word of God Catholic SCHOOL

 

We were busy this summer in the computer lab, trying to bring the school into the 21^st century!

Many of you have no doubt noticed that the lab has gradually been migrating to Windows based computers. This is necessary because our Apple computers have gradually become less reliable with age. With the computer lab consisting of all Windows machines we can use the network based versions of software that the diocese has made available to us. More importantly, when a component dies in these machines, we can repair or replace that component. When one of the Apple machines has a video or main board problem we end up using the machine for replacement parts.

We will continue to maintain and acquire the Apple computers to make sure that the students have a full understanding of both platforms. There are advantages and disadvantages to both platforms. It's important for them to be familiar with both because of the fact that some schools favor one or the other.

This summer we also tried to complete the "hard wiring" of the school, this means we are trying to avoid depending on a purely wireless network. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, security, both for the school and the students. With a wired network we keep out all hackers and maintain the integrity of the school network. We can remain assured that no one can access our school network from the immediate area. We still maintain a wireless network on site but it is highly encrypted and not accessible from the outside from all but the most sophisticated of hackers. The school also acquired a piece of hardware called Watchguard which filters content on the internet. This piece of equipment actually filters web content meaning we can keep all those undesirable web sites from the students. It is also capable of keeping logs that we can use to track web hits. In other words, we can tell from the logs exactly what site was requested, what time the request happened and, most importantly, from what machine the request originated from. This all boils down to a secure network that your child can reliably use to improve their understanding of technology.

In the immediate future we will be distributing the overflow of Apple machines into the students classrooms for internet and network access. Being network accessible means that all our network based educational programs will be accessible from anywhere within the school on any computer for any student or teacher.

There are also plans to make a "technology" room on each of the two main floors, where teachers will be able to take groups of students for internet research, Smart Board interaction, and presentations.

Kudos go to Mr. Ken Green for, not only the many hours that he has put into this effort and for acquiring many of the Windows machines and brand new monitors we used to update the computer lab. His expertise is gratefully acknowledged. Without him none of this would have been possible.

News Flash!!! The Highmark Corporation has just donated 22 more Windows machines to Word of God School! We will be introducing them into the network in the next few weeks. Finally we will be able to cover even the largest classrooms.

Christopher Boyle

Technology Coordinator

Word of God School