http://www.techsets.orghttp://www.techsets.org/images/TechLogoRss.gif9860Schools and districts throughout the state of California are making greater use of technology on a daily basis. If you are responsible for planning, installing and maintaining this technology, then TechSETS web site can provide the assistance you need.Schools and districts throughout the state of California are making greater use of technology on a daily basis. If you are responsible for planning, installing and maintaining this technology, then TechSETS web site can provide the assistance you need.(c) 2008, TechSETS. All rights reserved.5Patty MacIntyrehttp://www.techsets.org/about/news/index.phpTechSETS strives to continually add new information and resources that benefit our members. This article highlights the latest additions to the TechSETS collection of resources.Mike Sharphttp://www.techsets.org/tools/tips.php?tip_id=17TechSETS consultant Mike Sharp describes two types of system virtualization and summarizes the benefits of implementing virtualization technologies.Patty MacIntyrehttp://www.techsets.org/mytechdesk/tutorials.phpTechSETS presents four new video tutorials, designed to assist MyTechDesk users in setting up and managing a Requestor account. These online lessons were created by TechSETS Cadre member Burt Lo, using Macromedia Captivate software.Patty MacIntyrehttp://www.techsets.org/support/voucher.phpThe online application for the Ed Tech K-12 Voucher Program is expected to be released by the California Department (CDE) on September 18, 2006. Districts will apply on behalf of their eligible schools. Eligible schools include public K-12 schools, charter schools and county offices of education that had at least 40% Free and Reduced Price Meals percentage, according to the district's 2005-06 Consolidated Application.Please check the TechSETS web site for a comprehensive collection of supporting resources for the Ed Tech K-12 Voucher Program, including "Ten Things You Can Do Right Now to Prepare for Program Implementation". Bev Blaylockhttp://www.cetpa-k12.org/newsletter/index.php?cmd=vi&typ=art&id=148The California Educational Technology Professionals Association (CETPA) and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) have jointly announced the creation of a new California CTO Council, aimed at meeting the growing needs of school district technology leaders. The CTO Mentor Project will establish a curriculum of study and certification for the K-12 population of technologists. Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/files/support/voucher.phpThis spreadsheet tool provides a simple method of tracking Ed Tech K-12 Voucher expenditures, and also compiles the data that will be required for reimbursements. Users should have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel. The K-12 Voucher Tracking Tool relies on Excel macros, so be sure to click "Enable Macros" when you see the Microsoft Macros Security Warning notice. Additional instructions are provided under the first tab in the spreadsheet. Please note that no changes should be made to the Template (last tab), as this is used to generate additional blank workbooks. Click the link to download the tool.Patty MacIntyrehttp://www.techsets.org/support/stories.php?art_id=19What would you do if police activity forced a three-hour lockdown at your school? The newest article in TechSTORIES describes how the resourceful students and teachers at El Camino Jr. High in Santa Maria used technology to maintain communications, reduce anxiety, and keep students focused on learning during an emergency situation.Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/support/voucher.phpIn addition to the Ed Tech K-12 Voucher Program, there is a separate Mircosoft Settlement for "government entities". All California districts are eligible for the government entities settlement, regardless of Free and Reduced Price Lunch percentage. Please visit the TechSETS KI-12 Voucher resource page for a helpful handout on the Microsoft-California Government Entities Settlement.Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/about/newsletter.phpThe complete edition of each TechSETS eNewsletter is available on our homepage at www.techsets.org. The latest Summer 2007 edition includes articles on topics such as the 2007 E-rate and CTF training schedules, Ed Tech K-12 Voucher Program updates, CIO / CEO partnership strategies, and the use of data from the California School Technology Survey. Would you rather listen to eNewsletter summaries on your iPod or computer, while you jog or relax? Check out our new eDigest issues, and enjoy short podcasts of the eNewsletter highlights. Simply click the eDigest link for the issue you wish to review.Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/about/TechSETS appreciates the feedback that members provided as part of our evaluation process. Our TechSETS Annual Evaluation Report 2007 is now available and here are some highlights: TechSETS has experienced steady growth in membership with 6,455 members (up from 5,489 in 2006). Members are from all facets of technology support, including IT staff and a growing number of teachers. CTAP Region 4 and 9 have the highest number of members. School districts with under 12,000 students comprise the largest percentage of users. We found that users were very satisfied with TechSETS services (between 91% - 98.5%, depending on the type of user). Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/training/career_academy.phpTechSETS is pleased to announce the addition of CareerAcademy.com as an online training partner! Utilizing the latest multimedia technologies, Careeracademy.com provides interactive online technology training that combines the power of expert video instruction, hands-on lab simulations, and testing modules. Each training course is presented in full-motion video and audio, allowing viewers to see all the steps, hear the detailed explanations, and perform the tasks. The Learning Zone offers live mentoring, including live chat, for individual subscribers. Learning Zone may also be added to site and classroom licenses for an affordable fee.For $200 per year, a subscriber receives access to the complete CareerAcademy.com course library, with topics ranging from popular desktop applications to professional certification tracks. Site licenses, classroom pricing, and lab packs are also available. Additionally, CareerAcademy.com will be offering a free preview course each month on the TechSETS web site. Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/training/mss_index.phpMy SkillSource is a one-stop training and support resource for IT staff, K-12 educators, and administrative support staff. Affordable 12-month subscriptions deliver a range of resources for all learners, including self-paced and instructor-led courses, online books, hands-on labs on live equipment, and $40 Office Productivity training (includes Microsoft Office).My SkillSource offers a cost-effective way to support yourself and your IT team with high-end technical training. Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/tools/job_org.phpTechnology needs for K-12 school districts will vary significantly based on variables, such as Board of Education goals, the size of the district, funding levels from programs such as E-rate, and the maturity level of the technology organization. TechSETS recently launched a new addition to TechJOBS that provides sample organization charts, job descriptions, and salary ranges that are intended to assist schools and districts in understanding, implementing and expanding their technology resources. Information for this site was obtained from California school districts and from websites such as EdJOIN. Content may be copied and/or modified to assist school districts in expediting their technology goals.Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.org/mytechdesk/Some California schools mistakenly think that only part of the MyTechDesk program is free. In the past, there were two versions of MyTechDesk: Free and low-cost. Not now! All K-12 schools and districts in California have access to MyTechDesk Standard at no cost, as a service provided by the California Department of Education’s TechSETS project. Why pay as much as $4,500 per year for a comparable commercial product, when this excellent solution is FREE? Check it out.Bev Blaylockhttp://www.techsets.orgThe TechSETS website is filled with resources for our members and guests. We have added a new “First Time Visitor” link on our homepage that invites new visitors to take a video tour of TechSETS resources. Additional tours will be added in the coming weeks.Bev Blaylockhttp//:www.techsets.orgThe TechSETS team is always asking for your input on our services and our website at www.techsets.org. You’ve been giving us feedback, and you will be pleased to know that we are taking action. As we write this, our technical wizards are busy developing a new web site with targeted improvements, due for release by July 2008. Here is a preview of some of the changes being considered:1.Add a friendly welcome screen for new users, with links to short video segments that explain TechSETS services and resources.2.Enable a “search” that will access the entire website (replacing the section-by-section search tool).3.Simplify navigation for our various user groups, so that technical staff, administrators, teachers, support staff, and students are able to find relevant TechSETS resources quickly and easily!4.Eliminate the redundant side menu5.Perform work “under-the-hood”, in compliance with the California Department of Education’s Technology Service Division standards.6.Place the website behind a login, which will allow customization options based on the user’s profile, as well as allow for a possible future single sign-on with the other SETS projects.We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please email us at info@techsets.orgPatty MacIntyrehttp://www.techsets.org/support/voucher.phpThe deadline to apply for the Ed Tech K-12 Voucher Program funding is June 30, 2008. This program was launched last September and provides vouchers for reimbursing eligible districts and charter schools for certain categories of hardware, software, professional development, and IT support services. Both the California Department of Education (CDE) and TechSETS web sites provide complete information on determining your district’s eligibility, submitting the online application, identifying allowable purchases, and submitting the required documentation for reimbursement.Patty MacIntyrehttp://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eettformula.asp.Approximately $16 million dollars in formula-funded grants will be distributed to local educational agencies (LEAs) in 2007-08 by the California Department of Education (CDE). This federal funding is provided through Title II, Part D, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program. The amount of funding is based on each LEA's proportionate share of Title I, Part A funding. The purpose of EETT formula funding is to assist eligible districts in using technology to enhance teaching and promote learning. No application is required. Eligible LEAs must have a current CDE-approved technology plan. If the technology plan requirement is met, then the eligible LEA will automatically receive a grant award letter from the CDE. The letters are due to be sent by late November or early December.Patty MacIntyrehttp://www.techsets.org/training/mss_index.phpTake advantage of this free guided tour of the My SkillSource online training resources! The affordable My SkillSource subscriptions include self-paced tutorials, instructor-led classes, assessments, and searchable online reference libraries. Virtual labs are available for an additional cost.The next online tour takes place on Tuesday, December 11th at 3:30 pm (PDT). Each session can accommodate about 20 participants. A complete course catalog and subscription information are also available.All you need to participate in the free online tour is an Internet-connected computer and a nearby telephone. At the conclusion of the 45-minute tour, you will receive a two-week trial subscription, allowing you to explore the resources on your own. My SkillSource offers a variety of course libraries, ranging from Office Productivity ($40 per person per year) to Computer Professional ($150 per person per year). This is a great opportunity to see if My SkillSource online training resources will meet your staff development needs!Patty MacIntyrewww.techsets.orgOn June 10, 2008, the TechSETS web site is being migrated from the Imperial County Office of Education to the San Diego County Office of Education. The web site will be offline for several hours during this transition. The move will not affect operations for MyTechDesk (access through mytechdesk.org), or any of TechSETS training partners (My SkillSource, Atomic Learning, Career Academy). We will go live again as soon as possible, to minimize the impact on our users. The new web site has been converted to the .NET platform, in conjunction with California Department of Education standards. Our domain will remain techsets.org. We hope to re-direct the old web pages to the new site, to minimize inconvenience to our users. Our previous URLs ending in .php will now end in .aspx. If you need assistance during the transition, please contact Patty MacIntyre: pattymac@sdcoe.net; 858-569-5405. Thank you for your patience during this major transition!