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<p class=MsoNormal><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hi Ros,<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I’m sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. I
cannot imagine working in that sort of environment. I think it comes down to a
few basics. Having a supportive Principal and AP is essential to getting
anything done. You also need a technician who is there to help you. We are
extremely fortunate to have both. We have a simply brilliant technician who has
changed the way our intranet operates. Whenever we have an issue he comes up
with ideas, not reasons why it can’t be done. He has a strong programming
background so he can quickly create programs to counter the issues students
throw at us. He is always one step ahead. He has a desire to learn. He is also
very big on open source - so most of what we do costs nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>The other really big plus is to lease all of your PC’s
(thanks Roland for that advice). Now all of our tech’s time is spend
improving our network. We have 100% of computers working. Virtually no time is
spent messing with hardware.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>His latest toy is this one. It’s the open source answer
to “netsupportschool” and allows teachers to monitor all students
computers from their computer. It’s fantastic and costs nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://italc.sourceforge.net/home.php"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>http://italc.sourceforge.net/home.php</span></a><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>If the technicians are not finding ways to support teachers then
“what are they doing?” It is not for technicians to question “why”
or to have teachers justify the educational merit of something. A good
technician is one who just gets on with it, finds a way – and enjoys the
challenge!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Paul Drew<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>ICT Co-Ordinator<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Ashwood College<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>ph: 9807-1333 Fax: 9888-1441<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>email: drew.paul.j@edumail.vic.gov.au<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>web: </span><a
href="http://www.ashwood.vic.edu.au/"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:blue'>http://www.ashwood.vic.edu.au/</span></a><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>
itapps-bounces@edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces@edulists.com.au] <b>On
Behalf Of </b>Ros Meadows<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, 6 December 2008 18:55<br>
<b>To:</b> Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] RE: Google docs issue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Thanks
Robert,<br>
<br>
For years I jumped up and down, banged my head against a brick wall, screamed
insults, ranted and raved to anyone who would listen, in private (and to my
very understanding hubby) I cried because I knew there was so much more that
could be achieved for the students, if only the powers that be would see my
point of view. I used the line "the tail is wagging the dog" to
my principal early in 2007 when we had a moodle site running but the AV tech
controlled it and would not let anyone create their own courses, and if I
wanted to put a file on my course I would have to take the file to him on a USB
so he could upload it, and also our moodle would only work within the
school, not from home. The principal did not see an issue with this and refused
to change the status quo, so moodle died in my school. But I could do nothing
to make the principal and techs understand that the curriculum and the needs of
the students should come first, not budgets and issues of "locking the
system down". I had no privileges on the network, the website was
cr@p (and still is until I get a new one uploaded), the intranet was cr@p. I
was sick of PT nights where parents would come to me and complain about the
website and the "extranet/intranet" I fought against "the
system", against educache, against the rip off fees students were charged
for internet access, I investigated alternative ISPs, but who was I?? a mere
woman, to undermine the decision making power of the principal and tech who had
the power. My only agenda was to improve the educational outcomes of our
students, yet that seemed to be the lowest priority on everyone else's list. So
I privately paid for a web site and server so I could deliver an online
curriculum to my students, but the need for them to have internet credit to
access the site eventually killed this idea too. My enthusiasm for "we
could do this, we can set this up" etc was always met with answers of "it
can't be done, they would hack into the system, it would cost more money"
etc.... Eventually in April of this year I broke down completely. Yes, I
went totally ga ga. I lost it completely and have had the year from hell. <br>
<br>
What has kept me going over the last 7 months was:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ol start=1 type=1>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>the fact that I am totally passionate about not
only ICT, but it's potential to increase the learning outcomes of all
students, in all subjects<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>the fact that I was on the VITTA Committee of
Management (if any of you read this thank you guys for your support), and
the opportunity it has given me to meet such wonderful people who share my
passion for ICT education<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>People like Paula, Roland and Maggie who have
given me confidence in my ability as an ICT educator. Thank You<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<p class=MsoNormal>So when you feel like it is a them (ie techs) vs
"me/us" thing - don't give up, fight back with Robert's words
"The curriculum, the education and needs of the students are
paramount"<br>
<br>
Don't let the tail wag the dog!!!!<br>
<br>
Ros M<br>
Bentleigh SC<br>
<br>
Robert wrote: <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>Thanks Ros.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>The curriculum, the education and needs of the students are
