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Hackers release 500GB of data stolen in LA school district ransomware attack
500GB of sensitive data has leaked following a ransomware attack against the Los Angeles Unified School District, including Social Security and health info.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is dealing with a ransomware attack
The Los Angeles Unified School District is navigating a ransomware attack that originated over Labor Day weekend. It hasn't disrupted school operations and classes are scheduled as usual.
Verizon will provide free internet to students in Los Angeles
Verizon will provide free internet access to all students who need it in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the company announced today. This could help as many as 100,000 students continue to learn while schools are closed.
LA Unified School District under investigation for bungled iPad program
The Los Angeles Unified school district (LAUSD) may be in hot water over its failed iPad pilot project, reports the LA Times. A federal grand jury subpoenaed LAUSD documents relating to the bidding process for the US$1.3 billion initiative to equip faculty and students with computers and other new technology. As part of the program, Apple was awarded a lucrative contract to supply the school system with iPads, while Pearson was chosen to provide the curriculum for the project. The investigation is closely examining the pre-bidding communication as well as the bidding process following the revelation that former L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy had close ties to winners Apple and Pearson. Deasy spearheaded the iPad project during his tenure as superintendent and has denied any wrongdoing in the matter. According to the LA Times, the FBI seized the subpoenaed documents in a surprise visit to the district office this week. Following this seizure, current superintendent Ramon C. Cortines announced that the district is officially abandoning the iPad project. "We're not going to use the original iPad contract anymore," Cortines said Tuesday. "I think there have been too many innuendos, rumors, etc., and based on my reading of a great deal of material over Thanksgiving, I came to this conclusion. "As CEO and steward of a billion-dollar operation, I have to make sure things are done properly so they are not questioned." The iPad pilot program was hailed as ground-breaking when it was initiated in fall 2013. The ambitious program sought to equip the school system with cutting edge technology for learning, but the project struggled from the start. Students easily removed security provisions to prevent web browsing and social media, while teachers felt inadequately equipped to use the devices effectively in class.
The iPad's dramatic effect on special education
Teachers far and wide have already warmly embraced Apple's tablet for its wealth of educational possibilities, but a new VentureBeat article shows us a glimpse at how the iPad can be particularly beneficial for special needs students as well. Neil Virani, a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, received a grant that helped him put an iPad into the hands of every one of his students, and it's paying off. Virani uses the iPads to provide more flexibility in how he teaches. Using a wireless camera along with the TabCam app, he can carry out lessons anywhere and have the video streamed directly to each students' tablet. Using this, he can stream lessons from around his classroom or even outside, which previously would not have been possible, being the sole instructor in class. The content is stored and shared to video sites like YouTube where students can review parts they may have missed or didn't fully understand. Virani now has more time during class hours to carry out hands-on projects and lets the students view lecture material at home. Virani's method of teaching seems to be paying off, as he notes that every one of his students has shown improvement since being introduced with the iPad.
Daily Update for September 26, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
LA students override iPad restrictions, threaten program
As usual, the actions of a few are why the rest of us can't have anything nice... The Los Angeles Unified School District recently began rolling out a plan that would eventually provide iPads to every student in the LAUSD. However, within a week of handing out the first units, 300 students had figured out how to bypass school district restrictions that blocked sites including YouTube and Facebook. The district has now put an end to home use of the devices, and district sources say the misbehavior may delay the rollout of the full program. The restrictions were put into place to keep students from accessing a number of sites and services, including Pandora and Twitter. Those restrictions -- tied to a student profile on the iPad -- were also in place for off-campus use, which led to student complaints. To work around the restrictions, some students deleted their personal profiles. This bypass quickly spread to other students through casual conversation and social media. Administrators found out about the breach, and suspended home use of the iPads. LAUSD Police Chief Steven Zipperman reportedly suggested to senior staff that the district might want to delay distribution of the iPads elsewhere in the district until a way of keeping restrictions in place is implemented. Note: A video that was embedded in this post has been removed as it was auto-playing.
Daily Update for June 19, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
