Essential
Technology Skills For Educators
with
Self-Assessment
A skills self-assessment and quick reference
for teachers and
administrators
Education has always
included technology to assist teachers and students in the learning
process. Books, pencils, pens,
duplicating machines, film projectors, television and all the other devices we
can remember from earlier days in the classroom were state of the art technology at one time. We used them to teach the
basics, cover the subject matter,
and reinforce the knowledge that was
the objective of the educational process.
Times change and we now
realize that there are many more competencies and skills that apply to future
career fields and real-world practice.
The electronic technology of today has evolved to the point that it is
the tool of choice to enable teachers to prepare their classes to meet the
demands of the present and future workplace.
Our students need to process information, explore outside resources, solve
problems, evaluate their own progress and work in cooperative teams.
Computer hardware, software and peripherals empower students to develop these skills through original writings, desktop publications, multimedia presentations and electronic portfolios of their own products. On-line services and Internet access establish communication links so that students can share ideas and information around the world. The classroom as we have known it is changing. The transformation will result in active learning centers in which students interact with manipulatives, probe ware and experimental tools that are not just part of science or math class, but a truly multidisciplinary educational environment.
This book is written to
provide basic skills necessary for all educators who recognize the educational
potential of instructional technology.
It gives essential information to assist you with the operation of
hardware and software. Once the
“survival skills” are acquired, you will be better prepared to use manuals,
tutorials and advanced documentation.
Intermediate and advanced skills in this text are designed to provide
information required by persons charged with the role of Tech Specialist.
Hardware Skills: Level One
CPU/Computer Systems
1. Prepare System for Operation, Plug in, Turn
on
The computer system consists of several separate
components connected together to form the operational unit. Some systems may be completely
self-contained with monitor and CPU in one case, or the CPU, Monitor, Keyboard,
Mouse and Speakers may be separate. The
primary consideration is that all components must be connected properly and
plugged into a suitable AC outlet or power supply designed for the computer.
The power switches are located in a number of
possible places depending on the type of computer.
Typically, an MS-DOS
or Windows system will have a power
switch on the front, side or rear of the CPU and a separate switch on the
monitor. The monitor switch can be on
the front, side, or rear, depending on the brand.
Macintosh computers may have the
power switch at the rear of the CPU and Monitor, on the front of the CPU, and
are powered on by a switch on the keyboard marked with a triangle. This may be at the top of the keyboard on
older systems, or at the top right of the keyboard on newer systems.
Refer to the manual if you are unable to locate the
switches. Note that it is sometimes
recommended that you turn on the monitor and other peripherals before turning
on the CPU to minimize power fluctuation to the processor.
Successful power-on results in a visual and / or
auditory cue such as power lamp and tone.
The machine will automatically boot if it has been configured properly.
If the system does not respond, follow the sequence
below:
1. Check to be sure that
there is power to the outlets. There
may be a switch or breaker as part of a surge protection system. If there is no indication that power is
available to any of the components, check the circuit with a lamp or other
electrical device. Check breakers if
there is no power to the outlet.
2. If there is power to the
outlet, but the system fails to respond, check the individual power cords to
each component. Check the back of the
CPU for a power supply switch designed to convert the machine from 110 to 220
volt operation. This should be in the
110-volt setting. Push the cord
securely into the outlet and onto the back of the system.
3.
Try a different power cord in case there is a faulty plug or stressed cable.
If you have tried these options and still have no
power in the system, it is possible that a power supply has failed or an
internal protection system has been activated.
If separate components all fail to operate, check the items above a
second time. It is unlikely that two or
more power systems would fail at one time unless there had been a power surge
or lightning strike.
2. Attach Peripherals, Printer, Modem
Attaching peripherals such as the printer and modem
is usually simple. On the Macintosh, the devices are connected
using similar cables, but there is an icon on the CPU that matches the device
you are connecting. The keyboard and
mouse have an icon that matches the one on the cable. Most mouse connections are on the keyboard itself. The modem connects to the telephone handset
icon, the printer to the printer icon, microphone to microphone, speaker to
speaker and so on. A SCSI connector (Small Computer System
Interface, pronounced “skuzzy”) has a diamond with a horizontal line to the
right. Newer Macs may have a network transceiver port with arrows pointing to
the outside edges of the case or an RJ45 network connector resembling a large
telephone jack. The SCSI port is used for external hard
drives, scanners, and other high-speed connections. If the computer is connected to the network but uses a local (attached)
printer with a standard printer cable, use the modem port.
IBM and compatible systems may
or may not use icons, but they use different types of cables for each
connection. The printer connects to a large flat connector. The cable has pins that slide into the
connector on the back of the CPU. The modem can be internal or external. The internal
modem does not require any connection but a phone line. The external
modem requires the use of one of the CPU's serial ports which can have a
small nine pin (db9) connector that slides over the pins of the serial port or
a larger 25 pin (db25) connector. You
can purchase an adapter if you need to change either port to the 25 or 9-pin
type. It also requires an external
power connection. The mouse is usually connected to the port
labeled COM 1. Most mice come with the
9-pin adapter mentioned above or a PS/2 connector. The monitor port is
similar in size to the db9 but has more small pins in several rows. When you are connecting speakers to a sound card, it may be necessary to check the manual
for the correct port since there is usually a microphone input and line output
port. A SCSI port is not standard on most IBM and compatibles. It is typically found on a card in one of
the expansion slots if present. It has
a very large connector that will match an external CD-ROM drive, scanner, tape
backup system, etc. Some CPU's have a
small, round connector for mouse and / or keyboard called a PS/2 port. This usually has an icon like the Macintosh or a word description
on the case.
In the event that a device does not work, you should
always reattach the cables and check for bent or damaged pins, etc. Be sure to check any manuals if the device
will not function. In some peripherals,
a simple connection is not all that is required. You may need special software or system settings such as drivers,
etc.
3. Format or Initialize Floppy Diskettes
(System Disk)
In order to use floppy disks, it is necessary to
prepare them to receive data. This is
done by formatting or initializing the disk.
When the disk is inserted into the drive on the Macintosh, the computer will
automatically check it for current format.
A PC disk will usually be detected and labeled PC on the diskette
icon. A blank disk will automatically
cause the machine to ask if you would like to initialize the disk. You may select the type of format from the
pull-down menu.
In earlier systems for the Macintosh, a bootable system disk could be created for the specific
model or the Disk Tools floppy could
be used. Advanced systems such as 7.x
and above may be booted from the CD-ROM System Disk.
The IBM
or compatible diskette can be formatted from the command line or File Manager in Windows 3.x. The syntax is Format a: for a high-density diskette
in a 1.44 MB drive A. This diskette
will have an HD on the front right and HD will be listed on the shutter.
If the disk is labeled double density, it requires
the following DOS command:
Format a: /n:9
/t:80. This formats the diskette for 720 k. (If you tried to format a double density
diskette using just the format command, it will give you an Invalid Media or
Track 0 Bad - Disk Unusable error.)
To format a disk from Windows 3.x, go to the Main window icon, File Manager. Under Disk, use the Format pull-down menu to set up the choices for the proper size
diskette and drive letter.
A System disk
can be used to boot the machine for special purposes such as logging on to a
network. The system can be transferred
from DOS by typing sys a: or adding /s to the format command.
In Windows 3.x, under the Format options is a box that can be checked to make a system
disk. In Windows 95, use a right mouse click on the floppy drive icon in the
Windows Explorer or Highlight the
drive in My Computer and select Format under File.
Most diskettes sold today are preformatted. Select the operating system that you
use. In a mixed platform environment,
purchase PC formatted diskettes since they can be used on both Macs and
PCs. In addition, you can transfer files
from a Mac to a PC on these diskettes if the files were created in a compatible
program such as Microsoft Office. If
your system still uses 5 ¼” diskettes, consult the manual for format
information.
4. Use Mouse to Launch Program
The mouse has made the personal computer much easier
to use. It is usually associated with
some type of graphical user interface.
The mouse, trackball, or other pointing device has an electronic sensor
in combination with a roller. An arrow
appears on the computer screen and this can be pointed at any object on the
screen. A button or buttons on the
mouse is used to "click" on the object to activate it, pull down
menus, etc. Usually, the mouse button
is clicked twice to activate the icon.
The sensitivity of the mouse can be adjusted in the control panels and
tested to optimize the feel for the user.
If you want to "Launch" a program, double click on the icon
associated with it and it will run. When Icons appear as three dimensional
buttons, a single mouse click will activate them.
IBM and compatibles may have
two or three mouse buttons. The left button usually corresponds to the single
button on the Macintosh mouse. The right and center buttons may be
programmed for specific functions in selected software. Windows
95 uses the right button for a variety of file and formatting options.
The mouse may pick up dust as it is moved across the
surface of the worktable. A mouse pad
is helpful in maintaining traction and keeping the mouse clean.
5. Select and Configure Printer Driver or
Chooser on Macintosh
Every printer has certain control information that
is necessary for printing. This
information is associated with the printer driver and settings. The driver is selected in the Chooser on the Macintosh and in the Control
Panel in Windows. In DOS
it is usually associated with the setup of each software package.
To change Mac
printer selections, go to the Chooser
and click on the desired printer driver from the list of printers in the upper
left-hand corner. Follow the
instructions to make it the active printer by designating the port that it is
connected to, such as modem, printer or a network printer selection. Be sure to check the AppleTalk Zone.
In Windows,
go to the Control Panel and click on
Printers. Select the appropriate printer and make it the active
printer. It may be necessary to Connect to the printer if it is on a
network or serial port. The default
setting is the connection to LPT1, which is the parallel printer port. You can usually check the settings in the
application by choosing Printer setup
or Print settings, etc.
When you purchase a new printer it will require a
new driver. A diskette usually comes
with the printer. Go to the Control Panel and select Printers. Choose ADD and follow
the instructions or use the Windows
Installation diskettes to add regular drivers that may not have been added
during setup. Some printer
manufacturers provide a setup diskette that is run from the Program Manager. Follow the instructions that came with the
diskette. You may use a basic printer
driver. Check the manual under
“Emulation” to determine generic drivers that are compatible.
Remember that some printers provide more
capabilities while others provide fewer features. The old daisy wheel printers looked just like typewriter output,
but there was only one font and size unless you bought and installed new
wheels. Some printers are "color
ready" but require a ribbon or cartridge to actually produce color output,
plus they must have color-capable software. True color printers must be set up
in the color mode to actually print in color.
See the documentation.
6. Create / Use Folders or Directories to
Organize Data (Files)
In the computer, data or files should be organized
into directories or folders. You could
compare this to your office file cabinet.
The hard drive or diskette is the cabinet containing folders and
documents. A disk is easier to use than
an actual file cabinet because files can be found using search programs, etc.
and they can be alphabetized or set up the way that you like them.
In DOS, a
new directory can be made by typing MD
[Make Directory] (Any name you would like) and pressing Enter.
This creates the new directory. That directory can be selected by typing
CD [Change Directory] (The name chosen)
and Enter. This is an empty directory at this point waiting for any
programs, documents, or any other files.
Macintosh and Windows shows the folders as a graphic that looks just like the
file folders in your file cabinet. You
can make the new folder on the Macintosh
by going to File and selecting New Folder. Give this folder a name in
the highlighted area under it and or
Return.
In Windows
you can make the new folder in File
Manager. Unlike a real-world file
cabinet, we can make folders within folders and so on. These folders within folders are actually
subdirectories. The whole storage
system is organized like a tree extending from the "root" directory
through all the "branches" that extend out from it. This convention is most evident in DOS and Windows. One of the great
things about computer filing systems is that the operating system keeps track
of the location of the information on the disk and provides the tools to help
find that information.
In Macintosh
and Windows we can "drag" files or documents to
our folders and "drop"
them in to organize them. We can drag
folders or icons to other disks or drives to copy the contents for backups or
to share information. Windows 95 lets us make new folders in
the Save As process or in My Computer when a drive is
opened. A right mouse click also
provides New and Folder as an option.
Since there can be folders within folders, you may
not see a particular folder. In the
real-world environment, a file may be lost inadvertently or intentionally
hidden. It is also possible for a file or folder to be renamed, moved to a new
location, or even to a different hard drive.
Always keep backup copies of important files, etc. on floppy diskettes
and use a security package to protect files and software.
