This is so helpful. In our science lab we actually have them on shelves in
cabinets that are supposed to be locked each evening (though just tonight, 1
of the cabinets was left unlocked). This year I spent time with each science
class and teachers to talk about care of computers and had the teachers
assign computers to students. It definitely works better than in the past. I
like the idea of numbering the adapters as they definitely get tangled.
Next year we will not have a computer lab. We will probably put the
computers on carts, but not move the carts. We can only afford 1 set of
computers per floor. I definitely will implement a modified version of your
routine though I'm planning on probably getting a little shopping cart that
we put the laptops into to bring to the classrooms. I have asked for a
couple extra computers per floor, but don't know if I'll get them. I will
definitely get extra adapters.
I wish we could afford to at least get a set for every two rooms. But that
is not happening anytime soon.
Thanks for taking the time to write the detailed description.
Ellen
On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 6:32 PM, Renee Ramig <rramig@sevenhillsschool.org>wrote:
> I think it will be depended on how it is used. Our laptops are not used
> all at the same time by a class. They are used as kids need them, often 2-3
> in a class. Having a cart with kids coming in and out borrowing and
> returning laptops in this model was crazy. We moved to having the laptops
> on shelves this year, and it is has been so much better. We have 60 laptops
> on shelves in two back to back rooms. You can quickly see whether all are
> plugged in. The students can quickly grab a laptop, sign it out, and take
> off without having to reach into a cart. It is also much quicker to plug it
> back in. We also have a supply of extra power adapters, so students use
> these when needed rather than pulling them off the shelves.
>
> When we used a moving cart, this is what worked well for us:
>
> 1. Have 2-3 extra power adapters. Batteries dies, and kids will unplug
> them from the cart, and they often will not plug them back in.
>
> 2. Label the laptops, the slots, and the power cord ends with the same
> number. That way, when the power cords get tangles, and they will, students
> can more easily find their cord and not grab another cord which means
> somebody's laptop doesn't get plugged in. Also, the laptops end up in the
> proper slots.
>
> 3. Have at least two extra laptops beyond your largest class. For
> example, if your largest class is 20, have 22 laptops on the cart. There
> always seems to be some issue with 1-2 laptops, so this really keeps the
> stress level down having the extras.
>
> 4. Ask teachers to assign students to a laptop and have them keep track of
> who is assigned to which laptop. The extra two laptops on the cart are used
> if someone's assigned laptop has problems. Students shouldn't be using
> another student's laptop.
>
> 5. Ask teachers to assign laptop monitors in each class, even down to
> Kindergarten. These can be weekly, rotating assignments or a person that
> does it all year. Their job is to unplug each laptop and hand it to the
> student, and then plug them back in. It is their responsibility to make
> sure the laptops are all plugged in and charging at the end of a the class.
> With K-2, I found you need to have an adult with the monitor the first two
> times they do it, but after that, they can do it on their own. In 3rd and
> up, usually showing 1-2 kids once what to do and having them show the next
> monitor assigned works fine. If you have a cart that has a door on each
> side, have two computer monitors. If you just have one door, have one
> monitor.
>
> 6. Create some sort of repair system that is easy for teachers to use. We
> had half-sheets of paper on the top of the cart along with a pen that was
> taped down. The teacher (or older kids) would write up a problem sheet, and
> put it in my box. If the laptop was not usable while waiting for repair, it
> was put on top of the cart. However, if the laptop could still be used
> (e.g. missing key), it was left on the cart for use until we got to fixing
> it.
>
> 7. Obviously thinking about logins and local admin privileges will help
> too. Sometimes what you do for laptops might be different than for
> desktops. For example, if you are not giving the students local admin
> privileges, you need to make sure all possible printers they can use, where
> ever the laptops are being used, are installed since the students can't
> install themselves.
>
> 8. I find I need to reimage all laptops once a year. If I reimage all in
> the summer, I have a lot less problems during the year.
>
> 9. Train your teachers and students on procedures you want them to follow
> with the laptops. If you see problems, discuss with the teacher(s),
> students as soon as you see it. For example, if the laptops are not being
> plugged into charge, address it as soon as you notice it.
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> Renee
>
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--
Ellen Baru
Director of Technology
The Cathedral School
1047 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
Phone: 212-316-7447
Fax: 212-316-7558
E-Mail: ebaru@cathedralnyc.org
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