Technology Buyer’s Guide

The Buyer’s Guide saves you from having to do your own research when purchasing technology items. We’ve made changes to the Technology Buyer’s Guide to save you time and make the search process more user friendly.

The “Pre-Approved” section on the Buyer’s Guide contains categories that may potentially interfere with what’s already here on our data network – like computers, ActivBoards, etc. For these categories, we have pre-selected and pre-certified models that will work without causing problems in our network. No approval is necessary if you buy one of these pre-selected, pre-certified items on the Buyer’s Guide.

If you want to buy something in one of the categories listed in the “pre-approved” section but the item you want is not listed there, please submit a Technology Service Request describing what you are looking for.

The second section, titled “Also Available on the Buyer’s Guide,” is for things like cables where interference is not a potential issue but we have listed several commonly purchased items so you don’t have to spend time searching/researching.

If what you need doesn’t fall under one of the “pre-approved” categories, you may purchase it from an approved vendor.

If you are not sure what you need or if you need help figuring out what you may need, open a Technology Service Request. We will be in touch with you to find the best solution that doesn’t pose a problem to our network.

Happy Holidays!

Technology Buyer’s Guide

The Buyer’s Guide saves you from having to do your own research when purchasing technology items. We’ve made changes to the Technology Buyer’s Guide to save you time and make the search process more user friendly.

The “Pre-Approved” section on the Buyer’s Guide contains categories that maypotentially interfere with what’s already here on our data network – like computers, ActivBoards, etc. For these categories, we have pre-selected and pre-certified models that will work without causing problems in our network. No approval is necessary if you buy one of these pre-selected, pre-certified items on the Buyer’s Guide.

If you want to buy something in one of the categories listed in the “pre-approved”section but the item you want is not listed there, please submit a Technology Service Request describing what you are looking for.

The second section, titled “Also Available on the Buyer’s Guide,” is for things like cables where interference is not a potential issue but we have listed several commonly purchased items so you don’t have to spend time searching/researching.

If what you need doesn’t fall under one of the “pre-approved” categories, you may purchase it from an approved vendor.

If you are not sure what you need or if you need help figuring out what you may need, open a Technology Service Request. We will be in touch with you to find the best solution that doesn’t pose a problem to our network.

Happy Holidays!

Adding SBISD Email to Your Android Phone

The following will demonstrate how to set up your SBISD Email on your Android Phone. This way you don't have to be at a computer to check your email. You can check it from wherever you happen to be standing!

Please note that these steps may vary from what you actually see on your phone screen. Android Phones may differ slightly from one to another.

1. Tap Settings.  

2. Tap Accounts & Sync. 

3. Tap Add Account.

4. Different phones have different wording but you should see a button titled Corporate, Corporate
    Sync,Exchange, Exchange Active Sync, or Microsoft Exchange. Tap this button. 

5. In the Email Address field, type your full SBISD Email Address. ex: john.doe@springbranchisd.com

6. In the Password field, type your SBISD email password.

7. Tap Next.

8. In the Domain\Username field, type "sbm1\" followed by your SBISD username. ex: sbm1\doej

  
9. In the Server field, type "owa.springbranchisd.com"

10. Select the box to Use secure connection (SSL).

11. Select the box Accept all SSL certificates.

12. Tap Next.

13. On the Account Options screen, choose how often you would like your phone to sync your email.

14. Tap Next.

15. Tap Done.

16. Your SBISD email is now synced to your Android Phone.

New and Noteworthy From EdTech

InnovateEDU Summit is coming! Mark your calendars!

Register on Eduphoria Workshop today!

In order to showcase and reward our amazingly creative students in May, we must start coaching them today!  See the website for details and assist students with registration as needed.

Gradebook Tip: Categories for Second Semester

Attention all secondary teachers! Are your categories and percentages set up for each of your 2nd Semester gradebooks? Even though your 1st Semester gradebooks are set, you will need to make sure that 2nd semester gradebooks are ready to go as well. Once the first progress report period of the 2nd semester ends, you will no longer be able to change your categories and percentages. If categories and percentages are not set, your students' progress report, report card and Family Access grades will show as a zero.

If you need help setting up your categories follow the steps below.

