I.T.S. Blog
In June, 32 members of our Thompson School District family took the opportunity to learn from the world at the International Society for Technology in Education Conference (ISTE) at the Denver Convention Center. With the conference held close to home this year, TSD not only showcased its forward-thinking initiatives but also expanded its global connections, setting the stage for local innovation to meet international best practices.
The district is moving to a tiered approach for email and chat for students on October 30th.
Digital Citizenship Week was October 14-18, and at Thompson School District, we took time to reflect on the importance of teaching our students how to be safe, responsible, and ethical users of technology. Tech Facilitators and Librarians in the Digital Media Literacies Department are committed to empowering students to become informed and responsible digital citizens through engaging and interactive lessons.
In today’s digital age, our lives are intertwined with technology, making password security more important than ever. With so many accounts to manage—social media, banking, work, and more—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not! Here’s a guide to help you create strong passwords and store them safely, ensuring your digital life remains secure.
Over the summer, I.T.S. was busy preparing for students and teachers returning for another school year. Here are some resources about student devices and digital citizenship resources for families and educators.
As we approach the end of the academic year, I.T.S. is looking ahead to summer projects, from device refreshes to software changes. Here are a few things to keep in mind for a smooth start to the next academic year, or if you are leaving the district this year.
The ITS intern and apprentice programs provide students hands-on experience in technology. Participants recently visited Vivacity, our student device vendor, through whom they participate in a device repair certification program.
Learn about how to keep data secure when sharing Google Forms.
TSD will be utilizing ClassLink starting with the 2024-2025 school year. By moving to ClassLink, TSD will be able to have a comprehensive single-sign on platform for all of our staff and students.
In today's digital age, safeguarding student PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and other sensitive district data is more crucial than ever. One of the simplest yet most effective measures you can take is to enable a screen lock on all devices that access TSD data or systems. Learn how to set up screen locks on your devices.
Have you heard of the 7 wonders of the world? Today, we present the 7 wonders of ensuring your Chromebook runs smoothly all day long.
Roll out plan for new authentication requirements on district accounts.
Recently our Digital Learning Cohort (DLC) had an opportunity to spend a day exploring the use of digital tools that our students have access to. Our day was focused on the use of our Innovation iPad Carts, Student Tech4All iPads, and Student Tech4All Chromebooks.
Effectively managing sharing permissions in Google Drive is crucial for maintaining a secure and organized collaborative environment. By understanding the different levels of permissions, you can ensure that files and folders are shared appropriately, keeping our data safe and secure while also facilitating seamless collaboration among teachers, students, and staff members.
In today's digital age, cybersecurity is paramount, particularly in the education sector. With an ever-expanding online presence, the need to bolster defenses against cyber threats is more crucial than ever. This October, during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we focus on the increasing threats and attacks faced by K-12 institutions. Two new security campaigns are introduced to protect students, staff, and valuable data.
By understanding IT security incidents and knowing how to respond, we strengthen our collective ability to safeguard our district's information and assets.
Spear phishing attacks are highly targeted and personalized attempts by malicious actors to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions.
As we gear up for the end of the school year, please see actions and steps needed wrap up your school year and tech needs! Updates & steps include Student Device Collection, Staff Laptop Clinic, Empowered Learning Institute, Google Classroom Clean Up, Google Takeout & Kami Retirement.
I.T.S. recently presented to the Board of Education our apprentice and internship opportunities along with equipment supporting learning in the classroom.