7. Differentiate Among Applications,
Documents, and Folders
Documents are the same as the files discussed in the
previous section. In a graphical
environment, they appear as a sheet of paper with the corner folded down. These may be help files, word processing documents, spreadsheets, pictures,
etc. These are all filed in the folder
or directory that you selected when the file was created and then saved. These files may be opened by clicking on the
document name or selecting File,
then Open in the application. The computer keeps track of the application
that created the document that created the file so that it opens the proper
application when the file is selected.
It uses an extension to track the program. If the operating system is unable to recognize the file it will
ask you to associate the file with a particular application or suggest the
application to open it. Applications
are the actual programs used to produce one’s own creations (Word, Claris
Works, Gradespeed, etc.). Applications
may appear as an icon that names the program you wish to run or as a
window. In DOS and Windows they
usually have the .exe extension. In any
event, applications can be launched or run to start the program.
Some complex programs may have several executable
programs associated with them. These
may be launched with a .bat file or menu type program.
Refer to the documentation that came with the software if there is a
problem starting the program.
8. Find File or Program Using Search Program
A file can be found in Windows 3.x by going to
the File Manager and running the Search command under File.
Start from the root directory to search all folders.
In Windows
95, Find is located on the Start Menu. Type the name of the file
or folder desired and click on Find. A list of files containing the key word or
portion of the word will be listed.
On the Macintosh,
make the Finder active and select Find. Type the name of the file or
folder desired and click on Find. To continue the search, use Find Again and specify file size, date,
etc. Use the Get Info command to find out about a selected item.
You can search for files in DOS using the DOSSHELL. Select File,
then Search and name the file
desired. It will highlight the path
back to that file. Also, disk management software for any operating system can
be purchased. See the manual for
specific details.
If you can't locate a file, first check to be sure
that you are searching all folders or directories. Second, make sure you have typed the correct name of the
file. If you can't find the file at
this point, check the files by date and see if there is a duplicate or a
backup. It is always safe to backup
important files on floppy disks.
9. Save File
When making new files of your own, you should save
them to the hard drive and / or floppy.
Under the File menu are Save and Save As. Save is used to save the file under its
current name. Applications start a
document by calling it "Word1" or some other hypothetical name. If you select Save, the document is saved to the selected drive by that same
name. The next document you start will
be "Word2," etc. This would
make it very difficult for you to find certain files or use the commands as
discussed in the previous section.
The Save As
command lets you name the document and also select the destination and
sometimes even its file type. This is a
very important command for saving documents that are to be used on another
platform (type of computer) or as a different file format for use in a
different type of application (from Works or WordPerfect to Word).
The Macintosh
and Windows 95 allow you to save a
file to the desktop. This can be useful
when manipulating several files or when quick access is desired.
If you save a document as the generic
"Word1," you can always open this document and then Save As a name easily remembered or at
least associated with the document that is being worked on. In Mac and Windows 95, a single click on the
name bar will allow you to type in a new name.
DOS and Windows 3.x limit file
names to eight characters. Certain
characters are also taboo. Using
regular letters is the safest way to name files.
The Macintosh
and Windows 95 allow the use of
longer file names.
It is helpful to note the filename of any document
at the bottom of the page and change it to a very small font and size. The printed copy can then serve as a
reminder of the name and location of the file.
10. Delete File
The Macintosh
Trash Can icon is one of the first things that students learn to use.
A file can be dragged to the can. You
can then use the Special menu to
empty the trash, which deletes the file.
This permanently removes the file from the disk.
The Windows
95 Recycling Bin performs the same function. Open the bin and delete the files using the command in the File menu.
In DOS,
the command DEL and the file name
will eliminate a file. It is also
possible to use the DOS "Wild Cards" *.* to eliminate
all files in a directory. The * may be used together as shown or *.com to erase all of the files with
the com extension and so on. It is also
possible to erase entire directories and their files and subdirectories. The command DELTREE (Delete Tree) and the name of the directory can remove the
whole directory tree. Use caution with
this command or the Delete command
in Windows File Manager in which the
folder is selected and you choose Delete. DOS
and Windows have a utility called UNDELETE which can be used to save some
deleted files and directories if run before new files are saved to that disk
location. It is necessary to know the
first letter of each file that was deleted.
You can also run a utility called DELETE
SENTRY to track deleted files and to protect your hard drive from
accidental loss of files.
DELETE, the DELTREE, and the Trash Can
/ Recycling Bin are all ways to
eliminate files from disks. In a school
environment, it may be necessary to use a lock
out program or disable the DELETE
and DELTREE commands. This will require a little more effort on
the part of the lone tech specialist, but will protect from extreme problems
like the entire hard drive being dragged into the trashcan. Some utilities can be used even more
effectively to recover files when they are deleted or even when there is damage
to a disk.
11. Copy File
Files can be copied in File Manager of Windows 3.x.
Macintosh and Windows 95 can copy
files by dragging and dropping the icon onto the destination folder or
disk. Save As can be used to make a copy in a new location or with a
different name.
In DOS,
the command COPY plus the filename
and destination is used to place a copy in a different location.
Copy test.fil a: would copy the file “test.fil” to the first floppy
drive. DOS also uses DISKCOPY
to make a backup of a diskette to another identical disk. (i.e. 3.5" to
3.5" diskette.) If the disks are
not identical, it is necessary to use the XCOPY
command. XCOPY C: A: /s /e /v would copy the files in the selected directory
on drive C to drive A and all subdirectories and verify that they were copied
correctly. (Or use the *.* between the
C: and A:, the copy command COPY *.* A: will copy all files to the
destination diskette in drive A. Note: this will not copy any
subdirectories or empty directories. XCOPY is used when all files and subdirectories
are to be copied from the hard drive to floppy or from 5 1/4" to 3.5"
floppy.)
The most common mistake when copying files in DOS is the use of COPY when DISKCOPY or XCOPY is necessary. When making backups of commercial software,
the use of the COPY command may miss
required files and subdirectories so that the disks are unsuitable for
backups. You can purchase utility
programs that make it easier to select several files at once and make quality
copies. Be sure to follow the
appropriate copyright guidelines listed with the software license.
12. Set Time and Date
In Windows,
use the Main window and select Control Panel. Double click on Time and Date, select the numbers to change and adjust the time and
date arrows.
In DOS,
type time and then enter the correct
time in the same format that the incorrect time is listed. Type date
and adjust date in the same way. Some
machines can be corrected by going to the Setup
Program when the machine is booted or from a setup program usually found in
the DOS directory.
On the Mac,
go to the Apple menu and open the Date and Time control panel. Select the numbers to change and use the up
or down arrows to change.
Settings can be selected from the Start
Button in Win95 and then Control Panel, Date / Time. Adjust the
date and time.
If the computer’s date changes frequently, this
usually indicates that the battery for the CMOS
or PRAM is getting weak. Check the manual for the machine to see if
the battery can be changed or if it is soldered to the system board. Change the battery or take the machine to
the dealer for service. If the new
battery does not fix the problem, there may be a problem with the Clock
circuitry. This should be checked by a
computer specialist.
13. Adjust Sound Output Level
On the Macintosh,
select the Apple menu and open the Sound control panel. Click on the slider bars to increase or
decrease the volume.
Windows requires a sound card to
actually enable sounds. The sound card
comes with software that allows you to adjust the sound the same way you would
a stereo system. Look for a Mixer icon and you will find the other
adjustments. It is also possible to
change the settings in the initialization programs that are set during
installation. See the manual for more
information.
In Windows
95 in the Control Panel, there is a Multimedia
Icon in which the volume can be adjusted.
Master Out is an option that can be used to adjust the settings for audio
from the Task Bar. A right mouse click on the small speaker at
the right of the task bar will open the slider. In the listing of programs, select Accessories and check for multimedia settings including Volume Control.
14. Change Video Settings, Select Number of
Colors and Resolution
On the Macintosh,
go to the Apple menu and open the Monitors control panel. You can adjust the number of colors or
shades of gray.
A video driver controls the video settings on the DOS and Windows computer. This is
determined by the video memory and settings during the installation of the
video card. It can be adjusted in Windows 3.x by changing the video setup in Windows Setup. It is
necessary to have the drivers disk that are supplied by the manufacturer of
your video card. Most applications will
function in 640x480 256-color mode if there is at least 512k of video memory in
the computer.
Windows 95 monitor settings are in Display, then Control Panel. Go to the Settings tab and select color and
resolution.
In Windows
3.x it is possible to lose the video
completely. If there is no longer a picture on the monitor after changing video
settings, close out of Windows or reboot the computer. From DOS, go to the Windows directory and run Setup.
The default VGA setting of Windows
works with most video cards in the 16-color mode. Select this option and Save
and Restart Windows. If the video is
okay, you need to be sure to install the proper driver before selecting it for
use. If you lose video in Windows 95,
restart the computer in Safe Mode and
change the video settings back to the original or VGA.
15. Properly Shut Down Computer Workstation
The Macintosh
is shut down by closing all active programs and selecting Shut Down from the Special
menu. Most Macs will also power-down in
this process. Check the monitor and CPU
for lights and manually turn off if necessary.
You can force an application to quit by pressing Option Apple and Escape. This will sometimes free up the machine so
that you can continue working.
In Windows
3.x, close all active programs and choose Exit Windows from the File
menu. Click on Okay or press Enter to
leave the program. When the DOS prompt
appears, power down the system and monitor.
Exit DOS programs and power down from the prompt the
same way.
Shut Down is found on the Start Menu in Windows 95.
The machine will not shut down properly if
applications are active. Be sure to
close all applications. In Windows 3.x it may help to minimize the Program Manager and look for icons that indicate that some programs
are still active. Click on the icon and close. A machine that is turned off before proper shut down will usually
repair any changes to files that were saved prior to shut down, but open files
will be lost. It is important to go
through the proper shut-down sequence under normal conditions.
A system
lock up is the only real reason for powering down the system directly because
the machine will not respond to the keyboard.
Windows 95 allows you to restart in
normal or safe mode if a system is turned off prior to the shut down
sequence. The Mac will give a warning that the machine was not shut down properly
and provide instructions for proper shut down.
16. Clean Mouse Ball and Rollers
The bottom of the mouse has a small retaining ring
that can be turned to enable the removal of the ball. The ball can be cleaned gently with a soft dry cloth. The rollers inside may accumulate dust. Dust can be carefully removed with a wooden
or plastic probe. Some technicians use
the tip of a screwdriver, but be sure to disconnect the mouse from the
system first. In a school environment, it may be necessary to glue the
retaining ring in place. This will
prevent loss of the ball, however, it makes cleaning more difficult since the
mouse must then be disassembled and reassembled. Opening the mouse case does allow a more thorough cleaning. Most mice have screws that can be
removed. Check under labels or skids if
necessary. Be careful not to disconnect
any wiring. It is also possible to
secure the ring with clear nail polish.
This can be opened if enough pressure is applied.
If the mouse does not track properly, you may have
to attempt to adjust the rollers and contacts.
On the PC, check the Mouse directory and look for a test
program, which will enable you to check tracking and click sensitivity.
You can also change these settings within Windows in the Control Panel, Mouse.
The Macintosh
settings are under the Apple menu, Control Panels, Mouse.
17. Differentiate between RAM and
Hard Disk Storage
Random Access Memory or RAM is the memory used to run programs and actively store
information during the session. Most Windows and Macintosh computers have at least eight megabytes of RAM. Older DOS
computers may have 640K of memory or even less, and older Macs may have only one or two megabytes.
Hard Disk Storage Capacity is also measured in
megabytes, which causes some confusion.
Hard Disk Storage is a measure of space available to keep program
information and saved data for long-term storage. The hard disk records the data and programs on the surface of the
drive. The data will stay recorded on
the drive even when the system’s power is turned off. Hard Drives vary in size from as low as 20 megabytes (not very
useful in today's computing environment) to several gigabytes. Most personal computers have between 100
megabytes and two gigabytes of hard disk space.
All new software packages note the amount of RAM recommended to run the program and
the amount of disk space that the software will require on the hard drive.
Computer Monitors
18. Connect to CPU, Check Port Connections, AC
Line Cord
The monitor is connected to the video output of the
CPU.
The Macintosh
has a standard video connector, and some have an AudioVision connector for
high-density monitors. Carefully check
the shape of the connector and the port to align the connection and prevent the
bending of the pins in the cable.
