Chiang Center for Innovation and Collaboration Technology Summary

  

The Chiang Center for Innovation and Collaboration's 28,704 square feet house the most technology in one building on Blair's campus.  Here is a list of some of the technology available to our faculty and students:

• Maker space machines for digital fabrication including
• 3D printers
• Wide format color laser printer for posters
• T-shirt printer & thermal press
• Laser cutter
• Vinyl cutter
• Six flat screen TVs in conference rooms and meeting spaces
• Two 133" large-projection screens in the forum, with HD projectors
• Classroom AV systems for wireless projection and streaming video
• Bluetooth sound systems in the art studio, maker space, and ceramics classroom
• Media computer labs for digital sound, photo and video editing
• Electronic keyboard systems
• Recording studio for both video and audio recordings
• Studio lighting board, sound board, web cam system and video recording system
• Robotics lab

Maintaining an Emergency Notification System

In order to help create a safer environment for our students, faculty, and staff, the technology office maintains a software system that is capable of quickly sending out an emergency message.  Setting up the system entails uploading email addresses, and cell phone numbers of all campus community members and parents of students.  Maintaining the system includes removing stale numbers, and adding in new community members when they arrive on campus.  When an emergency message needs to be sent out, a message can be created and sent via text and email in a matter of minutes.  These messages will notify people of a situation on campus and offer directions on how to proceed.  A follow up message alerts people that the situation has ended and that they can return to normal activities.

Troubleshooting Computers after Windows Update

A recent windows update caused a number of all-in-one computers to fail to wake up from sleep mode.   The technology office received tickets from users in the Business Office, Library, and other office groups.  After some research and several attempts at a resolution, our user support specialist, Blake Wolos, was able to get the computers working again. Only one specific model of computer experienced the issue, and the solution was to re-install a graphics card driver from a manufacturer's website.  

Blair Robotics Team Wins

Blair Robotics Team attended the Cliffside Cliffhanger, a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics competition, hosted by Cliffside Park High School, Cliffside Park, NJ, with 16 teams in attendance. Since the “Cliffhanger” was an official New Jersey FTC Meet, it meant that all of points earned are carried into the League Tournament at season’s end. The Blair Robotics Team was part of the Winning Alliance, the Highest Scoring Alliance, and independently had the Audacious Autonomous mode. Unlike most teams, the Blair team started their season by constructing a robot from scratch. In addition to perfecting their design based on participation in early practice meets, they worked especially hard to create an autonomous robot mode that was unmatched by any other team. This relied on extensive programming that the team was actively tweaking throughout the competition, a risky approach. The team embodied gracious professionalism in all their actions, even when challenging some questionable judging. Overall. they were well-regarded representatives of Blair Academy. Well Done!

Faculty Technology Workshops

On a regular basis during the school year, faculty can attend technology workshops designed to encourage and increase the use of technology on campus.  Some recent workshops include how to project onto the 133" screens in the Chiang Center for Innovation and Collaboration, creating a choose-your-own adventure activity for classes, and how to effectively use Google Classroom.  The workshops are typically offered during all class blocks on one or two days of the week in order to give faculty plenty of flexibility to fit these into their packed schedules.

Maker Space for Peddie Day

Recently Blair's freshman students used our new maker space to create Peddie Day banners that were not only inspiring, but also clean and professional looking.  Above, one of Blair's freshman students completes her project.  She used design software and Blair's new vinyl cutter during the class.  Mr. Garrant remarked that she "was super excited about her maker space creation".

Providing Technology Support to Parents

Parents and families of Blair students are important members of our community.  The technology team fields support requests from parents when issues arise related to logging in to the parent portal or submitting health forms.  We encourage parents who are having difficulty with either logging into the parent portal or submitting required information to send an email to the Blair ticketing system so that a member of our technology team can be in touch.

Viewing Past Livestream Events

Blair Academy maintains a Livestream account for live streaming of many popular events.  The channel can be accessed at this URL https://livestream.com/blairacademy and includes a list of upcoming events.  In addition to live-viewing, archived past events can be viewed at any time such as Vocal Ensembles, Instrumental Ensembles, Guest Speaker Events, Commencement, Baccalaureate, and Skeptics.

Library Database Moves to the Cloud

Last school year the library database was moved to the cloud. For the first time, the technology team is able to bulk upload student information into the database.  This saves time since librarians are no longer entering student information by hand.  It is also easier to manage and rely upon since it is less dependent on local conditions such as power surges or black outs.