paramount.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>There may well be some things we "cannot do" on a school
network. But the whole technical "tail" needs to put its best efforts
into supporting the curriculum and make sure that the dog wags the tail.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>Robert Hind (Semi-retired)<br>
Ashwood and Traralgon<br>
<a href="mailto:robert@yinnar.com">robert@yinnar.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>-----
Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:ros.meadows@gmail.com"
title="ros.meadows@gmail.com">Ros Meadows</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>To:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <a
href="mailto:itapps@edulists.com.au" title="itapps@edulists.com.au">Year 12 IT
Applications Teachers' Mailing List</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Sent:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Saturday, December
06, 2008 9:19 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Subject:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Re: [Year 12 IT
Apps] RE: Google docs issue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Once again
a case of the tail (ie the techs) wagging the dog (ie the curriculum)!!<br>
<br>
There is NO sound reason why you can't have firefox and google images,
sometimes I wonder if it is just plain laziness, lack of ability or just a
hunger for power on the part of techs.<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
Ros<br>
BentleighSC<br>
</span><br>
<a href="mailto:murch@tpg.com.au">murch@tpg.com.au</a> wrote: <o:p></o:p></p>
<pre>We have some issues with google docs as well. Google images are blocked at our school so this presents problems with the appearance of google <o:p></o:p></pre><pre>docs. I also want firefox on our computer network but was told we cant have it. We are supposed to be a leading 21st century school!!! I love using <o:p></o:p></pre><pre>google docs and use them extensively both with staff and schools in other countries etc. Means it is difficult to use them with my students. It is most <o:p></o:p></pre><pre>annoying.<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Anne Mirtschin<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Hawkesdale P12 College<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a
href="http://www.edulists.com.au">http://www.edulists.com.au</a> - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a
href="http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html">http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html</a> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a
href="http://www.vitta.org.au">http://www.vitta.org.au</a> - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre> <o:p></o:p></pre>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>-- <br>
<span class=style21><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Roslyn
Meadows </span></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#006699'><br>
<span class=style51>TONS</span><br>
<span class=style21><a href="mailto:ros.meadows@gmail.com"><span class=style41><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>ros.meadows@gmail.com</span></span></a> </span><br>
</span><span class=style31><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#006699'>Bentleigh Secondary College </span></span><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#006699'><br>
<span class=style31>Vivien Street, East Bentleigh, 3165 </span><br>
<span class=style31>Phone 9579 1044</span><br>
<span class=style31>Mobile 0412 614 062</span></span> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________ <br>
<a href="http://www.edulists.com.au">http://www.edulists.com.au </a>- FAQ,
resources, subscribe, unsubscribe <br>
IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by <br>
<a
href="http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html%20">http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/infotechindex.html
</a>- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and <br>
<a href="http://www.vitta.org.au">http://www.vitta.org.au </a>- VITTA Victorian
Information Technology Teachers Association Inc <o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________ <br>
<a href="http://www.edulists.com.au">http://www.edulists.com.au </a>- FAQ,
resources, subscribe, unsubscribe <br>
IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by <br>
<a
href="http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html%20">http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/infotechindex.html
</a>- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and <br>
<a href="http://www.vitta.org.au">http://www.vitta.org.au </a>- VITTA Victorian
Information Technology Teachers Association Inc<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>-- <br>
<span class=style22><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Roslyn
Meadows </span></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#006699'><br>
<span class=style52>TONS</span><br>
<span class=style22><a href="mailto:ros.meadows@gmail.com"><span class=style42><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>ros.meadows@gmail.com</span></span></a> </span><br>
</span><span class=style32><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#006699'>Bentleigh Secondary College </span></span><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#006699'><br>
<span class=style32>Vivien Street, East Bentleigh, 3165 </span><br>
<span class=style32>Phone 9579 1044</span><br>
<span class=style32>Mobile 0412 614 062</span></span> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________ <br>
<a href="http://www.edulists.com.au">http://www.edulists.com.au </a>- FAQ,
resources, subscribe, unsubscribe <br>
IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by <br>
<a
href="http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html%20">http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/infotechindex.html
</a>- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and <br>
<a href="http://www.vitta.org.au">http://www.vitta.org.au </a>- VITTA Victorian
Information Technology Teachers Association Inc<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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