Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:44:26 -0500 Tom Sextro http://moodle.holton.k12.ks.us/course/view.php?id=248 Podcast Maker v1.3.6 - http://www.lemonzdream.com/podcastmaker As a Technology Director in preK-12 schools for over fifteen years as well as a classroom instructor for five, I have some insight into technologies and services that work for schools. My weekly podcasts get right to the point and are about 1 minute long. As a Technology Director in preK-12 schools for over fifteen years as well as a classroom instructor for five, I analyze technologies, procedures, and services that can impact education. My podcasts are targeted at technology leaders in schools and are only a few minutes long. en-us Tom Sextro Tom Sextro t.sextro@holtonks.net http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/tom_144.jpg http://moodle.holton.k12.ks.us/course/view.php?id=248 144 127 K-12 technology,k-12 clean Tom Sextro It is possible to make your own interactive whiteboard for about $50. This is about $1,600 less than what a typical whiteboard setup costs. A researcher named Johnny Lee has an open source project going which will positively impact schools and businesses. For about $50 in parts, you can create your own interactive whiteboard. It utilizes a Wii controller ($40) and a infrared pen ($10) as well as the open source whiteboard software ($0.00). To learn more, go to http://tomsextro.com http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/wiiwhiteboard.mp3 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:35:00 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:13 technology,k-12,wii,whiteboard,interactive Tom Sextro This inexpensive camcorder can be very useful for home and school. The Flip Video Camcorder is an inexpensive yet powerful device. It records up to 1 hour at 30 frames per second at 640 by 480 resolution. Since it is so portable, you will find that you will take more video footage compared to traditional camcorders. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/flipvideo.mp3 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:11:28 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:31 technology,k-12,flip,video,camcorder Tom Sextro High definition LCD or plasma televisions can be more cost effective than traditional projection systems particularly in small classrooms. For smaller classrooms or offices, consider purchasing a LCD or plasma television instead of a projection system. Make sure that the television has a VGA connection as that is critical. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/lcd.mp3 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:56:04 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:23 technology,k-12,plasma,lcd,television Tom Sextro The iPod touch is a elegant handheld computer which can be useful in educational environments. The iPod touch is actually a small and affordable handheld computer. It is easy to use yet very functional. Connecting to the internet wirelessly is easy. Data and settings can be synched over easily from your Macintosh of PC using iTunes. It would be beneficial for people who are mobile. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/ipodtouchandphone.mp3 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:55:51 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:40 technology,k-12,ipod,ipod touch, touch Tom Sextro Zamzar.com lets you convert files from one format to another via a web browser. If you have ever had the situation where someone sends you a file via e-mail that you could not open with the applications on your computer, then you have a need for a service such as zamzar.com . They make it easy to convert files from one format to another. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/zamzar.mp3 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:58:51 -0600 K-12 clean 00:00:45 technology,k-12,zamzar,file conversion Tom Sextro OpenDNS.com provides a free filtering solution that could be used for schools, businesses, and homes. In our district, we easily added OpenDNS.com protection for our school network. It provides us with another layer of internet filter protection for all of our computers. Best of all, it is free, excellent, and improving. If I were a commercial filtering solution provider, I would be concerned as OpenDNS is going to be very popular. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/opendns.mp3 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:28:08 -0600 K-12 clean 00:00:54 technology,k-12,filtering,opendns,free Tom Sextro The HUE HD Webcam can be used in school environments as a low end document camera. Instead of purchasing expensive document cameras for your classrooms, consider using the HUE HD Webcam instead. It offers a high resolution image and comes with pretty simple software. The software also allows you to combine your own audio and the video from the HUE as a movie. These videos may be a little large so using a program like iSquint can help you reduce the size so that you could post them on a web page or blog. More information about the HUE can be found at http://www.cliquevideo.com http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/hue.mp3 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:47:11 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:30 technology,k-12,hue, webcam,document camera Tom Sextro TumbleBooks is a flash based service delivering books targeting young readers. If you are looking for services to provide another approach to reach young readers, sign up for a 30 day trial of TumbleBooks at www.tumblebooks.com . http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/tumblebooks.m4a Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:29:04 -0500 K-12 clean 00:00:55 technology,k-12, TumbleBooks, reading, flash Tom Sextro Are you looking for a reasonable price for your replacement projector lamps? relampit.com has a service where they refurbish your used projector lamps. This is cheaper than purchasing new lamps and results in real savings for your district. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/relampit.m4a Fri, 25 May 2007 06:54:31 -0500 K-12 clean 00:00:59 technology,k-12,projector,lamp,bulb Tom Sextro It's that time of year where you need to decide whether you content filter solution for your district is meeting your needs. There is a good chance that your content filtering solution is not keeping up with the latest technologies designed to bypass them. This is especially true for relatively inexpensive filtering solutions which I believe many small schools and libraries are using. