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Wireless Laptop
Carts
Wireless Laptop Cart Usage and
Procedures Booklet
The Cart | The Laptops | Building and
Classroom Management
There are 3 carts in each of the three Schenectady middle
schools. Each cart consists of 32 laptop computers, a printer, LCD projector
and wireless access point.
At the high school there are 2- 32 unit carts and 2 - 12 unit cars.
The Cart
Power
Cord and Network Cord
 The cart needs to be plugged into
an electrical outlet whenever the laptops are being used or are being
charged.
The cart also needs to be plugged
into an active drop whenever the laptops are being used. An active drop can
be found by unplugging a networked computer in your classroom and using its
drop. If you need to have a drop activated, submit a help desk ticket
through the Magic system.
Power
Switch
Up position: The switch must be up in order for
the laptops to receive a wireless signal from the cart.
Down position: The switch must be down in order
for the laptops to be charged inside the cart.
Middle position: The cart is on stand by with
no power to either its internal or external outlets.
Additional
Equipment and Information
The printer can be reached
from any of the laptops in the cart.
The projector can be
connected to any laptop on the cart or another desktop in the room.
A class set of headphones
and mice are included in a storage bin.
A binder with print copies
of the user guides for the software on the laptops is included.
A maintenance log
Tips for
Using the LCD Projector
While the laptop is off,
connect the video cable to the laptop and the projector. Plug in the
power cord.
Turn on the computer and
the projector.
The projector should
automatically display the image from the computer. If not, try the
following:
Model 6110, hold the function key (fn) while pressing the F4 key. This will
toggle between 3 options. Select the option you wish to use.
Model 9030, hold the function key (fn) while
pressing the F5 key. This will toggle between 3 options. Select the
option you wish to use.
Security
The laptops must not be left in an
unsecured area at any time. Laptops should be monitored at all times.
At the end of the day, the laptops
should be placed back in the cart and secured by locking the doors.
The cart should be returned to its
proper storage area. Unless other arrangements have been made.
The Laptops
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Model 9030
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Model 6110
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Basic
Functions
The oval or
rectangular button on the upper left corner of the laptop turns the laptops
on.
A mouse or a touchpad can be used
to control the cursor. The buttons below the touchpad are the right and
left click that would be on a mouse.
The touch pad only needs gentle touch and is best used with a single
fingertip.
The button on the lower right of
the computer (model 9030) or next to the on/off button (model 6110) is the wireless access button. Before you log on
to the computer turn that button on. Once it
is on, it turns blue.
Note
- If you are not using the internet but
still using the laptop for other programs, turn off the wireless access
button - it will save battery power.
Charging
Be sure that all the cords that
contain the power pack is securely connected to
the computer. It
this is not done, it could result in a low or no battery charge for the
laptop.
The laptop batteries are designed
to carry a two to three hour charge.
The cart charges half of the
laptops at a time, but not at one time. While the cart is charging you will
notice that light going on and off each side. While the laptops are
being charged, the cart is switching back and forth.
Maintenance
A maintenance log is included with
the cart and must be with it at all times. Directions for laptops that are not working are included in the log. It
is imperative that the log be left with the
cart so Tech Services can view the problems and mark when the service has
been completed.
Management In Your
Building and In Your Classroom
Numbering
The number of the cart can be
found on the front and back of the cart. Each laptop has a number that
corresponds with the cart number. In the event you have to contact
technical services with a problem on a laptop, please take time to
reference the laptop number.
Care of
Laptops
Students should be
taught how to take the computers from the cart cautiously, paying attention
to how the AC power cord is attached. Careful placement on the desks should
be encouraged.
When returning the
laptop to the cart, be sure students understand the AC power cord must be
firmly attached to the laptops or they will not charge. Some teachers
have indicated that having one or two students actually put the laptops
back in the cart and plug them in is a more efficient way than having each
student put the laptop back in the cart. Take turns during the month
assigning this job to different students.
Teachers are
encouraged to communicate with students parents about the use and care of
the laptops in the classroom.
Some teachers feel
that assigning laptops to students works well to manage who uses the
computers and to avoid potential problems
Physical
Space
Keep in mind where you will
place the cart in your classroom and the traffic pattern once the laptops
are out of the cart. The wireless aspect does promote flexibility, but in
areas limited by space it might be cause for concern.
Plan for
Usage
Begin by focusing on
what you want your students to learn, rather than what technology projects
you want them to do.
Plan ahead.
Determine what needs to be done before you bring the cart to your room.
An orientation to
using the wireless laptops is a must. Go over proper handling
procedures as well as taking them out of and putting them back in the cart.
Begin using the
laptops with small lessons. Gradually introduce lessons that are larger and
take more time.
Free up some time to
oversee the entire class by:
A. Using the buddy system.
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Make
a student in the class "a resident expert"
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If
working on a project in groups and one group is done first, provide
directions to the next step to that group. When the next group is done,
have the first group show them, the second group show
the third, and so on.
B. Three Before Me
1. try to problem solve three
different ways
2. ask 2 other classmates to help
problem solve
3. ask the teacher
Resources
EETT Learning Experiences
NYNET Resources for Teachers
Schenectady City Schools Online Learning
Community/ Blackboard
unitedstreaming™
NYS Virtual Learning System (NYS Learning
Standards, Key Ideas, Performance Indicators)
ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for
Students
EETT HOME
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