New Controls for AV in Clinton and Bogle

The classroom audio visual systems in several classroom in Clinton Hall and Bogle Hall have received a redesign thanks to Assistant Director of Technology Sean Lex.  The new controls streamline switching inputs, and incorporate an audio jack for connecting to sound without the projector.  Old VGA wire connections have been upgraded to HDMI ports to keep up with the changing design of newer faculty laptops.

CIC Makerspace Information Site

A new website is the place to go for information on Blair's CIC Makerspace.  The site, created by Mr. Garrant, includes links to frequently asked questions, equipment information, safety, and procedures.  Anyone can reach the site through this link.

Computers for the CIC Media Lab

Each summer the technology office receives deliveries of computers for new spaces or for the replacement of outdated equipment.  This July, we received a shipment of 15 iMacs and a MacPro that will be installed in the Media Lab in the new Center for Innovation and Collaboration.  We are in the process of unboxing the computers, installing software, and preparing them to be connected to our network in time for the building's opening.

Automating Teacher Recommendation Forms

The technology team recently debugged issues with the teacher recommendation forms used in the college application process.  Teachers were experiencing many software-related issues and generating tickets to correct a malfunction in the PDF file.  In conjunction with College Counseling, technology office team reviewed the existing system, analyzed potential solutions, and created an automated process to address the issue.  The system combines the use of Google Forms, Google Spreadsheets, Google Docs, and Gmail. Teachers submit a Google form, a script creates a Google doc in the correct format, generates a PDF, and emails it as an attachment to both the teacher and college counselors. A final form is automatically saved in Google Drive and the information is stored in a Google Spreadsheet.

New Faculty Technology Training

New faculty are on boarded each summer, which includes training with the various instructional technology systems on campus.  One way to ensure they are comfortable with technology in the classroom is to enroll them as students in a Google Classroom class beginning as early as July.  The new faculty members receive a list of "assignments" or tasks to complete, as they approach their arrival on campus and beyond.  This new faculty class is team-taught by Lorry Perry, Dean of Faculty, Gwyneth Connell, Dean of Teaching and Learning, and Barbara Angiolelli, Instructional Technologist.

Remotely Monitor 3D Printing

Blair's new 3D printer models come with a camera inside the printer.  This streams a video of the process, allowing anyone to view their print job from a computer monitor.  As seen in the video above, the ability to view a print from afar allows for increased flexibility when monitoring large or complex print jobs. Issues can be detected and addressed without the person having to physically be in the printing room during the whole print.

Weber Hall Renovation

This past summer workers gutted Weber Hall to make room for the Mathematics Department.  As seen in the video above, all the interior space was cleared out and eventually rebuilt.  Included in the plans were more multiple projectors in classrooms similar to the one experimental classroom that used to be located on the ground floor of Timken Library.  The technology office ran wiring and connected the building to the rest of the campus network.

Programming Students Create a Dynamic Map

Writing complex code was the solution for students in Mr. Garrant's programming course.  One group of students came together to explain in a simple and visually appealing way the reach of our own Blair.edu website.  Using Google Analytics and Java, they were able to gather information and then plot the website's hits on a map of the world.  Students presented their overall project objectives as well as the written code. They were able to explain the challenges they faced, and ultimately what they would do differently.

Package Delivery Software System

Beginning in July 2017, the Blair bookstore deployed a new software system to track packages and notify recipients of deliveries.  Scanners and an app work together with the cloud-based software to help Blair's staff manage all aspects of package tracking.  It includes arrival information, student notifications, and pick-up confirmations.

Drone Club

Blair from the Sky from Blair Academy on Vimeo

In Blair's drone club, members learn to fly a drone and operate its camera.  For those who don't have a drone of their own, the club supplies parts and encourages members to build their own devices.  Aerial drone club footage of campus and community events is often shown at school meetings and shared in the Blair Oracle.  The video above of the Blair campus was made by Blair students participating in the Drone Club.

Fiber Optic Cable and Phone Lines for the CIC & Weber

The technology office staff oversees the installation of fiber optic cabling and bundled copper phone lines for any new construction on campus. This summer included wiring to and from both the Center for Innovation and Collaboration and Weber to the main campus network.  Blair uses single mode fiber, and is the process of upgrading to a 10 MB fiber backbone between buildings.

Admission Office Remodel

A set of rooms in the admission office is being renovated this summer.  All furniture and equipment  from the rooms has been removed, including the phones and computers.  Once the work is finished, the technology team will  reprogram the phones and reconnect the computers.  Some renovation plans include changing the location of phones, computers, or wireless access points and the technology team coordinates the rewiring of jacks and reprogramming of phone lines.

