Wireless Laptop LabWireless Laptop LabUser ProceduresUser Procedures

Created byCreated byPamela HopkinsPamela Hopkins

for SUSDfor SUSDJanuary 2005January 2005

Components of the Components of the Wireless Laptop LabWireless Laptop Lab

CartCart– locking and wheeledlocking and wheeled

30 laptops30 laptops Laser printerLaser printer

– set as default printer on all machinesset as default printer on all machines

ProjectorProjector– for use with laptopfor use with laptop

Lab ManagementLab Management

Each school may want to set up utilization Each school may want to set up utilization recordsrecords– Keep track of who is using the labKeep track of who is using the lab– Keep track of when the lab is being usedKeep track of when the lab is being used– Share your data with the IT departmentShare your data with the IT department

Each school needs to set up a scheduleEach school needs to set up a schedule– Someone needs to be responsible for Someone needs to be responsible for

monitoring the schedulemonitoring the schedule– Sample scheduleSample schedule

Student ManagementStudent Management

You might want to consider training a You might want to consider training a student teamstudent team– To be responsible for taking the laptops out of To be responsible for taking the laptops out of

the cartthe cart– To be responsible for putting the laptops in the To be responsible for putting the laptops in the

cartcart– This will solve This will solve

The push and shove crowd around the cartThe push and shove crowd around the cart Give the teacher a chance to monitor the return of Give the teacher a chance to monitor the return of

the laptops more carefullythe laptops more carefully

Laptop Connectors and PartsLaptop Connectors and Parts

Something you won’t have to use. . .Something you won’t have to use. . .

Fortunately, Fortunately, you will not use you will not use the modem on the modem on campus campus because you because you will be on a will be on a wireless wireless network.network.

Connecting to the wired network . . .Connecting to the wired network . . .

If you are doing If you are doing Internet work that Internet work that involves a lot of involves a lot of intensive multimedia, intensive multimedia, you can have greater you can have greater speed and stability speed and stability by connecting to the by connecting to the wired network.wired network.

Talk to your site tech Talk to your site tech about the process.about the process.

The back of the deviceThe back of the device

Battery StatusBattery Status

The Windows power meter indicates the The Windows power meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the remaining battery charge. To check the power meter, double-click the icon on power meter, double-click the icon on the taskbar.the taskbar.

If the computer is connected to an electrical If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, icon appears.outlet, icon appears.

Low Battery WarningLow Battery Warning

A pop-up window warns you when the battery A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted.charge is approximately 90 percent depleted.

To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. immediately after a low-battery warning.

Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, If the battery runs completely out of power,

hibernate mode begins automatically.hibernate mode begins automatically.

Charging the BatteryCharging the Battery

Power down the laptop.Power down the laptop. Connect a power cord from the front of the cart to Connect a power cord from the front of the cart to

the laptop.the laptop. Place the laptop in the cart.Place the laptop in the cart. Be sure that the cart is connected to a power Be sure that the cart is connected to a power

outlet. outlet. The AC adapter charges a completely discharged The AC adapter charges a completely discharged

battery in approximately 3 hours with the computer battery in approximately 3 hours with the computer turned off.turned off.

Charge time is significantly longer if the computer Charge time is significantly longer if the computer is on.is on.

Basic User InformationBasic User Information

When setting up the computer for work, place it on a level When setting up the computer for work, place it on a level surface.surface.

When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself.its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself.

As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins.avoid bending any connector pins.

Before you connect a cable make sure both connectors Before you connect a cable make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.are correctly oriented and aligned.

Protect your computer, battery, and hard drive from Protect your computer, battery, and hard drive from environmental hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, environmental hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.

Save documents as you normally would Save documents as you normally would – Not on the C: driveNot on the C: drive– Not in the My Documents folderNot in the My Documents folder

Wireless Network InformationWireless Network Information

AirBars icon is the signal strength. AirBars icon is the signal strength. – Dark green airbars means strong signal. Dark green airbars means strong signal. – Yellow bars are weak signal.Yellow bars are weak signal.

Computer icon with ))) is the wireless network indicator. Floating the Computer icon with ))) is the wireless network indicator. Floating the cursor over it will reveal name of network, speed, strength and status.cursor over it will reveal name of network, speed, strength and status.

Red X on icon means wireless is not configured or is not working Red X on icon means wireless is not configured or is not working properlyproperly

When network is connected, there is no dot, no x, no yellow triangle When network is connected, there is no dot, no x, no yellow triangle moving--just a little computermoving--just a little computer

Regular wired network icon has dual, diagonal computers.Regular wired network icon has dual, diagonal computers.– Dual, diagonal computer icon with a red X means wired network is not Dual, diagonal computer icon with a red X means wired network is not

connected.connected.

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting If no connection, try restarting or repositioning the computer (Is a book bag If no connection, try restarting or repositioning the computer (Is a book bag

blocking signal?)blocking signal?)

