Preparation and distribution of devices
Many of the issues in this section refer to prior planning and the preparation that is needed before handing devices to staff and learners. Projects certainly recommend working with suppliers to ensure the configuration and necessary software/applications can be pre-installed and tested prior to delivery. It has also been disappointing that some problems have occurred when devices are found not fit for purpose.
Having devices pre-loaded with content is certainly recommended as it allows staff immediately to play with the devices and see the potential of the features and functions. Feedback from staff based on their initial experience means that any changes can be implemented before deployment to learners, “The value of the device lies in part in the materials it is used to deliver”, Stoke on Trent College recommend.
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Samples before purchasing
It is believed there is ‘no one size fits all’ in terms of ideal device and yet speedy deployment and the quick purchase of sample devices this can result in staff giving valuable feedback to inform final purchase.
Training staff and developing m-mentors
At the point when devices are deployed to staff and learners ILT staff become a valuable asset in the essential training and support. Many projects recommend involving key ILT staff in organising and delivering staff development sessions and suggest that learners should be included in this training and support.
"This has meant that they were able to identify potential problems and issues prior to them happening and meant a clearer system for support in place prior to deploying the devices to staff and students."
Exeter College
Where training staff and technical support has been limited some projects have looked at developing student leadership activities. They have found that by creating ‘experts in the room’ - those learners, who are trained and receive regular updates about the technologies, can support staff and peers; “developing m-mentoring to provide support via email or in person.”
Time to charge and configure
The majority of projects indicated that the initial unpacking, charging and set-up of most devices was a long-winded and time consuming task. Not only that but safe storage of the devices while being charged, became an urgent issue to resolve. Boston College says that leaving 220 devices on charge for several hours was a logistical problem making sure there was enough electrical sockets in the first place. This factor hampered the speed to which the devices could be commissioned to learners and staff. Added to this time was the initial test to make sure the devices were fully functioning before use.
Brockenhurst College only had 140 devices yet still found that the unpacking, setup, security marking, charging and configuring of the devices took one member of staff over 3 weeks of full time work. This had been underestimated from the original plan.
A great amount of time can be used in the setting up of devices before deployment and many projects reflect that initially there is flurry of activity as all devices have to be prepared. This is likely to consist of unpacking, adding batteries or SIM cards, charging of the device and asset marking and adding content onto memory cards. When considering a large quantity such as over 1000 devices the unpacking and configuring can take over 500 hours. “In addition we had to PAT test the devices and release forms produced to include College requirements for use.”, say Sheffield College.
Charging a quantity of devices at a single point in time can be challenging. Huddersfield College found that 27 iPod Touch devices needed a 7 port USB Hub to successfully overcome this problem, allowing devices to be working in quick succession.
Time is needed to collect devices, reset them to ‘factory settings’ and distribute again. Producing an image of the device can take time and some Colleges found their college software was not compatible with Windows Vista on the devices. Images then became corrupt or took over 2 hours per device to apply image to the device. Time was also needed to train staff in this re-imaging process.
Configuring over 700 devices at one time is not a small job. This needs to be properly scheduled and a skill-set is involved to troubleshoot.
Caution when cleaning
Other useful advice has been with regards to future deployment of devices as each device might need time to clean up and prepare for a new learning group. “One tutor borrowed a device and used it to access their Facebook account. The device was then loaded to a student who could access this Facebook information. This is a illustration of the importance of ensuring that data is cleansed before devices are loaded elsewhere.” say Sheffield College.
Plug-ins, add-ons and players
Reigate Sixth Form College found that some devices have proved more problematic requiring additional preparation time and effort so that suitable browsers or plug-ins are loaded to access the video, the web or play content sufficiently. Archos devices, for example, require each to be registered with Archos, have 2 plug-ins purchased and downloaded onto each device, synchronised with the wireless system, watermarked for security and then barcoded so they can be issued under the Library Loans procedure to track them. “Needless to say all of this took time (approx 1 hour per device) and given we had 170 to issue this was a significant amount of labour to find.”