The IBM or compatible has a small trapezoidal
connector for the video card. Most
computer systems have a VGA connector with three rows of holes. The monitor has a connector with fine wire
pins that are inserted into the connector.
All of the pins may not be present in the connector. Use the screws to secure it. Plug the AC cord into the outlet or back of
the CPU.
Carefully straighten bent pins with needle nose
pliers or return to the dealer for service.
These pins are very fragile, so extreme care is required when the
connections are made. If the connector
is too large or too small, check to be sure it is the correct monitor and cable
for the machine.
19. Adjust Brightness, Contrast, etc.
Brightness and Contrast are adjusted by small knobs
or controls at the front, side or rear of the monitor. If the screen is dark, check each knob. Some have a center position that you can
feel as you turn it. Most monitors allow
adjustment of horizontal size, vertical size, center and sharpness. Use the appropriate controls and return to
the original position if the appearance is not improve.
Check the power switch on the outlet, if plugged
into a power strip, and on the monitor and the brightness and contrast before
calling for service. These controls are
sometimes changed during shipment and appear as a black screen. Hold the back of your hand in front of the
monitor. The hair on the back of your
hand will respond to the presence of high voltage. Turn the monitor off and
look for a response. Disconnect the
monitor from the CPU and determine if the monitor is working or if the fault is
in the computer itself. Do not attempt
to open the monitor case and work inside.
This is a job for professional service personnel.
Printers
20. Attach Cables, Power Cord
Macintosh printers are connected to a
serial port or print to a network printer system. On the individual machine, the cable attaches from the port with
the printer icon on the CPU and to the cable port on the printer. The connectors at each end of the cable are
the same. It is also possible to
connect the cable to the modem port and change the system settings. On networked systems, connect the printer
cable to the modem port.
For an AppleTalk printer that uses AppleTalk or
Phone net connectors, you must use the printer port. However, it requires the use of Laserbridge software to enable
the printer to communicate with the CPU and still connect to an Ethernet network. AppleTalk printers are required for this
type of connection (standard serial printers must have a regular printer
cable). When you run Laserbridge, the
printer becomes available to the network but the workstation must be on for
anyone to use the printer.
IBM and compatible computers
have parallel and serial ports, which may be used for printers. Most use the parallel port, which is a wide
flat port. A standard parallel printer
cable has a Centronics connector to attach to the printer and a DB25 connector
to connect to the CPU. If you have a
serial printer it attaches to one of the COM ports. It is best to use COM 2 or 4 to avoid a conflict with the mouse,
which is usually installed on COM 1.
A printer setup will be required to tell the
computer the model of printer and the port you are using. This sets up the proper print driver for the
system.
The power cord is either permanently attached to the
printer or has a standard connector.
Make sure to check the outlet and orient the connector properly. Push it in completely.
Most problems are associated with using the wrong
printer setup rather than a hardware problem. If the printer works but does not
print properly, it is most likely the setup (Driver).
If nothing happens when you attempt to print, check
connections, power, port selection, ribbon or other ink source, paper, etc.
21. Add Paper
Some printers are able to use both tractor feed and
plain paper. The tractor feed paper is
designed to be advanced by a number of pins on the feeder system. The paper must be straight and the system
clear of paper fragments, which may interfere with the movement of the
mechanism. There is a slide lever that
must be set to disengage the roller, which is used in the plain paper
mode. Plain paper is inserted in the
same way, as it would be in a typewriter or from a special tray or
magazine. Tractor feed is easiest to
use in fast dot matrix and some ink jet printers, while the plain paper is best
in ink jet and laser printers.
Most paper problems are related to obstructions in
the paper path. It is important to check the paper for physical damage to the
tractor holes or bent corners, etc. In
the tractor feed setting, check the upper roller guide to be sure that they do
not turn as the paper advances. Students
may inadvertently bend the guides so that it does not turn smoothly. You can straighten the mounts with needle
nose pliers to restore proper movement.
Plain paper may be jammed in the mechanism. Contact the tech specialist
for assistance.
Turning a printer upside down may clear paper
fragments and dust from the mechanism if it seems to be binding.
22. Change Ribbon, Toner, Ink Cartridge
The ribbon
is easily replaced. Before removing the
old ribbon, carefully note the position of the old ribbon and release the
retaining mechanism. Place the new
ribbon in the same position and close the mechanism. Older daisy wheel printers can also have new wheels installed at
this time, or when a new typeface is needed.
Toner replacement is more
difficult. The laser printer must be
opened and the old toner cartridge removed.
Note the position of the cartridge.
Remove the cartridge and place it in the safety sleeve that comes with
the new cartridge. Follow any cleaning
instructions on the toner cartridge carton.
Gently shake the cartridge to distribute the toner that may have
settled. Insert the cartridge in the
same position as the old one and follow the instructions to remove the tape
that covers the toner distribution port.
Return the old cartridge for recycling or have it refilled at a local
recharge center.
Ink or Paint cartridges are easily
replaced. Move the retaining mechanism
to release the old cartridge. Note its
position and carefully remove it. Pull
the tape from the new cartridge and place it in the receptacle in the same
position as the old cartridge. Ink cartridges can be refilled using special ink
and a refill tube or hypodermic needle.
Thermal transfer, dye sublimation and other printers require similar
procedures. Check the printer manual
and information that come with the replacement supplies.
Most ribbon problems are related to mis-feeding the
ribbon through the supply mechanism. If
there is a similar printer in the building, check the setup. If not, refer to the manual.
On a laser
printer, you may still get a toner light even after the cartridge is
replaced. Try the printer; if it does
not function properly, carefully rotate the cartridge to disperse the toner.
Remember, the covering has been removed from the toner port. Do not spill toner into the printer! (A vacuum cleaner with a toner bag can be
used if disaster strikes.)
The ink or
paint jet is subject to clogged nozzles.
There is a cleaning port on some printers and a special procedure to
correct the problem. See the manual for
details.
23. Adjust Margin, Select Paper Type, Size, Print Quality
Most of these settings relate to software settings
for the printer. The exception may be
margin on tractor feed systems. The
tractor mechanism is locked in place by spindles attached to levers on the
sides. When these levers are released,
they can be used to tighten the paper or can be moved for positioning the
margin. They are also used to change
paper size, such as continuous-feed labels.
The settings are changed with applications by going
to File, Page Setup and Margins selection. This will allow precise margin, header,
footer, orientation, and print quality selection. Font and Size is usually changed within the
document itself.
Be sure to pull the tractors tight before locking
them down to keep the paper as smooth as possible.
If the printer does not respond to the new settings,
check to be sure that it has the capability to use the new fonts or other new
settings.
24. On-Line and Off-Line Adjustments, Form Feed,
etc.
The printer must be put On-Line to receive information from the computer. Check the control panel or buttons on the printer to be sure it is set to
On-Line. Form feed is used to advance
the paper.
If an error occurs, the printer may take itself Off-Line. Pressing On-Line or Restore usually returns it to
operation.
In a Windows
system, if the printer fails to respond, go to Main, Print Manager and check the printer status. If it says “Stalled,” go to Printer and select Resume Printer.
Modems
25. Attach Phone Line and Telephone
Both internal and external modems require the
connection of RJ 11 connectors to
the inputs on the back of the modem.
One is labeled "Line"
and the other "Phone". The cord from the wall telephone jack/phone
protection jack in a surge protector (recommended) should be plugged into the
"Line" port until it
clicks into place. The small clip is
oriented toward the small upper slot.
To remove the cord, press down on the small lever to release. A phone may be plugged into the other port,
but this is optional.
26. Attach Serial Cable and Power for External
Modem
An external cable to the communications port on the
CPU is required to operate the external modem.
On Mac
systems, this is a standard cable for regular modem; on some, it is a GeoPort Telecom Adapter. The GeoPort
was designed to provide enhanced communications capability to the Mac system.
On the IBM compatible
systems, connect the modem cable to COM 2.
This is a ninepin or 25 pin serial connector, which connects to the RS
232 modem connector.
An external modem requires an AC adaptor for power as well as the phone line connection.
After the physical connections are made, the port
must be selected in the communications software. This is done in the Control
Panel for the Mac and Windows 95 and in the software setup in
Windows 3.x and DOS.
A nine to 25 pin adapter or 25 to nine pin adapter is available if you have the wrong cable. Do not confuse the parallel port with the 25 pin serial port. The serial ports are pinned and require the female type of plugs on the modem cable. The parallel port is female and the printer cable has a pinned connector.
27. Use Communications Software to Contact Internet, On-Line Services - America OnLine, Prodigy, Microsoft Network
Communications software must be set up prior to
use. This means that the software
“needs” to know the port being used,
the modem speed, and some other
characteristics of the communications. Most software can auto-detect the type
of modem, port, etc.
When you setup your software, try to dial a friend
or other phone number to check the line.
If there is no dial tone, check port and settings. If you get a dial tone, you should hear your
modem dialing the number and possibly even hear the other party answer. If you dial a bulletin board and do not
establish a connection, check your setup for flow control, carrier detect or
other setting.
The modem is a serial device that can send and
receive data using a telephone connection.
It is used with communications software. This software is used to determine the speed of the information
transfer and other settings related to the hardware and software you are
using. The modem is set up and
configured during the installation and setup of the software.
Once set up, it is a simple process to contact
another computer. Open the folder or
application of the service you are trying to contact. Double click on the icon and launch the program. Select the logon or auto logon
selection and follow the prompts. When
the appropriate commands have been entered, you will hear the off-hook response
(a dial tone) and the modem will dial the number requested. An answer is denoted by a shrill sound and
the modem will become silent. Once the
communication is established you follow the commands associated with the
software or use the graphical interface to navigate through the program.
This procedure is similar in all types of
communication packages. For commercial
services, you must obtain software appropriate to their product and pay a
fee. To gain access to the Internet you
must be associated with an Internet provider that has a link to the network of
computer systems around the world.
Shareware and commercial software may be used to assist the user. Mosaic, Netscape, Microsoft
Internet Explorer and other “browser” software is available.
The modem requires specific setup in the
software. It is necessary to determine
the proper communications port, the baud rate or speed, the terminal emulation,
data bits, parity, flow control, carrier detect, etc. If you experience difficulty, check the phone line, power to the
external modem and all cable connections.
Do not change any settings if the modem was working previously. The problem is most likely with the service
provider.
CD-ROM Drives
28. Attach Cables for External SCSI
or Parallel Port Drives
Most CD-ROM
drives have a SCSI connector. This is a large round cable with a wide
connector or a flat thin connector. SCSI drives also require a terminator
on the last drive or device connected.
On some drives this may be a switch that is moved to terminate this
drive. SCSI devices are also numbered.
Set the CD-ROM for device 3
if it is the only SCSI device or a
higher number on multiple drive systems.
The Mac
hard drive is device zero. Be sure to select an available SCSI address. The Mac
will recognize the drive on the SCSI
chain and an icon will appear on the desktop.
External drives require power, so be sure to plug in
the AC line cord.
IBM and compatibles must be set
up to use a new drive. This requires a
device driver specific to your drive and the Microsoft CD-ROM extensions - MSCDEX.EXE
which are added by your setup software.
Windows 95 will auto detect the SCSI card and install the drivers for
the controller and the CD-ROM drive. If
it does not, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, and Add New
Hardware.
If you are not sure that your IBM or compatible has been setup properly, reboot the computer and
press F8 when it starts to load MS-DOS. This will allow you to see the result of each command in the
start up files. The first should load
the CD Driver, which will locate the device, and the second should load the
extensions and set the drive to D or E, etc.
When the machine has booted, change to the CD drive and type DIR. If it
says “invalid drive,” there is a problem with the adapter or device driver; if
it says “drive not ready,” check to be sure MSCDEX is loading properly. (In Windows, check File Manager
to see if the drive icon is displayed.)
After you get the proper setup, make a directory on
the hard drive and copy the autoexec.bat and config.sys plus the device driver
so that you have a spare. Some setup
programs write to these files and add information that changes the setup.
Following this tip will ensure that you always have a good backup available.
29. Place CD-ROM in Caddy or Drive
Some CD drives have a tray that slides out when the
button is pressed. This type of drive
is loaded by simply placing the CD in the slot in the drawer. In vertical
systems, small tabs must be moved to secure the CD and keep it from falling out
of position. A caddy is a small flat box with a top that is opened by pressing
the two corners at the front. This
allows you to open the top and place the disk inside. The top is then closed and the caddy placed in the CD-ROM
drive. Be sure to close the caddy
completely to prevent jamming.