After a single restart, if it continues not to work, put the computer away and After a single restart, if it continues not to work, put the computer away and notify your site tech or whoever is responsible on your site for the wireless lab.notify your site tech or whoever is responsible on your site for the wireless lab.

To wake up computer, hit power button. To wake up computer, hit power button. – Going to sleep could lock computer or completely log user out. Files could be lost, Going to sleep could lock computer or completely log user out. Files could be lost,

so be sure to save frequently.so be sure to save frequently.

Power supplies should be left in the cart, but can be removed if necessary.Power supplies should be left in the cart, but can be removed if necessary.– Be sure to plug the power supply back into the cart so that the laptop can recharge.Be sure to plug the power supply back into the cart so that the laptop can recharge.– Difficult to connect.Difficult to connect.– Be sure that laptops are shut down completely.Be sure that laptops are shut down completely.

These machines will slow down if trying to pull lots of graphics or multimedia These machines will slow down if trying to pull lots of graphics or multimedia over the network.over the network.

There might be an authentication message box that shows up on login. Ignore There might be an authentication message box that shows up on login. Ignore it patiently.it patiently.

Printer InformationPrinter Information Printer is shared.Printer is shared.

Teacher computer Teacher computer – must be on and must be on and – logged in logged in – so that other computers in the wireless lab can print. so that other computers in the wireless lab can print.

USB connection USB connection – must be disconnected before storing the computer.must be disconnected before storing the computer.– must be connected before using printer.must be connected before using printer.

Printer must be plugged in and turned on.Printer must be plugged in and turned on.– Printer can be plugged into cart and the cart plugged into the wall Printer can be plugged into cart and the cart plugged into the wall – or the printer can be plugged straight into the wall.or the printer can be plugged straight into the wall.

Teacher can delete print jobs from teacher computer as long as they are in the Teacher can delete print jobs from teacher computer as long as they are in the queue and as long as the jobs can be identified.queue and as long as the jobs can be identified.

Your staff needs to decide about how the paper will be managed.Your staff needs to decide about how the paper will be managed.

Teacher ConnectionTeacher Connection

Teacher LaptopTeacher Laptop– Top left corner of cartTop left corner of cart– Must be connected and logged in for printingMust be connected and logged in for printing– Will need to be used close to cartWill need to be used close to cart– Will need to be connected to power Will need to be connected to power

Facilitates printing and projectingFacilitates printing and projecting Can then be used all day long Can then be used all day long

General User GuidelinesGeneral User Guidelines

Treat the computer with respect. Treat the computer with respect. – Leave toolbars, background, and icons in Leave toolbars, background, and icons in

standard format. standard format. – Check hand hygiene before using the Check hand hygiene before using the

computer. computer. – Keep pens, pencils, notebooks, and books off Keep pens, pencils, notebooks, and books off

your keyboard.your keyboard.– Handle the screen carefully and gently.Handle the screen carefully and gently.– Keep food and drinks away from the laptop.Keep food and drinks away from the laptop.– When turning it on, do not hit keys, When turning it on, do not hit keys, etcetc. . 

Let it start up on its own.  Be patient. Let it start up on its own.  Be patient.

Be considerate of fellow users. Be considerate of fellow users. – Do Do not not save files on thesave files on the C: C: drive of the laptop.  drive of the laptop. 

Save to your Save to your H: H: drive, drive, Save to your flash key, Save to your flash key, or as directed by your instructor. or as directed by your instructor.

– Remember you are sharing these with other Remember you are sharing these with other students. students.

Close down all applications and Internet pages.  Close down all applications and Internet pages.  Go Go start>shutdownstart>shutdown when you are ready to put the laptop when you are ready to put the laptop

back into the cart. back into the cart.

– Never download from the Internet on any of the Never download from the Internet on any of the laptops. laptops.

– Do not install any software on the laptops.Do not install any software on the laptops.

Follow appropriate operating procedures. Follow appropriate operating procedures. – Once the login is up on your screen, type in your Once the login is up on your screen, type in your

district user name and password. district user name and password. – When opening applications, let the application open When opening applications, let the application open

up completely before opening the next. up completely before opening the next. – When you are finished, go to When you are finished, go to STARTSTART>>ShutdownShutdown to to

shutdown your laptop.shutdown your laptop.– Close the screen only when you have a Close the screen only when you have a black black

screen.screen.

Safely move the computers. Safely move the computers. – When walking with the laptop, When walking with the laptop, alwaysalways hold it hold it

with both hands.  with both hands.  – When moving the laptop, be sure to close the When moving the laptop, be sure to close the

screen.screen. When putting the laptop back into the When putting the laptop back into the

cart, cart, – Double check that the power plug is Double check that the power plug is

connected. connected. – Be sure that the laptop is powered off.Be sure that the laptop is powered off.

