerate thing to do is to check in with tech for help on migrating, changing ownership, or otherwise archiving those files in such a way that they are still accessible when you leave. Again, please submit a help ticket for any assistance with that process.
Device Roll-ins/Returns
Roll-in Schedules are on the district website.
Reminders on student device movements
- Kindergarten devices to 1st grade.
- 1st grade being replaced, so K will have a new batch next school year.
- 2nd grade devices follow student to 3rd grade; customary new batch for 2nd grade next school year.
- 3rd grade devices follow student to 4th grade.
- 4th grade devices follow student to 5th grade.
- 5th grade devices collected and processed for surplus and stock.
- 6th grade devices follow student to 7th grade; usual new batch for 6th grade next school year.
- 7th grade devices follow student to 8th grade.
- 8th grade devices collected and processed for surplus and stock.
- 9th grade devices follow student to 10th grade.
- 10th grade devices follow student to 11th grade.
- 11th grade devices follow student to 12th grade.
- 12th grade devices collected and processed for surplus and stock.
Tech will send out any specific instructions for end of year device prep appropriate to each grade level. In general, iPads are collected, bagged, and labeled for summer storage or replacement. 9th-11th MacBooks can be retained by students over summer.
Web Filtering Changes
We are currently shifting our Internet content filtering over from Lightspeed Relay to Linewize/Qoria.
Why Change?
We regularly re-evaluate our systems to determine if tools we are using are still a good fit for our environment. While Relay provided necessary Internet content filtering (which we are legally required to have) we also found it to be difficult to manage overall and occasionally problematic for specific staff and students when it would choose not to work. After a thorough evaluation of multiple alternatives, as well as field testing across grades and devices, we determined that Linewize offered enough improvements to justify a change.
User Impact
iPad users: System changes will be automated. There is some unfortunate timing with a bug in the system that the vendor is aware of and working on correcting; this shows up most obviously in the start-up of certain apps that have an authentication/user verification step such as inklink, fastbridge, and others.
MacBook users: Changes will mostly be automated, we have some details in the process still being worked out meaning they will be the last group of machines to switch over.
PC/Windows users: We will work directly with PC users to migrate them over from Relay to Linewize. PC Labs will be updated this summer.
Timelines/Notifications
Tech has been sending out email notices for each portion of the project.
Practice/Policy impact
We will continue to have options for a baseline/default filtering level, a more restrictive "No Social Media" group, and the most restrictive "Aggressive" filtering levels. Current documentation on "Relay Filtering Levels" will be updated, but is still relevant as a general guideline of what each of those filtering levels mean.
Parent Experience
Parents of students in the district currently can receive weekly reports on student device usage. This will continue via a companion product called Qustodio. More details on that will be published to TechTools and communicated out. Briefly, parent reports will still be available, as well as an app that parents can use for device management and additional cyber safety resources.
π Multi-Factor Authentication Status update π
We are in the final hours of initial roll-out of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Here is where we are at and what loose ends remain:
- As of right now, we have almost 99% completion of set-up with less than 28 hours remaining.
- We have some security token/fob requests to fulfill; these have been delayed due to a configuration issue that we are working to resolve. Once that it is cleared up, we will check in directly with affected staff to complete MFA set-up.
We appreciate everyone completing this task and making the district's data and accounts safer as a result.
MFA verification
Addressing the common question "did I set up MFA"?
Well, if you haven't received any emails reminding you to set it up, that's one indicator that it is done.
If you want to verify or change anything, though, it is basically the same steps as the initial set-up.
- Start in Classlink Launchpad
- Go to the Self Service Folder
- Go to 365 - MFA Portal
- Complete the log-in steps (it should do an MFA challenge at this time, meaning a text, call, or use of the authenticator app)
- Once logged in, you'll have the option to view Security Info, which lists any and all "factors" used for account authentication.
- Again, if you ever need to change anything (new phone number, for instance) these are also the steps to follow.
Looking ahead...
Projects for summer and into next year, some of which will be obvious and others less so...
- Help Desk software replacement: We will be migrating to a new help desk/support platform over summer. Updates will be sent out when it is ready for use.
- Overhaul of virtual server and storage environment - basically, scheduled hardware upgrades for systems that handle everything running on site and storing all of our data.
- Wireless Network Controller hardware upgrade: Swapping out the hardware that manages all wireless access points. There will be scheduled network outage time for this process over summer (announced in advance, of course).
- Middle & High School Chromebook cart refresh (already started)
- Middle School PLTW lab refresh (one lab each - summer or fall completion)
- Finish Jackson camera system rebuild
- Start East and West camera system rebuilds
BLC Reminder - Canvas Clean-up
Itβs that time of the year again! Canvas is in need of some cleanup. On June 23rd, we will archive all courses except current 2022-2023 courses and any PLC/Sandbox courses.Your current courses will be available until next summer. 2023-2024 courses will be created during workshop week this fall and we will let you know when they are ready.
What do you need to do before June 23rd?
If you have content in older courses that you would like to keep, you must transfer content from those courses into a current (2022-2023) course, a Sandbox course, a PLC course, or upload to Canvas Commons. If you donβt need to access content from 2021-2022 courses, no action is required from you.
Want to work on your courses during the summer or before workshop week?
- A Sandbox course is a good option if you want an empty course to put this yearβs content in so you can make updates before you import it into your fall courses. You might also request a Sandbox course if you are teaching a new course. This course is just for your use.
- A PLC Course (previously called Master Course) is a shared course where a team/PLC can build and store common assessments and assignments.
- To request the creation of a Sandbox or PLC course, submit a Help Desk ticket. If you want a PLC course just indicate that and list all of the people who need access.
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.
π’ helpdesk@shakopee.k12.mn.us - The only helpdesk email you need to know.
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