Using the MacBook Mobile Lab

1. Using the MacBookMobile Lab Guidelines and Procedures

2. Rules for the Computer Cart • Have a teacher present at all times. • Be vigilant in the class, patrolling the aisles, monitor with ARD3. • Use a Problem Sheet. • Keep the computer cart organized.

3. Use of the MAC Mobile Cart • Develop a list of student rules for use. • If there are problems – use a form and tape it to the computer. • Report problems to TTL/Help Desk.

4. Planning–Procedures–Routines • Plan the routine for using the laptops. • Develop aProcedure so that students know exactly what to do and how to proceed from the beginning to the end of the lesson when using the laptops. • Established a Routine for the procedures so that there is no confusion.

5. Bottom Line • What happens the first time you use the laptops, will set the tone for future uses. • Stay positive–expect the best. • Make expectations clear. • Establish rules for managing the mobile lab. • Explain the reasons for the rules. • Stick to your guns. • Post the rules and consequences. • Be fair, firm, and consistent. • Follow through.

6. Establishing Procedures • Procedure for checking out laptops from cart • Procedure for handling laptops • Procedure for printing • Procedure for reporting problems • Procedure for students seeking help • Procedure for using laptops when working in a group • Procedure for saving work • Procedure for putting laptops away

7. Three-Step Approach to Teaching Procedures • Explain: State, explain, model, and demonstrate the procedure. • Rehearse: Rehearse and practice the procedure under your supervision. • Reinforce: Re-teach, rehearse, practice, and reinforce the classroom procedure until it becomes a student habit or routine.

8. Cart and Laptop Care • Assign or have students sign out for laptops. • Use extra AC adapters to preserve batteries. • Match the Number slots and MacBooks. • Have containers for the mice, headsets, and extra AC adapters. Number these as well. • Create a monitor team for each classroom/period.

9. About Rules • Present your rules clearly, and provide reasonable explanations for the need for them. • Consider having students help establish the rules. • Write the rules down, and permanently post them in the classroom. • Give them to students on paper and have them sign an agreement.

10. Main Rule If you break the rules, you do not get to use the laptop. Price: $1529.00

11. Student Responsibilities

12. Student Responsibilities • Stay on task. • Save every 5 minutes. • Shut down computers properly. • Return computers to the cart. • Report problems. • Carefully plug laptop back in to AC adapter.

13. Consequences • Keep in mind that rules are most effective when there are consequences to face if students break them and rewards if students follow them. • What happens after the first, second, third infraction? • What happens if they do a good job?

14. Tips • Plan for at least one computer being down. • Set time limits for students to help them stay on task. • Allow enough time for saving, cleaning up, monitoring, etc. • Figure out who the techies in the classroom are and use them.

15. More Tips

16. Remind the Students • Be patient–sometimes laptops require time to do their job. • Be gentle with keyboards, monitors, and AC adapters. Repairs may not happen. • Ask if you are not sure. • Rule of 3– Ask two students before ask teacher for help. • Share if learn something new on the laptop or in application.

17. If you give a student a MacBook… If you give a student a MacBook . . . Does it really make a difference? Do students really want to come to school? Do teachers teach differently? Are students excited about learning? Does it help to instill the love of life-long learning? Does discipline go down? Do test scores and attendance go up? The answer to ALL of the above is YES!

18. Laptops funded by Fran Newberg, Executive Director Paula Don, Director