CIC Makerspace Equipment Preview

In preparation for this fall's opening of the Center for Innovation and Collaboration (CIC), the technology office has obtained the electronic fabrication equipment that will be in the makerspace in the new building.  We are currently setting up and testing this equipment in the robotics classroom, Timken 003 and encourage members of the Blair community who will be on campus this summer to stop by.  The equipment includes:

1)     Four 3D printers, including a new model which we are piloting for the first time.

2)     A 3D scanner, which renders a real object into a 3D model on the computer for editing or printing.

3)     A wide area color laser printer, capable of printing poster-sized images

4)     A special printer and thermal press, used for printing custom t-shirts or other types of fabric and materials

5)     A vinyl cutter, used for making stencils, labels, magnets, and a variety of art applications

6)     A very large laser cutter, capable of cutting most flat pieces of material, including sheet metal.  Also capable of etching pictures & words on materials. 

7)     A set of dedicated electronics equipment, used for making and testing electronic circuits.

Photography Class Portfolio Website

As part of their final project, Mr. Trish's students in Advanced Digital Photography launched a website in which students shared their photography portfolios online. On Wednesday, May 24, the class welcomed members of the Blair community to the A-Block class for the official launch of the website.  Every student has a portfolio that showcases their digital work.  View the site here:  https://www.blairacademyphoto.com/

Nursing Staff Training

A new health care management system replaced paper-based record keeping processes in Blair's health center.  This not only increased the security of student health information but also made it easier for parents to submit student information required for registration.  Barbara Angiolelli, instructional technologist, provided initial training for the nurses on the use of the new software.  The training is part of an annual process of keeping staff up to date on the use of new software and information systems.

Library Circulation Desk Computer

Sean Lex, Assistant Director of Technology, upgraded the computer used at the Timken Library circulation desk in May.  Although Blair has supported electronic scanning of books and materials checked out of the library for many years, keeping the computer at the circulation desk up-to-date ensures a quick check-out experience for our library patrons.  The older desktop computer was replaced with an new all-in-one computer that runs faster and more reliably.  Keeping computers up to date is an important part of providing a consistently good user experience.  All school computers are replaced no less frequently than once every four years.

Golf Pro Shop

A point-of-sale software system runs on a computer in the Golf Pro Shop and tracks the sales and rentals related to the running of Blair's golf course.  Since the 9-hole course is open to the public, keeping records is vital to the operations of the pro shop.  Recently, an anti-virus scan ran concurrently with a Widows update on the point of sale computer and caused an issue entering sales.  Hal Kay, database administrator, was able to troubleshoot the issue and return operations of the pro shop to normal.  This level of debugging and support happens on a daily basis throughout the offices at the school.

Insley Hall Network Upgrades

Over time, Blair's Wi-Fi network must be upgraded periodically in order to provide a good user experience.  Students are often most concerned about the quality of internet in the dormitories.  The technology office frequently works on such upgrades when the students and faculty are away on break.  This year during Christmas vacation the technology office staff upgraded all of the existing wireless access points in Insley Hall and installed several additional ones.  This allowed more devices to connect at one time to the internet from a particular area of the building, and greatly improved smartphone connectivity.

Students Program Robotic Arm

Students in Mr. Garrant's Robotics class demonstrated their ability to successfully program a robotic hand.  In the video above you can see that the robot mimics the actual hand movements of a student using a glove with digital sensors.

Lightning Strikes Bogle

Bogle Hall was struck by a bolt of lightning during a recent spring storm.  The lightning strike damaged a network switch, taking the network offline in that building around 4:00 pm on Friday, April 7th.  To resolve the issue, Sean Lex, Assistant Director of Technology, replaced the switch and brought the building back online an hour later. 

Sophisticated Phishing Attack

A sophisticated phishing attack, which extended beyond Blair, recently impacted users on campus.  The attack involved malicious software that generated emails, which looked like shared Google doc links.  In response, the technology office immediately sent out an email on how to avoid spreading the attack, along with directions of the steps to take to protect their accounts.  Technology office staff then blocked the domain and sender from which the emails were coming to stop the spread of the attack on campus.  To learn more on how to protect yourself from phishing attacks, please view the article found at this LINK.

