Computer Lab Set-up Tips for:

Herbert Hoover Middle School

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Judy Dong

Leonard Raznick raznickL@sfusd.edu

John Kim mr.kim@sbcglobal.net

James Kehr kehrhoover@yahoo.com

 

Kent Chow chowA34@gmail.com

 

Christina Yan christina94545@yahoo.com

 

 

 

Organization (Lab set up: arranged for easy access, each computer uniquely labeled, students assigned to a computer)

 

All the computers are numbered. The teachers who sign out the labs pre-assign the students, two to a computer. The list of assignments stays in a centralized binder. Assignments may be done once at the beginning of the year or each time the lab is reserved.

 

One lab is on the first floor storage and the second location is in the library on the second floor. Reservations for Computer Lab One are made in a binder in room A10. Reservations for the Computer Lab Two are made in a binder in the library.

 

Concerns:

 

 

Leadership and Accountability

 

Thad Austin has been managing Lab 1.

Lab 2 will be managed by Katie Olsen.

Lab 3 is managed by Kent Chow.

 

 

Teachers who check out the labs need to inspect the computers before using, and most importantly, after using the lab.

It must be agreed upon by those who use the labs to undertake the responsibility of maintaining this important resource. Class control should already be well-established.

 

Concerns:

Who can check on the state of labs after being used by teachers?

Who on your school site is accountabile for all aspects of managing the lab?

Who are/is the main site contact between your school and the IT department?

From where will funding for upgrades and maintenance come?

 

 

Maintenance and Security

What has been done to assure that computers are in a secure location all the time?

Lab 1 is locked everyday in storage room on first floor A-wing. Reserved labs usually stay with one teacher all day. Accommodations can be made if more than one teacher wishes to use labs during the same day.

Lab 2 will be stored in the librarian's office when not in use.

Lab 3 is stored in the old photography darkroom in A34.

 

 

Concerns:

A technology team is needed to oversee maintenance, upgrading, and updating software and hardware. There is also a need for funding to provide extended hourly pay for the technology team. What system does everyone routinely use to report hardware or software issues as they arise? None have occurred. The check in/out procedure for teachers has a sheet where problems/repairs may be listed. How can we ensure that teachers who check out the labs will report any and all problems? Can trusted parents be asked to volunteer their time to help maintain the computer labs?

 

Accessibility for All

How can you ensure equity and accessibility to the lab for all classes?

Sign-up binder in Main Office and Library. By having a lab which can be reserved in A10 or the library as well as maintaining another lab which can be used in conjunction with Librarian will offer opportunity for whole staff to access this resource.

There are procedures that limit a teacher to 5 consecutive days of computer checkout.

 

Concerns:

Inservice for teacher training sessions on management of equipment, online activities, and resources.

 

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For more information:

Strategies for Managing School Computer Labs and Classroom Computers

by Wesley Fryer

http://www.wtvi.com/teks/labstrategies/