Apple Tools Enable Centralized Management of District’s Computers

Profiles in Success: Magnolia School District

Students with MacBook

Videoconferencing Streamlines Support

Waters and fellow TOSA Jeremy Davis have discovered that Apple videoconferencing helps them instantly size up support issues, and provide solutions. Instead of jumping into a car, the pair can fire up an iSight camera, greatly reducing the time needed for problem resolution.

“With tools like Apple Remote Desktop … we don’t have to drive around all day now. Yet we can provide great support for the schools.”

— Andy Fernandez, Network Administrator, Magnolia School District

Says Davis, “The greatest part about Apple Remote Desktop is that it helps us show teachers how to be more self-reliant. And, we can take care of three or four teachers in the time it would take to drive out and assist one on-site. Because we have a smaller technology budget, we can’t afford the multiple technicians that larger districts have. Apple Remote Desktop has given us a way to stay as caught up as possible with the demand.”

“Technology Tuesdays” Catching On

Developing the troubleshooting shortcuts has given Waters more time to devote to his real love: providing professional development and curriculum integration guidance for district teachers. Magnolia offers a series of six-week “Technology Tuesday” sessions, giving comprehensive instruction in the various Apple technologies. For instance, a set of classes on iLife encompasses everything from how to launch each program in the suite, to the best use of digital cameras with iPhoto for a math class.

“We don’t just show how to use a camera; we provide five or six lesson ideas, and try to tailor them to a kindergarten or sixth-grade teacher’s needs,” Waters notes. “In every instance, we tie the use of the Apple tools back to what that teacher is going to do in the classroom the next day.

“The first year we did the sessions, we had about 15 people stopping by for Technology Tuesday,” Waters continues. “During the 2005-2006 school year, 86 teachers took part. These classes are really catching on. Teachers are excited about what they can do with the notebook computers, and they’re sharing what they’ve learned with each other. Many of them had no idea that working with an iBook was so easy, or could enhance their lessons so much.”

Educational Technologies Make Converts