The CDs are placed in either type of drive with the
plain side down. Some
"jukebox" drives have a cartridge for multiple disks and they may
require the disk to be plain side up. Check your manual in this case.
If the drive will not open so that you can remove or
insert disks, there is a small hole next to the eject button. A large straightened paper clip can be
inserted to manually open the drive. If
the disk is not readable, or you experience errors, check the CD for
fingerprints or smudges. Use a soft
tissue to gently clean the plain side to be sure that the laser beam is
reflected properly.
30. Select Program and Open it for
Use. Set up, if necessary
The CD-ROM is launched on the Macintosh by double clicking on its icon with the mouse. Launching the program is about the same as
opening a program from floppy or the hard drive. If there is an Installer program present, install the software
before it is used. You can create an
alias of the program, which can be dropped into the Apple menu folder in the
system folder or left on the Desktop.
Most CD-ROM applications must be installed on the PC.
This is usually done by using a setup or install program. (The actual installation will be addressed
in the Level Two Skills section.)
To launch a program that has already been installed
depends on the system you are running.
In an MS-DOS environment, run
a start up batch file from the root directory or the specific
directory. This file might be labeled
"GO" or name of the program.exe. It is started by typing “go,” or the
name of the program.
In a Windows
environment, programs can be launched
from their icon in the appropriate group or from Main, File Manager. Double
click on the icon or on the application name in the appropriate directory in File Manager.
Windows 95 may be set to Auto start a
CD when it is inserted into the drive.
The Start button and run can be used to launch programs that
run from diskette or Setup can install it to the hard disk. When installed, the program will be listed
with the other programs in the Start menu.
A shortcut can be added to the Desktop if desired.
Make sure the proper CD-ROM has been put into the
caddy or on the drive tray. Check to be
sure you have selected the appropriate CD.
Only CD's that are specifically created for both Mac
and PC may be used in both Macintosh
and DOS/Windows environments.
It is also important that the machine be set up
properly by a level two or three tech specialist. DOS requires a specific
configuration and the proper version of the Microsoft CD-ROM extensions.
If you find that the drive does not work properly
after a new CD is installed, copy the working autoexec.bat and config.sys
from the backup directory to the root directory and try the software again.
Television Monitor
31. Attach all Cables, Prepare for Operation
Technically, a television “monitor” is equipped with
several types of inputs. It is possible
to use a regular television for a monitor.
The regular TV has a cable TV connector RG59 screw connector, and screw terminals for flat wire antenna
and/or UHF antenna connections. There
may be a converter transformer that attaches TV cable to the flat wire antenna
connector. A VCR may connect to cable
input or the flat wire connector. This
uses an RF converter built into the
VCR to put out a signal, usually on channel 3 or 4, which is tuned on the TV
tuner.
A true monitor has a small video pin connector (the RCA connector for video is sometimes
color-coded yellow) or a SVHS
connector. It may also have red- and
white- coded audio jacks for Input
and Output Left and Right.
The VCR Video Out is
connected to the Video In on the
monitor and the VCR Audio Out is connected
to the Left and Right Audio in on the
monitor. The TV Monitor must be set to Line
In or Channel 1 to tune to these inputs.
This will give much better audio and video than the antenna connection.
When connecting to the monitor inputs, check the remote. Some companies put the Input selection on the remote menu. Be sure to plug the AC connection of both
the TV and VCR.
32. Adjust Color, Brightness, Contrast
Check the manual if you are unable to find the
adjustments for the monitor. Typically,
new sets have the adjustments available through the remote, rather than with
knobs on the back of the set. Check for
“menu” and adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, hue, and sound
including balance, bass and treble.
If the monitor is working fine and you experience problems with a tape or regular show, check for external adjustment controls to be sure that students have not changed the settings. Most external knobs have a central adjustment that you can feel to use as the basic setup before using the fine adjustments on the remote. If connected to a VCR, make sure the TV / VCR selector is in the proper position. This is a toggle, i.e., and pressing once selects TV and twice selects VCR.
33. Select Programs Manually and with Remote
Control
The tuner is set to “cable” or “antenna,” depending
on the input device. You should be able
to change from channel to channel. If
there is a VCR or Cable box attached, the TV tuner should be set to the single
channel 3 or 4 and the VCR or Cable box channel selector used to change
channels for viewing. (There is a
switch on the back of the VCR that changes from Channel 3 to 4.)
If you are unable to receive any channels, check all
connections. Try a videotape with a VCR
to see if there is an antenna or cable problem. Some recorders have both antenna and cable tuning and must be
programmed to the correct input before you can receive signals.
34. Use Video Scan Converter from Computer
A video scan
converter changes computer graphics to television standard video. The adapter is plugged into the computer Video Port where the monitor usually
plugs in, and the monitor plugs into a monitor Output Port on the converter.
Some converters require software to reduce flickering. The Output
Port is usually an RCA pin connector or SVHS plug. These will plug directly into a monitor but
need to go through a VCR Video in
connector on a regular TV. Tune the TV
monitor to Line In, or channel 3 or
4. Be sure to check the TV/VCR control. When connected properly, the computer screen
should be displayed on the monitor, and the class can view the larger image.
If there is no computer screen image on the TV, check to be sure the converter is plugged into the AC line. Be sure the monitor is tuned to the appropriate channel for the converter. Check to be sure that the computer is set up to direct video to the connector. (This is especially true on notebook computers or computers with built-in monitors.)
Video Cassette
Recorder
35. Attach Cables to TV or Monitor
The Cable TV In and Out connectors are used when RG59 TV cable is available. The cable connection from the wall is
connected to the Cable In and a
short connector connects from the Cable
Out to the cable connector on the television or monitor. The VCR does not have to be on to view
cable. To view a video or use the VCR
tuner requires that the TV be set to channel 3 or 4 and the switch on the VCR
set to the same channel. The VCR acts as a broadcasting station for that channel. It is also necessary to activate the TV/ VCR button to Direct Output from the VCR to the TV. If the TV has video and audio inputs, then RCA pin connectors are used for the direct audio and video
connection. Video Out from the VCR is
connected to Video In on the monitor
and Audio Out left and right from
the VCR is connected to the left and right Audio
In on the monitor. The TV is then
set to Line In or Channel 1 on most
sets. If it is a mono VCR and TV,
there will only be one audio cable or it will note which connector to use for
mono (usually the left).
Be sure to check the Line In setting for direct connections and the TV / VCR switch for tuner connections if you do not get a picture.
36. Set Time, Date
(Check the manual if your unit does not have the type of settings controls listed below.)
Check the remote and look for Timer Settings, Menu, or
Setup. Select the Options
button and follow the On Screen information or lights on the display
panel. Select Clock and set day, year,
time, AM and /or PM. Save the settings.
On older VCRs, you have to set a day, date, time
button directly on the VCR. Find the
Set Time button and set in the sequence as directed.
37. Place Tape in Drive
Carefully align the tape with the drive slot. Gently push the tape into the slot until the
loading mechanism pulls the tape into the drive. Some older drives require you to physically lower the
tape-loading mechanism down into the VCR.
See the manual for details.
Check the display to be sure that there is not a
tape already in the drive. Press the Eject button to be sure. If the tape will not load, turn the VCR off,
then back on, and try again.
38. Play Tape, Adjust Tracking, if
Required
Press the Play
button. The tape should start and a > should light up on the
display. If the tape is not playing properly,
open the front panel and turn the slow or regular tracking controls. A center position is usually best for
commercial tapes but you may have to adjust for differences related to home
recordings. Some machines have a
Tracking Control on the Remote and may use +
or - to changed the tracking. Tracking adjusts the alignment of the heads
and / or the speed on the drive mechanism.
If unable to adjust the tracking, stop the tape and
eject it from the drive. Load the tape
again and press Play. If the tape still appears to have horizontal
bars and is snowy, the heads may be dirty. Use a head-cleaning cassette for
minor problems. If all of your tapes
have the same problem, you should take the machine to repair to have the heads
thoroughly cleaned. Some machines have
a memory switch. If you set it to
memory and the counter is not on zero, some machines will stop when they get to
zero. Turn off the memory setting and
try again. If some tapes appear fine,
then it may be a poor recording or the tape may be losing its oxide coating.
39. Stop and Eject Tape
Once the tape is playing you can stop it by pressing
the Stop control on the remote or
VCR. Some VCRs eject tapes when the
stop control is pressed again. Others
have a separate Eject button. The tape should be stopped completely before
you try to eject it.
Occasionally you will encounter a bad tape and it will become tangled in the drive mechanism. Do not force the tape or bend any part of the drive mechanism. Contact someone who is responsible for advanced service on the unit. The safest way to remove the tape is to cut it and remove both ends from the player.
40. Use Remote
Control to Fast Forward, Rewind, Scan
Fast Forward and Rewind are used before the tape is played. The timer display can be set to counter, and
you can Fast Forward for a specific
number of reel turns. If you press Play and then use Fast Forward or Rewind,
you will scan the tape. This is faster
than the normal playing speed, but slower than true Fast Forward or Rewind. Use
this to visually find a specific part of the tape. Since the heads are in contact with the tape, it is better to
limit this kind of viewing. If you
would like to discuss a particular scene with the class, you can freeze or
reduce the speed of play back.
41. Program to Record a Selected Broadcast
The timer must be set to the correct time before you
attempt to program your VCR. Go to the Program Menu and set the time for the
recording including day, week, month, AM or PM, and exact time of the broadcast. Then select the speed that you want. Slower speeds will let you get more on a
tape, but higher speeds give better quality. Set the ending time so that the
VCR stops at that time. Remember also
that the VCR stops when it runs out of tape.
Most VCRs start several seconds prior to the start time to get up to
speed. Turn off the VCR or set it to
Timer to complete the programming. A
clock icon usually is displayed on the front panel. Be sure that you have a tape in the drive when recording.
Most problems relate to AM and PM setting or the
wrong recording speed. Be careful when
you set up for overnight recording to set the 12:01 AM setting, and at noon,
the 12:01 PM setting. Speed selection
errors usually result in running out of tape before the end of the
program. Check TV listings carefully,
some shows may not end at the hour or half hour as expected.
Laser Disc Players
42. Attach Cables to Player and TV or Monitor
See the Section 35 on cable connections to TV and
VCR. The laser disc uses the same basic
connections and color-codes. You can use the coax cable connections or the
direct video and audio jacks.
43. Place Laser Disc in Drive
Press the Load
/ Eject button to slide out the disc caddy. Place the laserdisc in the caddy and press the Load / Eject button again. Set the monitor to Line In or Channel 1 and start the Laser Disc Player. You should see either a blue screen or the
first slide.
44. Operate Laser Disc Player with Remote or
Manually
Press the Play
button (sometimes designated >)
to advance. Still images will change
each time you press Advance, while
motion videos will begin to play. The
remote works in a similar way to the one from a TV or VCR. You can also key in the frame number of a
specific photo or video sequence and start it, stop it, etc.
45. Use Bar Code Reader and Operate Laser Disc
Player
The bar code reader can be connected directly to the
Reader Input on the Laser Disc player by a wire, or it can use infrared
signals to send information to the player.
The bar code is selected from the manual or appropriate text. The reader is turned on and scanned across
the surface of the barcode. An
indicator will light and/or beep to indicate that the read was successful. You can then press the send button and program
the Laser Disc player to show that video sequence or slide. Check the manual of the player for further
information.
Camcorder
46. Prepare for Operation (Battery, Tape, Time,
Date)
The Camcorder is usually used in a remote area. If AC is available, use the recorder with
the AC Adapter. This will give you more
time to shoot. If no power is
available, you will need a fully charged battery. Be sure to use the charger after each recording session. Place the tape in the camcorder and turn it
on. Use programming functions to add time and date, especially if the device
automatically records this type of information on the tape.
47. Set Levels, Record Event
Most camcorders have automatic light and sound
adjustments. Check the Viewfinder for exposure and level
readings. Zero the counter mechanism.
Press Record and activate the
camera. Hold the camera in a steady
position and use the Zoom only when
necessary. Press the Pause or Stop button when you finish a scene. Pause keeps the
recorder in the record mode.
48. Play Back Event
Rewind the tape to the counter setting where you
started, or the beginning of the tape.
