Teacher Laptops v Teacher Desk Computer

[Sylv3r]

Every classroom has a PC for electronic registration / teaching through the projector etc.

 

All teachers have a laptop through school also, but the majority of which leave them at home to work on. The occasional LMT, Head of Department will bring their laptop in to use in meetings etc, but the majority are never seen. I think with the laptops not been transported to and from school every day we don't seem to get that many hardware issues with them.

 

We are slowly starting to phase the laptops out across school when they no longer are repairable or uneconomical to repair.

[geeky]

well thanks guys - lots of variation and ideas. It seems there is no particular model standing out.

 

Someone did point out the use for laptops - and whether it is a teaching tool or admin tool or both. There is definitely a great deal more suppor required for laptops and a more costly option than teachers desk computer. The movement around the school causes problems as clearly carrying laptops underneath a load of books is not healthy - which is not obvious to all!

 

We have wireless throughout - and has been sufficient for four years or so. However, staff do not use it correctly. Rebooting the laptop is also a task too far for some. While wireless works well, I am wondering whether the amount of potential interference from various things makes it a viable option to continue. We have hard wire around most areas and so would not be a major problem to lose but would be inconvenient for some staff.

 

So who is going to predict what the future will be like for a teacher in a classroom?

[synaesthesia]

Biggest pro for the laptops other than portability here is the ability to hook up to a projector without the requirement for a splitter box. However, even with fairly modern laptops I'm getting sick of having to write off laptops/move them to a non-IWB usage due to nackered VGA ports from the usual heavy handling and kids yanking plugs :/ None of that at all with the desktop machines thankfully.

Bit late on the reply but mirrors what some others have said.

[Lostsoul125]

This depends upon level of schooling in the States. At the University level, teachers rarely use desktops and use more laptops, for projector reasons. High Schools and everything lower, teachers are given a desktop, but can also use a laptop. I personally think laptops are better. The teachers can bring the laptop home and to school. I find more teachers are using the internet as a social learning structure for students and a better way to communicate with their students, so the mobility of a laptop is definitely beneficial.

[mikes]

Where I work staff have had laptops provided for almost 3 years now. Each staff member seems to think of their laptop (an RM AL55) as their own personal machine... so I do get some grief when a board dies in one and I have to keep it for a few days while I wait for a new one!

 

It is easier for the staff than desktops in a corner of a room. Another pro of them having laptops, if they have a software issue they just bring the laptop down to me and show me in person.

 

Some staff have requested desktop machines in addition to their laptops, which has been set up. Staff will use these desktops to show DVD's, movie files, or powerpoints etc, so these desktops are permanently connected to the Projectors. If one of them has a printer, they also make ghetto print servers.

 

The main (only?) reason they want desktops as well as their laptops is so they can use the laptop to work on while the desktop is showing a DVD to class.

 

Laptops are harder to maintain than the desktops. I've already had to solder broken power connectors back onto a few boards etc.

[rh91uk]

It's a whole mixed bag here - all Teaching Staff (plus me and Soulfish) have laptops. A lot of rooms (over 60%) have desktop PCs in there too for use on the IWBs so the staff can use their laptop for work. On the other hand, some rooms do use their laptops as their pernament slave for their IWB and nothing else - through their choice or just because of the purchase of machines isn't at the right time.

[HTCIT]

We have just put in "HP" desktops and they are working great. But for some reason is that they a laptop as well. This weird. I am new to this job. So I wouldn't know why they did this.

[jsnetman]

All teachers here have laptops but they are a nightmare, staff don't look after batteries and the amount of calls saying they have no network because they have inadvertently toggled the wireless off. The head told me to order a PC for every teaching room and they are being fitted in the summer. I wanted to get rid of the laptops but the head wants both. So the nightmare is doubled. To cap it all staff are now asking for a printer with each class PC, but I'm putting a stop to that if I can.

[HTCIT]

I understand. The staff are pretty good with their laptops I must say. It is only the students with their laptops on our laptop scheme. They are a nightmare with them.

[witch]

We have laptops as has been previously said, but we are wondering whether it might be better to have a PC in every room - electronic registration is coming in and some teachers continually leave their laptops at home so they wouldn't be able to do it.

