School ICT News Bulletin No. 185 - 29/06/2011 Published by Children’s Services SIMS End of Year (Rollover) Training - spaces still available These sessions now give you the opportunity to work on schools database so the preparation for the new academic year can be completed at the session. The sessions are running at: South Green Park Mattishall 13^th and 14^th July 9.30–12.00 and 13.00–15.30 West Norfolk PDC 7^th July 9.30–12.00 and 13.00–15.30 Norwich PDC 6^th July 13.00–15.30 (2 spaces left) For further details or to book a place please email rachel.hudson@norfolk.gov.uk Author: Rachel Hudson SIMS and Passwords Please note that users of SIMS will need to have passwords that meet the password policy detailed below, otherwise the software will not let you log in. All staff should check their passwords to ensure they meet the new policy and make changes where necessary. Password Policy ICT Shared Services have revised the Norfolk ID password policy for school staff in readiness for Single Sign–on services. As your Norfolk ID and password will allow access to multiple online services, we need to ensure a strong password is used to meet e–safety and security requirements. When you next change the password associated with your Norfolk ID, you will need to include a combination of upper case, lower case characters and at least 1 number. You can change your password anytime at https://password.nsix.org.uk and we would advise you to change your password regularly. In future, any new staff accounts we create will already be set with a password meeting the stronger policy. For staff, passwords must be at least 8 characters in length, and additionally meet the following rules. Must have at least one character from each of the character sets A–Z, a–z and 0–9. When passwords are changed, you may not use any of the last four passwords you have previously set. Passwords must not contain sequential alpha numeric sequences with a run of three or greater (e.g. ABC or 123). Passwords must not contain identical alpha numeric sequences with a run of three or greater (e.g. AAA). Passwords must not contain any phrase derived from the word password or similar. Passwords must not contain your username. Passwords must not contain your first name. Passwords must not contain your surname. Author: Carole Barwell Accessing Helpsheets On The Website The Service Desk are receiving a lot of calls from users asking how to access e¹ helpsheets. The website has been changed so that only schools who have the appropriate support contract with us can access the helpsheets. To access the helpsheets you need to go click on the 'My Account' part on the front page of the website and input your Norfolk ID (including the @nsix.org.uk part) and Password. If you are unsure of your Norfolk ID and Password these are sent to your school via AVCO Anycomms and are also used to log in to your Google Mail account. Author: Tanya Allen Fronter – Start Of Year 2011/12 Guidance The following link gives guidance on how to carry out the rollover process. It is vital that all Fronter schools follow these instructions to ensure a smooth process, without loss of valuable data. Please follow the documentation on our website: http://www.ictsolutions.norfolk.gov.uk/page.aspx?id=843 Author: Tanya Allen SIMS – Primary School End Of Year Procedures The following link gives guidance on how to carry out the rollover process. It is vital that all Primary schools follow these instructions to ensure a smooth process, without loss of valuable data. Please follow the documentation on our website: http://www.ictsolutions.norfolk.gov.uk/content/754/files/SIMS_End_of_Year_Procedures_2011-12.pdf Author: Tanya Allen ICT Shared Services –Workshop on Internet Filtering options Thank you to all schools' staff who attended the School Workshops held in May to discuss the ICT requirements specific to Norfolk's schools. As promised, we have arranged a Workshop to take place on 5^th July 2011 to have more detailed discussions on internet filtering requirements. Please attend one of the workshop days listed below for either the morning or afternoon session. As before, the workshops are suitable for Head Teachers; Staff involved in leadership and management of ICT; Teaching and non–teaching staff. Workshop 1 Tuesday 5^th July Internet Filtering for Primary and Special schools 10.30 to 12.30 Workshop Lunch 12.30 to 13.00 Venue: SouthGreen Park Enterprise Centre, Mattishall, Dereham, NR20 3JY Workshop 2 Tuesday 5^th July Internet Filtering for Secondary schools Lunch 12.30 to 13.00 13.00 to 15.00 Workshop Venue: SouthGreen Park Enterprise Centre, Mattishall, Dereham, NR20 3JY To book a place on a workshop session please e–mail lynn.parvin@norfolk.gov.uk with your preferred date and any dietary requirements. We look forward to seeing you on the day. Karen O'Kane Head of ICT Services Paul Fisher Assistant Director Business and Compliance Children's Services Lynn Parvin Business Partner (Schools) Author: Lynn Parvin Google VLE Sign up Introduction You will be aware from MI Sheet 68/11 that the centrally funded Norfolk County Council contract that enables your school to use the Netmedia Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will cease at the end of August 2011 and that it is not possible to renew the contract. The position in relation to VLE funding is set out in MI Sheet 33/11 Google VLE ICT Shared Services is using Google Apps to provide simple to use, secure and supported VLE functionality for those primary and special schools who do not wish to use Fronter. The Google VLE prototype has been piloted with 7 schools during June which ends this week with a pilot feedback workshop. Implementation We will configure the VLE for each school wishing to use it during the summer break and commence the rollout of the Google VLE to schools from September 2011. A number of schools will be selected as early adopters to ensure our support and implementation processes are correct. Support Support during implementation will be provided by ICT Shared Services for those schools who request it. Members of our Locality Teams (groups of ICT Shared Services' staff that focus on a particular geographical area or cluster of schools) will be trained in the Google VLE, so they are able to support schools to obtain greater benefits. For advice and support on how to use Google with learning and teaching in the classroom please contact Jill Duman, Advisory Service at jill.duman@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 307785. ICT Shared Services will provide support, maintain corporate pages of external links and create how to guides and help pages. ICT Shared Services will develop the service over time to include integrated applications including Espresso and will continue to work directly with Google to develop the service. Espresso We are currently reviewing the contractual arrangements with Espresso and will advise you of the options for this as soon as possible. Costs and Funding The current product Netmedia and support is funded by grant monies until August 2011. Google VLE for this financial year will be included as part of the Broadband contract and there will be no charge for the Google VLE until 1^st April 2012 at which point we will move this service into the support contract for 2012. Schools will have the option to "pick and mix" as follows: Support contract with VLE Support contract without VLE VLE only We will clarify the costs of the VLE element for each option in September 2011. Pricing will be transparent and will reflect the ICT Shared Services’ cost of delivery of the service only. ICT Shared Services is also working with the Advisory Service to develop joint technical and business support options for Google which we will publish in September. Sign up You can sign up to using the Google VLE by typing the following address into your internet browser or clicking the link below. You will need to login with your NSIX account (this is the account that you use to log in to Google Mail / SIMS ie. joebloggs1nr@nsix.org.uk) https://sites.google.com/a/nsix.org.uk/google-vle/ If you are unsure of your log in credentials, your school are sent a list of log in details via AVCO / Anycomms, which is typically downloaded by the school secretary. We would be grateful to receive your response by 16:00 Friday 8^th July 2011 please. If you have any questions please email lynn.parvin@norfolk.gov.uk Author: Lynn Parvin

