Reflective Post # 12

Computer Troubleshooting for Teachers and Students

The website focuses on troubleshooting school computers in which both teachers and students can use.  It breaks down different problems into categories which makes it easier for searching for your issue. These categories give troubleshooting for problems that both teachers and students could face in a school setting.  The categories are as followed along with what is included in each section:

• Common Input/Output Devices:  Monitors, Keyboards, Mice, Speakers
• Internet and Networking:  Network Connections, Internet Browsers
• SMARTboard and Projectors:  Interactive Whiteboard, Projector, SMARTBoard Notebook Software
• Microsoft Office Applications:  Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Printers and Scanners:  Inkjet, Laser, Networked, Scanners

I think this website was a good website to be bookmarked.  I have also shared it with the technology teacher.  It gave good steps that are broken down that can be followed by teachers and even students to be able to fix problems first on their own.  I personally have not had to troubleshoot any problems.  In my gym, I do not have any technology that was listed on this website.  However, with my experience in the computer lab for my practicum class, this would be a good website to have on hand to help the students if need be.  When I am in the computer lab, I have not had any issues yet (hope I didn’t just jinx myselfJ).  If I do though, I now have a website to go to for help if I can’t take care of the problem myself.

A Computer for Every Student and Teacher: Lessons Learned about Planning and Implementing a Successful 1:1 Learning Initiative in Schools

This article talks about a study with one computer per student (1:1) where recommendations were given based on the evaluation of the study.  This study was done in North Carolina with high school students.

The article gives critical issues that are critical for 1:1 success.  The 8 issues included and what recommendations were given are:

1.  Deployment:  It is recommended in the article that six months of planning and preparations should be done with laptops.  Teachers should receive their laptops in the second semester of the year while students receive theirs at the start of the next school year.  Extensive professional development should be done on how to use the laptops in the classroom prior to the next school year.

2.  Wireless Network:  The wireless network, bandwidth and capacity is important when students are 1:1.  It needs to be strong enough to support the amount of users using the network.  An evaluation should be done before implementing a 1:1 environment.  Retrofitting, upgrading and connectivity should be checked.

3. Hardware & Software Tools:  The most important part for a successful 1:1 implementation is selecting the right device and tools.  Power, peripherals, repairs and laptop loaners are important to consider as well along with teaching resources and learning resources.

4. Policies & Procedures:  The policies and procedures are in accordance to the acceptable laptop use.  Other issues included in policies and procedures are student participation, security and storage, virus protection, teacher access privileges, blocked websites/filters on student devices, email accounts, saving work, discipline, cheating and cyberbullying, classroom management.

5. Support Personnel:  There are different personnel needed for a successful program.  One is the technology facilitator who is to help students and teachers in their use of technology to improve learning.  Another is on-site technicians who help with tech support.  Last, student technology teams who are student volunteers that help support the program.

6. Professional Development:  The article talks about specific professional development that is recommended.  These include content-specific PD, hands-on activities, instructional strategies, lesson planning sessions, site visits, assessment with technology, differentiated levels of PD, classroom management and policy issues, opportunities to interact and collaborate, on-going support, more time to plan and practice, and “just-in-time” mentoring.

7. School Leadership:  The article states that leadership should be consistent, supportive, and distributed which helps promote a 1:1 learning environment.  Also, leaders need to have a vision, shared decision-making, advocacy, infrastructure, professional development, evaluation, and communication.

8. Sustainability:  This section of the article mentions budget planning in which should be a short- and long-term plan.  The article also mentions stakeholder engagement in which is the key in facilitating sustainability.

The article concludes that all of the recommendations are important for informing future 1:1 initiatives at schools.  The results from this study suggests that “1:1 learning environments better prepare students for their futures in globally-connected, technologically-supported world.

After reading all that needs to take place before going 1:1, it is definitely important to make sure all are in place so the program can be successful.  After going 1:1 this year with high school students at the school I teach at, I assume our technology coordinator was very busy this last year in getting around for 1:1 this year in the high school for the first time.  I believe the 1:1 is going well, as we are in the pilot year, the only issues I have heard have been students not keeping their laptops charged.  Other than that, I believe everything has been going well with 1:1.