Disqus - Latest Comments for Craig

Re: ActiVote Walkthrough Part 1

Craig — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:25:05 -0000

I have resisted the urge to become part of any blog so far but feel that I cannot sit on the fence any longer.

I’d like to say a few things.

Firstly I agree wholeheartedly with what Hilery said on the 12th of October. This cyber communication has almost certainly aggravated certain persons posting on this thread due to their interpretation of others posts. If this blog had been a conversation face to face, we would not be here reading this. I myself have had emails misinterpreted by others due to my bluntness when typing communications, as I’m sure we all have. And in recognition of Don’s post on 13th October, using a solution focussed approach; I have come up with a solution. How about we all arrange to meet up for a pint and discuss this?

Secondly I myself work at North Berwick High School and feel that the installation of my interactive whiteboard has certainly enhanced the learning experience my pupils get. I have made many calls to the IT Helpdesk asking (funnily enough) for help since starting at NBHS some years ago. I have the utmost respect for all the “Support Staff” I have come into contact with. I am aware they all work exceedingly hard (as do we all) and always try to go above and beyond the call of duty. I do not think anyone could say anything different. However, I, as a professional feel hampered very occasionally by the lack of access to system settings on the desktop computer I use at work. I have the same access privileges as the pupils I teach. Therefore I am unable to register devices with my computer. Generally this is not a problem but since the installation of the interactive whiteboard we have had some powerful equipment provided to us, which compliments the board. These include the Activote pads (a voting system) and Actislate (a tablet that can be used anywhere in the room). To register the Activote pads requires administrator access to the computer, then the pressing of 30 buttons. To register the Actislate requires administrator access, then pressing a button on the slate to get a pin code, and entering the pin code on the computer.

Activote pads will stay registered with your computer, multiple users to use them without causing system problems. This job was done by IT support staff for me during the summer holidays. Many thanks.

The slate however drops its registration with your computer if it is registered to another computer. Not so good. We therefore have a piece of equipment rendered unusable by the department as IT support staff will have to come out and register the device for you with the machine in your room every time you wish to use it. I presume therefore that around £1800 worth of IT equipment is sitting in boxes around the authority doing nothing.

My point is that all I want to be able to do is press a couple of buttons from time to time. I am certainly capable of doing so. I just need the correct level of access. I don’t see this as too much to ask, and really feel that there is no harm in letting me do this. Furthermore I don’t feel it should be up for discussion. I need the access. I don’t want it!

Which brings me nicely to my third point. Supposing I did get given Administrator access to the ELC computer I use at work. If I did make a mess of the hard drive, surely all that would happen would be an IT support officer would come out and copy a fresh image onto the hard drive of the machine and hey presto (Correct me if I’m wrong). This would require one visit. It would cut down on the number of calls and visits to the machine I use and allow these overworked guys to get on with more urgent work.

I look forward to the pint.

Craig Stebbing
North Berwick High School
(Just in case you thought I was going to stay anonymous)

Re: ActiVote Walkthrough Part 1

Craig — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:14:29 -0000

Hi again folks.

I do stand corrected by Alan C. I did not specifically mention that a solution was being sought. However all I knew at the time was that a call had been logged. An automated response is sent by email confirming this. Staff do not receive any communication as to whether or not the problem is being worked on. We are given a priority rating. (I’ve only ever had low priority against my calls. How does a call becoming medium or even still high priority?) We all know that solutions are being worked towards as we have great faith in our IT support staff. I presumed that people would also know that IT support staff would be seeking a solution to the problem and was wrong to do this. I was definitely not trying to be misleading in any way. I presume that Alan C is not accusing me of this. I was unaware that a solution was close to fruition! Again a failing of cyber communication possibly.

I’m glad that Alan C and Robert sorted out the reconfiguring/registering issue as I am not asking to configure hardware. I am asking to register it. (press a button!) This would take about the same time as recalibrating my board, which I have to do from time to time.

