After that Bank Holiday

The weekend after bank holiday and a few weeks to go before the next half term.




Few things I had to discuss first day back :

• Our Data Drive considerations again.
• Should certain Staff have access to phone my mobile.
• IWBs for the new area.
• Possible Cabling completely redone in a department.

Data Drive - Again
We've come up with a temp solution to a major data issue on expanding our server.  The bad news is this isn't permanent and will add fuel to the fire of buying a new one.  Although we are still seriously considering Cloud, compared to the costs of 1GB broadband or even half that - is it cost effective to purchase a SAN setup?


My Mobile
This has popped up occasionally, originally I had allowed Staff to call me directly in the event of any emergencies.  The bad news is, this was no longer being used for emergencies but as a way to bypass standard Help Desk procedure.
Found my self getting phone calls for minor Website updates, Printing issues and if some one is on their way to an event (even though some one was).  The last straw was being called up on my day off over a minor problem which could have gone to my team.  So enough was enough and I put a stop to it.  This returns to another issue in education, where as people have (usually) no choice but to stick to the preferred way of contacting IT Support in Schools this is pretty much how people feel like.  In a large company you wouldn't see workers leaving their areas to report problems, you would have no choice but to phone/email and join the queue.  A lot of places don't even have On Site Support which again means following standard procedure.  Which is why Schools do not resort to external IT Support - they rely on that Hands On ASAP approach.


Interactive White Boards
Going to make my self a little bit clear on these, I do not believe in them.  When Schools are having no issues with grades and results without these - every School should be able to make do.  IT is about making life easier and simpler.  Which is why our classrooms have PCs > Projectors, this means no messing around with cables and laptops.  This allows the Teacher to walk in, sit down, log in and turn on the projector.  Which provides that Teacher with a working setup of IT.  They are able to broadcast any work to that Student which can be prepared any where in the world with IT Access.  Smart Boards are a way of helping Staff interact with Students, but you would think they already knew how to do that?  Teaching Students that their life/education is important which seems to be doing the trick - after all we have seen a rise of stress for youngsters in education.


Considering the £1000-£4000 cost for an IWB/All in one setup and witnessing they are not being used (even with constant training being offered)?  How much money had been wasted to stick all them in every classroom (we have around 80-100).  We are talking about the possibility of £100,000 to £400,000 being spent over a 2-3 Year period.  Ever want to ask why Schools are losing their budgets?  Because of the waste happening.  Then you have to remember that the equipment will most likely not last 10 Years - meaning replacements of another £1000 - £1500 if looking at cost effective measures/equipment.  You seriously have to consider budgets in regards to Smart/Promethean Boards.  p.s  Yes I am aware of iProjectors.


Overhaul of a Department
One thing I really enjoy, tearing out all the old and putting new.  This isn't just about making it work, look better but future proofing for the next 10+ Years.  Every cable will be pulled out, new switch cabinet setup dedicated to that department and of course new trunking etc.  This also allows us to put new PCs/Speakers which I hope to budget for.  The setup currently is very messy, unreliable and untidy - some are very poor.  Although it's not in my budget plan I tend to save a few grand which would allow me to do this.
Due to the amount of recording we do, we will know what sockets will be pulled out so we can disconnect from the current switch.


Once this area has been finished, it will be a huge chunk out of our current planning for improving the state of IT Site Wide.


Don't agree? Suffer the same? don't be afraid to comment!