• How is the computer lab schedule being set up?
  Each teacher must sign up for his or her own scheduled time slot. Please come to the lab as soon as possible to choose your time slot.

• What do homeroom teachers do during computer class?
  Homeroom teachers are requested to assist the students with the use of the computer. In our absence you will be the only teacher in the computer lab.

• What do the students do in the computer lab?
  We try to correlate projects and activities that revolve around the classroom curriculum. From time to time we will ask you for suggestions. We welcome your input to projects that the students can work on while in the lab.

• What is available for classroom use?
  Every teacher has a computer in their classroom. You can access the internet, school’s email, and do your grades using eClass.

• What happened to software that was installed on my computer last year?
  The computer staff has worked very hard over the summer to make sure that all of the computers in the classroom are working correctly. Please remember you are not permitted to install software on your classroom computer. Programs that were on there last year may have been erased. Please email me to discuss the reinstallation of any Board approved software.

• How can I set up a classroom web page?
  Every staff member is encouraged to have his or her own web page. There is space on the district’s web server. You are not permitted to link to outside servers such as geocities.com or yahoo.com. If you would like assistance in copying your website onto our server, the district’s webmaster will help you. Please see me if you have more specific questions about your website.

• How do I check my email from home?
  Point your web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, or AOL) to mail.holmdel.k12.nj.us once you are there just log in with your username and password. (Note AOL users if you are having trouble using mail.holmdel.k12.nj.us, try using www.mail@mail.holmdel.k12.nj.us instead.)

• What is my email address?
  Your email address is your user name (first initial + last name) @holmdel.k12.nj.us as an example; Joe Smith’s email address would be jsmith@holmdel.k12.nj.us

• Why can’t I check my personal email account?
  Access to personal email accounts such as AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. has been blocked to prevent students from sending/receiving email without proper supervision. Please restrict your use of your school email account to professional use only. The superintendent and/or the IT Staff can monitor all incoming and outgoing email at any time.

• How can I learn more about the wall mounted TV/VCR in my classroom?
  Teachers in 5th and 6th grade classrooms have a wall mounted television and VCR. It is connected to your classroom PC so that you can show your students websites, PowerPoint presentations, etc. If you need assistance in using it, please see me to arrange for training.

• What guidelines are in place for district computer usage?
  The district has an acceptable use policy (AUP) for all staff members as well as students. It is posted on the district’s web site. It may be a good idea to review it soon. To view the Acceptable Use Policies as set forth by the Holmdel Township Board of Education you can click on:
  Information Technology (http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/boe/policies/6000/6142.10_info_tech_policy.pdf)
  The Use of Education Technology in Education
  (http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/boe/policies/6000/6142.10_info_tech_reg_1.pdf)
  Acceptable Use Regulations for Students
  (http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/boe/policies/6000/6142.10_info_tech_reg_2.pdf)
  Acceptable Use Regulations for Staff
  (http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/boe/policies/6000/6142.10_info_tech_reg_3.pdf)

• Are students permitted to use the computers during lunchtime and recess?
  Students are not permitted to use the classroom computers during lunch/recess unless you are there to supervise. The lunch aides are unable to permit computer use. If you are working on a group project, please see us if you would like to use one of the computer labs.

• Where can I obtain supplies such as disks, printer cartridges and printer paper?
  Send me an email if you need a cartridge for your classroom printer. Each computer can also print to a nearby laser printer in case you need to do a large volume of printing. While we have enough cartridges to last us for the school year, please keep in mind that it is a limited supply. Please print to the laser printer if you are printing web pages so that the color ink is not wasted. If you need a floppy disk, we have a few extras, for larger quantities you will have to obtain approval from the main office to purchase some. Printer paper for your classroom printers can be found in the copy rooms. Regular copy paper is fine for your printer.

• Whom should I contact if I am having difficulties with my classroom computer?
  Please feel to contact me regarding any issues you are having with the computers in your classroom. The easiest way to contact me is via email, but a note in my mailbox is fine too. I will try to respond as quickly as possible. Please keep in mind that I have classes too, so unless it is an absolute emergency, please refrain from sending students to the lab with a note or calling the lab during classes. The office intercom extension is x229.

What's New in 2002...
 

• What equipment can I borrow?
  We have purchased many new items in addition to what we already have. Here is a listing of equipment with a brief description:

• Digital Cameras:
  Each grade level will receive a digital camera. One teacher at each grade level will be designated to be responsible for signing it out, keeping the battery charged and providing assistance. You will be receiving information shortly.

• Digital Video Camera:
  The student council has purchased a digital video camera. You can shoot video onto videotape or onto digital video cards which can then be transferred to the computer.

• Wireless Lab:
  The wireless lab is available for sign-out. It is your responsibility to sign-out the lab using the calendar available on Microsoft Exchange. The lab has a projector, remote mouse, laser printer, and color printer. Please use extreme care in handling the laptops with your students.

• Digital TV:
  Third and fourth grade teachers can sign-out the digital television for displaying computer images. It has a pc connected to it so you can display PowerPoint files, web pages or any computer image.

• Brainpop Movies:
  We have purchased many more Brainpop.com movies. Many people took advantage of these excellent resources last year. You will be receiving an email shortly with all of the titles available. Just let us know if you would like a CD for your classroom.

What's New in 2003...
 

• Digital Cameras:
  There is still one digital camera per grade level. In addition, we have purchased another digital camera for special education teachers to share. One teacher at each grade level will be designated to be responsible for signing it out, keeping the battery charged and providing assistance. You will be receiving information shortly.

• Wireless Lab:
  We have purchased 24 additional wireless laptops for classroom. We are in the process of setting up a system where each hallway will have laptops available. Sign out will still be with the Microsoft Outlook Public Calendar. Please see me if you need assistance in signing up and/or the use of the laptops.

• BrainPOP Movies:
  We have purchased more BrainPOP movies. Many people took advantage of these excellent resources last year. You will be receiving an email shortly with all of the titles available. This year they have introduced some Language Arts and Social Studies titles to go along with the science, math, health and technology titles we have. Just let me know if you would like a CD for your classroom. To view our current listing click on: BrainPOP

• Web Site Information:
  Please be sure to visit other staff member’s web pages. Many teachers have done an excellent job of posting information to their websites. For a list of faculty member’s web sites, please click on: Faculty Web Sites
  FAQs Updates:
  I will be posting all updates to the FAQs list on my web site: Frequently Asked Questions

• Smart Board:
  For those of you familiar with the Smart Board, Indian Hill now has two. As soon as it is set up, a brief training session will be held for anyone interested in using it.
• Wireless Lab:
  We have purchased 24 additional wireless laptops for classroom. We are in the process of setting up a system where each hallway will have laptops available. Sign out will still be with the Microsoft Outlook Public Calendar. Please see me if you need assistance in signing up and/or the use of the laptops.
• BrainPOP Movies:
  We have renewed our subscription to the BrainPOP website. The user name is indianhill and the password is student. Please remember to preview all of the videos before showing them to your students.