BUT if I wired the PC to the projector, I can see problems with teachers either continually disconnecting the PC in order to attach their laptop, or else moaning that they can't do this as the PC is hardwired in.

Also, the splitter and associated cable will take up a lot of space and look messy!

On another note - I see some of you still have local log ons on the teacher laptops - I have been advised to get rid of this for various reasons. What do people think?

[f21970]

We originally issued all staff with laptops under the laptops for teachers scheme, but have within the past 12 months installed fixed PC's in every teaching room. Support requests for 'non-working' IWB's have plummeted, and staff now view the IT equipment as 'more reliable than 12 months ago'...it's all in the perception!! I'm now not buying replacement laptops; some teachers have complained about this stating that they need to do lesson preparation, reports, etc. at home, however we have made it school policy that it is the teachers choice as to whether they undertake these tasks at home or in school.

 

PS. It has taken 12 months, but now NO staff disconnect their IWB from the PC to connect their laptop....the reason? Their laptop is 4 years old and runs like a dog, as maintenance is no longer being carried out on them :-) Their PC is only a year old & nice and quick. The new system has hidden benefits, primarily staff not storing documents locally on their laptop & waiting for it to fail ;-) - they now find it easier to store documents on the network, which we can back up.

Edited July 3, 2009 by f21970

[Potato-Peeler]

If all staff have laptops what would cover teachers use? And the teachers will inevitably lose or forget laptops for some lessons and be left more clueless then usual.

Not forgetting how many virus's, games, and inappropriate material the teachers will somehow end up with on laptops. Also more liekly to get damaged. Just too many reasons for not isn't there:P

[mpe]

We went the docking station root, until Dell released their fancy new latitude range of laptops 6 months ago. Great bit of kit, brand new port for docking. A new docking station is now £150 and isn't compatible with any of our old staff laptops (80+).

It is still possible to get hold of the old docking stations. What is far more difficult

to get hold of are the old D series laptops.

New latitude + docking station = £700ish.

 

New desktop + cheap laptop = £700ish.

Not bothering to "upgrade" (replace) laptops and fit a desktop (plus video doubler)

is even less money. Especially if Dell part 452-10381 still has resale value.

But this is still tens of thousands of pounds plus a large amount of time.

Two computers for the price of one, and all because dell charge you £150 to put some wires neatly together for you.

Lots of lost business for Dell because they decided to change the design of a connector.

If it were up to me I'd get rid of laptops, especially those used by teachers. Whilst those

for student use can at least be easily re-imaged all too often teachers will insist on putting

random applications on and scattering their data into apparently random places on the HDD.

[mpe]

Biggest pro for the laptops other than portability here is the ability to hook up to a projector without the requirement for a splitter box.

Unless you have some very cheap machines the cost of such a splitter

isn't that high a proportion of the cost of the machine.

However, even with fairly modern laptops I'm getting sick of having to write off laptops/move them to a non-IWB usage due to nackered VGA ports from the usual heavy handling and kids yanking plugs

I wouldn't assume that it's just "the kids" doing this. We have had one

instance of a printer being literally pulled apart, it was in the staffroom.

None of that at all with the desktop machines thankfully.

Even if there was vandalism of the ports on a desktop machine repairs

tend to be easier and cheaper than with laptops.

 

Part of the reason we went for docking stations is teachers are not

generally competent to connecting/disconnecting anything. (Plus

there's something about them not being ment to be doing anything

other than teaching.)

[mpe]

BUT if I wired the PC to the projector, I can see problems with teachers either continually disconnecting the PC in order to attach their laptop, or else moaning that they can't do this as the PC is hardwired in.

This is something they shouldn't be doing in the first place. Though with some

it can be difficult stopping them "playing technician".

Also, the splitter and associated cable will take up a lot of space and look messy!

Depends what you are using, something like the SUNIX ST122LE (CS16522 from CPC)

is tiny. Certainly compared with the HYUNDAI KVS532 (CS07984 from CPC), it's also

more expensive, needs an additional cable, a free BS1363 power socket and has several

times the size & mass compared with the SUNIX ST122LE.

