Reduce training. Users can help each other, since
they are all using the same kind of system. Currently, users are often thwarted
from helping each other because different software or different versions of the
same software is loaded on each machine.
If there's one system, there can be one training program, one set of
manuals, and one set of short courses. (Please
consider that staff move in and out of positions. You may have a few people
currently proficient in one platform who would prefer not to switch. This may
work well in the short term, but as schools experience staff turn-over, the new
teachers coming in may not feel so supported.)
Improve interaction. A good reason for uniformity
is to foster interaction between the users of the system. When people are using
different kinds of systems it may be more difficult for them to work together on
projects and difficult for one person to step into another person's project.
Easier to track inventory. Technology tools will be issued to
schools. Therefore, it will be the
school's responsibility to track where equipment is located and who is using
it. With a dual platform school, if
a teacher who selected a particular platform, left the school, and the
replacement teacher wanted the other platform, the school would have to "trade"
with another school or tell the replacement teacher that she/he had no
choice.
Easier to provide basic services. People need to work together, using
their computers. We expect to be able to provide network printing, transparent
file access, electronic mail, cooperative scheduling, work group document
production, work group data management and analysis. It is far easier to provide
these basic services if there is just one platform to support.
Easier to manage. Less manpower is needed to keep
a uniform system operational. There are fewer vendors to deal with, fewer
software systems and fewer different kinds of equipment to be installed and
repaired.
NOTE:
Choosing
a platform applies to "job alike" functions. School offices across the district may
be one platform, while classroom spaces are another. Certain
programs across the district may need to be on a single
platform such as the libraries
so they can run the library automation stations. We recognize that
reasonable exceptions will need to be made for specific curricular
needs.
The most
important question to ask yourself is, "With which computing platform is our
staff most familiar," and "What teachers on-site are your resident experts and
with what are they most familiar?" The expense of user training far out weighs
any cost difference in computing platform.
Some things to
keep in mind while processing this decision:
- No platform
uniformly dominates the other. Where one has strength the other may have
comparative weaknesses.
- Many people
approach platform choice with the fervor of religion. Please be sensitive to
this.
- Software is
key. Is there some software
application that is not available on the other platform that your school
cannot do without?
- Consider
what your more proficient teachers are most familiar with. They are your
school instructional technology leaders.
- People can
change platforms.
Those that
want to lobby for a particular
platform can visit numerous websites.
Here's a sample:
Pro
Macintosh
http://www.cmi.k12.il.us/Urbana/ymac.htm
http://www.fms.k12.nm.us/WhyApple/whyapple.html
Pro
PC
We couldn't
find sites specifically addressing educational needs. We'd be happy to include
sites as you find them.
What
Models Will We Choose From?
We are
currently in the process of selecting the make and exact configuration of PC
laptop and desktop computer. At the same time, we will be selecting the exact
configuration of Mac laptop and desktop. Schools that are having a difficult
time deciding which platform to select may want to wait to see these computers
before finalizing their decision.
Need
Help Choosing?
There's help
for schools who might struggle with this decision.
- Someone from
Instructional Technology can help facilitate the conversation with your
staff.
- We can
provide a demo of the exact models that your staff is deciding
between.
- We can
provide a suggested process that could help your
staff.
Contact Kim
Mathey at ext. 7299
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2. Computer
Specs
In the last e-mail, I sent out
detailed computer specs. These can be found at: http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/capitallevy/technology/administrators/email/050316.htm
As stated above, we are happy to bring
a model of each computer out to your buildings so your staff can see/touch/feel
what they will be getting. Both computers are up-to-date, and relatively
comparable.
There are some differences that we
want you to be aware of:
- The Gateway is larger (and
heavier.)
- The Gateway has battery with more
hours (7 hours vs. 4 hours between charges.)
- E-mail access on the Macs need to be
via web access, Entourage, or Mac Mail. There are drawbacks to all of these
options, such as no access to the calendar feature, global address book... (in
some of the above options). PDA's will not synch to the district e-mail system
on Macs.
- The Gateways will use Outlook. All
features will work.
As we come out to your schools - or
you have your own conversations, you will find many more differences. Aside from
the e-mail issue, I believe both computers will do a more than adequate job as
an instructional tools for the students. In my observations, the students don't
spend a lot of time noticing the difference from one platform to the next. They
just use the tools! We adults are the ones who have the toughest time
adjusting.
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3. Laptop rollout
dates
Now that you know your wave, we need
to know what training dates you want to plan for.
We
need:
Your pre-roll-out date (30 minute
staff meeting, 3-4 weeks before your roll-out
Your roll-out dates (2 days, 2 hours
each day for training)
You can turn all this info in on the
same form as the Mac/PC form: http://www.zoomerang.com/surveyzgi?p=WEB2248DJ6PJSW
