More staff laptop options!

Our district recently announced the replacements of our staff laptops (previously posted info).  On Jan 23rd, we had our first session and we had approximately 62 people exchange their old laptop for the new laptop. Overall, I think things went really well. In fact, all 62 participants finished the entire process in under 3 hours, with many finishing in under 2 hours.

For the next few weeks, our laptop exchange sessions will be reserved specifically of staff who have already taken the 15hr laptop course and have the current HP6455b laptop.

However, we are now opening additional sessions that schedule for Feb and March, for the following scenarios….

1) Salaried staff who do NOT have a laptop, but would like to take just the four hour course to get the laptop.  Please register for a class using this site:  http://moreonlaptops2014.sched.org/

2) If you currently have a laptop –  but its NOT the HP6455b (its probably an older model), then your upgrade path starts with… Email Brian Abeling, abelingb@wdmcs.org to let him know what model you currently have.  I’ll then work with you to determine whether you need help backing up your files and then I’ll direct you to the right course options for where you can get your new laptop through a 4 hour course.

3) If you want the 15hr credit option –  that means you have the HP6455b laptop and you want the new laptop, but you’d like to earn the 15hr credit for licensing renewal or for Drake credit.  We’ve decided that there’s no way we can stretch the content related to the laptop to make it 15 hrs, but have come up with the following idea.  

Step 1)  Sign up for an existing laptop exchange course (which takes approx. 3 hrs)  Sign up is available at:  http://laptoprefreshersignup2014.sched.org/

NEXT..  Step 2) Participants will then sign up for a future 12 hour course related to either Microsoft Office 2013, Google Apps, or related content.  At this time, we do not have dates/times for these courses, but we have a group of trainers who will working on that class during Feb and we’re hoping to have the classes available starting in March.

Q. What if I’ve already taken the laptop course for Drake Credit, can I still get additional credit for the new course?
A.  We are working to design the course so that the content is different – which will allow you to receive Drake credit.

When are staff laptops being replaced?

New laptops will be available starting in mid-Jan 2014.

Our tech staff has spent the last couple of months testing, comparing, and shopping for deals to replace the existing staff laptops.  We recently asked vendors to make their best offers.  We then asked our group of laptop trainers to review and provide feedback on the models.  With the help of the laptop trainers, we selected the HP 4970m model and are finalizing the order for them now.

Q1. Are we looking at touch screen computers for the teacher laptops?
A1.  No.

Q2. Why not?  Why bother with an upgrade if we aren’t getting touch screen capabilities?
A2.  In order to use a windows based touch screen machine – you must install Windows 8.  At this point in time, we cannot recommend moving to Windows 8 for any machine in the district, as Windows 8 is not compatible with the following…

1. Windows 8 will not allow you to access the state’s website for managing IEPs
2. Win8 will not allow you to access many sections of Infinite Campus
3. Win8 will not allow you access the district print shop/printgroove
4. Win8 does not yet have a VPN client that’s compatible with our firewall, so you can’t access your network drives from home.

Knowing that Windows 8 is not compatible with several key systems – and that a change to Windows 8 will cause an entire retraining (since the interface is extremely different from Windows 7), we do not see a purpose or need to go to Windows 8.

Q3.  Can we delay the replacements and wait until Windows 8 will work for those specific systems?
A3. We reviewed this as an option, but decided against it, as it could take at least 6 months before that becomes viable.  We do not have a timeframe for when Window 8 will be compatible with the IEP website, PrintGroove is estimating summer of 2014, and Infinite Campus is also expecting summer of 2014.

Q4. So… if we’re not looking at touch screen windows 8 machines, what are we looking at?
A4. What we’ve heard from staff is that they would like new laptops that are…  lighter, thinner, faster.  Really, that’s it… we’ve been hearing those three things over and over again.  In fact, we have some requests to reduce the size of the screen and move to an optional/external CD/DVD drive to help shed some pounds off the laptop.

Q5.  So what models made the final review?
A5.  The two models that were reviewed by the tech staff and the laptop trainers were the  HP 9470M  and the Lenovo X240.  

Q6.  If I already have a teacher/staff laptop, will I need to take a 15 hr course in order to receive the new model?
A6.  We will have a 15 hr course available for PD credit for individuals who need credit, but we are also looking at a shorter 4 hour version for staff  who just need to replace their laptop and do not need credit.

Q7. Can I keep or buy my existing laptop – and still receive the new model?
A7. No.  We can NOT legally sell the device directly to staff.  In addition, we have a need for the laptops within the district.  We want to replace all remaining netbooks and other older devices in the district.

Q8. Will I be able to keep the older laptop and get the newer laptop, so I can have time to transfer my files?
A8.  If you sign up for either the 4 hour or 15 hr course, our trainers will help you transfer the files at the time the new laptop is deployed, as you will not be allowed to leave with both laptops.

Q9. Will trainers from the last roll out automatically become trainers for the new program?
A9.  They will certainly have the option to be trainers for the new program, but they do NOT have to be. We’ll also be accepting new trainers as well. However, the role of the trainer this time will be very different.

Q10.  If I was a trainer in the old program, will that automatically enable me to get a new laptop sooner?
A10.  No… only trainers in the new program will have first access to the new machines.

Q11.  Will the role of the “new” trainer be exactly the same as before? (In other words, the course handouts were already made, you just followed it step by step).
A11.  No.  Trainers this time will need to assist staff members with backing up their existing devices, which we believe will present more technical challenges than the training offered during the last round.

Q12.  I’m interested in becoming a trainer, who do I contact?
A12.  Contact Brian Abeling, abelingb@wdmcs.org

Q13. Who qualifies for a new updated laptop?
A13.  Any certified or salaried staff that currently has a district provided laptop.

Q14.  I’m a certified or salaried staff member – but I don’t currently have a laptop.  Will there be an option for me to get a new laptop?
A14.  Yes, we’ll have an option available for staff members who do not currently have a laptop and want one.

Q15.  When will the dates/signup be available for getting the new laptops?
A15.  Registration will not be available until Dec 2013.