Latest revision as of 03:14, 15 July 2022

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This school year, there are a few significant changes in the equipment usage.

Migrated from OES (Novell) Logins to Active Directory Logins

The District started implementing Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) last school year. It was primarily used on the backend of the computers to assist in implementing a more secure Wireless authentication as well as being used to pilot some features and functionality, but it didn't play a noticeable role in user experience. This year, Active Directory is the primary authentication method for users when using either a Windows or MacOS device. There are several reasons for implementing Active Directory on the frontend for users ranging from management and integration compatibility to licensing and support options. It will also allow us to more easily phase-in an increased security model to keep up with the State's, or our insurance's, requirements and guidelines.

Because of this change, staff and students will notice some differences compared to past years:

1. Computer sign-in process has changed. This year, every computer in the district will be configured for a user sign on. This includes not only desktops, but also laptops (including student and loaner laptops). When users sign into a device, they will have their own personal account and experience. There is no more 'shared desktop' experience if people use the same device.

• Aside from ChromeBooks, District computers require you to be connected to the district network in order to log into the device the first time. This initial login allows the computer to set your account to the device, which will take a couple of minutes during this first time login. After your first login on that device, you can sign into the device while not connected to the district network. Subsequent logins also go much faster.

2. Mapped Network Drives have changed.

• Part of the migration from OES to Active Directory involved changing the file servers where people save data. As part of this migration, the folder structure was re-worked to The data itself is still there but might be in a slightly different location than you might be used to. Click here to see additional details on where the data moved.
• Previous Network Drive Letters (Primarily F:, H:, L:, M:, N:, and O:)
• New Network Drive Letters (Primarily H:, Q:, R:, and S:)

3. Able to now use Papercut to Print to any copier via "437Printers", but without needing to sign into the Papercut Client first.

• The printing process will automatically use the credentials of the person signed into the computer when printing. If 'John Smith' is signed into a laptop and send a print job, then Papercut will automatically put the print job under "John Smith's" account. This allows us to skip last year's step of needing to make sure Papercut is running and signed in before printing; or in the case of students, be prompted every time they print.

4. For MacBook and iMac stations - No more Kanaka.

• Kanaka was needed for the MacBooks and iMac stations to access their network shares, but had some stability issues at times. The MacOS devices are set to authenticate through AD just like the Windows devices, and should have a little smoother experience once things get going.

5. Some additional tracking capabilities if a MacBook or Windows Laptop gets misplaced.

• With these devices requiring a login to use, they can't be used purely anonymously like they had the potential to in past years. At the very least, we will have additional information of who used the device last, similar to how we do with the ChromeBooks.

Changes in Elementary Classroom Equipment

Along with the increased labelling that we are doing District-Wide, there are some changes happening at the elementary level.

• This upcoming year, K-6 ChromeBooks that students get checked out to them for the school year should now all be capable of using the styluses that are provided in the Classroom Stylus Sets that are checked out the to K-6 classrooms. Last year, 3rd and 4th grade classes did not have this functionality and did not have any Stylus sets.
  • Note: The Loaner ChromeBooks (in the Loaner Cart) at the schools are still not stylus-compatible.

• Bugout Boxes of AC adapters - Last year, Pre-K and K-6 classrooms had boxes of AC adapters available in case the class has a quarantine situation or if there was a snow day that remote-schooling was needed. By Principal approval, these have all been removed and a set of Loaner Chromebook AC adapters will be managed by each Elementary School's ATA.