Rebecca Henderson

Hardware Inventory

1. Desktop Computers - The desktop computer has many uses from word processing,
research, data collection, to simple communication. Each classroom is equipped with at
least one desktop computer. Now that the students in Calhoun County are 1:1 with
chromebooks, here at AMS we have distributed the computers in one of the computer
labs into the classrooms giving most teachers an additional desktop computer. There are
times a student forgets his or her chromebook, the desktop computer is readily available.
I have my second desktop computer attached to my interactive whiteboard so my desk
does not have to be the focal point to the room. In our school system, the desktop
computers are used more by the teacher/staff. You sign into the office on a desktop
computer. In the library, books are checked in and out using a desktop computer. Even
in the lunchroom when the students have their lunch number, they enter it into a desktop
top computer the cashier is using.

2. Laptop computers - This is a new piece of hardware given to the teachers this school
year by our technology department. It has been nice to be able to attend meetings and
“see” the data spreadsheet, log into the new program and test the features they are
discussing at the meeting, and show students corrections at their desk during student
conferences instead of having to call them up to the desktop in front of everyone. There
is no rule that students can not use the laptop but it is used the majority of the time by
the teacher.

3. Chromebooks - Each student is issued a chromebook at the beginning of the year very
much like textbooks once were. If the student wants to take the chromebook home, they
can pay a yearly $40 rental fee and will receive a charger, chromebook bag, and the
chromebook is free to travel back and forth the student daily. If the student wants or
needs for the chromebook to stay at school, they return the chromebook to their first
period teacher at the end of the day. That teacher places it in the chromebook or device
charging cart for the night so that it will be fully charged for that student the following
day. The student will use the chromebook in their classes how the teacher uses it for
that day. It can be used to create assignments, check grades, research information, and
communicate with teachers if they are out.

4. Chromebook/Device charging carts - There is a cart in every teacher's class with a first
period class. Students that choose not to take their chromebooks home return their
chromebooks every afternoon. Each teacher has their own procedure but by the end of
the day the chromebooks are back in the cart on charge. Some teachers do not want
students plugging up the chromebooks in fear they will not plug them correctly while
others allow the students to do so. I agree that age is a factor. So the cart is something
that could be used by both students and teachers. Who gains from the cart? The student
gains from the charging; but if not done correctly, the teacher will definitely not benefit.
5. iPads - Although they are a bit outdated, our school has a classroom set of ipads. (two to
be exact) These are great devices for the students when you have a tech assignment
that is mobile but you are afraid they may damage their chromebooks. I have had
students complete virtual breakout rooms, 5 picture challenges, and educreation videos
using ipads. Most are group or partner activities but they can work independently.

6. Power and Sync cart for iPads - This is a power and sync cart for the iPads. The way it
was explained to me, one iPad is configured with the apps and settings correctly. Then
once the iPads are wired into the cart, all the iPads will configure to those exact settings.
The only individual with password privileges and knowledge to use this cart is the media
specialist.

7. View Sonic Interactive Whiteboards - This is a computer monitor that is touchscreen

which makes it interactive! I have had this device for over 3 years and I have yet to see
all that it can do. My students are pros at the device. They use it just as much if not more
than I do. I use the computer side of the program more than I do the interactive portion.
Documents you assigned your students can be uploaded and then be “written” on using
the pen tool in the whiteboard.

8. Web Cameras - These were purchased when we were spending so much time on Zoom
with our students. This is an external camera with a better picture quality than the one on
the desktop but it can be repositioned to show if you are doing a demonstration. This has
come in handy several times for me.

9. Document Cameras (Elmo) - This hardware is also outdated but it was in the library's
stash of goodies. This document camera was used by the teacher mostly in its day to
place text documents or an image under the camera to be viewed over a projector or
large screen. Although it could still be used today, most documents are in PDF format or
digital. Therefore, it can be viewed on the screen without the use of the document
camera.

10. Digital Camera DSLR - Digital camera with a detachable lens that was purchased for the
yearbook. We are always snapping pictures using our phones but this is a tool that the
students are learning how to use in yearbook and journalism to take pictures and edit.

11. Cassette players - Another outdated device but our library has many books on tape. It is
nearly impossible to listen to a book on tape without a cassette player. This device can
be used by a teacher to play the book to the whole class or it could be used individually
by a student who may struggle to read or comprehend the book.

12. Apple TV - This item was something that was a huge resource several years ago when
teachers were issued iPads. The Apple TV’s allowed information from the iPad to be
sent to the projector via the apple TV. If the teacher had a presentation to share, the
apple TV connected my device wirelessly to my projection screen. Students could use
 them when using the iPads for an assignment. They could use the airplay and share
their screen with the apple TV and the class could see their work.

13. Portable LCD projectors - We are still in need of LCD projectors. We have times where
we have presenters come in the gym or the lunchroom to give presentations. The
portable LCD projector and screen allows all to see the information comfortably. The
ones using this equipment would range from the “Snake Lady” to the suicide prevention
assembly with Pete King. The teachers and administration may set up but it is for the
students' benefit.