Saying goodbye to Windows XP…

Goodbye Windows XP…

Q1. Is it true that Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft?
A1. Technically it is still supported by Microsoft until next April 2014, but it is time for use to upgrade the last remaining machines away from Windows XP.

Q2. Why did we keep it so long?
A2. Many of our elementary schools have stayed on Windows XP, because Breakthrough to Literacy software required Windows XP.   However, as we noted in prior updates, Breakthrough to Literacy is no longer being developed and the new K-6 reading adoption, Benchmark Literacy is coming in.  (see: Is Breakthrough to Literacy going away?)

Q3. Which sites still have Windows XP and what’s the plan to upgrade them?
A3. The following schools still have some or all of their machines running Windows XP and will be moved to Windows 7 this summer.

* All machines at Fairmeadows Elementary

* All machines at Clive Elementary

* All teacher desktops at Stilwell Junior High

* All machines at Jordan Creek Elementary

* All machines at Hillside Elementary 

* All machines at Phenix Early Childhood Center

Q4. When will this work begin and what does it mean to my classroom computers?
A4. Work will begin in mid-June.  This means your classroom desktop computers will be re-imaged to Windows 7, so you’ll lose any unique software that you’ve installed on your own.

Q5.  What about other software that is on my classroom computer?
A5. If you’ve installed any unique software on your machines, it will need to be installed.  

Q6.  What about Breakthrough to Literacy… will that be reinstalled on my classroom computers?
A6. No,  Breakthrough to Literacy is being removed from the machines.

Q7.  If we’re upgrading the machine, why not move them to Windows 8?
A7.  Windows 8 was built to add touch screen capabilities… since your desktops do not have this functionality, its best to stick with Windows 7.  Otherwise, adding Windows 8 becomes a huge training issue and there isn’t a strong need or reason to upgrade beyond Windows 7.

To force or not to force. That is the LMS question.

To force or not to force: that is the LMS question. Photo from Stefan via Flickr

Should schools mandate the use of one single Learning Management System (LMS)?   This was the question that grabbed our attention during recent visits to area districts implementing 1:1.

Some mandated a district-wide LMS and others did not.  An example of an LMS would be Moodle, Edmodo, Schoology or comparable products.  Basically, an LMS is a online web site that a class uses to post resources, assignments, anything related to the course.

Here are some of the reasons we heard for why a district should or should not mandate the usage of one single learning management system (LMS).

So what do you think?  Use the comment box below to let us know if you think an LMS should be mandated or not.

To Mandate….

Do NOT Mandate….

If all teachers were forced to use the same program, it would make training and professional development easier. ……………………………………………….. If all classes were forced to use the same software program, it would be easier for kids to find the resources they need, as they would be in one single location, with only one userid/password needed. ……………………………………………….. If all classes were forced to use the same LMS system, parents would have an easier time finding class resources and assignments. Mandating gets everyone on the same page and builds consistency. ………………………………………………. Mandating is the only way to get everyone on-board. ………………………..…………………….. One single tool provides everyone with one single user name/password – making it easier to remember where to find the resources needed.

Mandating kills innovation.  Let teachers decide what product is best for their students needs. It’s highly unlikely that there is one single program that will meet everyone’s needs. It becomes a scenario where some individuals are forced to use a product that doesn’t meet their needs. ………………………………………………………. Take a look at all the free available resources such as Edmodo, Schoology, etc.  We can’t stop folks from using them as they are free and openly available to all, so why try to mandate something that can’t be enforced? ……………………………………………………… Don’t mandate an LMS… instead, mandate that all courses have an on-line presence.  The specific tool shouldn’t be required, but the basic information (syllabus, resources, assignments) should be mandated – but just to be online.  For example, many districts mandate that each course have a website presence and the link needs to be on the district staff directory associated with the teacher so there is a common place for all students and parents to find the information. ……………………………………………………….. Mandating can be useful… but only when trying to bring on board the last remaining portion of users.  Mandating up front to everyone with out any buy-in only creates resentment. …………………………………………………………. In our own school district, we once used a product that enabled every teacher to make a web page.  We mandated that everyone had to use that one single product – and everyone did, but honestly, the quality wasn’t great.  Wouldn’t it have made more sense to mandate that everyone had a web page – but they could use that product or select another option for themselves? “Standardization, the great ally of mediocrity, always wins out over imagination.” ~ Sergiovanni