Barbers+Hill

//Roundtable discussion led by James Banks, Barbers Hill ISD// //Wednesday, February 9, 2011// //TCEA Annual Conference// Barbers Hill has an enrollment of ~4,000. Wireless network must be robust 2 pilot classes: Staff Development Maintenance Miscellaneous: Barbers Hill web site: [|Laptop Handbook] [|Orientation] (video) Atlanta ISD 1:1 initiative: [|http://connections.atlisd.net]
 * Catching the Vison of 1:1 Laptop Programs: Everything You Need to Know to Make It Work**
 * Test a full class in various locations
 * Get lower end APs, reduce power
 * 1 AP per classroom (manufacturers say 100/AP, but 30/AP is more practical
 * 1 tech-savvy teacher
 * 1 non-tech-savvy teacher
 * 2-day 1:1 workshop for all new teachers.
 * All staff must do 2 days of staff development.
 * Training is done by subject area or grade level; much is teacher collaboration to develop lessons using laptops.
 * First year saw high amount of breakage: wrong kind of case, learning curve among students as to care that must be taken
 * Full-time technician on each campus
 * Order 10% overage to cover theft, 6 extra to break down for parts
 * Get total and complete care warranty – covers everything but theft
 * Charge kids usage fee to cover insurance for theft
 * Fees & fines for breakage – fund parts, additional laptops
 * Students keep same laptop for 4 years – incentive to take care of it
 * After third incident of breakage, student must pay full cost of repair.
 * Theft requires police report (there must be credible evidence of theft).
 * Students must report the theft within 48 hours, or they are responsible for the full cost of replacement.
 * Communicate your vision
 * Go beyond four walls
 * It’s how kids interact
 * 5-year-bond
 * When presenting to school board, convey philosophy (what we are trying to accomplish), not tech talk.
 * The cost of building a classroom is ~$350,000. If you dismantle computer labs, you have additional classrooms that won’t have to be built.
 * Most batteries last 6-8 hours – get long power strips with multiple outlets for ~$10, put 3 in each classroom for students who need it. (Charging battery is part of student’s homework.)
 * Content filter – Lightspeed & M86 will filter through school’s filter no matter where they access the Internet from.
 * Use formfit cases so nothing else will go in it (reduces screen cracking). [Infocase]
 * iBus through Verizon allows full Internet access on buses.
 * During summers, hire high school students to repair, reimage, etc.
 * Make host name correlate to student ID number.
 * Turn off all software updates (Adobe Reader, Flash, etc.). Handle updates with summer reimage.
 * Use Stopzilla for supplemental A-V.
 * Track printing with banner pages
 * Auction off EOL laptops
 * Gaggle.net for social networking, chat, email, etc.