1. Opening Activity: Think -- Pair -- Share

Rangers were asked to write down one "crash and burn" story while using Power Ranger laptops and one technology "gem" or success story. Stories were first shared with partners and then with the entire group.

Crash and burn stories:

-- "My Programs" disappeared
-- Computer locked up when I was on the 3rd page of a paper and hadn't saved
-- Could not switch from Airport in the office to Ethernet in the classroom
-- When I changed the view of a document, my computer froze and my changes were lost
-- It took 3 people and 40 minutes to get rid of that little icon that has to do with spell check
-- AppleTalk becomes inactive and active again over and over
-- Power supply was connected and not working so power ran out (note: be sure it is firmly plugged all the way in)
-- I thought I had saved over 200 vacation photos to a CD, but after I deleted them from the camera I had realized that I had not finished the CD save (burn)
-- I didn't have my charger at home and was running out of battery power.
-- When my screen froze, I forgot I could hold the power button down for 5 seconds to shut down.

Technology "gems"

-- When I introduced a webquest I was able to project the iBook onto the TV
-- Using Add-a-Form to gather IEP goals and objectives
-- Using the CD burner to create custom CDs that depict my student's personality and interests.
-- I amaze myself on what I am able to do with a computer
-- I figured out how to transfer files to the server
-- Was able to chat live with a Minister of Education in Germany over the summer
-- Using Powerpoint for my lessons
-- I just love the fact that I can carry my entire teaching life with me.
-- A student needed immediate feedback and I had info at home and could quickly email it.

Sam advised that the mentor/mentee/team letters were just about finished and apologized for the lateness - - they will be distributed very soon. PowerRangers will be either paired with a mentor, or assigned to a "technology team."

Charlene gave a brief overview of the Now-Up-to-Date calendar program. The Now Up-to-Date calendar is a Key-Served application. If PowerRangers would like to use this calendar while not connected to the SHS Network (by Ethernet or Airport), a "check-out key" would need to be installed so that it can be used at home. Contact Jan Colburn for check out keys for your laptop.

Lisa Nehring has created a tutorial for Now-Up-to-Date which is available on the Staff Development website or by downloading here. It is an Adobe Acrobat (pdf) file. For those interested in further training, Sean Carney will be presenting a workshop on Now-Up-to-Date at the upcoming Common Institute Day.

• Sam spoke about the OS X operating system and changes to be made in the coming months and next year. SASI will be replaced with a new Student management program. Software demonstrations will be available for teachers and staff. A recommendation will be sent to the Board of Education in November.

PowerRangers will meet again on Nov. 8, during all lunch periods in Room 7096.

Thanks to those who helped at the meeting!

Reminder: 
Did you update your virus protection Oct 1st?