Create Signature in Thunderbird

If you would like a signature to appear at the bottom of each email you send in Thunderbird, follow these easy steps.

To create a signature file for use with Thunderbird, follow the directions below.

1. In Thunderbird, create a new message by clicking on Write button.
2. Type your signature.
3. When you are done, save the message using the save pull down menu arrow (choose save file, name file sig13 or something you’ll remember and save to documents folder). Ex 1
4. Click Options > Account Settings...  Ex 2
5. Put a check mark in the box labeled Attach this signature:. Ex 3
6. Click Choose... and browse to the signature file you created and saved in documents folder.
7. Click Open.
8. Click OK.

Your signature will be added to emails you send using Thunderbird.

Ex 1

Ex 2

Ex 3

New NeSA Test Tools

The NeSA tests are changing this year.  The Department of Education has given the testing contract to a new company, DRC Insight.  This shift makes all old NeSA training and software irrelevant.  We will all have to adjust to and learn the new system.
Part of the change includes software.  I am in the process of remotely installing the new NeSA software on most computers.  It should install the first time anyone logs in.  In most cases, I did not install on instructor workstations.  If you desire the software on your machine, let me know and I can add it.

The new icons look like this:

Removing the old software is the biggest challenge.  I have created a remote command that will remove the icons from the desktop (but only when an administrator logs in).  If you find that you need the old icons removed and do not know how, let me know.

The old icons look like this:

Happy testing!!!

PDF Promethean Troubleshooting Guide

I found this guide to Promethean Troubleshooting from another school. It is very thorough.

It is a PDF you can save to your PC or print and refer to as needed.

Promethean Troubleshooting Guide

Promethean Board Troubleshooting (Connections)

Your Promethean Board is a great tool to use in the classroom, but it can be a pain in the neck if it isn't working correctly.  Here are some tips and a video detailing ways to troubleshoot connection problems.

If your Promethean will not show video, check connection of VGA cable or click connect to projector from "Start" menu and choose duplicate displays.

If your Promethean will not play audio, check connection of USB cable, make sure PC is not muted or on low volume, make sure Power button on left side of Promethean board is green "on".

If your Promethean pens won't work, check USB connection.

If your Promethean pens work but are not right, click on arrow icon in lower right corner of PC, to reveal Activeboard icon, click on icon and select calibrate.

If your image is misaligned, the settings for proper alignment of an 86" board are: 1280 x 800 Resolution, 16:10 Aspect Ratio and PC resolution should match.

Hard Restart

If your computer is frozen or misbehaving so badly you can't seem to do anything with it, consider a hard restart.
A hard restart involves holding the power button down for at least 10 seconds.  The trick is to hold it down at least that long.  Many folks get confused as the screen goes to black in about 2 seconds.  This only puts the computer in sleep mode so when you push the power button again, it just wakes up.  Nothing has changed.
Be patient, hold the power button down until all little lights on the computer turn off.  This is a hard restart, and when you push the power button again, your computer should be refreshed and ready to go.

Powerschool Apps For Android and IOS (Apple)

Did you know you can download Powerschool Apps for many devices?  Powerteacher is available for iPads and allows the teacher to carry out many Powerschool functions remotely.  You can search for the free app in the App Store.  (It is not obvious how to find Ord in the settings so see me if you have an issue)

Powerschool for Parents and Powerschool for Students is available for both Droid and IOS (Apple).  These are very powerful ways for students and parents to keep up with school happenings.  The app allows either student or parent to see what is going on blow by blow.  Assignments are listed, grades, meal transactions and much more. Again, these can be searched for in the Play Store or App Store.

Please promote these to parents and students, as there is no excuse for them to not know what is going on.

Activslate Registration

If you have an Activslate with your Promethean board, it enables you to control the board from anywhere in the room.  Here is a quick reference guide for getting your Activslate up and running.

Register your Activslate

Snipping Tool

Want to simplify your digital life?  Snipping tool is one way to do that.

Snipping Tool is an application found in Windows 7 & 8.  It helps take a screenshot of anything that might appear on your desktop.  You can take the whole screen or just bits and pieces.  Just search for "sn" and it will bring up the snipping tool app.  When it opens, select what you want in your snip and voila!  You've got a jpeg you can use in a presentation, send through email or print.  Whatever.

Try it out.  It's kinda fun.

Here are complete instructions on it's use:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screen-shots

BTW -  I used Snipping Tool to take the pictures on the blog entries below.

I blog, You blog, We all blog.....

You can have a blog just like this if you so desire.  This blog was created using my mbechtol@ordps.org account.  Each of you has an ordps.org account as well.  Just log into your account and look for the "more" pull down menu.  Besides being able to create a website, store and create documents, email and many other things, you can also blog.  It is called Blogger.

You can also comment on my posts by logging in with your @ordps.org username and password.

Ninite

Ninite is an incredibly easy way to update and install some of the most popular apps.

Does Java need an update?  Adobe Reader?  Can't view a site in Firefox?

Instead of updating or installing each of these individually, try Ninite.

Ninite is a website (ninite.com) that will install or update all of these apps in a few easy steps.

Here they are:

1.  Go to ninite.com
2.  Check the box by all the apps you would like to install or update.
3.  Click Get Installer and run it.

It's that simple. The beauty of Ninite is that it does not install extra stuff, it does not ask a bunch of questions, it just installs all the apps with the click of one button.

Ninite is great for use at home.  It has security, browsers, media players, image and audio software, etc.
You can also use it at work to update apps like Java which can be confusing at best when updated from the Java website.

Wireless Networks

At Ord High School and Elementary, we have wireless coverage in all parts of each building and also extending outdoors.
We have two main SSIDs (Networks).  We have OPS and Ord Public Access.
OPS is the main network, which all devices that are imaged by myself will attach to automatically.  OPS is our network and will allow the user to see printers, access network drives on the server and enjoy all functionality.
Ord Public Access is a public network designed for devices outside our network such as guest PCs, phones, iPods, iPads, etc.  The password to this SSID is ordaccess.  Vistitors to our school are encouraged to use this SSID.  Staff and students should also use this SSID for personal devices like phones and iPods.  Users of this network will not be able to print to our printers nor access our server unless I give them specific credentials.

Great training opportunities are available from the ESU.  They have  iPad training, Moodle training, Google Apps and more.  Check out their offerings right here:  https://odie.esu10.org/workshops/SectionList.aspx

Welcome!

Hello everyone at Ord Public Schools!  This is Mike, your Tech coordinator, and I have created this blog to share tips and ideas involving technology with you.
I will be posting videos and documents which will, hopefully, enable you to pick and choose ideas that you like and implement them.
The point is to make it available to you on your own time.  Not everyone wants the same thing, so you can be discriminating in your choices.
Bookmark it!  Check it out periodically.  Hope it helps.