Management Issues

Physical Preparations and Precautions

Extra equipment

1. Improving group viewing:
• A scan converter to connect a television to the computer was recommended as the least expensive and most versatile means of providing a larger display. It is generally quite easy to get access to a television and the lights do not need to be turned off for viewing as is the case with other means of projecting the monitor display. Because of problems with distortion even with a 27 inch screen, a 32 inch screen or larger is recommended.
• An AV computer comes ready to be connected to a television.
• Alternatives to using the television screen include an LCD panel or other projection device.

 
2. Headphones so that students can take advantage of audio capability without disturbing others; (In the absence of earphones, turn off sound effects if possible, or at least turn down the volume, so as not to disturb others.)

 
3. External speakers, especially for whole group instruction;

 
4. A white board to minimize chalk dust;

 
5. A movable cart to facilitate presentations;

 
6. A disk for each student;

 
7. A whole host of electronic “goodies” which could serve to enhance computer-related projects: a scanner, a digital camera, a CD-ROM drive (generally standard equipment on most modern systems), a graphics tablet, a touch-screen.

Placement of the computer

1. Away from sources of damage such as the sun, dust, water and magnets;

 
2. Turned so that it is not a distraction to other students who are working at something else;

 
3. Allowing sufficient space so as to accommodate larger groups;

 
4. Situated so as to provide easy teacher access (This might not matter if a movable cart is available, but wiring for the network might make it impractical to actually move the computer.)

 
5. The monitor beside rather than above or behind the keyboard for better visibility during group work;

 
6. Easily supervised.

Basic care of the computer

1. Review or teach basic procedures for booting up, opening and closing files and applications, etc.;

 
2. Award a “computer license” when knowledge of the basics is established;

 
3. Do not allow eating or drinking near computers;

 
4. Set consequences for not following guidelines e.g. the license gets suspended.

File management tips

1. Store administrative files on a removable disk so students cannot access them. (Having files or folders password protected does not guarantee that some students will not be able to open them.)

 
2. Back up your work.

 
3. Organize how students’ files get named and where they are stored:
• useful, one word names;
• consistency regarding upper and lower case;
• avoid hard disk clutter — save files on individual student's disks.

 
4. Designate one day a month for hard drive cleanup.

Security Measures

1. Devise a storage system for materials: manuals, software, backup disks, help sheets, etc.

 
2. Use software, such as At Ease, designed to limit students’ access to files and applications other than those to  which they have a right. (Although be prepared for the fact that some students will manage to find a way around this.)

 
3. Using only school supplied disks and not allowing them to be used in outside computers can help to control problems with viruses.

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Created by: Jane Scaplen

last update January 29, 1999 | dernière mise à jour le 29 janvier 1999