Many of you probably use instant messaging (IM) for real time communication with friends and family. I do too. But I also use it for work, to contact IT staff and other colleagues around the District.

I've just created a new work-related account for myself. Add this account to your buddy list and feel free to IM me with questions. You'll be able to see when I'm online for work purposes. If I'm at my computer, I'll write you back.

Or, if you have a new computer with the built-in camera, we can use iChat AV for video conferencing. That's kind of fun. With iChat AV, you can even exchange documents by just dragging them onto the Chat interface.

Real time, just-in-time assistance.

Account name to enter as your buddy: PaulaPAUSD
This account will display as Paula@PAUSD. "Talk" to you soon!

Notes:
•  If you already have me in your buddy list, add the above buddy name as well so that you will continue to "see" me.
•  If you don't have an IM account, go to AOL, then the AIM tab, then Get Free Screen Name.

February CUE Conference - We Pay!

Join colleagues from around the peninsula at the 10th Annual Technology Conference, sponsored by SV CUE on Feb 2 from 8am-3pm at Palo Alto High School. This year's conference focuses on Web-Enhanced Learning and features Bernie Dodge as a keynote. Dodge currently teaches at San Diego State University and is widely known for originating the concept of webquests.

The conference features speakers, hands-on workshops, exhibitors and vendors. Since Paly is hosting this year's conference, PAUSD employees can register for free. Additionally, the EdTech department will pay for employees' lunches so the whole day is free! Register by JANUARY 18, 2008.

Click here to register online.
Click here if you prefer a hard copy of the registration form to fill out and mail in.
Contact Chuck Merritt at Paly with questions.

• Daily manual updates of the InClass server will generally keep enrollment accurate. However, if a student new to the District does not show up on InClass or if students transfer and are still seen on InClass, contact Terry Young and he can resolve the problem. We hope to have all of these mechanisms automated soon.

• We have spent this fall working with Bb on their new Version 8.0 Beta. Terry is loading that to our test server this week. As soon as the installation is done and we have student data on the test server, I'll send out an email to let you go in and try out some of the new features. I'll also schedule some training sessions at your sites. We expect the full new version to be on the regular Inclass server by late January.

Upcoming Workshops for Teachers & Staff

All full day workshops run 8:15 am to 3:00 pm at the 85A Lab on the Paly campus (unless otherwise notified). To register and receive sub codes, log on to Bob, click on the Workshop Registration link, select the workshop you want, and click on the Register button. You can also register for the 60-minute sessions online (or drop in).