With the need for a specific type of Windows 8 device for both teachers and students next year, the search has begun (okay, it began back at the Dell Roadshow, but I was really just window-shopping then) for a couple of models to fit the bill.
Our consultant from the workshop was quite strong on suggesting we contact Samsung to see what they had to offer. After some stuffing around to try and find someone to contact, I've done just that. It'll be interesting to see if they can meet our needs. They have some cool looking new Windows 8 devices available, but the big question is around whether they can provide local warranty and support at enterprise level (or better than retail level, at least).
But regarding getting hold of one of these new Windows 8 based machines to look at, there's not a lot available right now (September). I've been promised a look at a Fujitsu Q702 soon, and I may be able to get hold of a Lenovo X230T as well (which may or may not be able to run Windows 8). But other than that most of the manufacturers are telling me to wait until October 26, then they'll have something to show. That's scarily late in the year for staff PC's, which are intended to be rolled out in January at the latest.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
1:1 Planning Workshop
So, we've recently had our workshop on planning a 1:1 Computing rollout.
I didn't personally have a lot to take away from it, most of the content was the sort of thing I'd heard before, but I think our teaching staff really did get a lot out of it. Our consultant (Travis) has a lot of experience with 1:1 computing and was able to articulate the need for teachers to update their teaching to coincide with the rollout. Also, the importance of a Learning Management System was very apparent. The key to a 1:1 rollout is students being able to learn anywhere, anytime. If they have a device of their own this could be in class, at home, somewhere outside in the school grounds, at a friends place or anywhere with connectivity. The best way to allow for this is with an LMS, where lesson content is stored online and is available to the student anywhere learning doesn't have to stop when the timetabled class does.
So I guess we're going to need a new LMS, or to start taking the one we've got more seriously.
The other big takeaway from this workshop was the idea of pen-based computing. Teachers were instantly impressed by the idea that they can use a pen on the screen of a tablet PC to annotate documents and take notes. This was identified as a requirement for new staff computers (due at the start of next year) and the 1:1 student computers, as was the need for these machines to be the same(or similar).
Windows 8 is clearly going to be a feature here next year. Travis reinforced the advantages to that platform, meaning that we in the I.T. Dept. had better get familiar with supporting it ASAP.
Finally, I heard a great statistic that casts doubt on the efficiency of new touch-screen devices. Apparently research has shown that you're three times more efficient using a physical keyboard than you are using an on-screen keyboard. So typing on a touch-screen sucks... who woulda thunk it?
UPDATE:
So it's time for a budget re-visit as a result of all this. The addition of pen-based devices adds overall cost tot he machines themselves. Also an LMS looks like adding a mimunum $10k as well. The biggest budget yet just got bigger!
I didn't personally have a lot to take away from it, most of the content was the sort of thing I'd heard before, but I think our teaching staff really did get a lot out of it. Our consultant (Travis) has a lot of experience with 1:1 computing and was able to articulate the need for teachers to update their teaching to coincide with the rollout. Also, the importance of a Learning Management System was very apparent. The key to a 1:1 rollout is students being able to learn anywhere, anytime. If they have a device of their own this could be in class, at home, somewhere outside in the school grounds, at a friends place or anywhere with connectivity. The best way to allow for this is with an LMS, where lesson content is stored online and is available to the student anywhere learning doesn't have to stop when the timetabled class does.
So I guess we're going to need a new LMS, or to start taking the one we've got more seriously.
The other big takeaway from this workshop was the idea of pen-based computing. Teachers were instantly impressed by the idea that they can use a pen on the screen of a tablet PC to annotate documents and take notes. This was identified as a requirement for new staff computers (due at the start of next year) and the 1:1 student computers, as was the need for these machines to be the same(or similar).
Windows 8 is clearly going to be a feature here next year. Travis reinforced the advantages to that platform, meaning that we in the I.T. Dept. had better get familiar with supporting it ASAP.
Finally, I heard a great statistic that casts doubt on the efficiency of new touch-screen devices. Apparently research has shown that you're three times more efficient using a physical keyboard than you are using an on-screen keyboard. So typing on a touch-screen sucks... who woulda thunk it?
UPDATE:
So it's time for a budget re-visit as a result of all this. The addition of pen-based devices adds overall cost tot he machines themselves. Also an LMS looks like adding a mimunum $10k as well. The biggest budget yet just got bigger!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
It's not Travis Bickle.
... and I need to get that out of my head, seriously.
Anyway, Travis is the name of a consultant we've engaged to help us work on our 1:1 approach. He works for a company whose primary concern is to help schools with technology programs, and has previously been a teacher and run a program of his own.
It'll be good to get some outside help, a bit of perspective, and hopefully an impression of the scale of this (for those who seem to think it's just a matter of getting some computers). It will also be good for me to get an idea of where we stand with getting the teachers (and the way they teach) up to speed. That's obviously going to be crucial.
Anyway, Travis is the name of a consultant we've engaged to help us work on our 1:1 approach. He works for a company whose primary concern is to help schools with technology programs, and has previously been a teacher and run a program of his own.
It'll be good to get some outside help, a bit of perspective, and hopefully an impression of the scale of this (for those who seem to think it's just a matter of getting some computers). It will also be good for me to get an idea of where we stand with getting the teachers (and the way they teach) up to speed. That's obviously going to be crucial.
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