Future plans for school IT?

[reggiep]

I'm currently updating a lot of documentation and found our old ICT future strategy document. It is very old (2002) so I thought I would try to knock up a new one.

 

It contains a list of every aspect of ICT that we have at the moment but the hard bit is trying to decide what we should be trying to do in the short term, 1 year, and the long term 3-5 years.

 

I'm thinking...

• Managed wireless
  
• Open source software alternatives
  
• VLE options
  
• Online reporting
  
• Netbooks in trollies, more of them or alternatives - Ipads anyone?
  
• Virtualisation - of which I know nothing
  

 

The list is not complete so what is everybody else thinking about, what have I missed?

[tmcd35]

Well, we have -

 

• VLE Underway
  
• Helpdesk (Spiceworks) on the horizon
  
• Halfway through Virtualisation
  
• Data Network/NAS/SAN for the summer (and completing Server Virtualisation)
  
• Multiseat Computer (desktop virtualisation) maybe happening
  
• Terminal Server for the Admin team
  
• Moving to Server 2008 R2 Domain Controllers
  
• Answering the MS Office/OpenOffice question
  
• Moving to Windows 7 next year
  
• Need a new Room Booking System
  
• New MIS going in over the next few months
  
• Website needs some work doing
  

 

That's about all I can think of for the time being. Certainly not looking at managed wireless unless it's a) forced on me and b) paid for by someone else.

[reggiep]

Well, we have -

 

• Moving to Windows 7 next year
  

 

Oops forgot about that one!

 

That's about all I can think of for the time being. Certainly not looking at managed wireless unless it's a) forced on me and b) paid for by someone else.

 

I think I'll have to go down this route for our inbound laptop trolleys!

[dhicks]

Open source software alternatives

 

I'd go for a web-based word processor instead of MS Word.

 

Netbooks in trollies, more of them or alternatives

 

Are projectors cheap enough to replace laptops as use-anywhere displays?

 

Virtualisation

 

Of what? Servers or workstations?

 

--

David Hicks

[tmcd35]

I'd go for a web-based word processor instead of MS Word.

David, you want to swap schools? You must have the best ratio of tech savy teachers anywhere in the country.

 

If it doesn't have MS on the label our IT teachers don't know how to use it. Then again even with MS on the label the rest of the faculty struggle. Oh hum, back to chalkboards, TV's and VHS tape for us then!

[reggiep]

@dhicks

I'm actually asking you about virtualisation on this thread http://www.edugeek.net/forums/nix/46749-converting-physical-vm.html#post452501

[irsprint84]

*other than Office and creative suite, pushed open source/ free software quite well (allows poor or rich kids to use same software at home)

*This year moved away from CSE and gone vanilla (windows 7), been quite successful, lastly moving to servers to R2 shortly (Staff have been asking to upgrade!). New website and sharepoint intranet, updating documentation (didnt have any when started!) and actually got the backups working! and new sims server (apart from Backup server, all xenserver'd)

 

*Next year replacing staff laptops with Stone NT200's (14.1" and 1.6kgs!) plus remote apps (ie SIMS) if Internet works better plus more IT in the classrooms

 

*Year after replace student laptops with something similar to NT200s, move exchange from 2007 - 2010 and another DC possibly

[dhicks]

You must have the best ratio of tech savy teachers anywhere in the country.

 

No - my answers to the questions above were on the somewhat theoretical side, what actually gets put in to action depends on the thoughts and discussions amongst our senior management team, who might have factors to consider that I don't know about.

 

--

David Hicks

[featured_spectre]

I have done a "Red Bus" document (even the headteacher knows it as that!) and it contains EVERY shred of info needed to run the network. The document actually spans about 20 pages, and is updated everytime something is either added or taken away from the network.

 

Since my overhall of having fibre put into the ICT suite its been quiet on the update front, but its worth having it.

 

My document covers

 

VLE (Admin log in, how to add classes (including screenshots), managing classes, how to add pupils etc).

Admin Server (Password, ADUC, DHCP, Print Server etc)

Curriculum Server (As above with admin server, only minus the DHCP),

ISA Server

Ruckus

Layout of ICT facilities (Computer names etc - Diagrams included)

Layout of fibre backbone across the school etc. (Diagrams included)

Layout of wireless infrastructure (Diagrams included)

 

Recent upgrades to Win 7 and Server 08 R2

 

Plans to build and roll out another W7 suite.