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/contentfilterhttps.m4a Mon, 21 May 2007 16:32:59 -0500 K-12,filtering,content, bypass,https clean 00:01:45 technology,k-12 Tom Sextro There are sites designed to help students bypass your content filtering solution for your district. School districts are blocking popular web sites with various content filtering solutions. Students are determined to find ways to circumvent this technology so it is important to keep informed on how this occurs. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/bypassingcontentfiltering.m4a Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:22:10 -0600 K-12,filtering,content, bypass clean 00:01:50 technology,k-12 Tom Sextro Port 587 should be used instead of port 25 in e-mail applications such as Mail or Outlook. If you have ever had trouble sending e-mail with your e-mail client when traveling, consider using port 587 instead of port 25. This will only work if your e-mail client supports port 587 as well as your districts mail server. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/port587.m4a Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:27:53 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:27 technology,k-12,port 587,e-mail Tom Sextro VPN services should be available for district employees, when their laptop computer is not physically in the district, and students where 1-1 laptop learning initiatives have been implemented. VPN connections are widely used in the business world for securing data for their mobile workers. It is time for the schools to begin to use this technology also. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/vpn.m4a Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:46:43 -0600 K-12 clean 00:02:27 technology,k-12,VPN,network Tom Sextro Are extended warranties worth the cost when purchasing computers? I do not believe that extended warranties are worth the cost when purchasing school computers. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/extendedwarranty.m4a Sat, 02 Dec 2006 13:17:37 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:36 technology,k-12,warranty,purchase Tom Sextro Wordpress is a free server solution for users to create blogs. It is better than a static web page as it allows interaction via comments to your posts. The multi-user version of Wordpress allows you to set up a server where any number of blogs can be created. This may be the right tool for those teachers or administrators who have not found the right tool for publishing online. http://mu.wordpress.org http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/blogging.m4a Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:14:05 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:36 technology,k-12,blogging,wordpress Tom Sextro Google Spreadsheets is a free online tool which allows for collaborative spreadsheets. WIth Google Spreadsheets, it is possible to import existing Excel files and make those files web accessible and editable without Excel. School districts use Excel to solve a number of problems including time sheets so now, it is possible to use Google Spreadsheets to access and modify these files. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/googlespreadsheets.m4a Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:38:40 -0500 K-12 clean 00:02:13 technology,k-12,excel,Google Spreadsheet Tom Sextro A Tech Cadre of teachers and other leaders can make a significant impact on technology infusion in a school district. I have recently formed a district tech cadre group in our school district. It will be their mission to lead and help direct technology integration activities specific to their building. They will also be involved in creating an incentive system to reward those teachers who utilize technology well. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/techcadre.mp3 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:18:19 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:45 technology,k-12,cadre Tom Sextro Part of a Technology Directors job is to work with the school board. I discuss the technology plan for our school district with our local school board. Accountability will be a driving force for the 2006-2007 school year which is not a bad thing but will require direction and leadership from many. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/techplan06.mov Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:54:12 -0500 K-12 clean 00:54:28 technology,k-12,board meeting,ipod Tom Sextro Electronic mail can be a powerful tool in schools although some question its value. Electronic mail is used effectively in schools already but there is room for improvement. Could additional educational lists be created to enhance statewide collaboration? http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/emailinschools.mp3 Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:43:35 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:18 technology,k-12,e-mail Tom Sextro Your Technology Director is a critical leader in your school district. You can tell how a tell how a district values their Technology Director by looking at which meetings they attend and where they are housed. Technology Directors need to be in all the important meetings particularly at the district level. Building level meetings should include building level technology staff also. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/technologydirector.mp3 Tue, 06 Jun 2006 17:37:42 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:22 technology,k-12,leader,technology director Tom Sextro Do you really need to purchase a "podcast" server to publish podcasts? I believe some school districts are purchasing "podcast" servers needlessly. Some people don't know that their district or school web server will work just fine. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/podcastservers.mp3 Mon, 29 May 2006 21:10:45 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:18 technology,k-12,podcast server Tom Sextro Adobe Acrobat can be used to create editable PDF files which is useful in schools. Acrobat Professional is a commercial program that allows a user to enhance PDF files. We are using this in our district so individuals looking for a job can download the job application PDF file, type in the relevant information, and print it out. This is better than the current method of requiring a typewriter to fill out a job application. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/editablePDF.mp3 Fri, 19 May 2006 16:50:59 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:22 technology,k-12,pdf,editable Tom Sextro We're taking a new approach to backing up teacher laptop home directories for the 2006-2007 school year. As the age of our staff laptops increase in our district, I've decided to take a new approach to backup. We've been backing their data up to CD's with their built in CD burners but some teacher home folders won't fit on one plus it's time consuming. This new approach will simplify backup. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/Teacherlaptopbackup.m4a Wed, 17 May 2006 19:54:03 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:54 technology,k-12,laptop,backup Tom Sextro The issue of spare computers has not given as much thought by Technology Directors including me as it should. Having enough spare computers available to keep everything operational may take a change in mindset by Technology Directors. Having other spare hardware available needs to be analyzed also. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/sparecomputers.mp3 Sun, 07 May 2006 14:22:57 -0500 K-12 clean 00:02:04 technology,k-12,spare Tom Sextro I recently attended the NETA conference in Omaha, Nebraska. They had some excellent keynote speaker which I discuss. The NETA Conference in Omaha, Nebraska is one of the largest technology conferences in the midwest. There were over 2000 educators in attendance. This podcast has links to their podcast as well as other conference relevant information. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/NETAConference.mp3 Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:58:18 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:41 technology,k-12,NETA,Ohler,Buettner Tom Sextro Intel based Macintosh computers can now run Windows XP easily. Boot Camp is software that Apple Computer has developed which allows Intel Based Apple Computers to run Windows XP natively. This has definite advantages in school settings. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/macsaspcs.mp3 Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:55:41 -0500 K-12 clean 00:02:27 technology,k-12,XP,Intel,virtualization Tom Sextro Research and Development is important for schools as well as corporations. R&D should be an important component of school operations. All too often, it is non existent and risk taking is not encouraged. It's time to ask all school professionals to include R&D as part of the education routine. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/R%26D.mp3 Sun, 09 Apr 2006 20:03:59 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:41 technology,k-12,R&D Tom Sextro Do you efficiently record school board meetings and make that content available digitally? In this podcast, I share how I use a Polycom Viewstation to record school board meetings. I also discuss how that information is transferred to dvd and eventually to an audio podcast. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/RSBM.mp3 Tue, 04 Apr 2006 20:09:28 -0500 K-12 clean 00:03:08 technology,polycom,k-12,podcast,board meeting Tom Sextro Help Desk Software can be a great tool for tech support staff in their effort to serve teachers and administrators. Web based Help Desk software is a tool for storing, organizing, and retrieving information about technology problems or requests. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/helpdesksoftware.mp3 Fri, 24 Mar 2006 22:07:25 -0600 K-12 clean 00:02:13 technology,k-12,help desk,web Tom Sextro All teachers and administrators should have laptops as their computing tool. Teachers and administrators are more productive with laptop computers compared to stationary computers. It is baffling to me to see school districts not embrace laptop computers for their staff. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/laptopsforteachers.mp3 Sat, 18 Mar 2006 16:59:31 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:27 technology,k-12,laptop Tom Sextro I encourage you to examine your district internet safety policies as technologies that students use at home continue to evolve rapidly. Both schools and parents need to be actively involved with what students are doing online. Failure to do so can put them at extreme risk. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/internetsafety.mp3 Sun, 12 Mar 2006 13:43:56 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:41 technology,k-12,internet safety,xanga,myspace Tom Sextro Calendar programs on your computer can help you and your district stay organized. Many districts don't take advantage of the power of calendar programs for both communication and organizational purposes. Now Up To Date is a powerful program that our district uses which has networked capabilities. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/calendarprograms.mp3 Sun, 05 Mar 2006 16:18:11 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:31 technology,k-12,calendars Tom Sextro Are you using this technology with your teachers? There are wireless speaker systems designed to project the teachers voice throughout the classroom. This is beneficial for both the student and teacher. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/enhancedclassroomsound.mp3 Tue, 28 Feb 2006 04:56:57 -0600 K-12 clean 00:02:40 technology,k-12,wireless,lapel,speaker Tom Sextro Can your district afford not to have redundancy in this day of No Child Left Behind? Internet redundancy is no longer an option in my opinion for school districts. Luckily, redundancy can be relatively inexpensive particularly when planned as part of your 2007-2008 school year. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/redundantinternetbandwidth.mp3 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 20:19:34 -0600 K-12 clean 00:02:17 technology,k-12,redundancy Tom Sextro Zoomerang is used to create online surveys. Zoomerang is an online service that makes deploying surveys easy. Our district has been using it since 2001 and I highly recommend it. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/zoomerang.mp3 Sat, 04 Feb 2006 19:08:24 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:45 technology,k-12,survey Tom Sextro Instant Messaging can be a powerful communications tool in schools. Instant Messaging software is an underutilized tool in schools. While it shouldn't replace one on one conversations entirely , it can help us be more efficient and productive. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/instantmessaging.mp3 Sat, 28 Jan 2006 12:08:19 -0600 K-12 clean 00:02:27 technology,k-12,ichat, im Tom Sextro As a technology support person, have you ever wanted a tool that would give you the status of all critical devices on your network? Intermapper and products like it send various types of ping requests to devices like switches, servers, and wireless access points. It's a tool that no technology support person should be without. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/intermapper.mp3 Fri, 20 Jan 2006 14:25:24 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:22 technology,k-12,monitoring,ping Tom Sextro Quia is an online subscription service used primarily by teachers to create online quizzes or tests. If you want a relatively inexpensive way to create online tests for your teachers, check out Quia. It's a powerful online tool that has a relatively low learning curve. It can make teachers lives a little easier. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/quia.mp3 Sat, 14 Jan 2006 11:21:01 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:36 technology,k-12,quizzes Tom Sextro I discuss our district wireless network to frame the discussion. Does your district have a robust, reliable, and secure wireless network? Is it scalable to support 1-1 laptop use for all students? This podcast examines some of the issues related to wireless networks. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/wirelessnetworks.mp3 Sat, 17 Dec 2005 11:32:29 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:50 technology,k-12,wireless,WEP, security Tom Sextro Are you wanting to be a better teacher? This podcast can point you in the right direction. Jamie McKenzie recently spoke in Topeka Kansas about technology in education. He believes that students and teachers both need to learn how to ask better questions. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/questioning.mp3 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 22:43:51 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:18 technology,k-12,McKenzie,questioning Tom Sextro Are you looking for a powerful web based authoring environment for teachers? If so, try Moodle. Moodle is an open source server solution that schools can use to give their teachers the ability to publish content on the web easily. It's simple to use and is free. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/moodle.mp3 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 21:05:09 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:31 technology,k-12,moodle,open source Tom Sextro Nicholas Negroponte from the MIT media lab is working hard with others to create an inexpensive laptop for students throughout the world. Nicholas Negroponte and his team have designed a prototype laptop that is very innovative. They're goal is to bring the cost of producing it down to the $100 range. The display is usually the most expensive part of a laptop and they've found a unique way to make it as well as other unique features such as a hand crank to generate power for it. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/laptop.mp3 Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:09:27 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:08 laptop linux mit wireless Tom Sextro Are you looking for an inexpensive whiteboard tool? Powerpoint has that capability. It's possible to "draw" on powerpoint slideshows using a virtual pen. This feature is part of PowerPoint but is not widely used but is very useful for both teachers and students. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/annotatingpowerpoint.mp3 Sat, 12 Nov 2005 14:23:51 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:31 powerpoint annotate k12 whiteboard Tom Sextro The Video Projector is a technology that needs to be in place in all classrooms. The price of video projectors has dropped considerably over the years. It's time for all classrooms to have this valuable technology. The debate should be over whether the projectors need to be mounted or not. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/projectors.mp3 Thu, 03 Nov 2005 09:21:55 -0600 K-12 clean 00:01:04 projector eiki united streaming Tom Sextro Marratech Pro is a powerful tool which can be used for connecting educators and students virtually. I believe Marratech Pro can be used as a tool to provide tutoring services for students after regular school hours. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/marratech.mp3 Sun, 23 Oct 2005 12:51:41 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:18 tutor videoconference chat marratech Tom Sextro Asterisk is an affordable solution for your next phone system. Our district has implemented an Asterisk server at our high school giving us advanced capabilities at an affordable price. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/asterisk.mp3 Fri, 14 Oct 2005 21:38:33 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:18 asterisk,pbx,linux,phone Tom Sextro The combination of the iPod Shuffle and audiobooks is a very powerful tool for schools to consider. Our district has had success using iPod Shuffles and audiobooks with students who struggle to read. This technology has great potential for schools. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/ipodsinschools.mp3 Fri, 07 Oct 2005 19:33:58 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:10 shuffle,reading,audiobook Tom Sextro USB flash technology is discussed in this episode. USB flash technology can be a powerful tool for students, teachers, and administrators. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/usbdrives.mp3 Mon, 26 Sep 2005 13:19:55 -0500 K-12 clean 00:01:00 flash drive, usb,storage Tom Sextro Snapz Pro Movie Capture software is discussed in this episode. Snapz Pro is an awesome program from ambrosiasw.com that allows Macintosh computers users to capture and annotate whatever is on your computer screen plus do voice overs. Check out my website to see a couple of example movies made with snapz pro. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/snap.mp3 Thu, 15 Sep 2005 21:08:43 -0500 K-12 clean 00:00:55 Macintosh,screen capture,movies Tom Sextro I discuss the United Streaming on demand video service from Discovery Education. United Streaming is a service that provides video on demand for K-12 schools. A teacher can easily download all or parts of a video tied to state standards. When used in conjunction with a projection system and speakers, lessons can be enhanced. http://www.holtonks.net/rv/podcasts/unit.mp3 Thu, 15 Sep 2005 20:43:17 -0500 K-12 clean 00:00:42 video,united streaming