Press the Play button and
observe the recording through the viewfinder or attach an RCA Video Connector from
the camcorder to a Video Input on
your monitor. Be sure to set the
monitor to Line In or channel
one. Stop the tape when you come to the
end of your recording session. It is
usually best to stop the tape several seconds past the end of the recording. The tape moves slightly when going to the
stopped position.
49. Recharge Battery Pack
Most cameras have an AC Adapter / Charger that
allows you to recharge your battery pack.
Attach the adapter and set it to recharge overnight. It will stop charging when the battery is
optimally charged. It is worthwhile
having several batteries for the camcorder.
Keep them all fully charged.
Some Adapters allow you to charge a battery outside the camera while you
are using the camcorder with the other battery.
If you experience difficulties with the VCR, Laser
Disc Player, or Camcorder, see the manual for specific instructions for your
specific make and model.
Software Applications
50. Install Software, Run Setup or Installation
Program
Most software today includes an installation
utility.
On the Macintosh,
double click on the diskette icon
and open its folder. Look at the icons
and find the installation utility and double click. Follow the instructions on the screen until a successful
installation is confirmed.
In DOS,
it is usually necessary to change to the drive where the first diskette is
inserted. You can check the file names
by typing DIR or DIR/W and looking for a program called install.bat or install.exe. If you find
this file, type install and Enter.
The software will usually ask a series of questions on the screen. Occasionally, there will be a different
installation procedure. Check the
software literature for specific information.
In Windows, go to File
and select Run. Choose Browse
and go to the appropriate drive and highlight the file SETUP.EXE or a setup batch file listed in the program
documentation. Select Okay and the program should start the
installation sequence. Follow the
on-screen prompts. If you are prompted
to select a destination, you can type the drive letter and the name of the
desired directory. The default is
usually selected by an “Okay” and uses the hard drive C. IBM
and compatibles may have two or more internal hard drives depending on the
drive controllers. These are labeled D,
E, etc.
Macs typically have external
SCSI drives that can store additional programs. These can be selected during the installation process also. They will be pictured on the Desktop.
In Windows
95, the Installation Program can be Run
from the Start Menu. Select the Drive or file location and Setup.
If a program does not run, be sure that the
installation utility was used for the install.
Some people mistakenly use the COPY
or XCOPY commands or drag and drop a new program diskette
onto the hard drive. Most software
developers use the installation utility as a means of preventing the production
of unauthorized copies of their work.
The utility prepares the program to run. Many programs are so large that they are compressed and the
install sequence uses an extraction utility to decompress the files. If you have limited disk space, it is
possible that all the required files will not install during the installation
process. Is is also possible that some
system files may be locked or set to read
only so that essential instructions are not added to the proper files.
Applications are the types of software used for a
particular purpose. Word Processing,
Spreadsheet, Database, Presentation Graphics, Drawing & Painting, Desktop
Publishing, etc., are types of applications.
The Macintosh and Windows graphical user interface has
enabled the user to learn to use these types of software much more easily
because the commands are organized into a series of pull-down menus and
toolbars. Most software organizes the
same kinds of tools in the same locations.
The File Menu pulls down to
reveal commands associated with opening, saving, closing, printing, sending, etc. a file.
The Edit Menu relates to
changes that you want to make in your current file or document. If you want to make a change in text or
size, move things around, etc., you will find the commands you need under Edit.
The next menu is usually View. Just as it sounds, it gives you options
regarding how your file looks on the screen.
The other menus may be specific to your hardware and software, but each
is specific to a group of activities related to the menu title.
The icons on the Tool Bar are useful for quick access to particular functions. This tool bar can be customized so that the
commands you use most often are available.
This could relate to Font and
Size, Bold, Italic, or Underline, Print, Save, View, etc. You can suit your own style and choose as
many or as few icons as you would like to use.
51. Open File
or Make New File
To open a file, go to the File menu and pull down. (Click on the word File and the choices will become visible.) You can select either New… (File) or Open… (existing file). If it is a new file, it will have a generic
name assigned such as Word1. You will be able to change this to a
specific name when you Save As. If you select Open…, it will give you a list of file names and locations from
which to select. Use the mouse to select the title you want and double click or
answer Okay. Once the file is open, you will see it on
the monitor. You can now make changes,
add information, print, etc. It is
always a good idea to save your work regularly. See Save and Save As in Section 9 for more details.
52. Input Information from Keyboard
Once you have opened the file, you are ready to
input information. The keyboard is
similar to a typewriter. The great news
is that you don't have to hit return at the end of each line! A feature known as word-wrap automatically
moves the text to the next line. The Enter or Return key is used to put in a "hard Enter or Return"
which moves you to the next paragraph, etc.
A “hard Enter or Return” will cause problems when making
changes such as font, size, margins, etc.
The mouse is useful when entering information, too. You can click where you want to add
information and you will start typing at that exact spot. (Be sure that the Insert key is active.) The
mouse can also be used to drag text or objects or resize them.
53. Select Text for Editing
Selecting text is an editing feature. In the Edit
menu, you can choose Select All
to make changes to your entire document.
You would use this if you wanted to change to a larger or different
font, justify the document to the left, right or both, or center text. The mouse can be used to select a single
word, sentence, paragraph, etc. This
will allow you to bold a single word, move a paragraph, copy, etc. You must select (highlight) the text before
using the tool bar to make changes or the changes will only relate to the next
things you type.
54. Cut, Copy, Paste, Font, Style, etc.
These features make the computer the tool of choice
for Word Processing. The old typewriter is only good for forms
that require placing information in precise locations. In fact, there are software packages that
let you set up your computer to type and print forms.
After you Select
the text you want to change, you can perform any or all of these commands:
·
Cut removes the selected area
from the document and places it on a hypothetical clipboard in the computer’s
memory.
·
Copy does the same type thing,
but does not remove the selected text.
It will place a copy on the clipboard so that you can add it again
later. If you were designing a
permission form that only takes several lines, you could copy it and paste it
several times on the page, rather than retyping it.
·
Paste places the information from
the clipboard at the spot where you click the mouse or move the cursor. (The information stays on the clipboard
until you Cut or Copy something new.)
·
Font allows you change the type
of text from the selection installed on the computer. The document you are currently reading is in Times New Roman size 12
for the majority of the text. Any
selected area can be changed to a different font or size, bold, italic,
underline, etc. See the software manual
or the Help Menu for more
information.
55. Save Files, Folders
The Save
Command is used to save the document, etc. that you are working on. You may simply click on Save or the Diskette icon
to save the file under the current name on the current hard disk or
diskette. A Folder (Directory) is a location where you wish to save your
file. Folders or Directories
allow you to organize your files to make them easier to find. You might make one folder for all of your
word processing documents, tests, activity sheets, etc. and direct all saves to
the appropriate one. If you open an
existing document from a specific Folder
or Directory, it will be saved to
that same location. To set up a new File, Folder or Directory, see Save As
in Section.
56. Save As
When you select Save
As from the File Menu, it will
allow you to give the document a new name and select the location to save
it. It also lets you choose certain
types of files if you will be using the document for a special application,
e.g., Word, WordPerfect, and Claris Works.
Some software allows you to save it in a format suitable for older or
different software or different hardware.
You can also use this command for making extra copies of a document or
for saving to a floppy diskette.
57. Delete and Recover Files (Undelete, Trash
Can, Recycling Bin)
The Macintosh
allows you to delete files by dragging the file name into the Trash Can and under the Special Menu choosing Empty Trash.
Windows 3.1 and 3.11 require you to use the File
Manager. Highlight the name of the
file you wish to delete and go to the File
menu. Choose Delete and the file will be erased after you confirm that you
really want to delete it. Windows also has an Undelete command, which can sometimes
recover files or directories and their contents.
You can also delete files and directories from the DOS prompt. DEL and the name of
the file will erase it. DELTREE and the name to the directory
will erase the directory and its contents.
UNDELETE is also available
from DOS prompt.
Windows 95 allows you to use the Delete command from the File menu in Explorer, File Manager, My Computer, etc. You can also drag files to the Recycling Bin or send files to the Recycling Bin.
File management software is available to allow you
to mark files and directories and erase them easier. Files can be dragged from the trashcan or recycling bin prior to
emptying them.
58. Spell Check, Thesaurus, Grammar Check
Software developers add features to their software
to generate sales. Most word processors
have Spell Check and Thesaurus utilities. If you want to check a single word or look
for a better word, you can select it and choose the spell checker or thesaurus
from the tool bar or icon. To check an
entire document, you can select Spelling
and the entire document will be checked.
If a word is not in the built-in dictionary, the spell checker will stop
and present a dialogue box to see if
it is correct. It may also offer suggestions,
which you can use to replace the misspelled word. The spell checker cannot change errors that are correctly spelled
such as “work” for “word” or “reed” for “read.” More sophisticated packages even offer Grammar Checkers. These are
used in the same way as Spell Checkers. Look at the suggestions and determine if
they suit your writing style.
59. Format Text - Columns, Tables, Bullets, etc.
Advanced text formatting allows you to set up your
document in columns like a newspaper, tables with borders, or add bullet points
for emphasis. The Format menu usually lists the options for your application. You can Undo
any changes by reversing the process you used or by going to the Edit menu and choosing Undo Editing.
Bullets may be found as an icon on the
Tool Bar or under Paragraph on the Format menu. Some packages
allow you to select the type of bullet.
60. Add and Size Graphics - Clip
Art, Drawings, Objects
The Insert menu
gives you access to other files that you may want to include in your current document. These include drawings you may have done in
another program, clip art - which is a collection of pictures that can add
color and interest to your document, or even motion video, audio, etc. When you select the art for your document,
it will usually have a border or dots around the edge. You can use the mouse to click on and drag
to change the size and/or location of the artwork. You can go to the Edit menu
to Undo the last changes or use the Delete key to remove it. If you
insert video or audio, the person who gets the file must have the same options
available on their system. Be sure that
the document does not exceed the capacity of your floppy if that is how it will
be shared.
61. Page Setup and Margins
You can set up the page size, margins, headers,
footers, etc. under the Page Setup
selection under the File menu. Footnotes
can be added by using the command under the Insert menu. This also used
to print page numbers. See the Help menu for your Word Processor for
specific commands.
62. Adjust Paper Size, Print Quality, Landscape or Portrait, Set up Printer
Select page setup from the File menu and adjust size, source, layout and other parameters.
The Printer Setup options are found under
the File menu. You can select a specific printer, change
resolution, page orientation, etc. See
your software manual or Help menu
for specific information.
63. Find and Replace Selected Word
These commands are found under the Edit menu. Find lets you go
through a document and find a specific word.
Replace allows you find a
word and replace it with another word.
You might find a better word in the Thesaurus
and you would like to use it throughout the document. You would type the original word in the Find box and the new word in the Replace box. You can then
go from word to word and decide if you want to make the change or tell the
editor to Change All.
64. Preview Page
You can look at the entire page or document by
selecting the preview icon (usually a magnifying glass) or by choosing Print Preview under the File menu. You can also look at the page according to several options under
the View menu including Zoom, Draft, etc.
65. Print Document
When you have set up the page the way you want it,
click on the print icon (usually a printer) or select Print from the File menu. This will let you choose the number of
copies, specific pages, etc.
Windows has a feature called Print Manager. If you choose print and the printer is not
ready, you must go the Control Panel,
Print Manager and clear the queue or
Resume Printing when the printer is
ready. If you do not clear the manager,
the document and future documents will build up in the queue and nothing will
print.
66. Backup File to Floppy
Remember that you can make a backup on floppy in
case something goes wrong with your hard drive or if you wish to take a
document elsewhere. Use the Save As command that was discussed in
Section 56 On the Mac, Windows 95 or in File
Manager in Windows, you can drag
the file onto the selected floppy drive.
This type of software is sometimes called Courseware since it relates to a
specific subject. This software may be
used to explore content such as in a science or math class, or provide
enrichment, review, remediation, etc.
Insert the diskette in the floppy drive.
On the Mac,
the diskette will appear on the desktop.
Double click to open the window and double click on the program
icon. Follow the directions on the
screen to continue.
In DOS, type the DIR command. Look for a .BAT file or .EXE file. Type the file
name and press Enter. Follow the directions on the screen to
continue.
