Primary and Early Years > Interest > Technical support

P21: How can I ensure that teachers and pupils understand how to use our new wireless laptops?
Author: Matthew Goodyear, ICT Test Bed Manager, Warren Junior School, Barking and Dagenham
Date: 2005

This is a highly valuable document for anyone managing the introduction of new technologies in a school. Matthew describes the process of introducing laptops and offers informed advice for embedding responsible, effective use of ICT by students and teachers, and for reducing reliance on technical support. He offers and expands on three key conditions for the successful implementation of technology:

o The ICT equipment should be fully tested in the classroom setting prior to use

o Staff and children should be trained in its basic use and care in the first instance

o Staff should be closely supported until they feel confident to work 'alone.'

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Primary and Early Years > Interest > Technical support

P22: How can technical support in a school help teachers?
Author: Rhodri Stone, ICT Technician, Warren Junior School, Barking and Dagenham
Date: 2005

Rhodri investigated how he could best provide technical support for the teachers in his school, with particular reference to how they requested assistance and submitted faults. He trialed a basic MS Word document which teachers would fill in and then email back to him. He then progressed onto a Microsoft Outlook custom form with drop-down menus, which was more time efficient. However his implementation of a third system, a Liberum Helpdesk which runs from the school intranet, has proved to be the most successful solution.

Evidence of this can be seen in the results of questionnaires given in staff meetings using the Classroom Performance System voting system. The same questionnaire was given before and after the online helpdesk system was operated. It revealed greater satisfaction with the new system, as well as identifying potential continuing professional development needs in order to maximise the value of the system for staff. The technician himself observes that the system has increased his time management efficiency.

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Primary and Early Years > Interest > Technical support

P44: Investigating the use of the Local Area Network ( LAN ) in a Primary School
Author: Lesley Oliver, Hunwick Primary School
Date: 2005

Summary

Lesley, a high-level teaching assistant, investigated the use of a LAN (local area network) within the Primary School. She discussed her findings with a teacher, the headteacher and a group of Year 6 pupils. The LAN is used for file sharing and internet access, with both wired and wireless access points.

All those involved agreed that they gained great benefits from using the LAN, although there were some reservations about the reliability and availibility of the wireless access points.

Action

Lesley compiled a questionnaire about use of the LAN and asked key members of staff to complete it along with a group of 3 Year 6 pupils. They discussed the ways in which they used the LAN, comparing it with the old system of stand alone computers.

Outcomes

Lesley concluded that the LAN was a great improvement on the use of stand alone computers. Of particular value was the ease of sharing documents among both staff and pupils. Another great advantage was the ability to access the internet from anywhere in the school, with the use of shared hyperlinks saving time and avoiding mistakes. The pupils enjoyed the internet access and the ease of handing in their homework electronically, although they did find it annoying when the wireless network was unavailable.

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