Java and Gradebook Steps on Macs

First Step - Uninstall Java 7 (45 version)

1) Click on Finder

2) Click on Applications tab on the sidebar

3) In the Search box enter JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

4) This will find the JavaAppletPlugin file

5) Right click on this file and select Move to Trash

6) Empty your Trash

To install the version of Java that does work (only after doing steps above):

1) Download the jre-7u40-macosx-x643.dmg from internet or from this link: Java 40 DMG

2) Double click on the file  jre-7u40-macosx-x643.dmg

3) Once it's finished installing, do a restart on your laptop

4) Open PowerSchool and Launch gradebook normally.

PTC February Conferences

Good afternoon everyone!  I know it feels like we just did this but we need to prepare for the February 2014 Parent Teacher Conference dates.  I am trying to give you as much time as possible to block out and plan these dates.

Please read the instructions below.If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.  For those that are new to this process, please see your mentor, Craig or myself.

PTC Wizard - Parent Teacher Conferences

Instructions for all teachers:

Conferences are February 10, 11, 12 and 13th from 7:00-7:50am and 2:40-7:00pm.  All teachers are currently scheduled as AVAILABLE for all of those times.  It is up to each teacher to log in and block out any times that they are unavailable or available before and after school.  By default, the school day is blocked off as UNAVAILABLE.  Please block off your available times by Monday January 20th.  

Click on the spreadsheet below to see room assignments.  One sheet is sorted by room# and the other by teacher/team name:

PTC Room Assignments

Teams are currently scheduled together in the same room.  Some other teachers have been scheduled together in rooms because of the lack of room for everyone.  Please work your schedules out with one another if rooms are being shared.  

The link for teachers is https://sau25bhs.ptcwizard.com/admin - this can also be access from home.

Please be sure you have blocked off times you are UNAVAILABLE so those slots

will not look open for parent signups.  

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1) Go to the link https://sau25bhs.ptcwizard.com/admin

2) Enter username, it is your email address (i.e. lunnk@sau25.net)    

*For team logins, I will send a separate email with your login information

3) Enter password, same as your network address (see me if any problems)

4) Click on Conferences

5) Click on the 1st conference day:  Monday, Feb 10 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

6) Click on the 2nd conference day: Tuesday, Feb 11, 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

7) Click on the 3rd conference day:  Wednesday, Feb 12, 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

7) Click on the 4th conference day:  Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 and set times you're available/unavailable

8) The parents will see the date & times you are available and will sign up accordingly.  

9) Once parents have signed up, their names will appear on your conference days, and there is an option to print on the top right.

NOTE:

The parent portal link will be available for signups on Weds Jan 22, 2014. It is important that you have blocked off your availability before the portal is opened for parent signups, otherwise all open times are fair game.  The portal will remain open to parents until  February 5, 2014 at midnight.

Newspaper Map is so cool

At NHCMTC conference last week, the keynote speaker on Thursday showed us a tool that they use. It is called NewspaperMap and the website is: http://newspapermap.com

This site is awesome.  It allows you to read local newspapers from those particular countries, cities, etc. Since being exposed to this tool, daily I find myself going to one or two newspapers in the world.  It gives me a perspective to how news is reported in those areas, what is important to them and how their view of other countries is reported.

Loving this new tool!  Try it out.....

Gradebook stopped working on Windows computers since Java Update

Many staff have approached me or brought their windows laptops in so I could fix the variety of problems with opening Gradebook since upgrading to the  newest version of Java.  Here are some steps you can attempt on your Windows computers at home if you are having issues opening PowerTeacher Gradebook.

For those that have run updates on their Windows computers and Java was updated to version 45, this is how to remove it and then reinstall version 40.

1) Log into your Windows computer
2) Go to Control Panel / Programs / Uninstall  (this may be different depending on version of Windows
    you are running)
3) Look for references to Java 7 version 45
4) If you right click on these, an option to Uninstall will appear - click that.
     Here is a link on how to uninstall a windows program: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uninstall-change-program#install-change-program-windows-7&uninstall-change-program=windows-vista

5) Once you have uninstalled all references to Java 7 version 45 then you are ready to install the version of Java that works with PowerTeacher Gradebook.

6) Go to this link to download a version of 1.7.0_40 for your PC:

    http://apps.fsd1.org/downloads/jre-7u40-windows-i586.exe

7) Once this is downloaded, install it

8) Restart your PC

9) Then go to PowerTeacher and launch your gradebook the way you used to.

If this does not fix the problem, please email me the error you are getting so I can look into further instructions for you.

Happy Grading!  

Gradebook App

PowerSchool has provided a different method to launch your gradebook for Mac users.  It allows you to launch the Gradebook by bypassing the java plug-in and does not require you to first log into PowerTeacher.  For those that followed my initial instructions but are still having issues with launching the new gradebook app or are receiving this error:  "Gradebook is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to trash."

Here is the resolution for this error on Mac OS 10.8x machines:

1) Open System Preferences

2) Select Security and Privacy

3) Click the General tab, under the Applications Downloaded from - select to allow downloads from anywhere.

4) Save your settings

5) Now the new Gradebook App should launch without any issues.

[If you have a Windows computer, see me for more detailed instructions on how to fix your gradebook issues.]