My own 2 cents: Sometimes you will see a spark jump when you plug in the AC brick. Try to have that at the AC end, not at the laptop. Plug in to laptop first, then AC Unplug AC first, and then unplug laptop. David Isham Network Administrator Grand Isle Supervisory Union 5038 US Rte 2 North Hero, VT 05474 802-372-6921 vox 802-372-4898 fax ________________________________ From: School Information Technology Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lucie deLaBruere Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 11:33 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Laptop Use & Care Thanks Eric. I found the tips about battery life especially useful. We are finding much confusion about this and would love to do a "get the most life out of your battery" handout to go with the laptops. Probably the same folks who recycle voluntarily would pay attention. The other thing we see is power cord damanage issues (which I'm guilty of too). Lots of it has to do with bad design on the laptop manufacturer. About the PD.. not counting my chickens yet. We got a faculty meeting recently to go over some FERPA and other compliance issues http://sites.google.com/a/stacsvt.org/tech-dept/home/tech-training/safetyethicssecuritytechtraining And we did subscribe to Atomic Learning this year. I'm hoping to get folks using it. We'll see. I'll report back. Thanks again for sharing everyone. It made this part of my job a lot easier to pull the best from each of you. Lucie On Sun, Dec 20, 2009 at 8:39 PM, Eric Hall <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Lucie - Here is what I have been using. Kudos to you (and your admin) for getting PD time in the schedule! The best I can do is to pass this in front of people in a 15 minute session as I give them their rebuilt laptops each summer. In our system this is only SPED, Guidance and Admin (about 20 staff with little turnover) so it's pretty straightforward. It would/will be a very different picture if we begin deploying laptops to a larger number of staff. Our ongoing issue is time for training: I have little time with teachers beyond 1:1 or team meetings that they solicit (which means I don;t see everyone) and an occasional 15 minutes in staff meetings. Too many priorities! Additional suggestions for this document are welcome! E on 12/20/09 4:51 PM, Lucie deLaBruere wrote: > Eric, > > In your form you have something that says > "Laptop users will familiarize themselves with the ³Use and Treatment of > Laptop Computers² guidelines provided by the District IT Team. " > > Can you share those guidelines? > > I'm working on a form that uses many of the guidelines you have all shared. > Thank you very much for sharing. > > I'm considering a asking that those who get a laptop attend a > "retooling" PD sessions which could be hands on or online. Perhaps every > 2 years? I'm not sure if that will be looked at favorably yet. Feedback? > > Lucie > > > > > > > > On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM, Eric Hall <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> We use the attached for staff laptops, however it does not explicitly state >> that staff are financially responsible for theft or damage. The teacher who >> ran over a school video camera at his daughter's soccer game a few years >> ago >> replaced it... The two laptops destroyed by coffee (in the building) were >> fortunately covered by accidental damage warranties. We do not tend to loan >> out other equipment, and in particular prohibit borrowing LCD projectors. >> >> Eric >> >> >> >> on 11/13/09 9:17 AM, Sylvia Gagne wrote: >> >>> As we are starting to get more "portable" equipment, staff are asking to >>> take equipment home. While we encourage this, heaven knows they don't >>> have time at school to "try-out' and play around with new tools, we feel >>> there needs to be basic guidelines. >>> >>> How are other schools dealing with equipment being taken off site? Do >>> you have a form that must be signed? What are staff liable for - >>> damage, loss, stolen equipment? >>> >>> If anyone has a form they don't mind sharing, that would be great. >>> >>> thanks, >> >> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is >> for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential >> and privileged information protected under the Family Educational Rights >> and >> Privacy Act. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is >> prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient, please contact the sender >> by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the message. >> >> >> > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the message. -- Lucie deLaBruere www.LearningWithLucie.com www.InfiniteThinking.org Tech Integration Specialist - St. Albans City Schoool http://twitter.com/techsavvygirl Work: 802 527 0565 x 3206 Cell: 802 752 6086 [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------- Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. - James M. Barrie --------------------------------------- 21/12/2009This email may contain information protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If this email contains confidential and/or privileged health or student information and you are not entitled to access such information under FERPA or HIPAA, federal regulations require that you destroy this email without reviewing it and you may not forward it to anyone.