[garrya100]

How do you get that much info into 20 pages!

 

My network operations manual that includes all the diagrams, copies of all the configs, a fairly detailed "how to" section designed for a junior tech, and a trouble shooting guide runs to just over 100 pages!

 

I currently updateing the server/admin system manuals, and they too will be weighty tomes!!

[featured_spectre]

When you are one of 3 tech savvy person in the school, you have to dumb it down as much as humanly possible.

 

I would be interested in seeing yours though, PM me?

 

Carl

[garrya100]

Unfortunatley a lot of it is restricted as it contains passwords and proprietry info. I'll have a look when I'm in the office to see if I can have enough left to send if I cut out all the sensitive bits!!

[featured_spectre]

that would be fine!

[reggiep]

I have done a "Red Bus" document

Yep I have to do that too, just getting the Strategy one through first then on to my "Emergency Handbook"

[localzuk]

Plans here involve:

 

* Finish Ruckus rollout

* Introduce a new 'electronic merit system' in collaboration with another school

* Improve terminal services (either via switching to VDI or by improving how applications are loaded onto different servers. (ie. put SIMS.net on a dedicated 64 bit terminal server etc...)

* New building, so all the requirements that will need to go in there.

* I also have a desire to move to Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, but when is a different issue.

* Change the IP subnet for the school from a /22 to a /20 (completely different range)

* Introduce a new caching system. 1 cache for our school network, and 1 for our guest wifi.

[gshaw]

My vision for our place...

 

• Implement a quality Moodle VLE portal in terms of design and content. Our Moodle is going to be doing website duties as well to meet my vision of a complete student portal, social networking communication - see Redbridge Institute of Adult Education VLE
  
• Make use of Live@Edu and other web 2.0 \ cloud tools in teaching (already using Live IDs to authenticate into Moodle and plug into Outlook Live so going well there Just waiting for Office web apps to complete the jigsaw
  
• More use of multimedia in teaching, Flip Mino HD camcorders, audio recordings etc all shared via Moodle \ YouTube
  
• Server virtualisation via VMWare \ HP in 2011 (end of current server lifecycle)
  
• More mobile technology, recently bought in NC10s \ portable projectors \ 3G sticks for Community Learning
  
• If VLE takes off, Ruckus wireless to encourage student participation in non-IT suite classrooms
  
• Server 2008 (after virtualisation) and keeping an eye on 7, although this depends more on the likes of ECDL etc keeping up on their certs, dual boot imaging methods anyone???
  
• Document everything once things settle down
  
• Increased network monitoring and management, get back to my SCOM \ SMS > SCCM upgrade testing once I've got the Moodle development sorted
  
• Test green \ virtual technologies for possible efficiency savings e.g. nComputing, keep an eye on VDI and so on
  
• Starting this summer run a technology roadshow for staff so showcase all the kit available and what it can do. Basically to get the "wow" factor and as a result get more of the kit integrated into the classroom
  

 

Unless there's another nasty virus outbreak between now and summer I'm hoping to not need to reimage this year as it's been working nicely this year. Replaced all the desktop hardware last year (was a mental summer in 2009!) so should have more time to play with server \ strategic bits this year.

 

As you can see there my plans are as much about supporting the technology in teaching as they are about the backend stuff

Edited February 1, 2010 by gshaw

[dhicks]

what actually gets put in to action depends on the thoughts and discussions amongst our senior management team, who might have factors to consider that I don't know about.

 

Although, thinking about it, we might end up with the move-to-a-web-based-word-processor option kind of by default. It's going to cost money if we want to upgrade to Office 2010 (see separate thread about running Office 2010 over Terminal Services) - at least £10,000, probably nearer £15,000. The default option is to simply stick with what we have, which is a perfectly serviceable Office 2003 that runs on all the machines we want it to. I can then stick something web-based on a server somewhere and let people use it as they wish - give it a couple of years and, hopefully, everyone will be used to the idea of doing work in a web-based applicartion and we'll get away from this idea of shunting files around on USB devices the whole time.

