Hardware – MDLT Blog

Micro:bit Playground Survey

You may have seen that the micro:bit Foundation have launched a ‘Playground Survey’ for the summer term. This is part of their ‘next-gen’ roll out of 30 micro:bits to schools across the UK and has featured in CBBC content, so you or your learners may have already seen this.

The lesson resources give children the skills and code to collect data in a survey of their playgrounds (temperature, biodiversity, area and physical activity). There is also an opportunity to upload the data to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) who will publish the findings in Autumn (We have a DPIA in place so you are free to upload this if you wish).

You will find the resources HERE with videos, lesson plans, worksheets and code. They are quite self-explanatory. You can make it a big project over several weeks or do it in an afternoon by just downloading the appropriate programs to collect the information.

Due to my work as a micro:bit Champion over the past couple of years I’ve been asked to be involved in PR for the project. This may involve education media visiting some schools to highlight the great work with micro:bits happening in Moray. So do let me know if you plan to take part in the survey and I may reach out when I have more info.

Any support/questions as always, just reach out to learntech@moray.gov.uk

Notes

Just to note that for the ‘Tracking our Physical Activity’ lesson – You won’t be able to open the file directly from the micro:bit but need to copy this to the learner’s drive (U) and then it should open fine. The machine learning tool may be hit or miss as it requires the micro:bit to pair but with perseverance I’ve tested it to work.

iPad Smoothwall Certificate – Action Required

To access the internet on your school iPad you first need to log into the Smoothwall; however this is only possible if there is an active certificate. The current Smoothwall certificate will expire on 10th June so it is vital that all iPads are updated as soon as possible. After the 10th June iPads which have not been updated will no longer be able to access the internet until the certificate is updated.

ICT have set up a new wifi network to allow schools to update their certificates – IOS-ICT. The wifi password has been emailed to all school’s admin email account. Once you have connected to the new network you should go through the following steps –

Click on the Settings Icon
Select Wi-Fi
Select the IOS-ICT network
Enter the password in the email sent to school admin/technician
Press the home button to go back to the main home screen
Open the Meraki App
Refresh the app by swiping your finger down from the top of the screen
Press the home button to go back to the main home screen
Click on the Settings Icon
Select the General menu
Select the VPN & Device Management option
Click on the Meraki Systems Management option
Select More Details
Check the Certificates section and ensure there is a valid Smoothwall-default-root-certifiacte-authority with a date in 2024
• Select Wi-Fi and switch back to the mobiles network and forget the IOS-ICT network. You may need to toggle off the Private Wi-Fi Address option on the mobiles network to get it to connect again.

If you are unable to open the Meraki App or if after following the instructions above the new certificate is not shown please contact the Digital Learning Team or check for updated instructions which would have been issued via the weekly bulletin.

Please be aware that the IOS-ICT network will only be available for schools to update their certificate until 7th October. The IOS-ICT network should only be used for the purposes of updating the certificate as it is an unfiltered connection to the internet and the password should not be shared outside of staff responsible for updating the iPads.

If you have any questions please contact learntech@moray.gov.uk

COVID-19 – Cleaning of Shared ICT Equipment in Schools

What to clean

In addition to regularly washing your hands and using hand sanitiser it is important to routinely clean and disinfect your technology and the surrounding surfaces, especially when they are used by multiple people. We must sanitise keyboards, monitors, mice, phones, iPads, interactive panels, laptops and laptop trolleys with the appropriate disinfecting products not only at the end of each day, but after each individual use too.

When to clean

Once an individual has finished using the equipment and at the end of the day.

How to Clean

Use suitable products for the device you are cleaning (links below). Suitable products should be provided by the school.
Ensure electrical items are switched off during the cleaning process.
Make sure the cleaning product you are using has touched every surface.
Be thorough whilst also being careful not to damage the equipment by using too much product.
When using a spray disinfectant it is best not to spray directly onto the device. Instead spray a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the device down.
Check manufacturer specific guidance prior to cleaning (links below) – cleaning equipment in any other way may cause damage which will not be covered by the warranty.

Computer keyboards are difficult to clean properly. Shared computer areas, laptop trolleys etc should have posters displayed reminding of proper hand hygiene before and after using them to minimise risk.

Links below on how to deep clean different types technology used in classroom –

Promethean Panel – click here

iPads – click here

Monitors and Keyboards – click here

COVID-19 Prevention -Disinfecting digital equipment

In addition to regularly washing your hands and using hand sanitiser it is important to keep your technology as germ free as possible, especially when it is used by multiple people. Consider sanitising keyboards, mice, phones, iPads, Promethean panels and laptops with the appropriate disinfecting products after use.

Use the cleaning products provided by your school and ensure electrical items are switched off during the cleaning process. When using any type of spay disinfectant it is usually best not to spay directly onto the device. Instead spray a clean microfiber cloth and then lightly wipe the device down. If in doubt check the manufacturers websites more for further information on how to clean their products.

You can find specific instruction on how to deep clean different types technology used in classroom by clicking on the links below –

Promethean Panel – click here

iPads – click here

Monitors and Keyboards – click here

For information on how Glow can form part of your COVID 19 contingency planning – click here.