In Windows, go to the File menu and select Run,
choose the correct disk drive, and highlight the name of the .BAT or .EXE file. Answer “Okay” to
the dialogue boxes. Follow the
directions on the screen. You can also
launch the program from File Manager
by selecting the drive and double clicking on the .EXE or .BAT filename. You may print results by setting up the Printer Options and choosing Print when directed.
68. Use Grade Book Program or Grade Spreadsheet
The Grade
Book Program or Grade Spreadsheet
is an automated grading system. A
number of vendors market ready-to-use packages or you can set up a grade book
using your favorite spreadsheet.
Typically, you will set up a file for each class and enter the names and
other information for each student. The
screen is designed to look like the pages in a standard paper grade book. You can enter individual grades and use the
calculation capability to keep a running average for each student. The best grade book software also allows you
to write progress reports for parents.
Some allow you to input a series of comments, which can be selected when
appropriate for each student. Some
programs will flag student records when the performance is below a certain
score or when assignments are missing.
A printout is necessary for documentation purposes in some schools. The grade book requires information to be
typed in, but networked schools can sometimes download the class information
from the main school database to simplify this step in setting up. It may also automate grade reporting to the
Guidance Department or School District.
Be sure to preview several packages prior to purchase or select the
software that has been adopted by your school.
69. Employ Word Processing for
Classroom Materials and Tests
This is a specific use of your regular word processing
software. The computer allows you to
make multiple forms of your tests if there is a problem with cheating in your
classroom. The Cut and Paste functions enable you to move answers so that the test
looks exactly like the other forms in the class, but the answers are
different. Once you type the test or
activity sheets, it is easy to save them for modification or use in future
classes. Type the name of the file in a
small font at the bottom of the document so that the document can be easily
found again later. You can also cut and
paste from regular tests to make your semester exams. Renumbering the items takes very little time.
70. Send E-Mail and Participate in Teacher Bulletin Boards
E-mail and other on-line activities are part of
computing known as telecommunications. E-mail
may be used on a LAN or local area
network in your school, or it can be done by modem to another computer
system. The mail is usually a quick
note requesting information or a reply to someone else's question. It can involve sending information to a
student on the network or even an additional assignment. Bulletin
Boards allow you to share
communications with a wider group of teachers.
A bulletin board has a phone number that is dialed by your
communications software. The modem in
your computer allows you to exchange information with the modem on the computer
system at the bulletin board site. Some
systems are graphical and use icons (Mac
and Windows computers), while some
are text-based. The Internet is a collection of hundreds of
information sites that can be accessed in a similar way.
71. Multimedia Authoring - Prepare Lessons Using Programs such as PowerPoint, Hyperstudio, Persuasion
There are
a variety of products that range from graphics display to full audio / video
authoring software. The "business
graphics" packages are great for preparing lessons for your classroom.
Slides are set up with text, graphics, sound, video, etc. to make the lesson
come alive. An advanced authoring
package may enable you to control a laser disc player, CD-ROM, or other
external device. Most of the packages
use the same types of commands that you find in word processing software. Advanced packages may require a programming
language or may be based on a movie production metaphor (production studio
simulation) to arrange objects and time sequences. Level one and two teachers will probably use the business
graphics programs and other tools such as HyperCard,
Hyperstudio, Linkway Live, etc.
72. Make Use of Electronic Reference Materials
Most electronic references are purchased on
CD-ROM. Each has its own graphical
interface and tools for navigating the material. Most include a tutorial that guides the new user through the
program and highlights the tools available.
The search capabilities of the software are easy to use and offer
students access to information that may not be easily obtained using print
materials.
73. Other Tools
Software is available for making signs, banners,
puzzles, maps, and so on. Visit your
local software stores and read the latest catalogues to get an idea of what new
tools are being written for teachers.
Today, the Internet is a ready source for the latest software. This includes freeware, which you can use for as long as you like, shareware, which can be evaluated for a
period of time and then purchased for a modest fee, or demonstration programs, which provide limited use for a period of
time before you are required to purchase the complete package.
Software Management
74. Make Backup Disks and Store Properly
Backup Disks are
copies of the program disks that you receive when you buy software. Read the licensing agreement. If you are allowed to make a backup for
archival purposes, do it before you attempt to install the software.
On a DOS
or Windows machine, you will
probably XCOPY A: C: /s /e /v the
diskette to a new directory on your hard drive. Then XCOPY from that
directory to a new formatted diskette in drive A. XCOPY C: A: /s /e /v to make the backup
disk. You can then delete the files on
your hard drive. If your system has two
diskette drives of the same size, you can use the DISKCOPY command. Do not
use the COPY command, as it does not
copy subdirectories.
On the Mac,
copy the files to the DESKTOP and
then drag the icons onto new initialized diskettes. Use the copies for your installation and save the original
diskettes in a safe place.
Write the product serial number on the
diskettes. This will help if
reinstallation is necessary and the licensing material is not available.
Viruses are computer programs that are designed to
cause problems for computer systems. Virus Scan software can be purchased to
detect viruses if they are present on floppies before they infect your hard
disk. Some software scans your hard
drive and all floppies when you start the machine. You can also request a scan for a suspect floppy. Check your manual for specific procedures
for your software. Unfortunately, new
viruses may be missed without frequent software upgrades. Check the publisher’s web site for virus
definition updates.
76. Use Lock Out Software, e.g. FoolProof, At Ease, Fortres 101
This software
is designed to protect your hard drive from students or novice users. The software sets up a hierarchy to allow
the Administrator to set rights for various users. This usually involves setting passwords to access critical files
and directories. Software can be
purchased for Windows or Macintosh machines. The Windows
versions usually lock the hard drive to protect DOS files at the same time.
This software will protect the desktop and prevent deletion of files and
overall tampering that may occur in a school setting.
77.
Troubleshooting – Determine Possible Solutions Based on Clues
Software troubleshooting involves problem-solving
activities to determine why the application is not performing properly. Success is usually related to solving
conflicts with certain hardware settings, such as video setup or reinstallation
of programs that have become corrupted.
There is no one method – experience is usually the best teacher. Be sure to install the software according to
the instructions in the manual. Many
"bad loads" can be traced to copying software to the hard drive
rather than using the installation utility.
Software companies use compression to pack as much information as they
can on a single diskette. The installer
program extracts this information and "inflates it" to its normal
functional size. The software may
require changes in your setup files, and these can only be done during the
setup procedure. Another common
problem is related to available memory (RAM). If the program does not run, fun MEMMAKER (in MS DOS) or RAMSETUP (in PC DOS) for Windows 3.1 or DOS
machines.
The Mac
has the Get Info command from the File menu. You can set memory required or change settings to get some
programs to run. In Mac and Windows, memory can be freed up by closing any applications that do
not need to be running.
78. Log Software Licensing Information, Serial Number
Software Logs are valuable for individuals, but
mandatory in the school environment.
The log should list the Title,
Version, Date of Acquisition, Number of Licenses, and Location Installed. You may include any other information that
you think is necessary. Most purchases
can be documented with copies of the purchase
requisition and any Site License
Agreement or Documentation from the publisher. Students should not be allowed to install software on school
computer systems, and this includes shareware.
Exceptions can be made for student assistants working under your
direction. (Remember to write the
serial number on each master diskette and backup.)
79. Keep a Log with Solutions for All Software
Problems
Problem Logs are extremely useful to the
school Technology Team. The log will
note problems encountered and Solutions
determined through on-site troubleshooting or from repair services. Many problems can be traced to "little
fingers" in the school setting, and the log provides a record of fixes to
be used by teachers and staff. Some
schools create a machine log for each computer. This is used to document any changes to the system so that there
is a record to refer back to when problems arise.
80. Understand and Abide by Copyright Laws
The Copyright Law is very important in any instructional technology program. Most vendors provide reduced prices, site licenses and other programs to make it easier to obtain quality software, videos, etc. Students and teachers should not make unauthorized copies of any programs. A notice should be posted in each lab or classroom to emphasize the school rules against software piracy. The complete policy should be printed in the student and teacher handbooks.
81. Maximize the Use of Software Selected by
School Tech Team
The software purchased by the school is an integral
part of the curriculum. It is each
teacher's responsibility to learn to use the programs selected for the subjects
they teach. Computer labs represent a
significant monetary commitment to the instructional program. Any instructor who is assigned to a lab has
a moral obligation to use the hardware and software to the best of their
ability. It is not a choice, but an
essential part of the teaching process to become computer-literate at Level One
Proficiency or beyond.
Other
Most software can be customized to suit the
user. Several areas are mentioned in
the checklist, but there are many skills that can be added to this
section. Backups of the original
settings should be made so that the machine can be returned to its original
configuration. A backup directory on a
network fileserver is a handy way to maintain original files.
82. Customize Desk Top
Mac and Windows employ a graphical user interface with a Desktop, Menu Bar
and “Tools” to complete your work. The
user can determine how things are arranged, install screen savers, wall-paper,
etc. The organization can relate to
your personal style. You can make it as
neat or as cluttered as you feel comfortable.
Some users prefer icons while others prefer text. When you find the
style that suits you, be sure to save the settings if you want the changes to
be permanent. (Note: Lockout Software will restore the original
settings. See your Tech Specialist.)
83. Use Accessory Programs – Text Editor, Paint,
Sounds, etc.
Mac and Windows come with applications and tools for a variety of
tasks. The accessories can be used for
simple word processing, communications, recording macros, time, calculator,
calendar, paint, sound recorder and many other functions. Be sure to use the tutorials that are part
of the interface to preview the many built-in features. Optional programs can be found on the system
CD or CD-ROM versions of the software that you purchase.
84. Write-Protect Diskettes
3.5" floppy diskettes have a write-protect
notch in the lower right corner when looking at the underside of the disk. The "hole" is covered when the
diskette can be written to. If you
slide the plastic bar toward the bottom of the disk, the "hole" will
be exposed. This is the write-protected
position. If you try to save to the
disk, you will get an error message.
5.25" floppy diskettes require a piece of tape
to cover the notch at the side of the disk.
See the manual for details if you still use this medium. A write-protected diskette is also virus
protected. Write protect all of your
master diskettes.
Network Skills: Level One
85. Differentiate between Network Types,
Telephone Jack and Network Jack
A computer must have some means of connecting to the
network. The simplest case can be a
connection to a serial port with a cable.
Apple and Mac systems sometimes use phonenet
connectors that plug into the modem or printer port. These are usually used with an AppleTalk Network. A phonenet connector has a plug that fits
the port and a phone line (RJ11)
connector connects to the fileserver or next computer. The final link has a terminator to close the loop.
Most Macintosh computers have
Ethernet capability built in. Ethernet is a faster networking system
that allows the use of Novell Netware
or other network operating systems. To
use the built in Ethernet, you must obtain a network interface that plugs into the network port.
RJ45 connectors are usually used on high-speed networks. This is similar to the phone-like wiring of RJ11 but with a larger plug and wider
bandwidth. Connection is made by
sliding in the wiring connector into the transceiver,
or built in RJ45 jack. Some Macs require a Network Interface Card. It is installed in the same way as it is in
the PC. (Macs that require a
transceiver are shipped with an AAUI jack.
This is a small trapezoid-shaped connector with arrows pointing out on the
icon.)
86. Attach Cable to Network
Interface Card and Network Jack
IBM and compatible computers
require the installation of a Network
Interface Card into an available expansion slot. These are usually Ethernet or token ring and have the transceiver
built into the card. The cards can work
with coax called 10BASE 2, RJ45 UTP
called 10BASE T, Thick Ethernet, or other configuration
that may even include optical fiber as part of the backbone of the system. Fiber is not used throughout the system all
the way to the desktop at this time in most school districts. Coax systems plug in using a T connector. A BNC connector
attaches to one side of the T carrying the signal from the server. The center connector attaches to the
connector on the NIC. If this is the last station, a terminator is
added to the open T connection. Another
cable can be connected to that same T connector instead to "daisy chain" additional computers
to the server. A 10BASE T network plugs in the same way that it did on the Mac.
Thick cable has a pinned plug that connects to a transceiver along the
main connector.
A 10BASE T
network has a separate wire to each computer on the network. This means that the network connection can
be made by plugging into the data jack on the wall. Be sure to plug into a data-line and not a standard phone line to
protect the NIC or transceiver.
