Issue 114 - 2024 | Term 4 | Week 3
Update Farsight and PDQ: A message for TSOs
From Term 4 Week 5, Farsight and PDQ will no longer be permitted to run on department-managed devices.
This is due to the significant cybersecurity risks they pose. These tools circumvent approved business processes, making it challenging to ensure consistent and secure software management across schools.
Therefore, we encourage you to explore alternative department-approved solutions in the Software Catalogue, as these align with guidelines that help maintain the security and integrity of our systems and data.
Update Windows 11 upgrade
From Week 5 post-HSC, the Windows 11 v23H2 feature update will begin progressively rolling out to all schools over the course of Term 4.
The Windows 11 feature update will be pushed to all compatible devices that pass the Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser.
The update will present like a standard security patch and reboot policy. It will silently download and install in the background and prompt for a reboot to complete, which can be deferred to the end of day.
Reboot times can vary depending on device specifications. There are already 130K+ devices running Windows 11 in NSW schools, giving access to the latest features and security protections.
Schools wishing to opt-in sooner can do so by logging a request with EDConnect with the subject line:
[Windows 11 Upgrade – SiteCode – School Name].
Info Free internet for eligible families
The Australian Government’s offer of free home internet until 31 December 2025 is still available through its School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).
The SSBI aims to help families with school-aged children who may be struggling with cost-of-living issues and are unable to maintain a broadband internet connection at home. To be eligible for the SSBI, families must:
- Have a child living at home that is enrolled in Kindy up to year 12 in NSW.
- Not have an active nbn® network internet service in the previous 14 days.
- Either be referred by a Nominating Organisation or have their suitability determined via an assessment conducted by the National Referral Centre (NRC).
Find out further information by contacting the National Referral Centre, operated by Anglicare Victoria on 1800 954 610 or visit their website.
News Technology for all - your guides to inclusive and assistive tech
Discover all the tech tools and support available in the latest issues of T4L Kids magazine issue 19 and magazine.T4L issue 30.
In T4L Kids you can discover the huge range of inclusive tech tools, resources and learning guides available for all students. Explore inclusive and assistive technologies that make learning fun and inclusive for everyone in the classroom.
Explore assistive and inclusive technologies in magazine.T4L to make learning accessible in your school or classroom. You can also discover the accessibility features available to all teachers in NSW public schools in the Google, Microsoft, Apple, Canva and Adobe tools.
With hot tips and step-by-step guided videos, you can boost your skills to support learners with different needs in your classroom today!
Speech recognition, dictation, voice-to-text or speech-to-text is technology that automatically converts spoken language into text.
Find out how to use these tools on your specific device or platform, on T4L's new Inclusive and assistive technology page.
Alert Google Jamboard phased out
Jamboard is being discontinued and the app has been restricted to ‘view only’ mode. After December 31 2024, all files stored within this workspace will be permanently inaccessible. To avoid data loss, please refer to this Quick Reference Guide (QRG) on how to transfer your files to an alternative platform such as Microsoft Whiteboard or Canva.
Info New Applications in AssessedIT
The following applications have been assessed by Cyber and added to AssessedIT recently.
Review the below list to see which applications have been regarded as safe to use, or to use with some degree of caution.
Allowed:
- Blender - Software for 3D image creation
- Datacamp.com - Data science
- JSTOR - Digital library
- Sportstracker - Manage sporting events
- Storyline 360 - Create interactive courses
- Thonny IDE - Coding platform
Use with caution:
- Code Avengers - Coding platform
- Mote - Insert recordings to workbooks
- Nelson Mind Map - eText platform for secondary students
- Typingclub (edclub) – re-review - Typing program
News Minecraft Education: new Space Exploration Experiences
Minecraft Education, in collaboration with NASA, has launched two new immersive experiences: the James Webb Space Telescope Challenge and Artemis: Moon Base One.
These additions offer students aged 8-14 a hands-on journey through space exploration, aligned with global science curricula.
Find out more at James Webb Space Telescope | Minecraft Education
PL Inclusive Learning Environments with Apple
Join a hands-on day with Apple at ITD. With the Department’s focus on developing a broad, inclusive and rich curriculum with strong co-curricular activities, Apple will unpack the role the iPad and the Apple ecosystem can play in removing barriers and providing more personalised learning experiences for all learners.
Date: Wednesday, 20th November
Venue: Level 8, 8 Central Ave, South Eveleigh
Register your team of two here
News Technology forum success
Held in early September, the inaugural IT in schools forum proved to be a valuable platform for Technology Support Officers (TSOs) and Information Technology Directorate (ITD) staff to connect, learn, and share experiences.
More information from the day including presentation packs, video recordings and FAQs can be found on the intranet.
PL Google for Education training series
There are a huge range of exciting new features and tools in Google for Education, helping make learning more personal and differentiation more achievable.
Register for the product training series, where we’ll dive deep into new announcements and revisit existing features across Google Workspace for Education and Chrome/Chromebooks.
PL Adobe for Education Wednesday Webinars
These Wednesday Webinars have been designed by educators, for educators and focus on bringing digital creativity into all subjects and across year levels using a pedagogy first approach. You'll learn new creative and digital skills that build students' capacity, and agency, to demonstrate learning in a variety of media modes.
Recordings will be available to those who register - but be sure to join live to receive additional resources and the opportunity to engage with the presenters and learn from other educators.
Additional resources and opportunities can be found at the Adobe for Education ANZ website
Fun ICT thought of the day
Info news.T4L will be back in Week 6!
Information Technology Directorate publishes three issues of news.T4L each term. Remember - share each issue with your staff! And if you aren't receiving an email notification as soon as a new issue of news.T4L drops, then you're missing out! So why not subscribe?
Tell us about your school's great ICT initiatives! Send us an email to T4LNews@det.nsw.edu.au
