We're hosting a tech conference at SBHS on May 6th, 2005 that will
address the items you listed and some others as well. The conference has
helped people gather support resources and provide good leads to by
coffee and advil in bulk. Got to keep those organs nice and leathery.

Conference menu was just posted at:

http://district.sbschools.net/dns/archives/spring_tech_05.htm

Registration is not up yet, but will be soon. We'll post a note when it
up.  Adam

Adam Provost
DNS, SBSD
http://district.sbschools.net/dns



>>> [log in to unmask] 3/25/2005 10:46:25 AM >>>
  I am including the message from Bill Romond and comments from Lucie
deLaBruere as part of this request...... The topic of open/closed
networks and issues would be very informative and enlightening and I
look forward to listening to colleagues approaches and
solutions.........
That being said....... here is my request plea to the IT list
folks.....
Given the increased network admin, security, demands ( ie the
inordinate amount of time devoted to updating, patches, malware,
deciphering firewall logs for potential attacks and port scans and
mysterious packet traffic) and the fact that there are many smaller
schools with single tech support spread thin between pipes and wires
and integration support....

I feel I am not alone in wanting professional development
opportunities
this summer, to sharpen my skills and get a running start on next year
for getting a handle on overseeing my internet traffic, keeping
multiple security threats at bay,  effectively managing windows
security issues at the desktop level, learning about strategies and
techniques that are working at other schools.

If people know of trainings/programs/summer offerings to recommend - I
would be very appreciative--- beyond that is there a way to self
design
a summer session 3-5 days- maybe different locations to see different
setups.... to share knowledge and strategies.......a tech coodinators'
syposium seminar ( not for geeks only) to impart practical know how
and
problem solving capability.


and to Bill R.... is this the kind of defined pd need that could be
coordinated through doe/IId funding????



On Mar 14, 2005, at 9:33 AM, Bill Romond wrote:

I've been interested in the discussion about this upcoming conference
agenda. I find the point about the "conflicts" between users
needs/interests and the security/safety issues that network admins and
others need to deal with to be very interesting. I'm observing more
and
more conflict out in the field about this because, on the one side,
there are more teachers with more skill, and they are pushing systems
to be more open and accessible. There is also more and faster access,
and a student population that can do more on their home systems (in
many cases) than at school... so they bring pressure as well. On the
other side there are more requirements being laid on network
adminstrators to keep neworks safe and secure, more emphasis in this
area (i-Safe focuses attention), and more examples of problems. So I
think a session along these lines would be great to have at your
conference... you know, a "Whose Network is This, Anyway?" kind of
thing. And to have that conversation ho!
  sted by the
tech community would be excellent.

Just my two cents....

Bill Romond

Educational Technology Coordinator
Vermont Department of Education
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
(802) 828-0064 (V)
(802) 828-3140 (F)
http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/pgm_edtech.html
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: School Information Technology Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Adam Provost
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2005 3:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Tech Conference


Tech Conference at South Burlignton High School: May 6th, 2005.

- We're still tinkering on the agenda.

- We'll post a web site with info and preregistration info once the
agenda is set.

Next Pizza meeting TBD.

We have reserved pizza for 5/6 for about 100 already and taken samples
from competing vendors.

One of the topics, and a very interesting one, was proposed by Lucie
deLaBruere from
North Country Career Center . Hello Lucie from NC, you're on the air:

<<< Note from Lucie:  3/1/2005 6:20:13 PM

" If you do decide to take this one on;  it might be good to have a
couple of
panelist who are pioneer educators along with panelist who are from
TECH
department who feel they have found solutions that meet the needs of
both
educators and technicians.

  DEFINING THE PROBLEM(s)

Open Networks Cause Problems for Network Administrators:
. Users change settings, tinker with files and data, load new
programs,
and
do other actions in ways that cause problems that are very hard (and
time
consuming) to diagnose and fix.
. Users load programs from disk, or download from the web, or open
email, in
ways that introduce viruses that cause enormous damage.
. Some users (both from within and from outside) try to hack our
system
either to cause specific damage (e.g. change grades) or just for fun.
. The more freedom teachers (much less students) have to configure
their own
machines, the harder it is for central staff to diagnose problems and
the
longer it takes to fix things, and therefore the larger the needed
tech.
support staff or the longer that teachers have to wait before their
problems
get addressed.

However, Imposing "Control Technologies" also Causes Problems for
Teachers
and Students:
. Firewalls and filters can prevent staff and students from accessing
on-line tools or information they need.
. Desktop lock-down prevents teachers from trying new software.
. The technology pioneers are the ones who pave the way for others to
follow; if they are restricted, the whole district's ability to move
forward
will be impaired
. Teachers don't always have the luxury of planning ahead: the
"teachable
moment" often requires a "right now" need to find a Web site or to
load
some
software or adjust a student's desktop; there is no time to wait for
the
network staff to get around to setting things up.
. The chance to explore and experiment is what allows teachers and
students
to move from beginner to advanced, a must if districts want to move
forward
in implementing Good Models of Teaching with Technology "

Best practices type of thing. Best debate type of thing. How is this
question being addressed around various shops ? Forcing network  to
open
up, forcing educators to plan, forcing a meeting place for creative
and
dynamic education practices and still keeping some sense of network
reliability and security. This is a hot topic around the country, not
just in VT.

Gasp ! Educators and techies in the same space !  Craig (Lyndes) just
turned around somewhere as if someone were speaking to him I'd bet.
Peekaboo. A discussion of this nature is very likely overdue. Could
this
even mean merging two listservs  (school-it and schoolnet) ?

So speak up all you IT Tech Directors and Techies. Be thee not ashamed
to voice opinions on this subject, other potential mergings, and
toppings of choice.

Speak now on this and other topics listed below if so inclined kind
people or fear that the sessions may be up for us to decide:
www.batmanbegins.com

Consider the matter stirred and let the crickets pause to chat. Let
the
healing begin, Adam

Adam Provost
Bay City Rockers, SBSD
http://district.sbschools.net/dns


















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