An Update on the Enhanced Classroom Installations in Clay County

EME5050 – ABC for Week 11

In the School District of Clay County, Florida we have an initiative called the Enhanced Classroom.  If you don’t work in our district, you may be scratching your head and asking “what is an enhanced classroom”?  In Clay County we define it as a classroom that has the following hardware and software installed:

• Document camera
• Multimedia projector mounted in the ceiling
• Computer
• PenPad
• Sound System with wireless microphone, speakers and amplifier
• DVD/VCR player
• Pull down screen
• Easiteach software

All classrooms in round two of our district-wide installations of enhanced classrooms was completed at the end of February 2011.  

The following are procedures for schools to follow when technical assistance is needed for any enhanced hardware or software in the classrooms:

• The school IT person, Technology Coach or Media Specialist/Tech should be the first responder.  While the school principal may want to designate the primary contact, it is important that all work as a team so teachers receive “just-in-time” support.
• The first responder simply checks connections and power to determine if there is an easy fix.
• If it is not an easy fix, the school must enter a Maintenance Work Order via TERMS.
• Maintenance will then address the Work Order.

For the Classroom Technologies (CTS) installations, two spare bulbs will be sent to each library media center.  If a bulb is used as a replacement, the Media Specialist/Tech must write the school’s 3 letter initials, date, and room number on the section of the box that states the model and part numbers as well as write the date manufactured if available along with school initials, room number, date replaced, bulb hours/life and mail to the District Media Center.

o   The school is responsible for determining who will change the bulb.

o   A training video for proper bulb replacement will be posted on Blackboard.  Directions on how to locate the hours the bulb was used as well as resetting once replaced for models:  Sharp PGF212X-I, Viewsonic Model PJD6211 and Mitsubishi Models XD205, XD206 and SD206 will be included.

o   To dispose of bulbs containing mercury, pack them securely and send them to Bruce Harvin in Operations, County Office.

o   Because there are various brands and models of these projectors please refer to the manuals for the instructions on how to reset the unit to zero hours after replacing the bulb.

o   If in constant used do not turn the projector off and on.  If the projector will not be used for a prolonged period of time turn it off.  This will prevent increased wear to the unit.

• The school is also responsible for determining how routine cleaning of equipment will be handled.  Because DLP projectors do not have filters, routine dusting is necessary to prolong use and avoid damage.

Software Installs:

• The enhanced software has been installed on the Application Servers at all school sites.
• If a school has a Technical Specialist or Technical Support Assistance on site, they are responsible for loading the Enhanced Software.  This includes the software for the Elmo, the PenPad, and the Easiteach Next Generation (NG) software with content.  Every school is licensed for the newest version of Easiteach in their classrooms.
• All other sites have elevated privileges personnel who are being trained to install the software.  If assistance is needed, elevated privileges personnel will need to know the following to either contact the Helpdesk via email or assist the teacher if IssueTrak is available for use:
• School
• Room number
• Property number of the computer ready for software install
• Service tag of the computer

Training is available as follows:

• As schools are completed, Facilities is conducting a brief overview session for teachers.
• After the schools verify the software has been loaded, administrators may call and schedule Bill Ralls and/or Ruth Paine for additional training on general equipment use.
• Training for the school IT person, elementary Technology Coaches and Media Specialists/Techs will be scheduled ASAP by may be after FCAT.
• Easiteach software training will be scheduled as it is requested by a school administrator.
• School level “EPIC” training is being developed and schools will be informed as it becomes available.

PLEASE NOTE:  There are about four different “versions” of enhanced classroom installations.  All consist of the same component but brands and/or models vary.  For sake of clarity, communication should refer to one of the following:

            Classroom Technologies installations (current bid including POE)

            Computrac/RM installations (mainly 2008-2009)

            CGE installations (during construction with some modifications)

            SLE or OVE installations (during construction)

The Easiteach software is now a district-wide license that includes Easiteach content.  It is no longer limited to only one PC.  There is a new version of the software loaded on the school application servers so those teachers with older versions may choose to upgrade to the newer version.   

        

I am hopeful that the information in this post will be beneficial to you if you are a teacher in Clay County who has questions about the enhanced classroom procedures.