Episode #20: Netbooks in Fort Smith
Recorded February 2009
 Fort Smith Public Schools has nearly 20 classrooms using Eee PC netbooks. George Lieux, technology professional development specialist, gathered up nine classroom teachers to talk with Tony Vincent about their use of the mini laptops. Tony speaks with these elementary, middle, and high school teachers who all share valuable classroom management tips as well as great curriculum integration ideas. If you are thinking about getting class sets of netbooks, you have got to listen to this episode!
Show Notes:
- These Fort Smith teachers are all using class sets of Eee PC 1000HAs.
- Their netbooks have 6-cell batteries, which last for an entire school day.
- Instead of purchasing Microsoft Office, they are using OpenOffice, free software.
- Besides OpenOffice, a Web browser was the most used application by students.
- Third graders had to pass tests about Internet safety and copyright before using the netbooks.
- It's useful to have all students face their desks in the same direction so the teacher can see everyone's computer screens at once.
- Headphones get all tangled when stored each day. One teacher finally placed numbered hooks on the wall, one for each headset. No more tangles!
- The greatest challenge for these teachers is managing a classroom with so many different computer skill levels.
- We used GoToMeeting to connect and record. There are, however, some audio issues. For one thing, Tony's USB microphone was not recorded. Instead, the built-in mic of his laptop is what picked up his audio, causing some echo. Despite a few audio issues you should be able to hear and understand almost everything.
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