Smart Solutions K12 – June 2009 Newsletter
June 3, 2009
Welcome Back!
SSI K-12 has taken an 7 month hiatus and has returned with a new look! We hope that you like the new version of our monthly newsletter and welcome your comments. Please email Jay White if you would like to be added to this newsletter: jwhite@smartsolutionsonline.com.
Education Technology Trends
Have you made using an RSS reader a habit yet? If not, the summer is a great time to get started! RSS readers are a great way to “subscribe” to your favorite websites; using an RSS reader allows you to save time while keeping up with the latest information in your field.
This quick video can help you get started: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english.
Here are some of the interesting things that have recently come across our RSS Readers:
- 10 tips for Creating effective professional development in a difficult economy from the National Staff Development Council
- An online community where teachers can find partners for global collaborative projects from Free Technology for Teachers
- A new way to download YouTube videos from Free Technology for Teachers
- A recent article by Bill Ferriter in Educational Leadership, Learning with Blogs and Wikis, describes the potential of blogs as a resource for ongoing personal and professional learning and provides some advice for getting started.
Contact akelton@smartsolutionsonline.com if you have any questions. To find out more, please contact Abby Kelton.
SSI K-12 Blog
SSI K-12 Vice President Nitin Julka writes on our company blog. This month, Nitin shares a variety of useful sites and links. Visit the SSI K-12 Blog
Did You Know?
This spring, Ohio launched Ohio on iTunes U, a collection of digital media resources including educational materials, professional development resources, and student video. As stated on the eTech website, the project allows Ohio to share educational resources, professional development materials, and student videos which have been produced by members of higher education, the K-12 community, and community partners free of charge with unlimited access. Click here to read more. (More Details)
New Products and Services
In working with schools and districts for twenty-five years, it has been our experience that HR departments use ineffective home grown databases and have a need for HR software to significantly enhance business processes and improve time management. In response to this need, Smart Solutions has developed an HR Management Suite for Schools called SmaHRt People. SmaHRt People has been developed in partnership with Lakewood City Schools and will be offered as a web-based product hosted by Ohio ITC partners OMERESA, NEONET, AND LNOCA. There are 2 pricing options, and special discounts are available through July 1, 2009.
For more information or to schedule a demonstration, please contact Paul Karlin.
Recent Projects – A Typical School Year!
For our managed services clients, Smart Solutions keeps technology running. We monitor and administer the network, respond to trouble tickets,and generally make sure technology is available and working in classrooms and offices. When it comes to implementing NEW technology projects, Smart Solutions keeps very busy as well. This past year at just one of our managed services districts in NE Ohio, here is a list of projects we completed:
- installed laptops, projectors, and whiteboards in 51 classrooms;
- set up new PC’s for the entire Administrative and support staff;
- configured, tested, and put into service 2 Citrix servers and 2 file servers;
- deployed wireless campuses at the middle school and high school;
- assembled 3 new computer labs;
- built a new district website;
- updated the district’s outbound dialing system;
- and converted 50 Macintosh computers into thin client workstations.
Our managed services clients love the way we manage and complete projects on time and on budget.
If you are considering a new technology project this summer or fall, contact Doug Jones to see how Smart Solutions can help.
Company Information
SSI K-12 is the Education Division of Smart Solutions, Inc. Smart Solutions K-12 provides products and services to increase IT efficiency and enhance student achievement. Our team includes experienced educators, highly skilled engineers and technicians, and curriculum and technology specialists. Smart Solutions is a 25-year-old company with over 75 employees and offices in Cleveland, Canton, Columbus, and Detroit.
Contact Us
Nitin Julka
Vice President
njulka@smartsolutionsonline.com
216-765-1122 ext. 8370
Doug Jones
Managed Technology Services and Data Solutions
djones@smartsolutionsonline.com
216-765-1122 ext. 8380
Paul Karlin
E-Rate and Technology Solutions
pkarlin@smartsolutionsonline.com
216-765-1122 ext. 8371
Abby Kelton
Professional Development and Software Solutions
akelton@smartsolutionsonline.com
SSI K-12 Insider August 2008
August 23, 2008
Blog readers: Each month, the Smart Solutions K-12 group sends our a monthly e-mail newsletter. I would like to invite each of you to subscribe by e-mailing Paul Karlin at pkarlin@smartsolutionsonline.com. (Here is the August edition for your perusal.)
