Laptops on Carts

Jump to PC Software or Mac Software at bottom of page

The Department of Education has two sets of laptops on carts: one with Gateway laptops running Windows XP, and one with Apple laptops running Mac OS 10.3.

• There are 16 laptops for each cart. Inside each cart is a sheet that shows how many laptops are on the cart at a given time, as laptops are occasionally out for repair.
• Individual laptops should not be removed from the carts during the fall or spring semester, so instructors will have enough laptops for their classes.
• The PCs run at a speed of 1.5 GHz.
• The Macs are older, and run at 600 MHz (0.6 GHz). NOTE: The date can be incorrect on these laptops, because the batteries don't hold a charge. After the laptops get online, the time and date should be reset automatically.

Reservations

Carts are reserved and signed out on the calendars at the front desk in Montague 120. There is one for each cart. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Faculty are asked to continue to cooperate to resolve potential scheduling conflicts.

Network Connection and Authentication

• All laptops on carts connect to the Internet wirelessly.
• Users must authenticate (log in) to connect to the UMD network in order to get online.
  • To authenticate, use either Virtual Private Network or a web browser (see next bullet).
  • Web browsers are automatically directed to UMD's login page.
  • At the login page, enter your UMD user name and email password.

Tech Support

• There is a clipboard on each cart for noting problems or needed repairs
• For tech support during class, call or send a student the Audio Visual office, 175 Kirby Plaza (726-6222). Schedule:
  • Fall and Spring semesters:
    • 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and
    • 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
  • Summer sessions: 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Peripherals and Accessories

Each laptop cart includes a box with a zip drive, floppy drives, Ethernet cables, two power strips (surge protectors) and two long extension cords.

Instructor Responsibilities

• Sign the cart out.
• Ensure that all laptops are returned to the cart, and that the cart is neat and organized.
• Return the cart to the storage room in Montague 120.
• Plug the laptops into the cart outlets, and the carts into the wall outlets:
  • The Mac cart has one plug.
  • The PC cart has two plugs; users are advised to turn the power switch on each side of the PC cart off, temporarily, while plugging the cart in, to minimize sparking.

Batteries and Power Supplies

• Laptop batteries may not have a sufficient charge to get through a class period!
• Even when plugged in overnight, laptops are sometimes used all day long, and the batteries become depleted.
• Students can sit around the edges of Montague 121/151 to get power. Better, yet, you can use the extension cords and power strips on the carts to let them work anywhere in the room:
  • Each carts has multiple outlets and one or two long extension cords
  • Each cart has, additionally, two surge protectors and two long extension cords.
    

Software

1. PC Cart

Word Processing

• Microsoft Office 2003
• [Microsoft Office 2007: coming soon]

Math

• Geometers Sketchpad 4.07
• Microworlds Pro
• TI Software: Class Analysis, Connect, Learning Check, Navigator and Network Manager
• Tinkerplots

Special Education/Accessibility

• Boardmaker SD Pro
• Co-Writer 4000
• IBM Viavoice
• Lexis Comprehensive Reading Test, Phonics, Reading, SDS and more
• What's Best for Matthew
• Wynn Wizard 3.5
• Write Out Loud 3
• Writing with Symbols 2000

Web Development Software

• Contribute 3.11
• Dreamweaver MX (use with Virtual Private Network [VPN] software)
• Web Album Generator

Other

• Classroom Performance System (CPS)
• Create Together
• Inspiration 8
• [InspireDate: coming soon]
• Kidspiration 2
• [Kidspiration 3: coming soon]
• Mulberry
• Quicktime

2. Mac Cart

Word Processing

• Microsoft Office 2004
• Microsoft Office 2008
• Appleworks

Special Education/Accessibility

• Clicker 5
• ClozePro

Web Development Software

• Contribute 3.11
• Dreamweaver MX (use with Virtual Private Network [VPN] software)

Other

• Create Together
• Inspiration 8
• InspireData
• Kidspiration 2
• Kidspiration 3
• Mulberry
• Quicktime
• Audacity
• Sound Studio
• iMovie
• iTunes
• Windows Media Player
• Real Player