Student Teacher Technology Kits

Student teachers may check out one of six Student Teacher Technology Kits for user during two weeks or more of their student teaching. If equipment is not being used by student teachers, it may be used by students who are teaching in the blocks.

Each kit consists of a laptop computer, digital projector and digital camera. Individual items may also be checked out.

Note: School districts may not allow non-district computers on their networks. To project live web images in classrooms, you may need to use a school-district computer.

Reservation Process

• Reservations are handled by the Department of Education (120 Montague Hall). Please contact Chris Peterson (726-7592, capeters@d.umn.edu) or Tracy Ausmus (726-8627, tausmus@d.um.edu).
• Laptops should (ideally) be reserved a few days ahead of time.
• Kits and individual items may be reserved for two weeks. The check-out period may be extended if the equipment hasn't been requested by another student teacher.

Requirements

• Before checking out a kit, student teachers must sign a checkout agreement stating their willingness to follow the department's guidelines regarding care and use of the equipment.
• After using a kit, student teachers are asked to fill out a brief feedback form (survey). This is an online survey done in TestPilot (requires login with your UMD email username and password). Suggestions will make the kits more helpful to future student teachers.

Pickup and Return

• Pickups are normally on Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• Returns are normally on Thursdays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• The normal pickup/return location is 120 Montague Hall. Arrangements may be made for early or late pickups and drop-offs, which might be at a different location.

Equipment

Kit Number	Laptop Number and Type
1	PC #16, Gateway 450SX4 (Windows XP, 845 MHz)
2	PC #17, Gateway 450SX4 (Windows XP, 845 MHz)
3	PC #18, Gateway 450SX4 (Windows XP, 845 MHz)
4	Macintosh #17, iBook (OS 10.x, 900 MHz)
5	Macintosh #18, iBook (OS 10.x, 900 MHz) (this laptop failed; it will be replaced if demand warrants it)
6	Macintosh #19, iBook (OS 10.x, 900 MHz)

Note:

• Laptops do NOT have wireless cards
• Each kit includes a Hitachi CP-X327 projector (if desired) and a digital camera; projectors and cameras may also be checked out separately for student teacher use)

Accessories

• Kensington USB mouse*
• Kensington lock(s) for laptop and/or projector**
• Kensington Presentation Remote (Kensington "clicker" for presentations)**
• Folding cart on wheels**
• External floppy drive** (for Macs; not needed for PCs, because they have internal floppy drives)
• External zip drive**

* Included
** Available upon request

Software, etc.

Item	Description	PCs	Macs
Microsoft Word	Word processing	Yes	Yes
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheets	Yes	Yes
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	Yes	Yes
Microsoft Access	Database	Yes	No (use Appleworks)
Appleworks	Word processing, spreadsheets, database	Yes	Yes
Mulberry	Email	Yes	Yes
Inspiration	Concept mapping	Yes	Yes
Internet Explorer	Web browser	Yes	Yes
Firefox	Web browser	Yes	Yes
Safari	Web browser	No	Yes
CD burner	Creates CDs	No (but you can check out a zip drive)	Yes (but one CD drive has failed)
Floppy drive	Reads floppy disks	Yes	Yes (external)
DVD player	Plays DVDs	Yes	Yes
Movie software	Creates movies	Windows Movie Maker	iMovie
OS	Operating System	Windows XP Pro	OS X

Evaluations

• See what students have said about the Tech Kits in the past.
• Access the evaluation form in TestPilot (requires login with your UMD email username and password).