August 2008
A monthly newsletter from Smart Solutions K-12“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
DID YOU KNOW?
Interested in free staff development without leaving home? Mark your calendar for the K-12 Online Conference starting from October 8th-25th. Session titles include: “How to Integrate Web 2.0 Tools on a Shoestring,” “Online Professional Development,” and “Acceptable Use and Web 2.0.” http://k12onlineconference.org/EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Recommended Blogs for Back-to-School:
- Check out the Always Learning blog for a description of an innovative approach to technology professional development that combines training, tech support, and collaboration.http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/isb21-a-new-team-for-a-new-year/
- The Innovative Educator blog has posted a variety of valuable resources for staff at the beginning of the year. Take a look to gain ideas of what information would be valuable for staff in your district to get a strong start to the year.
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/08/instructional-technology-tips-for-new.html
SSI K-12 BLOG
Each month, SSI K-12 Vice President Nitin Julka posts a blog on our website.This month, in “Teacher Leadership to Effect Change in Education” Nitin discusses the importance of getting teachers involved in change management. Read the post at:
http://ssik12.com/2008/07/28/teacher-leadership-to-effect-change-in-education/
SSI K-12 EVENTS
Lunch and Learn “Building a School Intranet with Microsoft Sharepoint” Tuesday, September 16, 12-1:30 PM, Canton Office. Lunch, demo, and discussion. RSVP: Paul Karlin or 216-765-1122 ext 8371.Lunch and Learn “E-rate Tips for Increasing Funding” Tuesday, October 7, 12-1:30 PM, Cleveland Office. Lunch, presentation, and discussion. RSVP: Paul Karlin or 216-765-1122 ext 8371.
“Thin Client and Virtual Computing” Date and time TBA. Nordonia Hills City Schools. Learn about the thin client and virtual computing projects in the district, and tour the facility. Breakfast AND lunch will be served.
“Technology Partnerships for 21st Century Schools” Wednesday, October 15, Noon – 1 PM. Session presented by Nitin Julka at OAPCS Conference, Columbus, Ohio
OAPCS Conference, Columbus – October, 2008
OSBA Conference, Columbus – November, 2008
MAPSA Conference, Detroit – November, 2008
E Tech Ohio Conference, Columbus – February, 2009KUDOS
Abby Kelton, our manager of professional development, has been selected to become a part of the inaugural class of the Ohio Education Policy Fellowship Program. This distinguished program prepares emerging education leaders to participate in state-level education initiatives.RECENT PROJECTS
Over the past months, Smart Solutions conducted Technology Audits for two Northeast Ohio school districts. The technology audit is a comprehensive review of how a school or district implements and integrates technology. The technology audit looks at infrastructure as well as classroom use. The final product of the technology audit is a report which analyzes current technology implementation and integration, provides short and long term recommendations (1 to 5 years), and provides cost estimates. If you think your school can benefit from a technology audit and would like to learn more, please contact Doug Jones.NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Videoconferencing has entered the High Definition age, and is more engaging than ever! Smart Solutions is partnering with Polycom to build custom solutions that combine state-of-the-art technology with world-class content and professional development. A hi-def demo and luncheon is planned for early October. Learn more from Paul Karlin.ABOUT SSI K-12
SSI K-12 is the Education Division of Smart Solutions, Inc. Smart Solutions K-12 provides products and services to increase IT efficiency and enhance student achievement. Our team includes experienced educators, highly skilled engineers and technicians, and curriculum and technology specialists. Smart Solutions is a 25-year-old company with over 75 employees and offices in Cleveland, Canton, Columbus, and Detroit.CONTACT US
Nitin Julka, Vice President
njulka@smartsolutionsonline.com 216-765-1122 ext. 8370Doug Jones, Managed Technology Services and Data Solutions
djones@smartsolutionsonline.com 216-765-1122 ext. 8380Paul Karlin, E-rate and Technology Solutions
pkarlin@smartsolutionsonline.com 216-765-1122 ext. 8371Abby Kelton, Professional Development and Software Solutions
akelton@smartsolutionsonline.com 216-765-1122 ext. 8381
website: www.ssik12.com