1. Open one of your 2nd semester gradebooks and click the Categories tab.

2. On the next screen, click the Add/Edit Categories button.

3. Click the Unselect All button to remove the checks from all the categories.

4. Place a check next to each category that will be used in your gradebook.

5. Enter the percent (weight) for each category that will be used in your gradebook. Be sure that the
    total percent adds up to exactly 100.

6. Click Save.

7. Do this for each one of your gradebooks! Do this before the end of the first progress report period
    of the 2nd semester. Once the first progress report period ends you will no longer be able to set up
    your categories and percentages.

Adding SBISD Email to Your iPhone

The following will demonstrate how to set up your SBISD Email on your iPhone. This way you don't have to be at a computer to check your email. You can check it from wherever you happen to be standing!

Please note that these steps may vary from what you actually see on your phone screen. iPhones may differ slightly from one to another.

1. Tap Settings.

  

2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.

 

3. Tap Add Account.

 

4. Tap Exchange.

5. In the Email field, type your full SBISD Email Address. ex: john.doe@springbranchisd.com

6. In the Password field, type your SBISD email password.

7. Tap Next.

 

8.   In the Server field, type "owa.springbranchisd.com"

9.   In the Domain field, type "sbm1"

10. In the Username field, type your SBISD username. ex: doej

11. Tap Next.

12. Choose which type(s) of data you would like to synchronize: Mail, Contacts, and Calendars. When
      finished, tap Save.

13. Your SBISD email is now synced to your iPhone.

Adding SBISD Email To Your Smart Phone

We know that many of you will be receiving new Smart Phones for the holidays! Of course you will want to set it up with your SBISD Email. Or perhaps you received yours early and are eager to set up email but aren't sure how. The following will show you how to do just that!

iPhones >>    Android Phones >>

Recycling Equipment and Toner Cartridges

Many of you have been asking, "What do I do with old/unneeded computers, technology equipment and empty toner cartridges?" Well, we have a plan in place to get those things recycled. Here's what you need to do:

1)      Create a Technology Service Request ticket.

         a)     When completing the Category section of the ticket, choose Hardware for the first
                 drop down menu and Surplus/Recycle/Repurpose for the second drop down menu.

         b)      In the Comment section, please specify the items to be picked up including serial
                  number or asset tag number if available.

2)      Take equipment to your campus's designated drop off location, usually the library.
          Equipment will be picked up by your Campus Tech.

3)      The ticket will then be closed.

After Hours Technology Help Desk Support

Do you ever find yourself working late and in need of technical support? The SBISD Technology Services Help Desk is pleased to offer after hours support available evenings, weekends and holidays!

• After Hours support is available from 5pm – 10pm each night, 365 days a year

• After Hours support is available during the Holidays from – 7am – 10pm

After Hours Support can provide assistance with issues pertaining to:

• SBISD Software Systems

• VPN

If the After Hours Support technician is unable to resolve your issue, they will assist you with submitting a Technology Service Request ticket. The ticket will then be resolved during regular hours.

The after hours phone number is the same as regular hours: 713-251-TECH (8324).

Holiday Procedures for Technology Items

As we approach the end of the semester, it is important to keep in mind the procedures for dealing with technology items before leaving for the holidays.

1.      COWs and Carts

         a.      Make sure that all of the devices in your Carts and COWs are plugged into electrical power.

         b.      Make sure that the COWs and/or Carts themselves are plugged into electrical power.

2.      Printers

         a.      Make sure that they STAY PLUGGED IN.

         b.      Turn the printer OFF.

         c.      Leave the Surge Protector ON.

3.      ActivBoards

         a.      Use your remote to turn the projector OFF. Letting the projector turn itself off actually                          leaves it on and uses “Bulb Life."

         b.      Do not disconnect any of the wires.

4.      Desktop Computers

         a.      Turn them OFF.

         b.      Leave them plugged in.

         c.      Turn the monitor OFF.

         d.      Leave the Surge Protector ON.

5.      Laptops/Netbooks/iPads/iTouchs without Carts/COWs

         a.      Turn them OFF.

         b.      If at all possible put them in a Cart where they can be plugged in.

         c.      Otherwise, put them in a secure location.

         d.      Feel free to take your teacher laptop home. Please remember to keep it secure.

6.      MacBooks

         a.      Please make sure that all MacBooks are charged. If they run completely out of “juice,” they                    HAVE to be re-imaged.