Setting Up Your MimioView Document Camera

The video and step-by-step instructions below walk you through the process of setting up your MimioView document camera.

Setting Up Your MimioView Document Camera

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In order to use your MimioView document camera, start by unboxing it.  The box contains the document camera itself, a USB cord to connect the document camera to your computer, a small black adapter that allows you to use your document camera with a microscope, and the MimioStudio software CD (unnecessary if you download the software).

Step 1:  Remove the protective film from the MimioView document camera, including the small piece of film on the camera lens

Step 2:  Make sure MimioStudio software is installed on your computer.  For instructions, check out my post on installing the software.

Step 3:  Connect the large end of the USB cord to your computer, and the small end to the back of the MimioView document camera.

Step 4:  Press the power button (the button on the front of the document camera with a large square on it)

As soon as the MimioView is turned on, it should automatically open the MimioView software and display on the computer’s screen.  If the computer is connected to a projector, the image can be projected.

MimioTeach and MimioView Resources

 

MimioTeach

MimioConnect: the primary Mimio community, offering downloadable lesson plans, templates, and graphics, a user forum, an “ask an expert” section, and myriad other Mimio resources

Haysville Mimio Resources:  an outstanding selection of Mimio resources available on this frequently-updated website

Mimio Resources on Youtube: YouTube includes tons of Mimio demonstrations and instructional videos, as well as videos offering suggestions for making use of the MimioTeach/MimioView in the classroom.

MimioView

Upgrading iTunes

An issue you may run into if you’re using a newer iPad, iPhone, or
iPod touch is that you need the newest version of iTunes in order to
install the newest version of iOS on those devices.  In order to
upgrade iTunes, do the following:

1.  Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and
click “Software Update”
2.  Your computer should search for any available software updates.
Note that on some computers, the process of searching for updates may
take quite awhile.
3.  Click the button to install any software updates that are found;
you can click “Show Details” to see the specific updates that will be
installed.
4.  You will likely be prompted to enter a username/password to
install updates.  For most users, you can use your full name as the
username and your @adel e-mail password as the password.  If that
doesn’t work, use username ADM CSD with one of the passwords e-mailed to staff on 3/8/12.
5.  You’ll probably be prompted to restart your computer after updates
are installed.  Restart.
6.  After the restart, I’d recommend doing step 1 again, and updating
again if it finds additional updates.  Sometimes updates need to be
installed in sequence, and it takes 2-3 times through the process to
get your computer fully up-to-date.

NOTE: If you have OS X Version 10.4.x, you will not be able to update
to the newest version of iTunes.  To check your OS version, click the
Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen, then click “About
This Mac”.  The operating system version appears under the Mac OS X
text, and is in the format 10.4.x, 10.5.x, 10.6.x, 10.7.x.

Installing MimioStudio and Signing Up for MimioConnect

For tech cadre members and others who would like to get started with the MimioStudio software, I’m sending instructions (below) for downloading, installing, and registering the software.

Note that MimioStudio is the software that is designed for use with MimioTeach interactive whiteboard and MimioView document camera products.  While the usefulness of the software is at its peak when paired with these devices, it can be used without access to those devices in order to learn how to use the software, develop lessons, work with content from MimioConnect (instructions also below), and so forth.

Check out the video demonstrating the steps needed to install MimioStudio, or read on for step-by-step instructions.

Installing MimioStudio

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Instructions for Installing MimioStudio Software

First, a couple of notes:

• You must have OS version 10.5 or later to install MimioStudio 9.  To check, click the apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and click “About this Mac”.  Your operating system version (like 10.6.x, 10.5.x, 10.4.x) should appear under the “Mac OS X” text.  If you do not have version 10.5 or higher but want to install MimioStudio, let me know.
• Installation of this software is optional.  All computers next year will have the software installed by default.

1.       Download the software from here (on-campus only): http://172.16.0.104/ms9.dmg

a.       From off campus, you can download the software from the MimioStudio site: http://www.mimio.dymo.com/en-US/Support/Downloads.aspx

b.      Note that you can also download a Windows version from the site in step 1a.

2.       Open the ms9.dmg file you just downloaded

3.       A mounted installer should appear on your desktop called MimioStudio; open it and double-click the mimiostudio-9.0-en.pkg file

4.       Click Continue at the first several menus, and then Agree to agree to the licensing terms

5.       When the install screen appears, click “Install”

a.       You will probably be prompted for an administrative username and password.  On most laptops, you can enter your full name (i.e., Adam Kurth) as the username and your @adel e-mail password as the password and then click “Install Software”.  If that doesn’t work, enter the username ADM CSD with one of the passwords that was e-mailed to staff on 3/8/12.

6.       You should be prompted to register the software when it opens.  Choose the option to register using a serial number, and use the serial number that was e-mailed to district staff on 3/8/12.

7.       You should be good to go.  Note that the MimioStudio applications will install in a folder inside your Applications folder called Mimio.  The programs you’re most likely to use are:

a.       Notebook: the primary application, this is the whiteboard.  Note that you can access all of the other programs from Notebook.

b.      View: the default application for the MimioView document camera

c.       Recorder: does screen recordings

d.      Gallery: for organizing graphics, etc.

Instructions for Using MimioConnect

MimioConnect is Mimio’s “Interactive Teaching Community”, which includes lessons, graphics, and tools for use with MimioStudio.  To make use of the site, do the following:

1.       Go to http://www.mimioconnect.com

2.       Click the “Not a Member” link at right (if you don’t already have an account) to register.

3.       Enter a username and e-mail address, check the terms agreement, and click “Create new account”

4.       You will receive an e-mail (can take several minutes) with a link to confirm your e-mail address.  Click the link.

