1:1 Portable PC Labs in K-6 Schools

1:1 Portable PC Labsin K-6 Schools by Stu Hasic – September 2010

Case study video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6-UR8nSuEs

Getting the Netbooks • http://tinyurl.com/derpurchase • Model No. 3507-A21 • Cost (currently) $480.19 ex GST • Order directly from Lenovo via email • (pcanzord_au@lenovo.com)

Getting the Trolley • http://tinyurl.com/deraccesories • Model: PCLocs Revolution 16 • Part No. 78Y5275 • Cost (currently) $1,744.05 ex GST • Order directly from Lenovo • (pcanzord_au@lenovo.com)

Getting Wireless Access Points(one per trolley purchased) • http://tinyurl.com/hpmsm410ww • Model: HP Procurve MSM410ww with One Port Power Injector (Supported by Sydney Region ITSU) • Part No. J9427B + J9407A • Cost (currently) $458 ex GST • Order directly from MatrixCNI • (Andrew Ratcliffe – 1300 850 400)

Getting USB Mice(one per netbook purchased - OPTIONAL) • http://tinyurl.com/dermouse(one example) • Part No. Tecom SF-8167 • Cost (currently) $8 inc GST (consumable item) • Order directly from AnyPC.com.au • NOTE: Lenovo have USB micefor $16.71 ex GST

Doing the Sums (one trolley) • One trolley fully kitted out: • PCLocs Revolution 16 Trolley • 15 Lenovo DER Netbooks (half a class) • HP Wireless Access • 15 USB Mice (approximate price) • $1744 + $7203 + $458 + $115 • Total = $9,520 ex GST (x2 for full class)

Important Preparations • Optimally condition every battery! • Fully charge & drain each battery 3 times • Organise a class booking schedule • ALLOCATE each student the same laptop each time • Have a process for reporting problems with individual netbooks

Important Preparations • Name each netbook appropriately • xxxxNETBOOK001 (where xxxx is school code) • Label each bay in the trolley according to each netbook name • Mark a Netbook number against each student on the class roll • Have a contingency plan for PC failures

Important Preparations • Setup Wireless Security on your WAPs • WPA2 with Pre-Shared Key • Use Sydney Region IT Services to get Supportable standards • Mount your WAP and Power Injector on a board for easy connection and setup • Label everything!

Important Preparations • Buy a Power Timer for each trolley • Don’t just plug them into power all night every night! • Only charge for about 4 hours • Don’t charge if the trolley wasnot used at all that day • This will extend battery life

Set Rules and Guidelines • All teachers and students need to understand how the Portable PC Lab works and how it should be used • Provide clear instructions and rules • Sample Classroom Netbook Use Procedures

For What Purpose? • Why do you want a portable PC Lab? • Where will trolleys be stored? • What can netbooks reasonably do? • How long will a session be? • What will the clear goals be for each netbook session?

Software? Sharing? Printing? • Beyond the pre-installed software, what else do you need? And Why? • Is access to the school’s server needed? • Is printing required? • If yes, to which printer? Who manages printing when 30 students in a class print at the same time?

Factor in the Future! • These netbooks have 2 years’ warranty. How long do you hope they’ll last? • Buying into 1:1 is not a one-off cost • Is there a replacement budget? • Batteries are consumables - $75 each! • Evaluate, assess and reposition!

Questions? • Of course. Who’s going to spend $20,000 or more without asking questions?

1:1 Portable PC Labs in K-6 Schools