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Convergence
Voice/Data Converged Network
Project management from network design, through the bid process and installation, and full implementation of a County-Wide voice and data network.
WAN and LAN Connectivity
This project included in-building cabling (fiber and copper) as well as WAN connectivity including fiber and wireless links between buildings.
Network Electronics and Phone
A fully converged voice/data solution (Cisco Systems) was selected for this job. Project management included the full range of services from network design through implementation and training.
Servers and Backup
A server farm and organizational backup strategy was designed and implemented in this County-wide project.
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WIRELESS!
Mobile Wireless Lab
Bid, selection, and implementation of a mobile wireless lab solution for Middle School. 24 station laptop lab with Access Point, printer, and cart. Building cabling and network infrastructure assessment.
Wireless WAN
Management and oversight of the design and implementation of wireless Wide Area Network links. Projects have ranged from single point to point connections to point to multi-point connections between several buildings. Bandwidths in the range of 10Mb to 108 Mb have been successfully implemented at frequency ranges of 2.4Ghz, 5.8Ghz and 4.9Ghz.
Wireless LAN
Design and implementation of a small, internal, wireless Local Area Network. This network allows connectivity from laptop computers to all server functions (file management, printing, Internet access) from any location in the building.
Voice and Data
Management and oversight of the RFP process for the design, purchase and implementation of a Voice and Data wireless network (Video to be added later) between three urban sites. Data bandwidth of 10 Mb, native Ethernet. Voice bandwidth of 2.0 Mb (E1) on a separate, distinct channel.
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Administrative Projects
Technology Audit
A thorough audit of technical systems, procedures, processes and policy, including:
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support personnel |
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network hardware and operating systems |
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software applications |
All in the context of the existing Technology Plan. This report is used to keep Boards up to date as well as a valuable decision making tool for administrators when setting budget priorities. It is also very useful to help technical support personnel bring technical concerns to the forefront.
Staff Surveys
Authoring and implementation of on-line staff surveys for data collection on a variety of issues including:
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Needs assessment |
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Staff opinion |
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Pre/Post grant assessment |
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Tech priority setting |
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Technology Support model |
Technology Purchase Process
Development of a process that aligns all technology purchases with board goals, department goals, vocational modules, school improvement plans, or curriculum frameworks, as well as district technical standards and the budget. The purpose is to ensure alignment of technology purchases to curriculum and to assist in future budgeting needs for technology purchases while maintaining technical standards.
Tech Rep Committee
Formation of a committee, at the ISD level, of technical support staff from the local districts designed to share information, knowledge, sources of supply and technical knowledge. Bi-monthly meetings combine business with training.
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Technical Support Personnel Project
This project was designed to train, certify, evaluate, and compensate technical support staff. The goals of this project were to:
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increase the level of training of the technical support staff |
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provide motivation for staff to obtain industry certifications. |
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align certifications and monetary stipends to specific job descriptions. |
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formalize a yearly evaluation process designed to: keep job descriptions current, certifications current and relevant, and insure sufficient budget for stipend compensations. |
Administrative HR/Finance Software Implementation
This project completed the implementation of an administrative software solution for TBA ISD and 6 local districts. This was accomplished as part of the Third Coast Consortium, a consortium made up of: Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Bay ISD, and Traverse City Area Public Schools. This client-server software application resides on a server at the college and is accessed by local clients through the existing Project Interconnect, a fiber network connecting 15 local districts, the ISD and the local college for data and video services.
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Training and Staff Development
Superintendents' Jumpstart
Design of a two-day off-site training designed specifically for the unique needs of Superintendents. The workshop includes training on individual laptops on many current technical topics, including:
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Basic computer skills for leadership and management |
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Personal Information Management (i.e. PalmPilot) |
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Knowledge of the Internet as a resource and a threat |
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Technology related Policy issues |
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How to communicate with your tech support personnel |
Summer Academy
Working as a member of the Instructional Services Team to develop and implement the Summer Academy, a staff development program that offered over 50 workshops in 5 counties during a two week period in June. This program has run for two years to rave reviews.
NT Training Consortium
A project designed to address the problem of bringing qualified Microsoft training personnel to northern Michigan to train the local technical support staff. In partnership with a local solutions provider (NetLink) and an number of local districts and institutions, training needs were combined to fill classes and make industry training financially viable in Traverse City.
Tech Rep Committee
Formation of a committee, at the ISD level, of technical support staff from the local districts designed to share information, knowledge, sources of supply and technical knowledge. Bi-monthly meetings combine business with training.
"Trainer of Trainers" Staff Development Plan
The implementation of a distributed "Trainer of Trainers" training and technical support plan for Lansing Public Schools. This plan included staff development for all staff and coverage of building level technical support with existing staff ("Network Managers").
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Technical Support
Contract Technical Support
This project was implemented at the ISD level. It is designed to answer the needs of the local districts for; technical support, on a contract basis, at affordable rates. Local districts can contract with the ISD which will dispach technical support personnel to solve on-site technical problems.
Technology Personnel Recruitment
This process has defined the job description to meet the district's needs, from technician to Technology Director. The search, evaluation and recruitment of key personnel to fill these critical openings are all part of this project.
Curriculum
Technology Planning and Curriculum Project
The purpose of this project was to develop a process to fully integrate all technology planning into the existing curriculum planning process. The resulting work has made Holt Public Schools a model in the state.
Technology Purchase Process
Development of a process that aligns all technology purchases with board goals, department goals, vocational modules, school improvement plans, or curriculum frameworks, as well as district technical standards and the budget. The purpose is to ensure alignment of technology purchases to curriculum and to assist in future budgeting needs for technology purchases while maintaining technical standards. We often talk about integrating technology into the curriculum. This project integrated technology, curriculum, AND the budget.
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Project Management
Web Access and eMail
Management and oversight of the implementation of the SCNC solution into existing an WAN. This project brought web access to approximately 850 computers in the district and email and internet access to every staff desktop and dial-up access to all staff from home.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
This project saw the completion of the implementation of a bond-financed, district wide technology upgrade to a Wide Area Network (WAN) connecting 13 building level LANs with a total of approximately 850 administrative and instructional computers. This was a dual platform, Mac/Wintel network, running Novell servers.
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Other Cool Projects
Digital Imaging and Retrieval System
Implementation of this system for the Department of Special Education had a dramatic impact on the paperwork burden within the department. The system improved response time, security, and reduced the necessity for the storage of paper copies of physician reports, IEP documents, and other student files.
Linux Proxy Servers
Management and oversight of the design and implementation of 7 Linux proxy servers into the existing network. This project divided the13 building WAN into 7 LAN segments, each covered by a proxy server, bringing internet access to all 850+ computers in the district.
SCNC Caching Web Server Project
Working with Ingham ISD and Michigan State University as a member of the SCNC Technical Committee during the design, RFP, purchase, and implementation of this project which placed web servers running FreeBSD in districts throughout south central Michigan.
Local Area Networks (LAN) Design and Implementation
This project was completed in the early 90's for Lansing Public Schools and involved the design, implementation, training, staff development, and technical support for 39 building level Local Area Networks (LANs). Each building network included: three computers in each K-12 classroom. 16 Macintosh networks (10 base 2) and 22 Novell networks (Token Ring).
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Cool Projects, Educational Technology Consultant
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