5.       Enter a password (twice), choose any other settings you like, and click the “Update” button to update your account.

6.       You are now signed in to the site, and can sign in in the future using the username/password you chose.  You can use the tabs at the top to access lesson plans and activities, user forums, other members’ profiles, etc.  This site gives answers relating to how to make use of MimioConnect:  http://www.mimioconnect.com/mimioconnect_faqs

ADM Staff Computer Replacement Survey

While the district has an inventory of existing equipment, I’d like to hear directly from district staff members regarding the district-issued computers you currently use, as well as your “ideal world” situation when we replace computers.

This is only a short survey (about 2-3 minutes to complete), but please give it some thought, especially as it relates to determining your computer needs.  While I can’t guarantee that preferences indicated in this survey will be met, it will help us to ensure that the equipment we put in place is appropriate and efficiently-implemented.

Note that you will need to log into your ADM Google Apps account (if you’re not already) to take the survey.  Your ADM Apps username should be your first initial and last name (i.e., akurth), with the password you chose for Google Apps.  If you don’t have or remember your Google Apps password and/or account name, please let me know and I can provide that information to you.

https://docs.google.com/a/adm.k12.ia.us/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEtuV0lyR1ZfSlFDbUxxZElneHRjU0E6MQ

Please let me know if you have any questions!

PPEL Passed!

Thanks to the residents of the ADM School District for showing your support for the district’s technology initiatives by passing the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy.  This ballot measure, which will be implemented with no increase to the overall tax rate, will allow the district to make some much needed investments in our technology infrastructure, classroom and operational technologies, and systems that will allow for more efficient use of staff time and district resources.  While the plan will evolve as the available technologies and our technology situation change, at a base level, this is what yesterday’s voter approval of PPEL will mean:

Expanded Student Technology Access
Existing lab facilities will be upgraded, while each building will see implementation of additional mobile labs and classroom technology, including access to additional laptops, iPads, Chromebooks, desktops, interactive whiteboards, and document cameras.  Further, while PPEL can only be used for technology hardware and non-instructional software, it will allow the district to use existing technology funds to update software and to invest in grade and content-specific technology accessories to make the most of the technology we have available.

Infrastructure Upgrades
With a significant number of additional devices and newer devices that will be more heavily used, wired and wireless network upgrades will ensure that we have the network communication framework to handle the additional demand.  A managed, enterprise-level wireless network will allow for much more efficient operation without the serious uptime issues faced with the current wireless network, and faster, more modern switching equipment will help to address current network bottlenecks.

Guest Network Access
Currently, the district’s wireless network limitations and internet bandwidth require us to restrict wireless access to district and staff devices only.  After the infrastructure upgrades, we will have the capacity to create a guest wireless network that will allow students and guests to gain secure access to internet resources (still content-filtered as per federal law), without having an adverse effect or raising security concerns as it relates to district technology functions.

Building-to-Building Network Connections
Currently the district has a radio connection between the high school/middle school complex and Adel Elementary, and no connection to DeSoto Intermediate.  PPEL will allow us to lease a fiber connection between buildings, dramatically improving network performance and our management capabilities at Adel Elementary, while eliminating the need for redundant servers, internet service, and certain networking equipment in DeSoto.  This investment will also allow the district to explore offering services such as video on demand, virtualized application delivery, and district-level authentication and data storage.

Classroom Technology
As previously mentioned, we will be making a significant investment in classroom technology, bringing classrooms up to a baseline standard that includes a mounted projector, MimioTeach device that converts a regular whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard, a document camera, and integrated speakers.  While this is not a limit for classrooms, establishing a solid standard will allow the district to make better use of professional development time, and will allow teachers to make plans based upon reliable access to certain core technologies.

Network Management Software
In addition to funding a conversion to industry-standard Microsoft Active Directory as an authentication framework, PPEL will also allow the district to invest in Casper Suite management software, which allows for much greater control of software deployment, updates, imaging, inventory management, status checks, remote management, and so forth than what we currently have in place.  ADM does not have a large IT department, and this type of system is crucial to ensure that our approximately 750 computers can be managed efficiently and effectively.  Further, this software will also enable management of apps and configuration of iOS devices (like iPads), making possible a large-scale iOS deployment.  

Equipment Replacement Cycle
While the average age of the district is currently 7.2 years, PPEL will allow the district to implement a 5-year replacement cycle on computers and most other technology equipment (where appropriate), which brings us in line with standards (most districts operate on a 4-5 year cycle).  More importantly, 5 years is generally the age that can be reached while supporting the most modern operating systems and software, so this sustainable replacement cycle will help us ensure that we can run current software and can standardize to the most appropriate operating system.  Whereas the district is currently supporting five different operating system versions on our Apple computers alone,  implementation of our PPEL plan will reduce that number to one.

Submitting a Technology Support Request

Here is a screencast showing how to submit a technology support ticket at http://admsupport.adm.k12.ia.us.

Steps
1.  Go to http://admsupport.adm.k12.ia.us
2.  For your username, enter your full @adel e-mail address (i.e., akurth@adel.k12.ia.us)
3.  For your password, enter your @adel e-mail password
NOTE: If you have problems logging in with your @adel e-mail address and password, please contact me by e-mail.
4.  Fill out the form to submit a ticket
5.  IMPORTANT: If you receive a response e-mail with a note from a technician, you must click the link in the response e-mail to reply to the note. Replying to the e-mail will not reach anybody, as it goes to an unmonitored e-mail address.  

Submitting ADM Support Ticket

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