On another note - I see some of you still have local log ons on the teacher laptops - I have been advised to get rid of this for various reasons. What do people think?

The issue is if they need to use the machine without any network connection. It can

also be a problem with using wireless networks. Since typically things are set up

such that there isn't any form of pre logon wireless configuration.

[mpe]

If all staff have laptops what would cover teachers use? And the teachers will inevitably lose or forget laptops for some lessons and be left more clueless then usual.

Not forgetting how many virus's, games, and inappropriate material the teachers will somehow end up with on laptops.

Or "it won't boot and all the stuff I need for tonight's parents' evening is on it". In this

case most of his data was actually recoverable, but not in the timescale he would have

liked. Whereas those who have had their laptops stolen were less lucky.

[featured_spectre]

laptops are the worst idea, teachers ruin them. had only 3 teachers out of 30 not return them within the first 2 weeks because of "problems". PCs are better because they can be ghosted easier, and you can make upgrades easier without voiding the warranty. Plus if a member of staff leaves, you dont have to worry about getting the laptop back etc.

[G-Jackson]

Most of our staff have laptops and yes they are a pain - they involve far more work than a desktop...

 

Desktops we build one and Ghost it 50 or 100 times - job done... laptops have to be built one by one because the Deputy Head who purchases them for staff insists on using the OEM licence. Also staff will install their own printers and drivers/software for Internet access for home so they can't just be re-ghosted if they develop a software problem. We also had a couple stolen from Teachers' cars - but they have to claim on their own insurance if that happens.

 

I guess for staff they are a bonus - they can work on them at home or move from room to room and know that they shouldn't have any problems - apart from getting the projector to work - why aren't they capable of plugging in a cable and pressing Fn/F5 ?

 

I can't see us ever having a PC in every classroom.

 

Oh and to whoever it was who said about Cover Teachers needing access for Electronic registrations - we purchased about half a dozen ASUS minibooks for them to use - the screens are a bit small but they seem to work OK for just doing a register... they aren't on the domain - just have local accounts but configured to our WIFI so work with our CMIS/ePortal set-up.

[dalsoth]

I hate laptops and all our staff use them (students also use 6 trolleys of laptops ). I could not ever see us moving to a computer in each classroom. Staff gather regularly in offices and meeting rooms to work on things and even the main hall regularly for training and Sims events and all bring their laptops along.

 

Without them it would be a nightmare and staff would be scribbling everything in diaries or worse yet PDA's which rank even higher on my list of hated devices i have to support.

 

Laptops are here to stay for staff but i am working hard to remove their use for students as they are just being trashed to hell and back and i feel like joining them there.

[Flakes]

we currently have laptops for every teacher however certain rooms do have desktops in as well. due to the declining budget and the cost of keeping laptops in circulation we considered moving to desktops only, however we couldn't afford the initial costs, and trying to get the teachers to give up there laptops is a bit like pulling out your own teeth with your hands tied behind your back while drowning.

 

in the long run laptops are so much more expensive and cause so many problems, from spillage, to dropping them, bending vga lead pins, faulty vga ports because vga lead pins become weak and get jammed inside. We do have some desktops around the school and the teachers in those classrooms use there desktops for presentations, however when a teacher who doesnt normally use that room comes allong they end up unplugging everything to use there laptop and the teacher who has the room cant work out were everything goes... there just a nightmare tbh.

 

a few questions for those who went from laptops to desktops:

 

1. how did you cope with the increased use of network drives? we currently give each teacher 2GB of space and find that most store everything on there desktop no matter how many times we tell them to use there H drive(normally get the reply "not enough space"), we cant afford more.

 

2. Did you install each desktop and work out the best placement in each room, or did you hire someone else?

 

3. What steps did you take to convince the staff to go this way, how did they adapt? < i see this as the biggest stumbling block tbh.

[p858snake]

we currently have laptops for every teacher however certain rooms do have desktops in as well. due to the declining budget and the cost of keeping laptops in circulation we considered moving to desktops only, however we couldn't afford the initial costs, and trying to get the teachers to give up there laptops is a bit like pulling out your own teeth with your hands tied behind your back while drowning.

