The focus of our faculty/staff trip was to learn about China particularly their educational system. We spent time in Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing touring several universities, high schools and cultural sites. It was an incredibly rewarding trip and I hope to post more about this trip later in the summer as time permits.
This summer is shaping up to be a busy one with lots of exciting projects. Here is a brief list of our major goals for the summer.
Core network Upgrade: We are replacing our 100base network core with a 1000base system. This will take better advantage of our fiber optic backbone and replace some aging equipment. Our plan is to upgrade the building level switches in the Technology and Language Center, Math/Science building, 6th Grade Center and Library this summer. Next year we will upgrade the Campus Center, Humanities and several other buildings on campus.
Portable Classrooms: Over the next few years we have several construction projects on campus. As a result we will be utilizing temporary classrooms while our new buildings are under construction. We are going to wire all the new temporary classrooms for voice, data, wireless and projection.
Library Catalog Upgrade: We are replacing our old Spectrum Library database with Destiny. This is an integrated web-based system that allows students and staff to search for resources across multiple databases and sites.
OwlNet Site Redesign: Our webmaster Megan has been working countless hours to make OwlNet more user friendly and current. In May she held several focus group sessions with our users to get their feedback. Be looking for those changes before the start of school.
Grading & Attendance: This fall we will roll out our new grading and attendance programs for faculty and staff. This system is all web based which will allow faculty to enter student marks almost anywhere. This system will also integrate with our school wide database.
TLC Building: This summer we expect to finalize all the plans for our new Technology and Language Center. The new building is really shaping up. It will include new offices for the technology staff and much better facilities for our data center and labs. We are also very excited about a new student center on the third floor and the new classrooms for the language teachers.
Over the past few weeks, several teachers have been testing a new technology in their classrooms called Sympodium. The Sympodium is one of the latest innovations from SMART Technologies, the same company that created the SMARTBoards we are currently using. The SMART Sympodium is an interactive pen display. It can be used like a traditional overhead projector, but combines all the power of a modern PC. The device sits on a desk or table and the teacher (or student) can write on it much like a tablet PC, which is projected on a screen.
How it differs from a SMARTBoard
So far the teachers are saying great things about the Sympodium.
Here is a fun software application I came across a few weeks ago. Phun was a Master of Science Thesis at the VRLab in Umeå University, Sweden. The app is designed to be a playground where people can be creative and explore physics concepts. Click here for a link to the download site. They currently don’t have a MacOS version but the Windows version seems to be stable. I must warn you it can be addicting. Also it’s worthwhile to explore the tutorial to get started.
Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Between project week planning and being overseas for a few weeks, I have not had a chance to post. Now that the dust has settled I can get caught up.
I can’t put into words how exciting and rewarding our Ghana project was for me personally as well as our entire team of students and faculty. We had an incredible time while working at the L & A Memorial Academy. Each day brought a new set of challenges and experiences for both the students at the school and our team.
The Overlake community donations were amazing! I am always impressed with how generous our community is when it comes to helping others. For the technology aspect of the project alone we had 15 laptops donated along with 2 USB microscopes, 7 digital cameras and countless educational software titles. I can’t truly relay here the gratitude expressed by the faculty, staff and students at L & A. In the short time there the technology team was able to rewire all the computers to work with the electricity in Ghana, setup a wireless router and fix the internet connection. 
We also met with all the grade levels and demonstrated how to use the microscopes and Encarta. This was in addition to all the great resources and lessons the science and English teams accomplished while we were there.
I hope to post regular updates so check back often!
If you missed the PFSA meeting last week I have posted the PPT notes here. This was an abbreviated version of Parent Education Seminar “Getting Kids’ Attention: Tech Savvy, Trends & Safety” held in February.
FRONTLINE Special: Growing Up Online
Below is the YouTube video I mentioned about how Web 2.0 technologies are impacting our world. It was created by cultural anthropologist Dr. Michael Wesch at Kansas State University.
We are about a month away from our trip to the L & H Academy in Accra, Ghana. Overlake students have been working hard to create lessons and collect resources for the school. Working with the teachers in Ghana, they have identified a list of science/technology needs for the school. We are hoping that the Overlake community can help by donating used equipment. The equipment needs to be functional and in good condition (normal wear and tear is expected). If you can include all the cables/batteries/manuals even better.
Here is what we are looking for;
Old calculators (TI’s and graphing)
Digital cameras
USB flash drives (any size)
Old Software
• Office 2000 or 2003
• Encarta
• Typing Tutor Software
• Magic School Bus
• Math Blasters
• Any Educational software/games that will run on Widows 2000
Laptops
• PCs
• Please include any driver software/cables/system restore disks
USB microscopes (Intel made an inexpensive version)
Please drop off items in the front office before March 31st. If you are unsure about a donation, please don’t hesitate to call or email me with questions. Don’t forget your donation may be tax deductable. If you are interested in getting a deduction please list you name and the items you donated so we can send you a letter.
Thanks for your support!
The Ghana Project Week Team
Just in case you have not heard. Microsoft is giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and design tools at no charge. This is a great resource for students interested in developing applications on the Microsoft platform. Click here for more information about DreamSpark.
Don’t miss this month’s exciting Parent Education Seminar “Getting Kids’ Attention: Tech Savvy, Trends & Safety” on Monday February 25, AT 7 P.M. IN DISCOVERY HALL. I will give the presentation and lead a Q & A session afterward. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact School Counselor Rob Lamb at (425) 868-6191, Ext. 678, or via email: rlamb@overlake.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
Last week I had the opportunity to meet with our seniors during their grade level seminar. The seminars are designed to cover important topics with the students that may not be part of the regular classroom curriculum. The students had some great questions and thoughtful discussion.
One of the hot topics was the issue of illegal downloading & file sharing. We spent time discussing the legal and privacy issues. Many students were unaware of the recent moves by the record industry lawyers and lobbyists to target college students. As quoted in the Seattle PI, the RIAA has sent 4,400 letters to 158 colleges asking for from $3,000 to $5,000 to settle what it says were copyright infringements. Thankfully I have been following this issue in one of my policy classes at UW. In addition to the lawsuits the RIAA has tried to pass federal legislation that would require colleges to explore “technology-based deterrents to prevent such illegal activity.”
We also spent time discussing digital permanence and online privacy. Here is a list of all the topics I tried to cover in the seminars…
1)How to keep track of your technology (serial numbers, insurance and repair/replacement plans)
2)Things to consider when buying a new laptop
3)Understand your sources and be sure to cite them for any academic work
4)Understand what illegal downloading/file sharing is and how to avoid it
5)How to avoid Spyware/Malware/Viruses and Spam
6)Backup & security strategies
7)Campus email do’s and don’ts
8)Understanding digital permanence
9)How to find deals on hardware and software-extended service plans for laptops
10)Where to get technology help
11)Social networking and privacy
In May I will be meeting with the 10th graders to discuss community in an online world.
Thomas Frizelle is Director of Technology and Integration at The Overlake School, in Redmond, Washington. He is a prospective doctoral candidate at the University of Washington in Educational Communication & Technology. His academic Interests: critical theory, ethics, social justice & unintended consequences of technology in education.