 

--

David Hicks

[reggiep]

I have now knocked up a decent size document with 20 key points. I have so far.

 

• Upgrade Wireless Infrastructure
  
• Improve use of Moodle VLE
  
• Improve use of school website
  
• Introduce remote data backups
  
• Introduce Electronic registers
  
• Purchase more laptops/notebooks in trolleys
  
• Investigate Open source software
  
• Introduce managed printing
  
• Virtualisation
  
• Upgrade workstations to Windows 7
  
• Upgrade server 2008 to R2
  
• Remote access to users files and shared documents
  
• Install windows in the mac suite
  
• Electronic Room booking system
  
• Give students access to network/internet via their mobile devices
  
• Introduce better monitoring of internet users’ activities
  
• Monitor staff laptops
  
• Explore the possibilities of replacing workstations in school every four years
  
• Investigate single sign on for everything
  
• Introduce more information to the Plasma in the main reception
  

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Danlewis3]

All our work is going to be done round the summer holidays

 

- Upgrade All Servers 2008

- Single Network (merge Admin&Curriculum)

-VLE alternative with parental reporting

-Workstation on all whiteboards

-Email options - Stay with Kerio or go to Exchange

-Upgrade server hardware.

[tmcd35]

Although, thinking about it, we might end up with the move-to-a-web-based-word-processor option kind of by default. It's going to cost money if we want to upgrade to Office 2010 (see separate thread about running Office 2010 over Terminal Services) - at least £10,000, probably nearer £15,000.

 

--

David Hicks

 

Just found out we're moving to Google for our e-mail. This will include google docs/calendar/etc. This throws the cat amongst the pigeons. It doesn't effect the OpenOffice/MS-Office debate on the desktop in the short term might may have a knock on effect in the 3-6year time frame.

 

I think we may still end up paying out for MS-Office despite my instance that OpenOffice will do more than we require of an Office suite. Oh-hum.

 

I think we have to pay out £10k to bring us up to enough licences to run Office 2003. Office 2007/10 will cost us in the region of £13k for an outright purchase and £25k with Software assurance. I think we may go down the route of £10k for enough licenses to run '03 and then introduce a rolling program with software assurance - around £2k per year - to slowly bring us up to 07/10 and beyond standards.

 

Still, we'll have Google Docs from september to confudle people with - joy!

[plexer]

Terry,

 

Did you note down the date they were looking for pilot schools for the google mail setup?

 

Ta.

 

Ben

[tmcd35]

Terry,

 

Did you note down the date they were looking for pilot schools for the google mail setup?

 

Ta.

 

Ben

 

Sorry. I'm pretty sure it's March time. I think they're aiming to complete by the start of July (or that's what's in my notes). I think we're going to role our to staff in September, seems daft giving staff new e-mail addy's in June/July then watching them forget them over the summer hols.

 

Did they mention when the date RM Easymail get's switched off? I remember them saying the contract will be up soon and there woulf be an overlap between the two but don't remember any switch off dates?

[enjay]

Starting this summer run a technology roadshow for staff so showcase all the kit available and what it can do. Basically to get the "wow" factor and as a result get more of the kit integrated into the classroom

 

I've been wondering about that myself, since giving an inset on "the digital classroom" (bit of a pants title, I know - sorry!) in which some teachers learnt about things their department owned that they didn't know about, others learned that you don't need an IWB to use Smart Notebook, and still others saw equipment they could really use but didn't know about.

 

I've always tried to use things like that in my sessions anyway (presenters, gyro mice, RM Tutor, etc) and we do an induction for new staff, but a reminder session for existing staff would definitely be worth considering.

 

Thanks!

[enjay]

As for the original question, my future plan looks something like this:

 

* implement learning platform/VLE

* increase technology use in classrooms

* data encryption on removable devices

* re-introduce rolling replacement program for PCs

 

Server 2008, Windows 7 and Office 2010 are in there somewhere too, as and when the need arises.

[reggiep]

As for the original question, my future plan looks something like this:

 

 

* data encryption on removable devices

 

Encryption, nice one I hadn't put that down. Now anyone any suggestions how this can be controlled. At the moment our SMT have encrypted usb sticks that are passworded, but are there tools to control all usb sticks out there?

Edited February 8, 2010 by reggiep
typo