Before a Teacher is allowed to use the Mobile Laptop Lab, they must go through 1 hour Lab Use Training.

 

Contents of Mobile Lab A

 

24 Student Dell laptops

24 USB Mice – Basket contains alternative mice for those who would like them.

1 Wireless Printer

1 Wireless Access Point – LABA

1 Network cable – the Wireless Access Point must be plugged into a network port in order to gain network resources and Internet capabilities.

1 HEAVY Cart for recharging and storing laptops, printers, and mice

 

How to RESERVE the Lab:  The Lab can be reserved using the H.S. WIRELESS LAB Calendar at:  http://joomla.arpisd.org/webcal/wc022008y.htm

1.     Plan ahead – reservations must be made at least three days in advance but not more than 3 weeks in advance.

2.     You must be trained in using the lab. Schedule time with technology staff before use.

3.     Keys are to be returned with the lab.

4.     To allow equity, teachers will not be allowed to reserve the mobile lab for more than three consecutive days.

 

About the Cart: The cart requires 2 keys to open it. This cart is heavy and will require 2 people to transport it from one area to another. The cart has two electrical cables and plugs for charging the laptops. The two cables MUST be plugged into DIFFERENT circuits. This means that both electrical plugs CANNOT be plugged into the same wall socket. You will have to stretch the cables across the room to find 2 different circuits.

 

About the Batteries: The batteries have a life of about 3 hours, which means that the laptops will need to be returned to the cart during lunch and after school for charging. BE SURE to plug them in as you return them to the cart!

 

About Laptop Care: Laptops do NOT belong in laps! Do not bang on keyboard or touch the LCD screen with your fingers. Please make sure that your students plug in the laptops for charging BEFORE you return the lab to the Tech Dept or before you store the lab. Please make sure that students do NOT turn off the machines, but simply log off and close the lids (if they are to be stored on a cart). Please make sure that you instruct them to keep their fingers OFF the screens. Please make sure that they have clean hands BEFORE they use the laptops.

 

Storing the Cart Overnight:  Always store the cart with the power cords plugged into the appropriate wall outlets so that the computers are charging. When returning the mobile cart to the computer lab, the teacher must plug the cart into the wall outlet and the network cable into the port. If the lab is reserved for consecutive days, the locked cart may stay in the classroom overnight with all power connected and cart doors securely locked.

 

Substitute Teachers:  The mobile lab will NOT be allowed in classrooms with substitute teachers in charge. No exceptions.

 

Repairs / Damage: Report any suspected problems with equipment or software to the technology staff immediately. Do not attempt to repair or disassemble any lab equipment. Unreported damage may result in administrative action.

 

Setting up the Classroom:

1.   Open cart

2. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the laptop

3. Bring computer to a flat work surface.

4. To open laptop…Push the front latch to the left.

5. Power ON – If the top right power indicator light is green, the power is already on. Also there are indicator lights that show the battery charge status and the wireless status.

6. Most of the time, you will find the machines with power ON.

 

7. Wireless Capabilities

a. The laptops themselves can be wireless as long as they are in the same room or proximity to the plugged in cart.

b. Wireless indicator light should be on – The wireless indicator light is located on the right side of the machine near the power indicator light. There is a small tower (wireless) button next to the power button. It turns OFF and ON the wireless function for the laptop. Normally, you will NOT have to use this button as all laptops are set for wireless access.

 

FYI: All the blue lettered keystrokes may be activated in combination with holding down the blue Fn key.

c. If a laptop is charged yet not in proximity to the cart, it may be used with a network cable plugged into a port

    8. When finished working, logoff or shutdown, close the machine, return it to    

        the cart shelf and plug the power supply cable back into the computer.

 

Printing

• Currently, all laptops will print to the printer installed on the cart.

 

STUDENT USE POLICY

It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher to teach students the proper use and care of the laptop computer. Some of the items that must be reviewed with students include:

1.   The mobile lab is governed by the Arp ISD LAN and Internet Acceptable Use Policy.

2.   Laptops MUST remain on a flat desk surface at all times. Carrying the laptops around the room is NOT appropriate.

3.   No horseplay around the computers.

4.   Do not touch the monitor.

5.   Do not attempt to clean the monitor.

6.   Students should come to class with clean hands.

7.   Students must use their own user name and password.

8.   When the student is finished using the computer, the computer should be returned to the cart.

9.   Playing games or music is not permitted – only for a curriculum related project.

10.         Downloading software is not permitted.

11.         Internet use is for academic and educational purposes only.

12.         Shut down the computer at least 7 minutes before the end of the class so that there is enough time for all computers to be returned to the cart.

13.         If students need to leave their desk or room, machines should be put back in the cart.

 

Please do not leave computers unattended.