Using the Computer Carts in the Classroom:
Please read the following guidelines for using the COW’s in the classroom. These practices came from teachers that use the cows and have been able to keep the computers working well. If you do these things up front, you will have less issues with the computers. Trust me!
1. Whenever you use the lab or a cart (or even a classroom computer), always have the students use the same computer each time. Put this on a word document like the one attached. That way you know who to talk to if any damage takes place.
2. Have Technology managers stand at the cart and hand out laptops. They unplug them, pull them out and hand it to the student. Some teachers even have a flow pattern for the classroom so that students are not running into each other while they are getting the laptops.
3. Train students to do a quick check of the computer before they start. Is there anything broken or missing? If so, report it immediately so you can talk with the student that used it last. (check your number assignment chart) They need to understand that if damage is not reported and the next person reports it, they may be blamed.
4. Walk around during class:
o Make sure they are on the site or project that they need to be
o Look at the task bar at the bottom (if they hide it, make them bring it up). Make sure they are not listening to music or a you tube video. This will slow everyone else in the room down.
5. Have your technology managers stand at the cart and put them away. Students hand the laptop to them, they check the laptop, put it in the correct slot and plug it in. They should make sure that:
o they are all facing the correct way
o they are all turned off( no power lights)
o they are all plugged in so they can charge
o cables are neatly tucked away and not hanging
o Some teachers have the students open the laptop so that the tech person can see that the keyboard and screen are ok. Then they shut them and put them away.
Other helpful suggestions for computers in the classroom:
6. When using video, show the video on the large screen instead of each person going there individually. This will slow down the computer and cause some people to not be able to view it.
7. If you will need to print, go over printing rules with students. They should not print until they have asked you and you have told them to go ahead. Don't have everyone send print jobs at the same time. Make sure that students know to not hit print again, if it did not work the first time. There is probably another error causing it not to print. Make sure they know how to check to see which printer the computer is using.
8. Have student save work often. Every 5 to 10 minutes. If they don't and the computer freezes, they will lose their work.
9. Help students to learn how to name files and put them in the H drive so they can find them again. Also tell them to save important documents in two separate places.
10. The laptop batteries will not last all day. It is a good idea to have every other class use the laptops and let them charge in between, then do the opposite the next day.
11. Check the troubleshooting guide to see if any issues you are having have a quick resolution. If you can't solve an issue, make sure you submit a help desk so that a tech person can fix it.
Remember that technology is a tool. Don’t use technology just for the sake of using it, make sure that the technology has a real purpose and allows you and the students to do things that would be impossible without it.