In similar fashion some devices need to be charged using particular methods such that Archos devices and maintained and Archos devices are charged by USB therefore needing access to a computer by default. “ We quickly located mains-based chargers was an essential move, Stoke on Trent College recommends
Tracking and monitoring
With quantities of equipment keeping track is an essential task and many suppliers have helped with this issue to capture serial numbers supplied against box numbers, Walsall College suggest that “next time we aim to use a barcode scanner to manage and audit stock.”
Just before distribution Colleges have taken LSN’s advice and produced a policy for use – an agreement should the device get broken or mislaid. Many recommend creating a policy and ensure they stick closely to it having experienced devices needing repair or having to replace damaged or lost power adapters.
Wi-Fi
Huddersfield College recommend configuring devices with WiFi keys before being deployed however each device had to be 'imaged' separately as each WiFi key is unique. This was a time-consuming activity yet it reaped results in making access to the network straight forward.
Storage and connectivity can be addressed at the same time by using a mobile laptop trolley. The Hornbill , for example, also doubles as a mobile WiFi access point or network hub.
Content
Flash content requires testing to ensure the chosen device can view or play the activity. Configuring devices for Flash might be time-consuming and require technical support especially if materials are to be re-purposed from existing resources.
A Beauty Therapy lecturer, as part of the Glossy project, produced Flash based activities using Content Generator software only to find that they did not work on the mobile devices. However they did work on the UMPCs with Windows platform and the MID (Mobile Internet Device) with Linux platform.
Resources created using CTAD's My Learning Authoring Tool require Flash 7. Oaklands College installed Flash 7 using a .CAB file (which is essential for the Tribal CTAD's packages). They also set Pocket Internet Explorer to column view to avoid scrolling and installed a trial version of Opera Mobile onto the devices as it supported Flash and Javascript better that Internet Explorer.
Memory Cards
Adding content to a multiple of devices has caused a few projects to think about the use of disseminating the resources. Some have supplied resources on a learning platform for learners to access and download however many projects have supplied students with pre-loaded content on memory cards suitable for their device. Bolton College strongly advises that you ascertain whether the device can support large memory cards. They purchased 4GB micro SD cards which were subsequently found not to be supported by some of the phones.
Some Colleges have sought the use of duplicating machines to replicate memory cards in bulk action. Chichester College had an extra issue relating to the Memory Stick Pro Duo for the Sony PSP. The duplicating device required adaptors for the Sony Pro Duo memory stick which added a delay for content to be distributed.
Multi-card readers can allow learners to easily move content from the College network or VLE to mobile devices that don't have connectivity such as Archos devices, iPods, Creative Zen. Many laptops have built-in card readers however external card readers can be purchased inexpensively.
The Kingston 15-1 card reader, for example, allows users to use a wide range of card formats without the need for adaptors.
Norwich College consider the HTCS710 has a confusing archive system on the device. Once a memory card is inserted the Windows Mobile 6 system replicates its document archive layout on the memory card leaving many users confused as to where content was saved once created.
Synchronisation
Some projects found the installation of Active Sync problematic to install on College networks. A related problem was that much of Windows Mobile software is provided as .exe files that need Active Sync for installation. It is much simpler if software is available as .CAB files for simple extraction on mobile devices.
Active Sync can be temperamental and is really aimed at a single device connecting to a single pc. To connect a number you need to set up as a guest account but even this might not be ideal. Lowestoft College found that many users eventually gave up on uploading/downloading using this method; they used Bluetooth to transfer between each other's devices.
Storage and Carriage
Colleges have had to consider storage of devices from point of delivery, to distribution and then to handle returns at the end of the study period or academic year. Mobile laptop trolleys come in various sizes that provide charging, secure storage and many also provide a mobile Wi-Fi connection. The Hornbill, for example, provides storage for 20 laptops or devices plus a printer and a WiFi mobile access point.
Regent College recommend the purchase of lockable, wheeled toolcases so that, with foam enclosures, they can carry Asus eepcs and their power blocks safely and securely.
Security Marking
Almost all projects have mentioned the need to add security marking to the devices. Apple allow customers to have postcodes and names etched onto the back surface of their devices. This acts as a deterrent for devices to go 'walkabout'. In addition to this type of security mark the asset mark showing inventory information is advised.