Software
87. Attach System to Network Fileserver
The network allows communication from each
workstation to a fileserver. The
fileserver runs the network operating system software and has large storage
capacity and memory to communicate with all attached workstations. In order to receive information, your
computer must communicate with the server and establish a link to the
system. This is referred to as logging
in on the network. Most school networks
are set up so that each computer automatically is connected to the system by a
boot program. You may recognize the
connection by noting an icon for the network drives. These appear to your computer as additional hard drives, and you
can launch programs or transfer files the same way that you do from your local
drive.
88. Login and Enter Password
The server is usually set up to require the new
users to login or identify themselves.
Security on the server sets up levels of access. Your workstation and personal login give you
certain rights on the system. When you
login, you are limited to the files that are set to your level of
security. The Supervisor or Administrator has full rights to the server. It is best to grant supervisor privileges to
only a limited number of individuals. When you login, you usually enter a user name and a password that
protects your home information from other users.
89. Launch Software from Network Drive
Once you are logged in, you have access to the
network drives to the limit of your security clearance.
Double click on the Mac network drive icon and it will respond in the same way that
your local drive does.
The Windows
network drive icons can be seen from the File Manager and programs can be launched from there. However, since DOS and Windows programs
sometimes have access software that must be loaded before starting a program,
they must be set up on your workstation.
Once they are set up on your desktop, you can launch them just as if
they were on your hard drive. A drive
“map” assigns a letter to a folder or file on the network drive. The access software uses this letter to
locate the required information.
90. Select Printer and Print to Specific
Location
In the Mac
Chooser, you can select the printer type and zone to determine the proper driver
and the location of the selected printer
In Windows,
the set up is in the Control Panel,
Printers, Connect, Network. Your
workstation can be set up to connect to a specific printer automatically when
you boot your system and login to the network.
91. Set up Class Information
Most network systems employ a "manager"
that allows you to input student names, etc. and set rights for classes. Log in as teacher and proceed to the teacher
menu for class management. Follow the
directions on the screen and enter the requested information. Be sure to save periodically in case of
trouble on the system. Be sure to
delete students who leave your class during the year.
92. Add Courseware for Student Use
Once you have added student names, look for the courseware
management utility. This will allow you
to assign selected software to your students.
Some programs will let you set minimum performance standards and levels
of difficulty. They usually let you
start students at an appropriate level.
Assign only the software that is necessary at a particular time and
unassign it when you finish.
93. Send E-mail, Exchange Files
The advantage of having a network relates to your
ability to share information. You can
send mail to your students, send notes or files, or provide individualized
assignments. Most packages prevent
students from sending mail directly to other students for obvious reasons. Some students may send notes to other
students if they learn your password.
It is critical to protect your password. Be sure to explain to your students the importance of their
password and personal files.
94. Change Class Information when Necessary
Add and delete students regularly. If your network manager provides this
service, give as much advance notice as possible. Send a list of new students and students to be deleted several
days before your scheduled lab time.
Take time to login as teacher and print performance scores and progress
reports if your software has this option.
95. Save Files to Specific Folder
When you complete work in a network environment, the
Save As command will let you select
a folder on any drive. If you wish to
use a Network Drive, select the drive letter that is appropriate in Windows 3.1 or 95. In Windows 3.1, you can
map drives using the NWTools software.
You must have rights to use the drive and directory. In Windows 95, go to Network Neighborhood,
select a folder on a specific volume and use the Map command from the File
Menu. Once it is mapped, it will appear
as the drive letter in My Computer or
in the list of drives available in your application. Most network management systems create home directories in which
students save their personal files.
On the Mac,
open the icon for the server and find the file you wish to save to. Use Save
As, or drag the file to the selected folder.
96. Logoff from Network Fileserver
When you logged into the system, you established
communication with the server. To break
this connection, you log off by using the logout procedure for your
network. Do not shut off the computer
to logout. Be sure that your classes know exactly how to complete their
activities and properly logout to be sure that files are closed.
97. Change Personal Password
If your network provides a Change Password option, use it on a regular basis. Some systems require you to change after a
set time. Send your network manager
your new password if this is the procedure for password update on your
network. Never release your password to
anyone else. Be sure to caution your
students against sharing their passwords with friends. If friends are aware of each other’s
passwords they can login and leave messages in the student's file or
mailbox. This is one way unauthorized
mail can be sent in the network environment.
"Naughty" notes can appear in students' files if hackers
figure out passwords and login as another person. They can even send these kinds of notes to teachers. Unfortunately, the name of the person who
owns the mailbox is listed as the sender rather than the hacker!
Curriculum Integration: Level One
98. Use Word
Processing to Prepare Class Materials
The Word
Processor can be used to prepare class materials in the same way as the
typewriter but with many convenient extras.
The best is related to word-wrap, spell check, cutting and pasting,
inserting other documents, clip art, etc.
With a typed page you have to start over to make corrections you find
after the paper has been removed from the typewriter. Using word processing, you can always go back and fix, move
things around, change words and so on and then let your printer retype it! You can add puzzles or activities from other
documents, insert pictures or diagrams for labeling, make multiple forms of the
test or activity to reduce the chance of cheating. A presentation graphics package can be used with a TV or VCR to
make multimedia lessons that will enhance your class presentations.
99. Prepare
Lesson Plans that Involve the Use of Specific Software
You can prepare Lesson Plans that involve the use of
specific software. A science class may
have a lesson built around SimCity or
Space or any other package used in
your school. Your activity can be a
problem-solving lesson that requires the student to explore the software and
generate ideas related to your lesson, rather than just playing the game. The computer is not just a tool for the
students to use on their own; it is a tool to assist you in teaching specific
concepts. You can set up the lesson as
E-mail and have the student respond to the communication by using lab, written,
oral and computer activities.
100. Allow Students to Use Application Software to Generate a Product from Lesson
Application Software - Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentation, etc., must be learned by the students in every subject. Let them prepare assignments using these tools just as you prepare lessons. Encourage them to use a home computer to practice their computing skills at home. Parents are much more likely to purchase systems if they see that they will be used for real homework assignments. Students who cannot afford systems may be able to join an after-school program or use computers in the library. It is important that students understand how powerful computers are for completing their jobs rather than just sources of enrichment.
101. Use
Presentation Software and Monitor to Teach the Lesson
In order to use Presentation
Software and a Monitor, you need
a video to TV converter. An AV
Macintosh has it built in, but almost any computer can be fitted with a
computer to video converter, LCD panel, or LCD projector. The scan converter is the cheapest. If you have a multimedia system, you can use
sound, graphics, motion video, etc. to liven up the lesson. Since most of the software lets you add
"builds," you can set up a presentation to ask a series of questions
and tap a key to reveal the answer or answers.
This provides great feedback when a student sees his/her response
already typed in. It is also possible
to run an inquiry activity and post the student responses on the monitor by
typing each response and displaying it the same way that you would on a
chalkboard. However, this way, the
files can be saved and printed for handouts.
102. Save Student Projects on
Diskette for Authentic Assessment
Authentic Assessment relates to real-world
applications of information and examples of student performance. Presentation software, publishing programs,
and other types of technology can be used to document student performance and
understanding of concepts. Large
amounts of text data can be stored on 1.44 MB floppy diskettes. Today, Zip drives and other Winchester type
drives can store over 100 MB of data which could enable the storage of
Presentations, graphics, music files, and many other examples of student
learning. The reasonable cost would
allow the student to take the disk from class to class and year to year. JAZ drives provide one gigabyte of storage on
a removable cartridge. These cost about
$100, but provide the storage of several hundred diskettes.
103. Discuss Software Activities with Class after
Use
Software-based lessons are another normal classroom
activity. In fact, too many teachers treat these are enrichment activities and
ignore the opportunity to discuss and reinforce the concepts learned. It is important to treat technology as the
tool of choice to enhance classroom learning, but it should be supported with
creative teaching techniques.
104. Develop Instructional Technology Files for
Future Use
In the same way that students can save records of
their class products, teachers can produce technology
files for future use. High-capacity
diskettes and other storage media can enable the teacher and their students to
produce multiple lessons each year and save them to use them over and
over. Presentation software can be used
“as is” or updated easily to suit the needs of each class. In fact, teams of teachers can share
electronic files and plan together to produce up-to-date and relevant lessons
on each subject matter area.
105. Make Hardware an Integral
Part of the Lesson.
Technology tools are tools just like any other
learning material. It is essential that
the teacher use the new tools as normal parts of the lesson, and not something
special that does not need to be prepared or treated in the ways that other
teaching tools are treated. Too often,
teachers treat technology as an electronic baby-sitter, requiring no activity
on their part rather than seeing the powerful potential that they offer to
enhance classroom learning.
106. Use CD-ROM, Laser Disc, Computer to Enhance
the Lesson
CD-ROM, Laser Disc, and Computer are tools that can provide visual and auditory stimuli that are not available to the classroom using conventional methods. 16mm movies were used to demonstrate new procedures and provide first-hand information on a variety of topics; however, they were linear sequential media that were difficult to use for specific information. They were typically used to provide extended enrichment of a topic rather than specific injection of content.
107. Involve Parents in Computer Projects
Most
parents use, or are exposed to, technology on a daily basis. They realize the importance to the student
of acquiring computer skills. Provide
homework assignments that require the parent to discuss how they use computers
and other technology in the workplace.
Also, design homework to require the student to explore real-world use
of technology outside of the school.
Students tend to relate computing to gaming. The parent can be used as a resource to explain the use of
computing in the workplace.
108. Share Successes with Fellow Teachers
Some
teachers are more comfortable using technology than others. Provide part of faculty meetings for sharing
new ideas and successful lessons with everyone. Be sure to schedule demo sessions at the beginning of the meeting
so that there will be no pressure to hurry for dismissal. Duplicate handouts and diskettes to
facilitate the incorporation of the materials into other teachers’ lesson
plans.
109. Allow Students to Suggest Ways to Use Technology in Class
Students
are usually more comfortable with computers and software than most adults. They have used the equipment with friends
and have developed a comfort level.
Brainstorming sessions related to the current topic for study can use
the students experience with computers to assist the teacher with new
presentation strategies. The team
approach will support a cooperative learning environment and enhance the use of
technology, while emphasizing appropriate content.
110. Offer After-School Computer Projects
Projects
are a great way to utilize expensive equipment after-school hours and at
home. The project can be done for extra
credit or as part of the lesson. Give
the option of using technology or conventional techniques so that all students
have the opportunity to complete a project.
Projects can involve community service, science fairs, or any other
product such as creating books, newsletters, drawings, short stories,
documentaries, etc. Multidisciplinary
themes are appropriate and can be done in multiple class environments.
111. Teach Keyboarding Skills as Part of the Subject
Typing
skills are essential to the effective use of the computer. Every teacher needs to insist on proper keyboarding
technique and evaluate it as part of the class grade. Voice recognition is still in its infancy. Typing will be a valuable skill for many
years to come.
112. Require Students to Fully Learn to Use the Programs Available
Software
can be used in its elementary form in a relatively short period of time. However, the effective technology-aware
teacher will encourage students to learn every aspect of the software that has
been purchased for classroom use.
Software lessons and evaluations should be part of the total
curriculum. It will also enhance the
teacher’s knowledge of the advanced features in the program.
113. Schedule so that All Students Get Equal Time at the Computer
Most
schools do not have enough computers to provide a workstation for each student. It is important to insist that every student
take the opportunity to use the available equipment. Students who are not comfortable with the hardware sometimes do
not develop essential skills because they avoid the equipment. Since you are now requiring that hardware
and software are used as part of the subject, each student will have to gain
experience and skill.
114. Preview Software and Recommend for Purchase to Tech Team
Software
is available for preview from most software vendors. In fact, today you can even download trial versions from the
Internet. Try new programs that fit the
needs of your discipline. When you find
one that is a good value, provide the vendor’s name, price and other
descriptive information to your Tech Team or person in charge of curriculum. If
each person on the staff shops for valuable additions to the curriculum, it
will make the purchases easier for everyone.
115. Set up New Computer System, Prepare for
Operation, Backup System Files, Prepare Emergency Boot Diskette
Most
computer systems are shipped with the operating system software
pre-installed. The first step is to
assemble the components. This will
include attaching the keyboard to the keyboard jack, mouse to keyboard or mouse
port, monitor to video port, and A/C connections to monitor and CPU. If a local printer is used, it must be
attached to the printer port on the PC
and printer or modem port on the Mac. If the system has a network card or network
transceiver, it must be connected to the network wall jack by means of the
appropriate cable, usually twisted-pair with RJ45 connectors at each end.