 

in the long run laptops are so much more expensive and cause so many problems, from spillage, to dropping them, bending vga lead pins, faulty vga ports because vga lead pins become weak and get jammed inside. We do have some desktops around the school and the teachers in those classrooms use there desktops for presentations, however when a teacher who doesnt normally use that room comes allong they end up unplugging everything to use there laptop and the teacher who has the room cant work out were everything goes... there just a nightmare tbh.

 

a few questions for those who went from laptops to desktops:

 

1. how did you cope with the increased use of network drives? we currently give each teacher 2GB of space and find that most store everything on there desktop no matter how many times we tell them to use there H drive(normally get the reply "not enough space"), we cant afford more.

 

2. Did you install each desktop and work out the best placement in each room, or did you hire someone else?

 

3. What steps did you take to convince the staff to go this way, how did they adapt? < i see this as the biggest stumbling block tbh.

 

As for stuff pulling cables out for their laptops and the likes, put a VGA switch box ([ame=http://www.amazon.com/2-1-VGA-Switchbox-DB15/dp/B000BSN1NE]Example @ Amazon[/ame]) and then have a lead that runs up to the desk that they can use and all they need to do is flick a switch without touching the desktop.

 

Just don't run the desktop straight into it, duplicate the desktop output so that it goes to the monitor and the box leaving it usable whilst a laptop is active. Some people run the desktop and laptop into the switchbox then the duplicator off the output and have the dup. running to the monitor and the projector which makes the desktop unusable since it has no monitor.

 

This way you can also have a desktop in each room and then staff decide what they want to use, This also helps if a laptop breaks or a replacement teacher is in or the likes.

 

A small(ish) diagram of what i mean:

http://localhostr.com/files/062a90/desktop.png

Edited February 5, 2010 by p858snake
added diagram

[synaesthesia]

A couple of my schools have recently moved away from laptops in the classrooms on the IWB's because a) as a result the staff either tend to leave them there and not use them for PPA/home work or;

b) they do unplug them and take them home and VGA cables aren't designed to do this too often, resulting in unreliable cables and the occasional broken VGA port on laptop with ham-fistedness.

 

On 2 sites we bought in a load of RM machines with a dedicated graphics card so we can drive a monitor (one batch is RMOnes) and projector simultaneously without the need of switchboxes/splitters, + having the ability to use them as separate screens if need be - teacher can still work on computer whilst the kids are watching whatever on the IWB.

 

This has been rather popular; they're only primary schools so it wasn't difficult to implement but all staff have been more than happy to have a usable laptop as well as a decently specified computer for the IWB.

 

Plus, as a direct result the IWB machines are now on the relevant CC3/CC4 system so software allocation to just those machines is useful

[localzuk]

We appear to be moving towards a dual solution - namely desktops, and laptops. The desktops will be set up as the IWB driving machines, and the laptops are for staff to whizz around with and do work on, say, at home.

 

Due to the fact that keeping a fleet of 35 laptops and 35 desktops running would cost us a small fortune, we're making their working lives longer. So, instead of the 3 years desktops, they will hit 4 or 5 years and the same with the laptops (although, I have already started to implement this anyway, as there is nothing wrong with most of our 3 year old laptops we currently have, so why replace them?).

[Tunster]

We ditched the desktop PC in each classroom when we brought in the laptops for teachers scheme just over 3 years ago. Having been involved with the whole project, I'm glad we did. To replace a ridiculous amount of old desktops in classrooms was going to be a nightmare.

 

There are still a few odd connection issues (on wireless or IWB) with the less able teachers, but it enables the member of staff to work from home with remote e-mail/serco; and with the huge amount of classroom changes that take place, there's no excuse for a laptop not working (as it's their own responsibility) and not being able to get on with the lesson. The vast training we've done has helped immensely! They can't blame a fixed desktop PC not working because someone else hasn't reported it. There are far more positive points going with the laptop than fixed computer I think in today's world.

 

Much better wireless technology, better hardware is now cheaper, and choosing the right laptop (size/weight/portability/features) is also key (which I think some organisations don't look at enough!).