Tech Tips

I thought I'd include a few tech tips in this blog posting. I'll try to be more proactive in the future about these technology issues; however, some things have changed at the district level, without any forewarning.

Converting Files from AppleWorks (AW) to Microsoft Word (Word)
Still using AW when nobody's looking? Or do you need to convert some older AW files to Word? Here's how you can do that in just a few steps - sometimes copying and pasting doesn't capture all the formatting.

1. Open your AW document.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Click the File Format drop-down menu (default is AppleWorks) and choose Word Mac 98, 2001 Document.
4. Check to be sure that the name of the document makes sense and that you know where the file is being saved.
5. Click Save. Your file should now open seamlessly in Word.
   

FirstClass (FC) Settings
The network technicians made some changes to our server over the break, which erased the settings in many of your FC accounts. That's why some of you have been able to login from your home computer (unaffected) and not your work computer. Without the setting, FC doesn't know where to find your mail.

1. Open FC.
2. On the Login screen, click Setup. (If you have a newer version of FC, first click Advanced and then Setup.)
3. In the Server box, type fc.brookline.k12.ma.us
4. Click Save

Firefox Proxy Settings
As I wrote in an email earlier this week (which you couldn't read if your FC wasn't working), a change at the district level required a change in the Firefox Preferences. I placed a handout in the staff lunch room for directions to change the proxy settings. Please feel free to use the handout or ask me for help.
I will work with students as they come to the lab, to ensure they can continue to use Firefox.
By the way, our proxy is our network filter; this filter differs from the FC spam filter. That's another blog posting altogether.

As always, please let me know how I can help!
Sandra Sicard

Accessing Research Databases from Home computers

Accessing Research Databases from Home Computers
by Joan Hamilton

Pierce School students learn as early as third grade how to access databases that will help them do research. Using the Pierce Library Catalog, students can easily find full text articles from over seventy-five Children's magazines and reference sources, using such Infotrac databases as Kids Infobits (grades k - 5) and Junior Edition (middle school). Many are aware that these same databases can be used from home IF one has a Brookline Public Library card; however, exactly how to tap into these superb reference sources from home seems to remain a mystery for many. Following are easy steps for all to follow:

1. Get a Library Card. Cards are free when you sign up for the first time, and cost only one dollar ($1.00) to replace.

2. Using a web browser, go to the Brookline Public Library website.

3. In the upper right hand corner, click on Online Services.

4. There you will find a list of the online databases available to those who have a library card.

5. Scroll down to Kids Infobits. Next you will get a screen that asks you to type in your 14-digit library card number.

6. After your card number is entered, you will get another screen. Scroll down to Magazines for k-12 students. Choose Kids Infobits. You may get a screen that says Infotrac-Proceed. Click on Proceed, and you should finally get to the database.

7. Articles are from reference books, magazines, and newspapers. They are usually full text and can be printed or e-mailed.

8. Other databases that may be useful are Junior Edition and Worldbook Online.

Credit your Sources!

by Sandra Sicard

I've shared this online tool with a few teachers, but as I see more and more students engrossed in research of one type or another, I am going to put it out there for all to use. It's Citation Machine, a simple tool for citing sources. A student (or teacher) can choose the style (APA, MLA, Chicago, or Turabian) of the citation; then Citation Machine asks him/her for all the required information. It works for both print and non-print (online) resources. At the end, the user clicks submit, and Citation Machine spits out the citation in a format that can be copied and pasted into a word processing document.
Try it out; let's make it easy for students to give credit where credit is due.