Teacher+Concerns

// (first draft based on resources from Harker Middle School) //
 * Staff Concerns regarding the 1-to-1 Student Laptop Initiative **
 * ** //Most Pressing Concerns// **
 * ** //Technical// **
 * ** //Logistical// **
 * ** //Program// **
 * ** //Facilities// **
 * ** //Pedagogical// **
 * ** //Student Preparedness// **
 * ** //Faculty Preparedness// **
 * ** //Rules/Enforcement// **
 * ** //Financial// **
 * // Most Pressing Concerns //**
 * Immediate technical support for both teacher and student laptops
 * How will staff and students access tech support from the help desk?
 * "Lunch and learns" with the teachers to help them problem solve with regards to what situations could come up and how they can handle them. For example, if a computer does not work, perhaps the teacher prints it and the student does the work on paper...
 * Technical support will be available to students (where) (how) before and after school, and during lunch periods.
 * Possibilities of Lenovo on-site technicians - explore and discuss...
 * Students are able to recharge their batteries (where/how)
 * Student "Crash Team" will provide support to teachers and students (where/how) (training, requirements).
 * Power access in classrooms
 * Use of power strips by teachers in their classrooms if they would like them.
 * It is up to a teacher whether or not s/he allows students to power up during their class.
 * Student storage in classrooms for backpacks/laptops
 * There will be student storage in the classrooms in specific, designated spaces (carts, lockers)
 * The laptop must always be in its storage cart, or (backpack/case) (unless in use)
 * There are 3 places a laptop can be: backpack, locker, or classroom. It must always be in a case.
 * Printing
 * There will be a laser printer available in every classroom.
 * Each printer will have a unique name so that students will know where to direct printing.
 * Printing is by permission ONLY. Students cannot print without a teacher ’ s permission.
 * Teachers are encouraged to have the students email them their work, put it in a drop box, or if the teacher wants the hardcopy of the work, the students can hand in a hard copy to the teacher the next day after printing out at home.
 * Use of Moodle online courseware...
 * Will create a school culture amongst teachers and students that sees printing as a privilege.
 * Gradually move towards paperless classrooms.
 * Ability of parents / students to install software?
 * Not allowed and prevented by security settings. Installation of home network and printer drivers will be assisted and by permission only (detailed policy needed...)

> > >
 * Classroom furniture: not computer ready? (small desks...)
 * Student laptop care in both backpacks and lockers (detailed policy needed...)
 * Laptop charging (detailed policy needed...)
 * Laptop security (detailed policy needed...)
 * Increased ease of cheating with laptops (detailed policy needed...)
 * Laptop Rule Enforcement
 * // Technical //**
 * Can we make it so that the kids cannot install games on to the laptops?
 * How can we be sure the laptops go home every day to charge and for safety reasons?
 * Laptops should be uniform and students should not be able to install their own software?
 * Giving parents and students admin privileges? Doable or disastrous?
 * Is internet bandwidth in school going to be enough for simultaneous student downloads and site access?
 * How will students back up their data?
 * Can we get a battery charging station in each building or classroom?
 * What are the energy saving methods on the laptops and how can we make sure the students use them?
 * Should we make Google talk and other web based IM services unavailable on campus but still allow teachers to use them and allow the students to use them at home?
 * Need access to emergency tech support (writing an essay and computer starts deleting text- who can we call?)
 * // Logistics //**
 * Storage
 * Put unique names/numbers on both laptops and cases
 * Laptops will take more time between classes to put back in locker and get to class
 * Is there enough space in lockers for laptops?
 * Identical laptop cases could be a problem. Case personalization will help prevent taking the wrong one.
 * Transport
 * Can we have kids take laptops home for a "trial" week to see how they are working and that they have everything they need?
 * How are we going to encourage the students to take their laptops home with them over night and on weekends (for charging)?
 * Protecting laptops in inclement weather – they cannot be outside when it is raining.
 * We need to reduce the number of books, materials students carry to school (ideas?)
 * Have classroom sets of book or online texts, or portion of texts, chapter by chapter
 * How do we make sure our students get the digital text books they need?
 * Training / Support
 * Can we have tech days parents can bring laptops in to have techs install custom software?
 * How do we get additional or new software installed on laptops?
 * Tech help center for students and parents - where and how?
 * Other
 * Can we allow students to decorate their laptops: it could lower loss and confusion, increases personal ownership.
 * // Program //**
 * Can we have one or two supervised lunch tables for laptop use during lunch hours?
 * "crash Team" on-site/on-time technical support.
 * // Facilities //**
 * Can we get laptop lockers for every wing to increase security?
 * Can we get additional power sources in classrooms?
 * Can we get furniture with built in power sources?
 * Make space inside every class to store laptops


 * // Pedagogical //**
 * How are we going to handle the increased ease of cheating?
 * How are we going to incorporate training for staff on new teaching methodologies?
 * // Student Preparedness //**
 * Can we also do Lunch n’ Learns for students?
 * How will we provide sufficient and relevant student training?
 * // Faculty Preparedness //**
 * Can we have peer mentors for teachers?
 * How are we going to fit in the training needed for teachers within an already tight schedule?
 * How can teachers help the students who do not know what they are doing?
 * Requirement: train teachers on server and folder locations
 * Can we have after school training in addition to lunch n’ learns?
 * Do not put pressure on teachers to use the laptops "all the time."
 * // Rules and Enforcement //**
 * **//__ Proposed rules: __//**
 * No non-academic use except under staff direction
 * Laptop should be in its case or in the locker when not in use
 * In class use is up to the teacher as either optional use, required use, or forbidden use
 * Administration will announce geographic areas where laptop use is never permitted
 * Students cannot print without a teachers’ permission.
 * // Additional concerns/questions: //**
 * What are the consequences for loss and misuse of laptops?
 * What is the consequence if they borrow a laptop from a friend if they left theirs at home?
 * e-mailing homework to each other (cheating, copying)
 * No laptops can be in PE / locker room, must return to locker unless the PE teacher specifically requires it.
 * How do we deal with students whose batteries are dead because they habitually do not follow power management procedures?
 * Should Instant Messaging (IM) programs be allowed? At school? At home?
 * How will we be sure students know the boundaries of use and enforce them?
 * Post laptop rules in all classrooms: consequences similar to assertive discipline
 * Put regulations for student laptops use in student handbook
 * How do we control non-academic use? (observation and consequences)
 * Consistency is a must for rules.
 * Orientation for students must include training
 * How are we going to prevent students from throwing their backpacks with their laptops in them against the wall/ground or dropping them from the upper lockers as they do all the time with their books?
 * // Financial //**
 * What is the potential cost/obligation to parents in the event of damage or misuse?
 * What is the real cost to the school?
 * How do we make sure that low income families have adequate Internet access at home?