School ICT News Bulletin No. 185 - 29/06/2011

Published by Children’s Services

SIMS End of Year (Rollover) Training - spaces still available

These sessions now give you the opportunity to work on schools database so the preparation for the new academic year can be completed at the session.

The sessions are running at:

South Green Park Mattishall 13^th and 14^th July 9.30–12.00 and 13.00–15.30

West Norfolk PDC 7^th July 9.30–12.00 and 13.00–15.30

Norwich PDC 6^th July 13.00–15.30 (2 spaces left)

For further details or to book a place please email rachel.hudson@norfolk.gov.uk

Author: Rachel Hudson

SIMS and Passwords

Please note that users of SIMS will need to have passwords that meet the password policy detailed below, otherwise the software will not let you log in. All staff should check their passwords to ensure they meet the new policy and make changes where necessary.

Password Policy

ICT Shared Services have revised the Norfolk ID password policy for school staff in readiness for Single Sign–on services. As your Norfolk ID and password will allow access to multiple online services, we need to ensure a strong password is used to meet e–safety and security requirements.

When you next change the password associated with your Norfolk ID, you will need to include a combination of upper case, lower case characters and at least 1 number. You can change your password anytime at https://password.nsix.org.uk and we would advise you to change your password regularly.

In future, any new staff accounts we create will already be set with a password meeting the stronger policy.

For staff, passwords must be at least 8 characters in length, and additionally meet the following rules.

Must have at least one character from each of the character sets A–Z, a–z and 0–9.
When passwords are changed, you may not use any of the last four passwords you have previously set.
Passwords must not contain sequential alpha numeric sequences with a run of three or greater (e.g. ABC or 123).
Passwords must not contain identical alpha numeric sequences with a run of three or greater (e.g. AAA).
Passwords must not contain any phrase derived from the word password or similar.
Passwords must not contain your username.
Passwords must not contain your first name.
Passwords must not contain your surname.

Author: Carole Barwell

Accessing Helpsheets On The Website

The Service Desk are receiving a lot of calls from users asking how to access e¹ helpsheets. The website has been changed so that only schools who have the appropriate support contract with us can access the helpsheets. To access the helpsheets you need to go click on the 'My Account' part on the front page of the website and input your Norfolk ID (including the @nsix.org.uk part) and Password.

If you are unsure of your Norfolk ID and Password these are sent to your school via AVCO Anycomms and are also used to log in to your Google Mail account.

