Technology Training For Swansea Teachers

I’m sure many of us know the feeling of working hard on a document and then not being able to find it the next time we look. We can eliminate this kind of stress easily. I’d like to tell you how I teach the kids to save their work.

No matter what application, or program, you are working on, click on “file” at the top of the page and go down to “save” or “save as”. This will give you the save box/window. There are three important things to do in this box. First, give it your name in the “save as” line. Just your first name or just your last name should suffice. Second, in the same line, give the document a name. (example: susan-class list) The third and final thing you should do in the save box is to tell the computer WHERE to save your work. I have the students save all their work on the “desktop”. This is a good way to double check that you actually saved it. You’ll see the icon for your paper on the screen of your computer after you quit the program. Then, you can drag it into the folder that you created for this topic.

It’s a good idea to take care of this saving piece as soon as you begin the project. Sometimes, if we wait until we are done, we’re in too much of a hurry and the work doesn’t get saved right. Then, as you’re working, you can use the shortcut (first press the “apple” key and then press the “s” key. ) to save as you go.

Just like in a filing cabinet, a folder holds papers or documents that have a similar theme. Your desktop, ideally, should have mostly folders on it rather than mostly documents so you can find things easier and faster.

To make a new folder click on “file” and then go down to “new folder” . An untitled folder will appear on your desktop. At this time you may name the folder anything you want. To change the name of a folder or document click on it so it becomes highlighted (selected). Then type the name that you want.

It’s a good idea to organize your folders alphabetically, thereby making them easier to locate. To arrange them this way click on “view” at the top of the page. Go down to the option that says “arrange by name”. You’ll see all your folders and desktop items move into place.

We often find the need to send email messages to specific groups of people. For instance, maybe you want to send an email to all third grade teachers. This is called a distribution list and they are easy to set up.

When Entourage is open click on the address book icon. Then, click on “add group” at the top of the page. You will then need to give your group a name (third grade teachers). After naming the group click on “add” in the top left. This is where you find all the addresses for all the people in your group. Add them one at a time and when you are completely finished adding names click on the “save” icon at the top–it looks like a floppy disk.

So, when you want to write to those third grade teachers simply open a new email page, go to “contacts” and choose “address book on my computer”. You will find the third grade group there.

URL is an acronym for uniform resource locator. It is a string of letters and symbols telling where you can find a particular site on the web. A URL is usually a web address but it can also be an email address.

The keyboard and the screen can get very dirty very quickly. Keeping these parts of your computer clean will save time and money on repairs. Sometimes, a key will get stuck on the keyboard and it’s usually because there’s some kind of sticky food under it. Naturally, eating and drinking around computers is frowned upon. Be sure hands are clean before using a computer.

On a weekly basis, unplug the keyboard and wipe it with a damp sponge. (be sure all water is squeezed out!!!) You may also use a can of “air” for occasional dusting. When your keyboard gets extremely filthy you may take it home and run it through your dishwasher. It will need to dry for 3-5 days but it comes out like a brand new keyboard.

To clean the computer screen, spray a small amount of window cleaner on a paper towel and wipe clean. Never spray directly on the screen.

Keeping these parts of your computer clean shows respect for other’s property. There are lots of germs on a keyboard that  spread from user to user. Also, keep in mind that you are not the only one who uses your computer.

Whenever you are finished using a program you should quit the program rather than just close the window. Computers tend to freeze more often when too many programs are left open. In addition to this, when the Internet or your email program is left running, your computer is using unnecessary bandwidth. This will cause all the computers in Denver Public Schools to run slower.

When you click on the little red button in the top right corner of the page you are closing the window, you are not quitting the program.

There are two ways that I know of to quit a program. One is to use your mouse to click on the name of the open program at the top, left of the page. Then, scroll down to the word “quit”. Another way is to use the shortcut. On the keyboard, first press the apple key (next to the space bar) and then press the “Q” key.

You can see if there are programs left open in the dock at the bottom of your screen. If there is a tiny black triangle under the icon in the dock then the program is still open.

Your “desktop” is basically the computer screen. It’s what you see when there are no programs/pages open. It’s where you’ll find your hard drive.  Many people have folders on their desktop where they save their documents.

You can change how your desktop works by clicking on the blue apple in the upper left corner, then clicking on “system preferences”. In this window, click on “displays”

Most of the time you can change your printer in the print window that comes up when you choose to print a document. Use the pull down menu at the top of the page to see the other printers in your list. Look in “shared printers” too.

If you need to add a printer that is not in your list, double click on the hard drive. (that’s the small, gray picture of a computer in the top right of your desktop) Then, open “applications“. Scroll down to “utilities”. Find “printer set up utility” in the alphabetized list. In this window you may add or delete printers.

To add a printer click on ‘add’. Click on  ‘IP Printing’. Then type the address for the printer in the IP box. If you want to add one of the Canon copier/printers, click on more printers. Then you need to make sure you are using the correct driver for those printers. Choose ‘canon UFR II’. After choosing the driver you will then type the address for the printer in the IP box.

Printer Location               IP Address

1. Library                        10.80.169.235

2. Room 116                  10.80.169.247

3. Teacher’s Lounge      10.80.169.249

4. Cafeteria                     10.80.169.248

5. Office                       10.80.169.250

6. Room 109                  10.80.169.236

7. Room 117 (color ) 164.92.96.233

8. Room 108 (color)       10.80.169.240

9. Room 108                     10.80.169.238

10. Principal                 10.80.169.22

11.  Room 122                    10.80.169.241

• The printers listed in bold may be used by permission only. Please plan ahead
• Printers # 2-5 are Canon printer/copier machines. They require a password which can be obtained from the secretary.

A web browser is the software one uses to access the Internet. There are several browsers to choose from. Here at Swansea we primarily use Firefox because it is more compatible with Infinite Campus.

Examples of other web browsers are: Safari, Netscape and Internet Explorer.

Safari and Internet Explorer are already installed onto your computers and you can use them should the need arise. Sometimes, a web site you are using will request that you use a specific browser.