Frequently+Asked+Questions

Information Systems (EIS) Agreement (Policy 518). ||
 * ** Can teachers access SAFARI Montage from home? ** Managed Home Access (MHA) became available in the fall of 2010! See media specialists for details or contact Media Services. ||
 * ** Is a substitute teacher able to access SAFARI Montage? ** Access to substitute teachers is being evaluated as security, user technology skill sets, and school policies vary. Please do not leave a substitute your login and password; that is a violation of the EIS Agreement. ||
 * ** Can students use SAFARI Montage using a teacher’s password? ** The video-on-demand system is considered a teacher instructional resource. As such, only teachers will have LDAP logins. As a reminder, logins/passwords not to be shared with students or other staff members as per the Electronic
 * ** Will students have access to SAFARI Montage? ** Technology Services (formerly MIS) department is addressing the feasibility of providing student access to SAFARI Montage. Further details will be forthcoming as technical issues are addressed. ||
 * ** What is Creation Station? ** Creation Station will allow the district and schools to upload their own content in to SAFARI Montage. Policies for adding metadata (making content searchable), alignment to state standards, and securing digital rights are currently in development. Limited personnel per school will have access to Creation Station. Those staff members will receive additional training and will be responsible for federal copyright compliance. ||
 * ** Can teachers upload their own materials in to SAFARI Montage? ** Teachers can currently add original quizzes, pdf files and urls to their playslist and can save flipcharts from Promethian Whiteboards. Additional upload rights will be granted to specific users at schools pending federal copyright guideline compliances and additional training as time and funding allows. ||
 * ** What is SAFARI Live? ** This is a web-based, video-conference tool that will provide connectivity for distance education, disseminating professional develop to teachers, and customization of many video conferencing scenarios. This has been implemented at the district level within various departments. Please contact Mark Leary (ext. 20450) for information or Linda Pingrey (ext. 38373) about training. ||
 * ** Should teachers back up their playlists? ** – Technology Services (formly MIS) will backup playlists but it is a good habit for teachers to periodically backup their playlists as a precaution to any unforeseen technical issues. Use the export feature to create a backup of your playlists. The file can be saved on a flash drive or CD.

If a teacher relocates to a different school, playlists will not go with their LDAP login but will remain at the original school. However, a relocated teacher can backup playlists and import them in to SAFARI Montage at the new school. If levels are changed, remember different content packages are available so if any videos are ‘grayed’ out at the new location, those videos aren’t available at the new site. || Teacher should use the same naming conventions for several reasons: (1) It reveals specific information that will be helpful to others; and (2) In the event that playlists are shared across the district, there is a ‘standard’ look and universal understanding of the grade and content of the playlist.
 * ** Is it ok to show SAFARI Montage content WITHOUT previewing? ** As with any instructional material, it is expected that teachers preview the material in advance of the lesson to determine its connections to curriculum indicators. The ease at which video content is segmented into chapters allows teachers to obtain summary information for each segment of the video. Segments can be previewed from the chapter summary information. ||
 * ** Do teachers have to use the recommended playlist naming conventions? **

Recommended naming conventions are available on the Media Services and the SAFARI Montage user group websites. || SAFARI Montage offers reporting features that include but are not limited to: activity log of users, popular video titles, playbacks by content packages, playback details, and usage data. Statistics will provide student achievement data on the use of visual literacy. At this time, reports are available by administrative requests to Customer Service. (ext. 20000) In the 2011-2012 school year, a possible upgrade to the system will allow school-based reports to be done at the school level. || The [|Management Information Services Department Help Desk]should be able to provide assistance with computer, audio enhancement systems, and data projectors concerns.
 * ** Will SAFARI Montage videos play on all district computers? ** Content was tested on various computers throughout the district. If you have a computer with 256 MB memory, it is suggested to request a memory upgrade to 512 MB (there are very few of these computers in the district) IF you have a lower memory computer, it is recommended that you close all other applications when online with SAFARI Montage. As these computers are refreshed, memory issues should be resolved. ||
 * **Will SAFARI Montage videos play on wireless connectivity? **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 11pt;">The efficiency on running on wireless is being tested. To preserve the quality of video playback, at this time, it is recommended to ‘hard-wire’ the computer to an Ethernet Network jack in the classroom. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">** What types of report features are available in SAFARI Montage? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">** What are the titles in the SAFARI Montage collections? ** Elementary and middle schools have the __K-8 Core__ __Collections__ and high schools have the __9-12 Core Collections.__ An [|online catalog] of titles is available. It is the hope to build the titles available in the SAFARI Montage collection if/when funds allows. Please note that since core collections were purchased, support areas (ie; art, music, P.E., Career Tech Ed, foreign languages, etc.) will not have standards aligned to their content areas but should be able to find resources from the core collections. The Media Services & Instructional Technology department will also upload additional titles pending digital rights, leasing options, and available funds. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">** Do you have a suggestion for additional content//?// ** Suggestions for additional content are welcomed. Media Services and Instructional Technology Department will coordinate all requests from school and district office staff by compiling lists and communicating with SAFARI Montage personnel. As we work with SAFARI, it is important that the SAFARI Implementation Team is knowledgeable of needed content and can approach these requests from a systemic advantage. Email suggestions to Brenda Breter in Media Services. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">** Can schools purchase additional SAFARI Montage content packages? ** Volusia County Schools has lease agreements for the current content packages. In order to centralize purchasing, obtain the best pricing, and ensure all schools have equitable access to information and ideas, at this time, we would not recommend schools purchase their own content for SAFARI Montage. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">** Where do I get assistance for the AV Projection Equipment? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The [|MIS Propeller Studio] offers online tutorials for hardware and equipment as well. || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">** How are complaints about SAFARI Montage content handled? ** The intent of the purchase of SAFARI Montage is to support classroom instruction, and, as such the content is considered “instructional material.” Any complaints regarding SAFARI Montage content should be handled as we do with textbooks, instructional materials, and library books. Please see your school media specialist and/or principal for the district procedures on handling challenged materials. ||