Do you Moodle?

WDM staff members..

Do you Moodle?  Are you using our district Moodle server?

Currently we’re running an older version of Moodle and instead of upgrading our existing server, we’re taking a look at moving our Moodle services over to the AEA, through their AEA K-12 Online Moodle Hosting, see http://moodle.aeak12online.org/ for more details.

What’s the advantage?
* We’ll get a newer version of Moodle with additional features beyond what we have now

* AEA has the expertise to maintain and provide new features as they become available.

* AEA has personnel who provide training and support.

What concerns?

* Instead of logging in with your existing computer account (Active Directory account), students and staff will need to log in with their Google Apps account.  This shouldn’t be a problem for 7-12 staff and students, but may be more of a concern for K-6 students, as not all K-6 students use their Google Apps accounts.

Will all of our existing Moodle data/information be moved?
If you request to have your files/information moved, we will move it to the new system.

Why aren’t we just moving all data from all classes?
Most of the classes and content in our Moodle server are NOT being used – they were created years ago and haven’t been used.  Instead of moving everything, we will move just the classes/courses that are actively being used.

I want my classroom Moodle files moved to the new system – who do I contact?
Brian Abeling, abelingb@wdmcs.org   and please let me know exactly which courses need to be moved.

 

 

New Time Clock System Starts May 19

Starting Monday, May 19, employees who track their hours through a time clock will see a new device.

The West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of the TimeClock Plus, an electronic time clock system, at their March 10, 2014 meeting.

The timeline to implement the new system is:

• May 15: End of the payroll period and last day to clock into the current Kronos time clocks.

• May 16: Hourly employees will track their time on a manual sheet while the new TimeClock Plus electronic time clocks are installed.

o    Submit your manual time sheet to your supervisor to enter information into TimeClock Plus

o    The manual time sheet is available here>> http://bit.ly/WDMCStimeclocksheet

• May 19: Hourly employees clock into TimeClock Plus time clock. The same procedure will be used as is currently used with the Kronos electronic time clocks.

• May 19-23: Supervisors’ TimeClock Plus training.

The new system will save money in the general fund by eliminating an annual $24,000 maintenance fee charged by the current time clock system provider, Kronos.

In addition, the new time clock system will capture actual time worked with no 15-minute rounding provision.

Contact: Starr Himes, Payroll (Classified), 633-5077