gopackgo

We used a web host last year that had a Moodle package available using softalicous. It worked fine for our two classes that used it. This year, we are planning on our whole school using it. I'm concerned about the number of simultaneous sessions that our web host says they support. That has me thinking about hosting ourselves. Our whole school is 300+ students. The nice thing about someone else hosting is we don't have to worry about providing access from the outside world, backups, security, etc. So, do most basic hosts like hostgator, godaddy, dreamhost have the ability to handle that many users? Or, do we need to look elsewhere or just bite the bullet and host our own?

It seems like the Chrome Management Console is the way to manage the chromebooks. I still need something for the android tablets. What about Meraki Systems Manager: Cisco Meraki - Cloud Managed Networks that Simply Work

I'm supposed to be getting pricing from Google on the Chrome Management Console. Is that the recommended way to manage the chromebooks? It's nice that they are designed to let multiple users log in and the users are authenticated from our Google Apps user list. How about managing the tablets? Just let them have one shared account? Do you guys prevent them from installing apps etc?

We purchased a few chromebooks and android tablets for evaluation. We already have Google Apps for EDU setup. Can someone give me some best practices on how to setup the Chromebooks and Android tablets setup? Is there a way to have each student login under their own account or do you guys just generally have one shared student login/user profile? Thanks.

Well, we are going to order a couple chromebooks and a couple android tablets. That way, we can evaluate them ourselves and compare the two. What android tablet would you recommend for right around $300USD? Do you guys have some hints to get us started as far as how to initially set them up? What do you consider mandatory for setting these up for a primary and middle school? We already have Google Apps setup so it they would be getting integrated into that account.

Right, I guess I'm looking for what advantages/disadvantages there would be either way. That way we can determine if it's worth the extra cost. For example, if a lot more textbooks are available digitally for the ipad platform, that would be a factor etc.

We are just starting to put Google Apps in place. The next step for us is we want to get some tablets for the students to use in the classroom. We had been thinking ipads as they are so popular with schools but would we get more functionality/integration with Google apps if we use Android based tablets? Or, chromebooks? Thanks.

Well, thanks for all the responses. For some, they seemed to think that a cloud based solution wouldn't work because of a lack of a quality internet connection. We have one decent connection and are looking at getting another faster connection to use either just as a backup, or to load balance/backup. With Google docs, when you're working on your files it's not like you have to download the file, then upload it back to the cloud. So, it is really efficient as far as internet usage goes. As we look towards 1 to 1 computing the thought is to go with something like chromebooks that would work well with Google docs etc. We would eventually look at putting some sort of textbook management app on there to provide them with their textbooks. We will still have a lab though for now at least for Windows based programs we still rely on. I'm guessing there will be fewer and fewer of those though as the market for tablets/android OS based devices grows. One issue we may run into is how to manage the chromebooks. We're not sure yet if the school will provide them or if the students will have to purchase one. The possible issue would be kids messing it up. So, I'm thinking we would purchase/own the units and then need some way to lock them down. Not sure of what kind of app we could use for Android os for that as of right now. Any issues you guys see with that approach? We are mainly focusing on using Google docs as between that and a web browser for internet research, there is little else that most students need. Even Adobe has a web based platform although I haven't tried it with an android os. So, we rely on the internet so much already that it's worth it for us to invest in a backup connection. Some of the cost can be offset with savings on not need as robust of a infrastructure as far as storage and CALs for MS office, etc. I realize Google is like big brother but as others have said, they and others can get your info in other ways if they wanted. Impossible to avoid these days, although sad at the same time. One person mentioned not wanting to go that route because it might result in them not having a job. That is NOT a valid reason IMHO. Anything else I've missed? I think teachers will still have a Windows based pc but use google docs. It will probably be up to them to what extent. Students will probably have chromebooks or a android based tablet. We'll still have a lab for things like video editing and things of that nature. Still some details to fill in though regarding the students' chromebooks.

I am curious what some of you have in your technology plan looking down the road the next year or two. We all know that cloud seems to be the way everything is going. My question is how much do you guys plan on relying on cloud only for services leaving your infrastructure needs pretty much limited to needing network/internet connectivity and some printing capability. With students able to share docs/homework with teachers via google docs printing out homework really wouldn't be necessary. So, are you guys planning on a complete transition to cloud only? Are you planning on a transition to something like a chromebook and/or android tablet for each student with no more computer labs?

We have some Dell Optiplex 390 computers that all came with Windows 7 Pro x64. I want to make an image for them (maybe using FOG). In the past, I never used sysprep. I never had any issues building the image and NOT joining it to the domain until after the image was deployed. I would rename the workstation, reboot, join domain, reboot and it worked fine. I've been doing some reading and it seems that Win7 might be even more picky about needing a sysprep. (is that true?) So, how would I work the licensing for the Windows 7 oem license that came on the machines? Would I just have to enter each computer's product key in after the imaging process if I run sysprep?

Thanks for all the input so far. What would you recommend for a virtual desktop environment? I like the idea as it would require less wireless traffic to have a mobile lab connect over wireless for the sole purpose of connecting to a virtual desktop.

I am working with a small group that is considering the possibility of opening a new private school. It would have around 300 students and would be grades 5 through 8. I would love your input on how you would design a school's network infrastructure if you were starting from scratch. I realize this is a very open ended question but I'm looking for you to get as specific as you would like. I'm looking for things like: I would recommend having one Mac lab and one Windows based lab so students can get experience with both systems. I'm looking for things from the back end server setup all the way to what hardware should be attached to each teacher's pc such as a smart board. The budget isn't part of the picture yet. So, assume there is funding for implementing a good solution with a reasonable price. This shouldn't be considered a project where money is no object but one where technology will be a big part of the children's education like it would be at most modern schools. Thanks in advance.