Mobile Lab Orientation

Gwyneth Jones - MHMS Media Specialist and the Gwyneth Jones - MHMS Media Specialist and the

Office of Educational Media and Educational TechnologyOffice of Educational Media and Educational Technology

Contents

• Mobile Lab (cart) FeaturesMobile Lab (cart) Features• iBook (laptop) FeaturesiBook (laptop) Features• Scheduling the use of the LabScheduling the use of the Lab• Considerations Considerations • SuggestionsSuggestions

Mobile Lab (cart) Features• Make sure to plug the cart in a secure (not likely to be tripped over) part of your classroom.Make sure to plug the cart in a secure (not likely to be tripped over) part of your classroom.• Let the laptops charge up as much as possible.Let the laptops charge up as much as possible.

• WARNINGWARNING: If you pull the plug too fast, the outlet may spark!: If you pull the plug too fast, the outlet may spark!

Mobile Lab (cart) Features• Fitting the laptops into the cartFitting the laptops into the cart

• Do not place the laptops on the hinge or the latch. Do not place the laptops on the hinge or the latch. • Make sure the glowing re-charge plug is OUTMake sure the glowing re-charge plug is OUT• Careful when closing doors, so as not to smoosh the recharging cords. Careful when closing doors, so as not to smoosh the recharging cords.

Mobile Lab (cart) Features• Fitting the laptops into the cart, continuedFitting the laptops into the cart, continued

• The carts and laptops are labeled. The carts and laptops are labeled. • Place the laptops in their assigned slot.Place the laptops in their assigned slot. • Make sure the recharging plug is facing OUT Make sure the recharging plug is facing OUT

Mobile Lab Use• Using the wireless systemUsing the wireless system

• Plug in the cart. Then turn on the cart’s main power switch.Plug in the cart. Then turn on the cart’s main power switch.• Plug the Ethernet cable into the airport and the wall Ethernet jack. Plug the Ethernet cable into the airport and the wall Ethernet jack. • Tip: sometimes the airport will “drop off” and need to be unplugged Tip: sometimes the airport will “drop off” and need to be unplugged

then plugged back in. then plugged back in.

Mobile Lab (cart) Features• Recharging the laptopsRecharging the laptops

• Plug in the power cord for each laptop: Plug in the power cord for each laptop: YellowYellow = charging = charging GreenGreen = fully charged = fully charged

• Tip 1: Tip 1: No light means the laptops are not receiving power. Some carts may have the power strips on a timer which alternates between the top No light means the laptops are not receiving power. Some carts may have the power strips on a timer which alternates between the top shelf and bottom shelf.shelf and bottom shelf.

• Tip 2: Tip 2: Make sure the power strip inside the cart is turned on.Make sure the power strip inside the cart is turned on.

iBook (laptop) Features

• Checking the batteryChecking the battery• Turn the iBook over. Press the button on the battery. 5 green Turn the iBook over. Press the button on the battery. 5 green

lights - maximum battery power / 1 blinking green light - dead lights - maximum battery power / 1 blinking green light - dead battery battery

iBook (laptop) Features

• Turning on and shutting down the laptopTurning on and shutting down the laptop

iBook (laptop) Features

• Saving powerSaving power• ALWAYS have students log out (synch

local home) and wait for the login screen before shutting lid!

• Closing the lid will put the computer to sleep. LOG out FIRST!

• Note: The light next to the latch will glow indicating the laptop is “asleep.” This is also called the laptop “heartbeat”

Scheduling

• Paper calendar in 2nd floor Paper calendar in 2nd floor Science Prep RoomScience Prep Room

• Staff sign-up on a sheet indicating the Staff sign-up on a sheet indicating the date(s) and time(s) they need the lab.date(s) and time(s) they need the lab.

• ALWAYS please use Pencil! ALWAYS please use Pencil! • Only sign up for max Only sign up for max 4 days at a time.4 days at a time. • If you can’t make one of your days/times If you can’t make one of your days/times

please return the cart and erase your name. please return the cart and erase your name. • An unused lab sitting in a classroom is a An unused lab sitting in a classroom is a

BAD thing! BAD thing!

Scheduling Tips

• CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS::• Allow for travel time. Who will be responsible Allow for travel time. Who will be responsible

for moving the lab from one classroom to the for moving the lab from one classroom to the next? next?

• Allow for charging time. Will the lab have Allow for charging time. Will the lab have enough time to charge between sessions? enough time to charge between sessions?

• Allow for 5-10 minutes in a lesson for modeling, Allow for 5-10 minutes in a lesson for modeling, distribution, & collection.distribution, & collection.

• Be familiar with checkout procedures for the Be familiar with checkout procedures for the mobile lab.mobile lab.

Scheduling Tips

• CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS::• Allow for travel time. Who will be responsible Allow for travel time. Who will be responsible

for moving the lab from one classroom to the for moving the lab from one classroom to the next? next?

• Allow for charging time. Will the lab have Allow for charging time. Will the lab have enough time to charge between sessions? enough time to charge between sessions?

• Allow for 5-10 minutes in a lesson for modeling, Allow for 5-10 minutes in a lesson for modeling, distribution, and collection.distribution, and collection.

• Be familiar with checkout procedures for the Be familiar with checkout procedures for the mobile lab.mobile lab.

Troubleshooting Tips

• SUGGESTIONSSUGGESTIONS::• Have a “tech buddy” on your team who has Have a “tech buddy” on your team who has

worked with the mobile labs before. worked with the mobile labs before. • Apple + F = FIND …..very helpful!Apple + F = FIND …..very helpful!• ““I do, we do, and you do” works great with the I do, we do, and you do” works great with the

mobile lab!mobile lab!• Problems logging in? Have student shut down all Problems logging in? Have student shut down all

the way…. Wait 2 min, restart & try again. the way…. Wait 2 min, restart & try again. • Look for the 3 lights on the Airport, place HIGH!Look for the 3 lights on the Airport, place HIGH!

Please….

• Number one problem with the Mobile Lab: Number one problem with the Mobile Lab: Classroom management issuesClassroom management issues

• If laptops get damaged repeatedly, or come back in If laptops get damaged repeatedly, or come back in disarray….they will not be loaned out again until disarray….they will not be loaned out again until further training has been completed. further training has been completed.

• It is your responsibility to pick up and return the It is your responsibility to pick up and return the mobile lab cart to the prep room in a timely mobile lab cart to the prep room in a timely fashion. fashion.

• ALWAYS have a backup plan. Technology is ALWAYS have a backup plan. Technology is wonderful but not as fool-proof as paper and books. wonderful but not as fool-proof as paper and books.

Synching to the SERVERSynching to the SERVERSynching to the SERVERSynching to the SERVERYour network home has changed since your last

synchronization. Please select the location of your latest files. If you are not sure, choose Sync later and backup your most important files before synchronizing again.

Network Home Local Home Sync Later

Select Network Home if you receive this message when you first log on to a

computer.

[This will bring your files from the network to

the computer you are working on – it will bring your saved work to you.]

Select Local Home if you receive this message when you are logging off a computer.

[This will send your files from the computer you are working on to the network – it will SAVE

them.]