-tictech message:
First of all, I am not saying that teachers can not be trusted. As
far as I can tell, I never typed that. I am in that wonderful position that
has me balancing the pros and cons between security and usability. Every day
I have to make concessions on both ends and that is generally where this
leads.
It is a fact that sharing opens up extra ports in a networking
environment that can be exploited. That is not an arguable fact. You can
argue that the threat is negligible, but any open port can be utilized. Not
to mention Windows 98 is so insecure it is laughable, but as long as the
computer is not joined to any domains, then you should be okay.
Let me reiterate. I am not calling anyone stupid. What I am saying
is the philosophy of computers in school has always been a flawed one.
Teachers were told that we would have a 5 - 1, now a 4 - 1, and where's the
provision for printers and other equipment? Not to mention that support is
now dwindling, and everyone is being forced to a grassroots technical
support system (thus tictech, UWired, ...). I do understand teachers'
dilemmas. And you are absolutely correct in your idea on how to procure
printers, but remember, that is your perspective. I have teachers that don't
print out anything but personal jobs like dittos, reports, et cetera, thus
in my opinion not every teacher needs one. That was my point. Special cases
needed to be handled as such. For instance, if there is a teacher in my
school that prints out more than anyone else, they can then be the host of
the printer. And two teachers in each cluster (which consist of 3 - 4
classrooms generally) have printers so not too many are left out. The
exceptions in my school are the special education teachers. They need their
own printer simply because their printouts are classified. We figured out a
workable solution and the problem is solved.
I really applaud your usage of technology. It is a push that has
been mishandled, and I really fear that not having printers and other
equipment force staff away from a tech-oriented curriculum just because it
turns into one nightmare after another. But I would also like to say that
generalization was exactly that, a generalization, I just don't feel the
need to add a disclaimer to everything that I type.
Dm.f
dmfisher@seattleschools.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Carroll, John [mailto:jscarroll@seattleschools.org]
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 3:01 PM
To: 'tictech@learningspace.org'
Subject: tictech: A teacher's perspective on printers
-tictech message:
Though Devin has many good points, I must respectfully talk about the other
side. I know laser printers are expensive, but most of us who talk about
printers in classrooms are talking about the ink-jet variety.
As a classroom teacher that uses technology on a regular basis, I have
found my desk-jet printer to be invaluable. My children type and print
whole-class books. I regularly print our reports on fluency and typing
skills. I link my art curriculum with my technology, and therefore print
color copies artwork. My students correspond by E-mail and print the E-mails
they recieve to be kept in a journal. Also, for some of my struggling
readers, I have online books for them to listen to and read -- phonics
lessons too with certificates as they complete each level.
As for cost: at my school it is understood that the school buys the first
set of ink cartridges, I must buy all additional sets out of my ROPE or PTA
funds. That helps limit costs. In the past it was believed that TVs and
VCR's were too expensive and therefore every class would did not need one.
Some thought teachers might abuse them by using them too much. But, every
class in a remodeled elementary has a TV now. And no one is abusing them as
far as I know.
Most importantly, if technology is to be used, it must be available. If we
can afford it, and the positives and negatives have been weighed, then each
school staff should be able to make their own decision.
We are currently sharing 12 ink-jet printers on WIN 98. We also have two
networked HP Laser Printers. We have had absolutely no problems. In fact we
had more problems with the CWS machines than with our little inexpensive
desk-jets.
Devin, it sounds like your saying elementary teachers cannot be trusted to
use printers correctly and efficiently. For some that may be true, for
others it is not.
Here are my suggestions for printer use (a teacher's point of view)
1. Have a School Tech Committee that can debate issues of support and
resources and create a plan for support(include your network analyst)
2. Discuss printer costs and priorities with the entire staff
3. Give guidelines for appropriate use and conservation of resources
4. Have a system for sharing costs (toner, ink, etc) between school funds
and individual teacher funds
5. Then trust the teachers to do the right thing based on the information
they have received.
Treat teachers as intelligent professional by giving them information and
then allowing them to manage the resources.
John Carroll
2nd Grade Teacher
Stevens Elementary
(Educationl Technologist and former network analyst in a past career)
jscarroll@seattleschools.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Fisher, Devin [mailto:dmfisher@seattleschools.org]
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 1:30 PM
To: 'tictech@learningspace.org'
Subject: RE: tictech: the truth about printers
-tictech message:
First let me say, sharing printers off of anything less than Windows 2000 is
ugly. I know most, if not all, schools are strapped for cash, but one thing
I am sure of is that every class room does not need their own laser printer.
They may think they do, but at least on the Elementary level what they say
they will do with the technology is different that what they end up doing.
My school has a total of 6 (almost 7) networked hp LaserJets. Each LJ is
setup in a cluster (7 clusters) of classrooms and two teachers in each
cluster are asked to host the LJ and a DeskJet. This works out well, and the
following are my reasons why more printers =/= better.
* Less equipment to support. Props to hp for making fabulous machines and
drivers, but downtime is never zero. Paper jams, networks issues, toner
runouts, etc. You recognize this if you are the main technically oriented
person in your school.
* Less toner to buy. Toner is expensive, especially if you do not want to
invalidate your warranty by buying generic toner. Hp toner is at least $140
retail.
* Staff will use the printers less. I know this is a mind game, but if the
printer is not in the specific room, the staff member may not use the
printer just because it is in a different area and not easily accessible. It
also cuts down on printing out of "private" information. No on wants to send
their bills or emails to another teacher's room.
Yes there are problems with not having a printer in each room, but for now I
don't think it is necessary. How much and how often does every class need to
print? Are they printing out silly and nonsensical web pages as well, thus
eating network bandwidth, paper and toner? Maybe they should only print out
things that need to be printed out.
Devin Fisher
Technology Consultant
Van Asselt Elementary
7201 Beacon Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 91808
206.252.7500
dmfisher@seattleschools.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Rockwell, Neil [mailto:nrockwell@seattleschools.org]
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 11:11 AM
To: 'tictech@learningspace.org'
Subject: RE: tictech: the truth about printers
-tictech message:
This is interesting that IS is "frowning" upon sharing printers. The
possibility of viruses are given as the problem. I would like to see some
(cut - ma)
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