3-17-11

=**EASTCONN Tech Council Meeting on 3/17/11 from 3:30-5:30 PM**=

Open Office

 * http://www.openoffice.org/
 * Translates anything (except Works)
 * FREE and similar to MS Office
 * Jim G. uses with some teachers and some lab computers; suggests to students who need an inexpensive word processor
 * Glen agrees and finds it helpful for opening a variety of word processors on Macs (except Works)
 * Donna uses it with Open Office with students on their Macs

Upgrading MS Office
> [|Word 2007 Tutorial], [|Excel 2007 Tutorial], [|PowerPoint 2007] Tutorial from the Florida Gulf Coast University > [|Word 2007 Tutorial], [|Excel 2007 Tutorial], [|PowerPoint 2007] from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire > [|Microsoft Word 2007 Tutorial], [|Excel 2007 Tutorial], [|PowerPoint 2007] from the Baycon Group > [|Microsoft Office 2007 Online Up to Speed] from Microsoft > [|Microsoft Excel Tutorial:] advanced Excel formulas and functions > [|Basics PowerPoint Tutorial] from Internet4Classrooms > [|Advanced PowerPoint Tutorial] from Internet4Classrooms
 * E.O. Smith is moving to upgrade so their high school students are ready for employment
 * Many users of the newer versions save the files as older versions for compatibility
 * Steve and Donna upgrade when they replace the computers/laptops
 * Some helpful links to move into the Office "ribbon" version:
 * **Microsoft Office Help**[| Microsoft Office Feature Finder] from Otterbein College This online interactive lets you rest your mouse pointer over a 2003 menu or button to learn its new location.

Virtual Machines

 * Jim G. has been happy with using virtual systems at Mansfield Middle School.
 * Steve S. has moved more slowly to allow for fixing the tech issues.
 * Bob O. has been using the virtual systems for a couple years successfully.

Windows Live@Edu

 * Steve didn't get good support when he's sought it at a CREC workshop and at ISTE conference.
 * Free for educators (on Windows platform only).

Google Docs

 * Google Mail has management issues that may require research or support ($).
 * Great collaboration in Google Docs.
 * Mansfield's been playing with Google Docs - Google hosts but Mansfield purchased domain.

21st Century Education and Technology Integration: No Cost and Low Cost Investments with Rich Results for Students Rich Blozie will lead the EASTCONN Tech Council in an ISTE Webinar that will be presented free of charge courtesy of CECA. Resources:
 * ISTE Webinar**
 * site: http://21centuryedtech.wikispaces.com/
 * blog: http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/