Credit for image
Many teachers find their entry into the world of technology likewise traumatic. It may be a rude awakening for some, but take comfort from the fact that there is always a mother giraffe around to assist your friendly facilitator or technology integrator is there to help you to survive. Once on your feet, new life will be blown into your teaching through the use of technology.
There is further good news: the giraffe birth fatality rate is very low.
| related link
There is a saying: When all else fails, read the manual. The frequency with which this saying is used indicates that it is common for people to ignore a manual. This is true of manuals of electronic equipment in general cell phones, microwave ovens and yes, laptops too.
If you have ever opened a box and tried to master the item inside with the help of the manual that is provided to inform you how to operate the gizmo, you will understand some of the frustrations that many people experience.
Manuals tend to be written in technical terms that may be clear to a person with technical know-how, but frequently leave a lay person in the cold.
The writer of a manual may assume a certain level of expertise of the reader and so the explanations are pitched at a very high level first time users find this difficult to follow.
Some find the style of manuals impersonal and uninviting.
If the item were manufactured in the East, the manual would have been originally written in Chinese, Korean or Japanese the translation is often not clear to a Westerner.
In spite of these unfriendly elements of manuals, they do have good uses.
A manual is a useful, quick reference when you have forgotten something or if you need a specific detail.
It is model specific, which means that the information would always be relevant to your specific machine.
The pictures and diagrams are useful to explain the different components and uses of the laptop.
A manual may not be the best way to introduce you to your laptop, but it certainly is an excellent source of reference material to help you to use the device optimally.
Get into the habit of consulting the manual if it is not simply consulted as a last resort you may avert a few failures.
| related link
There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream. There are likewise various ways in which you could learn to use your laptop.
These methods fall into two categories: formal methods and informal methods.
Formal methods refer to training programmes designed to equip you with the necessary skills to make full use of your laptop. A variety of such programmes are available.
Commercial courses are offered to equip you with basic computer skills, as well as teaching advanced features of laptop use.
Computer based training (CBT) courses are available on the internet, or through programmes that can be loaded on your PC, to guide you through different aspects of laptop use.
Your education department or school may arrange formal training programmes to equip you with the required skills.
A number of partner programmes (such as Intel Teach to the Future) are available throughout the country and if you are fortunate you may get a seat on one of these courses.
When formal methods to teach you how to use your laptop are not available, or if you do not have the resources to enrol in these programmes, you may opt for informal training opportunities. It may also be that you learn better in an informal setting.
Read the manual and try to master your laptop on your own.
Ask a colleague or a friend for assistance to get going, or when you are stuck.
You may ask your own children or the learners at your school for help.
The friendly supplier of your laptop may be willing to spend time with you to show you the basics.
If your school has a computer facility, it may be possible to visit the room and get some assistance from the teachers doing service there.
The best option would probably be a blended approach: this means using a variety of training methods. For example, you may choose a formal training course to get you going; later enrol for a CBT course for more advanced training; ask a friend for advice when you encounter problems; and consult the manual for detailed explanations.
The best way to learn to use your laptop and retain what you learn is to use it.
Use it or lose it.
| related link
You can use your laptop without a printer. Some people are quite content to do their computing without a printer. For them, the action happens on the screen and whatever they use their laptop for, does not require printing.
Without a printer you are able to type and create documents, record information, go onto the internet, send email messages and even play games. If you can't afford to buy a printer initially, it is still possible to learn to use your laptop and perform many useful functions with it.
However, the majority of laptop owners prefer to have printers as part of their computer installations.
Let's consider an example of how a situation could be approached with, or without, a printer.
Suppose you are preparing a test paper for a class. You use your laptop to type the questions and may even include questions from a data file given to you by a colleague. When you are satisfied with the paper, you save it on your laptop. How will you get the test paper to the learners? If you have a printer, you will print a copy. But one copy is of no use for a class of fifty learners. You could print fifty copies on your printer, but that is not cost efficient, so you will probably take a printed copy along with you to school and have it duplicated in the usual way.
If you do not have a printer you can save the test on a memory stick and print it on a printer at school. In order to save paper and ink many teachers choose this option even if they have a printer at home. This means that not having a printer does not pose a significant problem when you use your laptop to produce documents such as test papers and learner notes.
What happens if the school does not have a printer? Then you could display the test on a screen, using your laptop and a data projector. This is not an ideal solution, but could be considered in a worst case scenario.
Printing technology has evolved rapidly in recent years, giving you many choices which range from expensive, fancy, fast, high quality, colour printers to affordable, adequate, basic printers.
The cost of printers has come down over the years, but when you decide on a printer, you must consider the cost of the toner or ink. This could be a killer.
A printer is a useful device but when it is available you must learn to use it in a sensible way. Much printing can be avoided by working on your screen. Not only does this save you money, but you contribute towards keeping the planet green.
| related link
The total cost of ownership of a laptop consists of three components: initial cost, recurring costs and hidden costs. You must know what to expect to pay in each of these categories when you consider the acquisition of a laptop.
The initial cost refers to the up-front cost of the laptop. The major portion of this cost is the purchase price of the computer itself but there may be additional things you would need to become fully operational.
If the laptop does not come with a carry bag, you must buy one.
You need a printer if you want to print.
A scanner and digital camera may be useful to you.
Depending on how you plan to use the laptop, additional software could be required.
Recurring costs refers to expenses that recur over a period. These costs often exceed the initial cost and may be a drain on your budget. Take note of the following:
insurance premiums
consumables (such as printer toner)
internet connectivity fees
electricity
training
software licence fees
anticipated upgrades and maintenance.
Obtain an estimate of these costs to get an idea of the amount you have to budget for.
Hidden costs always present unpleasant surprises since you do not foresee them from the outset. They include repair services and component replacement for breakages that occur outside of the warranty agreement. At present South African laws governing the disposal of computers are very relaxed when these laws change there will be a cost attached to getting rid of your laptop at the end of its life.
An estimate of the split between these categories, as costs accumulate over the life of the laptop, is:
Initial cost 25%
Recurring costs 65%
Hidden costs 10%
Remember that these are just averages and could change under different circumstances. The important thing to note is that the initial cost constitutes only a fraction of the total cost of ownership of a laptop.
| related link
Back Next
Calendar