Responding to Netflix Issues

Students and faculty are occasionally frustrated to discover that access to Netflix through the school internet connection stops working.   This most often happens immediately after a school vacation, and is initiated by Netflix's own automated security systems.  The problem is caused by a large number of Netflix accounts being accessed both from multiple countries and then through the single internet connection of the school.  This makes some Netflix accounts appear fraudulent to Netflix's systems.  Blair fully supports the legal use of streaming video content in the campus's residential environment.  The technology team works directly with Netflix to resolve these issues as quickly as possible when they occur. 

Our Technology Office Recycles

Each year, Blair's technology office recycles the outdated and broken electronic equipment that has collected over the school year.  We work with an offsite recycling company to ensure that all data has been electronically wiped from the devices before they leave the school.  We send equipment to be recycled rather than sent to a landfill to reduce waste.

Maintenance Work Requests

Blair supports software for submitting and managing maintenance work requests for grounds and facilities.  The software generates login accounts for users to view their work requests, using the password listed prominently at the top of the login page.  The submission form includes fields to allow the user to specify details, and to help the maintenance team respond appropriately.  The person submitting the request will get an automatic email summary whenever he or she submits a work request and can check on the date the work was completed.  Users on campus can click HERE to access a how-to document listing all the steps.

Conductive Thread Tie

Students in Mr. Garrant's class worked on a fabric electronics project that incorporated conductive thread and voice commands.  Lights sewn into the tie with the thread respond to voice commands including blinking fast when loud noise is detected and lighting up fewer bulbs when noise levels are low.  "It's a work in progress," says Mr. Garrant, but he encourages his students by stating that debugging the system is part of the learning process.

The Blair Maker Space

Students build a robotics competition arena

The Blair Maker Space provides an open area for students to work on different kinds of projects for classes or activities. In the slide show above, Mr. Garrant's students built a full scale robotics competition arena in the Maker Space. The purpose of the space is to encourage projects that might not be possible in a traditional classroom.  The space is available for classes to use during the school day.  After school, both the robotics and Makerspace activities meet here.  Students work on building robots, which compete with robots from other schools.  Students are also able to work on a variety of creative projects based on their interests.

Record Screen for Technology Help

Blair's Technology Work Request form gives users the ability to record their computer screen when requesting technical support.  The link to record the screen can be found at the bottom of the work request form. The form is accessed through the Faculty or Student Portal in the left hand navigation pane.  Click Work Requests, then click under Computer and Phones work request. Technical support can always be requested by sending an email to tech@blair.edu, this form just makes it easier to record your screen to explain an issue.

Faculty Write Without Typing

Writing feedback and comments for students is an integral part of the Blair faculty experience. Historically, hand-written notes were sent to Blair families.  This was eventually replaced by typed words.  Now, new technologies are helping to forge a new way to write.  Using a feature called Speech-to-Text, anyone can speak words which are converted to text in many applications, including Google docs. Possible applications include lecture notes, reminders to students, and even comments on student report cards.  One veteran faculty remarked that the feature is "Amazing!", saving precious time for those for whom keyboarding may take longer than writing or speaking.

Fire Alarm Panels

Around campus, fire alarm panels have the ability to dial out in case of emergency and the Technology Office works with the Business Office to ensure these are working at all times.  Each alarm has two phone lines to create a redundancy and increase reliability. Recently, one of the panels was displaying a generic telephone error and the Business Office alerted the Technology Office to the error.  To troubleshoot, a number of sequential steps must be taken including testing for dial tone from the PBX ports in the basement of Clinton, to the terminals in Freeman Hall, and finally from the terminals to the fire panel.  If those tests are successful and we ensure the panel has dial tone, then it's on to an outside vendor to troubleshoot other possible causes.

Advancement Office Remodel

Recently, the Advancement Office space was remodeled to include a more open reception area and new office space.  The technology office was responsible for moving phone jacks and adding data wiring in order to accommodate the locations of the new work spaces.

The Construction of the Center for Innovation & Collaboration

With construction underway on Blair's new Center for Innovation & Collaboration (CIC), the technology office staff have been coordinating with the contractors who install the underground fiber optic and phone wiring.  This also involves planning for the Ethernet ports which support wireless access points and network devices such as switches and printers.  This planning and communication is necessary during the construction in order to ensure that the technology in the building will be ready when it opens.  A time lapse video of the construction is available here.

Blair Robotics Team

For the first time ever, Blair students participated in a robotics competition in October. The students were tasked with building a robot and programming it for specific functions. Under the direction of Computer Science teacher, Mr. Garrant, the student team were finalists in the competition.