Author: Tanya Allen

Fronter – Start Of Year 2011/12 Guidance

The following link gives guidance on how to carry out the rollover process. It is vital that all Fronter schools follow these instructions to ensure a smooth process, without loss of valuable data. Please follow the documentation on our website:

http://www.ictsolutions.norfolk.gov.uk/page.aspx?id=843

Author: Tanya Allen

SIMS – Primary School End Of Year Procedures

The following link gives guidance on how to carry out the rollover process. It is vital that all Primary schools follow these instructions to ensure a smooth process, without loss of valuable data. Please follow the documentation on our website:

http://www.ictsolutions.norfolk.gov.uk/content/754/files/SIMS_End_of_Year_Procedures_2011-12.pdf

Author: Tanya Allen

ICT Shared Services –Workshop on Internet Filtering options

Thank you to all schools' staff who attended the School Workshops held in May to discuss the ICT requirements specific to Norfolk's schools.

As promised, we have arranged a Workshop to take place on 5^th July 2011 to have more detailed discussions on internet filtering requirements.

Please attend one of the workshop days listed below for either the morning or afternoon session.

As before, the workshops are suitable for Head Teachers; Staff involved in leadership and management of ICT; Teaching and non–teaching staff.

Workshop 1 Tuesday 5^th July

Internet Filtering for Primary and Special schools
10.30 to 12.30 Workshop

Lunch 12.30 to 13.00

Venue: SouthGreen Park Enterprise Centre, Mattishall, Dereham, NR20 3JY

Workshop 2 Tuesday 5^th July

Internet Filtering for Secondary schools

Lunch 12.30 to 13.00

13.00 to 15.00 Workshop
Venue: SouthGreen Park Enterprise Centre, Mattishall, Dereham, NR20 3JY

To book a place on a workshop session please e–mail lynn.parvin@norfolk.gov.uk with your preferred date and any dietary requirements. We look forward to seeing you on the day.

Karen O'Kane
Head of ICT Services

Paul Fisher
Assistant Director
Business and Compliance
Children's Services

Lynn Parvin
Business Partner (Schools)

Author: Lynn Parvin

Google VLE Sign up

Introduction

You will be aware from MI Sheet 68/11 that the centrally funded Norfolk County Council contract that enables your school to use the Netmedia Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will cease at the end of August 2011 and that it is not possible to renew the contract. The position in relation to VLE funding is set out in MI Sheet 33/11

Google VLE

ICT Shared Services is using Google Apps to provide simple to use, secure and supported VLE functionality for those primary and special schools who do not wish to use Fronter.

The Google VLE prototype has been piloted with 7 schools during June which ends this week with a pilot feedback workshop.

Implementation

We will configure the VLE for each school wishing to use it during the summer break and commence the rollout of the Google VLE to schools from September 2011.

A number of schools will be selected as early adopters to ensure our support and implementation processes are correct.

Support

Support during implementation will be provided by ICT Shared Services for those schools who request it.

Members of our Locality Teams (groups of ICT Shared Services' staff that focus on a particular geographical area or cluster of schools) will be trained in the Google VLE, so they are able to support schools to obtain greater benefits.

For advice and support on how to use Google with learning and teaching in the classroom please contact Jill Duman, Advisory Service at jill.duman@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 307785.

ICT Shared Services will provide support, maintain corporate pages of external links and create how to guides and help pages.

ICT Shared Services will develop the service over time to include integrated applications including Espresso and will continue to work directly with Google to develop the service.

Espresso

We are currently reviewing the contractual arrangements with Espresso and will advise you of the options for this as soon as possible.

Costs and Funding

The current product Netmedia and support is funded by grant monies until August 2011.

Google VLE for this financial year will be included as part of the Broadband contract and there will be no charge for the Google VLE until 1^st April 2012 at which point we will move this service into the support contract for 2012.

Schools will have the option to "pick and mix" as follows:

Support contract with VLE
Support contract without VLE
VLE only

We will clarify the costs of the VLE element for each option in September 2011.

Pricing will be transparent and will reflect the ICT Shared Services’ cost of delivery of the service only.

ICT Shared Services is also working with the Advisory Service to develop joint technical and business support options for Google which we will publish in September.

Sign up

You can sign up to using the Google VLE by typing the following address into your internet browser or clicking the link below. You will need to login with your NSIX account (this is the account that you use to log in to Google Mail / SIMS ie. joebloggs1nr@nsix.org.uk)

https://sites.google.com/a/nsix.org.uk/google-vle/

If you are unsure of your log in credentials, your school are sent a list of log in details via AVCO / Anycomms, which is typically downloaded by the school secretary.

We would be grateful to receive your response by 16:00 Friday 8^th July 2011 please.

If you have any questions please email lynn.parvin@norfolk.gov.uk

Author: Lynn Parvin

School ICT News Bulletin No. 185 - 29/06/2011

SIMS End of Year (Rollover) Training - spaces still available

SIMS and Passwords

Accessing Helpsheets On The Website

Fronter – Start Of Year 2011/12 Guidance

SIMS – Primary School End Of Year Procedures

ICT Shared Services –Workshop on Internet Filtering options

Google VLE Sign up

Quick Links