I am glad a solution has been found and can’t wait to try it out. I will also actively promote the use of the slate in schools across East Lothian by networking with my maths colleagues. We do need to get value for money on the last 6 months of manufacturers warranty after all.

However I also asked the following in my previous post:

"If I did have administrator access and made a mess of the hard drive, surely all that would happen would be an IT support officer would come out and copy a fresh image onto the hard drive of the machine."

I see this potentially meaning less call outs and possibly the option of solving minor system problems through a phone call.

Am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Re: Computer training - 11 year old style

Craig — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 14:40:12 -0000

You've always known your son was far better than you at everything!

Re: ActiVote Walkthrough Part 1

Craig — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 07:00:07 -0000

Great news. The slate fix has now been done. An IT support team member came today and has made the appropriate changes to the system for us. It works a treat. Well done and thank you very much to the IT team members. My classes are finding the new technology useful.

I know I'm harping back to my previous comment on this blog bug I would be grateful if someone in the world could answer my question:

"If I did have administrator access and made a mess of the hard drive, surely all that would happen would be an IT support officer would come out and copy a fresh image onto the hard drive of the machine.”

I see this potentially meaning less call outs and possibly the option of solving minor system problems through a phone call.

Thanks

Re: Another take on blogging with classes

Craig — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:01:15 -0000

Thanks for mentioning Stebblog Robert. Any publicity is very much appreciated. I'd just like to stress that it's in an infant stage at the moment. The two classes I am piloting it with seem keen on the idea and are starting to participate. The majority only got told yesterday and today. I hope to have more interaction over the next few days with my S4 class who will be revising this weekend. I've encouraged them to post any problems they have as a comment and hopefully I, or even better another pupil will be able to help. My classes also thought that collaboration from from other schools may be a nice idea. I'd be apreciative of any ideas people have. Thanks again.

Re: ActiVote Walkthrough Part 1

Craig — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 11:38:47 -0000

I'll have to try other avenues to get the answer to my question. If I get one I'll certainly let you all know.

Re: Maths Formula Test

Craig — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:46:03 -0000

Hi Jonesieboy. Looks great but is snoopy not a black and white dog (Translated: you lost me when you started talking about snoopy lines in plugin scripts). We need to have a serious chat at some point so you can bring me up to speed.

Cheers dude

I like the sound of latex!

Re: Maths Formula Test

Craig — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:03:44 -0000

Thanks for the link Robert. Very Useful. I'm just getting into my laTEX and it's time for bed unfortunately. See you tomorrow.

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 12:25:13 -0000

Very nice jonesieboy. I even used sweary words when I viewed it for the first time. (in i nice way of course) I'm going to shout on Samantha to see what she thinks.

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 09:42:54 -0000

[graph] x^3+5[/graph]

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 09:44:18 -0000

[graph]x^3[/graph]

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 09:45:23 -0000

[graph](x^3)+2[/graph]

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 09:45:56 -0000

[graph]x^3+2[/graph]

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 09:47:25 -0000

I must've typed something wrongly on my very first one. Please feel free to delete these. It is cool though :)

Re: More funky maths stuff

Craig — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:30:17 -0000

What's going on with the time on this blog. Is it an hour ahead?

Re: A “Sliding Doors” moment

Craig — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:09:47 -0000

I'm going to get a tweed jacket will elbow patches after I get my tan brown mini clubman estate to drive about in. If anyone has one to sell please tell me :)

Re: Happy Birthday to me!

Craig — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:57:28 -0000

Belated happy birthday Jonesie. I feel bad that I forgot. I'm so used to be away on camp with you on your birthday that it slipped my mind even though we discussed how you were going to be home for it this year. I'm so glad you got your guitar. I know how disappointed I'd have been if I hadn't got what I was after. Maybe you should ask for 2 Range Rover sports next year and give me one! I should really go back to my reports as I'm really just avoiding them again. See you Monday. ;)