State Technology StandardsState Technology Standards

Arizona Department of Education Website for Arizona Department of Education Website for technology standards:technology standards:– http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/technology/default.asphttp://www.ade.az.gov/standards/technology/default.asp

PDF copiesPDF copies– RationaleRationale– Standard 1Standard 1– Standard 2Standard 2– Standard 3Standard 3– Standard 4Standard 4– Standard 5Standard 5– Standard 6Standard 6– GlossaryGlossary

Technology and AIMSTechnology and AIMS

The State of Arizona has announced its The State of Arizona has announced its intention to include technology intention to include technology

competencies on the AIMS tests for 2005competencies on the AIMS tests for 2005

Student Contract for use of LaptopsStudent Contract for use of Laptops

THE EULA for the district covers the use of the THE EULA for the district covers the use of the laptopslaptops

You may want to create a specific contract for the You may want to create a specific contract for the laptops at your skill.laptops at your skill.– Opportunity to instill in students Opportunity to instill in students

A sense of personal responsibilityA sense of personal responsibility Care for machineryCare for machinery Management skillsManagement skills

– Creates a critical learning process for each student and Creates a critical learning process for each student and teacher as a set of behaviors, movement, expectations, teacher as a set of behaviors, movement, expectations, and storage issues become part of the classroom and storage issues become part of the classroom experienceexperience

Sample student Sample student contractcontract

Laptops Laptops Contributions to the ClassroomContributions to the Classroom

Promote collaboration among studentsPromote collaboration among students Less intrusive than desktop computers in Less intrusive than desktop computers in

the classroomthe classroom– Save spaceSave space– Allow better teacher supervision because Allow better teacher supervision because

desktops are not blocking viewdesktops are not blocking view– Reduce the tangle of cablesReduce the tangle of cables

Require less change by the teacher to Require less change by the teacher to classroom routineclassroom routine

Most Common Uses of LaptopsMost Common Uses of Laptops

Research Research WritingWriting Note takingNote taking

Laptop Activities tend to beLaptop Activities tend to be

Cooperative GroupsCooperative Groups– Students become collaboratorsStudents become collaborators

Project-basedProject-based Student directed learningStudent directed learning

Fewer lectures in the classroomFewer lectures in the classroom– Teacher becomes facilitatorTeacher becomes facilitator

Most Common Software UsedMost Common Software Used

WordWord The InternetThe Internet PowerPointPowerPoint

Advanced features that are commonly usedAdvanced features that are commonly used– TablesTables– OutlineOutline– BulletsBullets– BookmarksBookmarks– All of which help access and organize information more All of which help access and organize information more

effectively.effectively.

Working with Laptops: The Effect on Working with Laptops: The Effect on Students Students

Engaged in the thinking processEngaged in the thinking process Able to problem solveAble to problem solve Support their peersSupport their peers Work independently Work independently Work in groupsWork in groups Develop a high level of self sufficiencyDevelop a high level of self sufficiency Develop a high level of confidenceDevelop a high level of confidence

Research has foundResearch has found

StudentStudent Access to technology Access to technology – Improves students’ writing Improves students’ writing – Encourages collaboration among studentsEncourages collaboration among students– Engages students in their schoolworkEngages students in their schoolwork

TeachersTeachers who use laptops to teach who use laptops to teach– Tend to use a more constructivist approach to Tend to use a more constructivist approach to

teachingteaching– Feel more empoweredFeel more empowered

Critical Learning for TechnologyCritical Learning for Technology

Structure activities so that students develop Structure activities so that students develop good habits in desktop managementgood habits in desktop management– FolderFolder– FilesFiles– SavingSaving– RetrievingRetrieving– OrganizingOrganizing– ManagingManaging

Problems Teacher may experienceProblems Teacher may experience

Difficult to predict amount of time needed to Difficult to predict amount of time needed to accomplish tasks with laptops (or any accomplish tasks with laptops (or any computers)computers)

Easy to focus so much on the technology Easy to focus so much on the technology that the technology becomes the content.that the technology becomes the content.

Three simple ways to avoid Three simple ways to avoid technology pitfallstechnology pitfalls

Plan on demonstrating what you want the students Plan on demonstrating what you want the students to do.to do.

Give the students time to practice using the Give the students time to practice using the software.software.– Children are natural explorers so let them explore the Children are natural explorers so let them explore the

software to learn what they need to knowsoftware to learn what they need to know

Explain expectationsExplain expectations– Rubric development Rubric development

Shared with the students at the beginning of the projectShared with the students at the beginning of the project Designed with student inputDesigned with student input

A Note about Wireless A Note about Wireless Networks and SecurityNetworks and Security

Wireless networks should Wireless networks should NOTNOT be used for be used for work that requires a high level of security work that requires a high level of security

(like credit card information) (like credit card information)

DocumentsDocuments

Calendar ScheduleCalendar Schedule Laptop Assignment SheetLaptop Assignment Sheet Sample User ContractSample User Contract