Three Things I Learned Today
April 8th, 2010Shelley
Stella Dizes (York Catholic, ON) shares three things she learned today!
Stella Dizes from York Catholic DSB from Meghann Anderson on Vimeo.
Join us again tomorrow for more informative sessions and exciting announcements! Laissez les bon temps rouler y’all. We miss you!
Troubleshooting with the Knowledge Base
April 8th, 2010Shelley
In one of the last breakout sessions of the day, Barbara Smith and Tom Smith (no relation) are talking about the Knowledge Base. First, though, they gave each attendee a button to wear that says “Get Your Knowledge On.” They also announced they’re giving away a $50 American Express gift card. Apparently, there’s a drawing at the end of today’s session. Wow!
So, what is a Knowledge Base? In a nutshell, it’s a centralized repository of support information – in this case, for SmartFindExpress users and eSchool Solutions team members. It reduces employee training time and redundant work. For clients, it provides quick and easy access to product information. A place to share issues (aka pesky bugs) and tips for working around those issues.
eSchool Solutions has created a KB team made up of several key members from various departments. The team is responsible for populating the KB and its integrity. Topics and solutions are the key components of the eSchool Solutions KB. Additionally, we’ll include “how to” articles, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
Clients will be able to access the KB via Customer Center by clicking on the Knowledge Base tab. The tool is easy to navigate and intuitive. Plus, clients can search by topic. Tom Smith told the group our KB should be available this fall (2010) and indicated that we’ll need help from districts during the beta process.
Next, Tom asks the group what kinds of information they would like to see in the KB. Suggestions included:
- Anticipated release dates
- Video clips
- Issues (bugs) and the number of cases reported
- Downloadable instruction guides
- Message board (online client community)
The group agreed – wholeheartedly – that they would use the KB and saw it as a valuable tool. What information would you like to see included in the eSchool Solutions Knowledge Base? Add your comments to this post!
And, the winner is…Julie Vogel (St. Johns County, FL). Congratulations to Julie; she won the gift card!
Introducing eSub for the iPhone!
April 8th, 2010Shelley
What is eSub? It’s an exciting new tool from eSchool Solutions. Here’s Rob Wheeler, senior application developer (and rock star), to explain!
Introducing eSub for the Iphone from Meghann Anderson on Vimeo.
Watch Rob as he demos eSub for substitutes!
eSub Demo for Substitutes from Meghann Anderson on Vimeo.
And, now a demo of eSub for teachers!
eSub Demo for Teachers from Meghann Anderson on Vimeo.
Reducing Help Desk Calls with Scott Cummins
April 8th, 2010Shelley
I’m not saying Scott Cummins is available for reducing your district’s help desk calls. But, he did share a number of great ideas for you to implement in your district – ideas that can reduce your help desk calls.
Scott showed the group how he creates links to Google Maps. Substitutes can access these links for directions to school locations. Scott also showed how he designed a business card for substitutes and employees. The card includes district information (phone number & web address) and Scott’s contact info. Plus, there’s a place for substitutes and employees to record their ID and PIN numbers. On the back of the card, Scott’s listed absence reasons for teachers and room for them to list the IDs of their favorite (or preferred) substitutes.
Scott also showed the group how he tracks the training activities of his substitutes and how he manages their “intent to return” each year.
Break Time!
April 8th, 2010Shelley
It’s been a long – but great – day! Everyone’s having fun, learning a lot! Still, we found time for a quick treat. Take a look at the chocolate covered pretzels. Just one of the items available at today’s afternoon break. Can you say sugar rush?
What Is TeacherStudio?
April 8th, 2010Shelley
Special guest Caroline McKenna (from Ideas) gives us a hint!
Untitled from Meghann Anderson on Vimeo.
Improving Fill Rates With Elaine Alexandres
April 8th, 2010Shelley
Elaine Alexandres (San Bernardino City, CA) talked with clients about the steps she’s taken to improve fill rates in her district. Her five-step process included the following components:
- Improvements to screening process
- Expanded training and preparation
- Increased communication
- The development of a “Resident Substitute Program”
- The optimization of SmartFindExpress
As a result, Elaine and her team have seen fill rates increase to almost 100 percent! Elaine treated each attendee to a folder that included all kinds of information. The folder – designed for substitute teachers – included a copy of her district’s substitute newsletter (the Subway) and a list of items to be included in packets for substitutes.
Social Networking with Tricia Griffith
April 8th, 2010Shelley
Presenter Tricia Griffith (Hays Consolidated, TX) offered her advice for using social networking tools to communicate with substitute teachers. Currently, Tricia uses two tools – Facebook and Twitter – to communicate with substitutes. She uses Twitter to post jobs and special announcements. You can follow Tricia at http://twitter.com/HaysSubInfo.
Facebook encourages substitutes to interact and network. “Facebook has fostered a real sense of community among our subs,” says Tricia. She allows feedback and posts topics to encourage conversation. Another benefit? Substitutes answer questions for each other. “It’s really saved me a lot of time – time I would have been spending at the help desk.” Tricia acts as the moderator, but to-date she hasn’t had any issues. “Our substitutes are really professional and use the site responsibly.”
As you can imagine, there were several questions from the group for Tricia. One person asked about potential issues with the IT department. Tricia just laughed and said, “You have to learn how to beg.”
Cathy McCabe Talks About Going Green
April 8th, 2010Shelley
Cathy McCabe (Dufferin-Peel, ON) is talking to the group about going green. Her district (eSchool client since 1994) has made a concerted effort to go paperless. Cathy tells the group that her district does not keep paper employee files (several attendees seemed surprised by this). Currently, interested applicants apply online. Once hired, the information is automatically exported to SmartFindExpress.
Substitute employees have access to the district’s HR portal. Here they can view their personal data, print paystubs and school maps, and access forms and informative documents. Additionally, they have access to internal job postings.
The district communicated its mission to go paperless to all of its employees. They are expanding their employee portal to include even more information. Additionally, there are plans to allow employees to make changes to their personal data (e.g. name and address changes).
Cathy has talked with eSchool Solutions about an enhancement that would allow substitutes to modify their profiles. In the meantime, they have come up with a temporary solution – an electronic form that substitutes complete online. The district then imports the information to SmartFindExpress.
Apparently, Cathy has her own fan club here in New Orleans. She took several questions. Many of the attendees seem excited about the things she shared. Sandy Edwards (Grant Wood, IA) said, “I think you’re great and I want to be just like you.”
A Greeting from our Chief Technology Officer
April 8th, 2010Shelley
Watch as Chris Bongiovanni recaps his presentation for you!
Untitled from Meghann Anderson on Vimeo.