It is especially important to determine if the wall jack has been
patched in to the network hub in the appropriate wiring closet. This can be determined by checking for link
lights on the card/transceiver and hub after the system is powered on.
The
Macintosh operating system is too
large for a floppy diskette at this time; however, the machine can be booted
from the appropriate system CD-ROM. This can be done by pressing the C key
during boot on the PowerPC machines
or by using a combination of keystrokes such as [command, option, Apple, delete.]
Consult your manual to determine the keystrokes for your model.
A
bootable system diskette is required for DOS
and Windows machines. This is also valuable for treating virus
problems. Format a diskette using the Format command with a slash s to create a system diskette. Or
you can use File Manager or My Computer and select Format diskette for drive A or B. Mark the box to create system diskette to add the
bootable files. This diskette can be
used in drive A as long as the CMOS settings designate drive A as a boot drive. In the system setup, you should make drive A the primary boot drive and the C drive or hard disk the second boot
drive. This will allow you to boot from
floppy diskette when there is a problem on the hard drive. If your system and application software is
on CD-ROM, you will require the
drivers for them on your boot diskette.
To prepare a diskette with these drivers, copy the autoexec.bat and config.sys
from the hard drive to the floppy. Edit
the files so that the drivers can be loaded from the floppy. Change all references from drive C to drive A and note the directories, files and subdirectories called in the
batch files. You will then need to
create these directories and copy the required files to the emergency
diskette. To simplify this process, you
can copy the files to the root of the diskette and eliminate any directories
and sub-directories referred to in the boot files. Once you have completed this process, test the diskette by
booting the machine from floppy. Be sure
that your CD-ROM drive is working.
Caution: If you do not edit the files, the machine will boot and
everything will be operational, BUT
the files will have been loaded from the hard drive, which will not be
available in the event of virus or mechanical problems.
You
may use some utility software that automatically creates emergency
diskettes. Norton Utilities, Disk First Aid
and others will assist you in producing the diskette. Once you have created the diskette, slide the write-protect tab
back to prevent contamination from viruses when trouble-shooting.
The
CMOS settings should also be printed
or backed up using utility software. It
is especially important to know the hard disk parameters, memory allocation,
etc. In a school environment, it is advisable
to add a power-on password to the system.
If this is not added by the Tech Specialist, a student could enter setup
and put in a password, which makes the machine unusable. This can usually be corrected by removing
the battery from the CMOS. It is much
easier to protect the system settings in advance.
Software
such as Windows 95 offers the option
of creating emergency diskettes during installation or using Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel. This diskette can be used to boot the
machine and restore the Registry if
it becomes corrupt. It is recommended
that you create an emergency boot diskette for each model of machine that is on
campus and print the CMOS settings for all models as well. Macs
have specific operating system CD-ROMs for each model, and the CD and / or
diskettes should be filed with the manuals in your office.
116.Attach Peripherals, Printer, Modem
The
Macintosh uses three types of
connectors. A wide SCSI connector is used to add external drives, scanners, and other
devices. These devices are
daisy-chained together with up to 9 devices in the chain. The motherboard, internal hard drive, and
CD-ROM drive are assigned these ID numbers.
The last device in the chain must be equipped with a resistor to
“terminate” the chain. This terminator
is attached to the last connector or built in to the device, which
self-terminates. These devices also
have a SCSI address from 0-8. No two devices may have the same address on
the same chain, however, it is possible to add a second SCSI adapter and increase the number of devices that can be used on
the system. This is necessary when
adding multiple hard disks in a server or when installing a CD-ROM tower or jukebox. Most PCs
do not ship with SCSI controllers,
but they are easily installed in an available slot. In most cases, SCSI connectors have 25 or 50 pin connectors.
The
second type of connector on the Mac
is a small round connector with tiny pins.
This is inserted with the label in the same orientation as the label on
the case or keyboard. If a keyboard or
mouse suddenly quits working, check to be sure that pins were not bent during
reattachment. If they are bent, you
must carefully straighten them or they will break off. The ADB
port is used to attach the keyboard and mouse on older systems. Most Macs
today have the mouse connector on the keyboard itself, or even on the monitor.
The
third type of connector is the video connector. This is smaller than the SCSI
port, but has the same trapezoidal shape.
The pins are very thin, so it is important to carefully slide the
connector into the port and secure it with the locking screws. If the pins are
bent you will note the loss of specific colors or other video problems. Some Macs
had a large square monitor connection and require a special monitor or
adapter. Check your manual if nothing
seems to match the cables that you have.
You may also be able to add another type of adapter that will let you
use a monitor designed for a PC
system.
Some
Macs have a microphone and speaker,
or even video connectors. These are
mini-RCA plugs or RCA pin plugs. The
icons or color code can be used to match the proper connector with the proper
jack.
The
PC has more type of connectors. This makes it easier to tell the difference
between ports, once you are familiar with the connections. The video port is a small trapezoidal
connector with 2 or 3 rows of small pins.
Two rows were found in the old CGA and EGA monitors. Three rows are typical of VGA and
SuperVGA. Once again, be careful since
it is easy to bend the pins in the connector and require the replacement of the
connector. The mouse on most newer
computers is the PS/2 type with a small round connector having 9 pins. This connector is virtually the same as the
newer keyboard connectors. These are
usually color-coded or have icons on the case to assist you with connections to
the proper ports. Older systems have a
trapezoidal 9-pin connector for the mouse, which attaches to a communications
port. Some of these systems may even
use a larger 25-pin connector. You can
purchase adapters to go from one to the other.
The printer port is a 25 pin female connector. Most computers today use only the larger connector for the
printer to simplify installation.
Speaker and microphone connections are the same type of connectors noted
for the Mac above. A joystick has 15 pin connectors and is
usually found on a sound card.
Modem
connections on the Mac are made to
the modem port using the same round connector used for other connections. A phone icon is listed on the port. Some models came with a Geo Port that was designed to enhance communications. These models required a special Geo Port modem. PC
modems connect to serial communications ports.
These are 9 pin or 32 pin connectors.
Macs and PCs may use internal modems that fit into a slot. These add a connector on the card for the
RJ11 telephone connection and a second jack to add a standard telephone
outlet. Mac modems and PC modems
are the same except for the cable connections.
117.Format or Initialize Hard Disk (System Disk)
Hard
disks are shipped from the factory with a Low-Level format. This should not be redone by the Tech Specialist using the LOW-LEVEL Format utility in the setup program. Low level formatting
is not recommended for today’s high performance drives.
Formatting
to prepare the disk for software installation is an operating system level
procedure. Use Disk Tools on the Mac or
the DOS format command to prepare
a new disk for use or to recover after some types of failure. Be sure to add the system information if it
is a boot disk. Unformat is an option on
some systems, but it is recommended that you back up the drive if it contains
important information that is needed to restore to the drive or its
replacement.
118.Unformat Hard Disk or Diskette
In
order to unformat, the system must save the information. This means that the disk contents are
written to a file and saved until a later time. Large hard disks with many files are usually too big to allow the
material to be written to the disk. A
warning is usually given that there will be no unformat option due to
the size of the required file. Only
when unformat files are created, can the unformat option can be used. Do not use format for routine file deletion.
119.Configure Mouse, Switch
Buttons, Set Tracking, etc.
The mouse can be adjusted to suit your requirements
regarding feel and performance. The
adjustments are found in the control panels on the Mac or Windows machines. A test
window is available so that you can check for feel before exiting the setup
area. Older DOS
computers may have mouse software in a directory. Check the files to determine if a test program is provided. The left and right buttons can be switched
by placing X in a selection box. Trails can be activated or the pointer can
be increased or decreased in size.
Students may make changes to these settings. If a mouse is not performing properly, check the settings or
clean the mouse rollers and ball.
120.Install Drivers and CD-ROM
Extension Software for CD-ROM Drives
On PC systems the CD-ROM requires two files. The driver is loaded from the config.sys and the extensions are loaded from the autoexec.bat. Both of
these files must be loaded and they must be configured the same way. The driver
is specific to the manufacturer and model of the CD device and the extensions
are usually MSCDEX.EXE (Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions). If the drive ships with its own driver and
version of mscdex, use them. Otherwise,
use the extensions found in DOS or Windows 95. If you find that
there is a drive D or E on your system and it still does not recognize that
there is CD in the
drive, you probably have not loaded the appropriate extension or the names for
the drive do not match in the config.sys
and autoexec.bat.
Windows
95 will detect the CD-ROM drive during installation but you must use the DOS drivers
if you plan to install it from CD.
The Mac uses the SCSI port for external CD drives and but may require special
extensions other than those in the Mac operating system. These are installed from
diskettes that ship with the drive.
121.Use Modem to Download and /
or Upload Files
Most communications software allows you to attach files or
save attachments. These files can be
documents or actual executable files.
The size of the file can be limited by the settings of the host or
user’s own computer. To simplify the
delivery of multiple files, compression software can be used to put multiple
components of a program into a single file.
Software such as PKZip, WinZip,
Stuffit, etc. can be used to compress the files. These files can be expanded using an expander program such as PKUnzip, Stuffit Expander, etc. The most convenient types of files are
self-extracting files. On the Mac they may
have an .sea extension or on the PC they may
be and .exe compressed file. Most of the current compression utilities
will let you create self-extracting files.
These should be used whenever possible since the person receiving the
file does not have to have the extraction software to access the file.
Files are attached from the tool bar in most mail and
browser applications.
Note: Some Internet
providers do not allow their clients to exchange attachments due to concerns
about viruses.
122.Select and Configure Printer
Driver, FAX Driver
A driver is a software program that enables a device to
perform its job. Printer drivers are
used to convert the text and font data into information that can be printed by
a certain model of printer. In order to
take advantage of all the features built into a specific printer, it is necessary
to use the latest driver for the operating system that you use. Windows and Macintosh have made printing
easier because the operating system itself takes care of printing for every
application loaded on the machine. In
DOS, a printer driver must be configured in each program.
Printer drivers normally are shipped with the printer that
you purchase. However, new and updated
drivers are released periodically by the printer manufacturer. You can obtain these drivers by visiting
the WEB sites of
the companies that manufactured your hardware.
You can tell when a driver is not installed properly or is not the
perfect match for your printer-you will notice spurious characters on the page,
poor print quality, inability to print certain fonts, or even absence of print
all together. The printout may be very small or space incorrectly. Check your manual for other compatible
drivers especially if you are setting up the printer for a DOS
application.
The computer treats a modem as a printer in FAX
applications. You usually designate
your FAX software as a printer driver and print your document to the
modem. The software generates the
coversheet and attaches the remaining pages to the FAX document. If you are unable to send a FAX, check to be
sure that your computer is set to use the FAX software as your printer.
123.Backup, Restore Files and
Folders
Users refer to keeping multiple copies of their files on
diskettes or other media as “making a backup file”. This is correct use of the phrase and is essential to protect
important documents. However, Backup and Restore are
terms used to describe the complete archiving of files and directory
structure. This is the insurance that
you need when your hard drive fails.
You notice that I used the term “when” not “if”. A hard drive has a finite life span and will
fail eventually. Regular backups ensure
that you will be ready when this happens.
Most backups are done to tape. It is no longer a realistic task to attempt the complete backup
of a hard disk to diskette. Even with
compression, it would take an incredible number of diskettes and a significant
amount of time. Tape drives can be
purchase at reasonable prices. They can
be installed either internally or externally.
Some models use the SCSI interface; some use a serial or parallel port. Parallel port models are handy on the PC because
all PCs have
built in parallel ports and the same drive can be moved from PC to PC. SCSI models are convenient on Macs for the
same reason. Tape drives ship with
software to assist you with regular backups.
Some can even schedule unattended backups so that you do not have to be
there at the time.
Even tape backups can be time consuming. You can do a complete backup, or you can
backup only files changed since the last backup. A complete backup is always the best to have when there is a
drive failure. Everything you need is
on one tape or set of tapes. The
disadvantage is the time it takes to create this type of backup. Incremental backups are fast since they only
record files changed since the last backup.
They cannot be used alone to restore the disk to its original conditions
since they do not have all of the files.
In order to restore from this type of backup, it requires that you use
your last complete backup and then each set of incremental files to be sure
that all files are brought up to date.
Note: Be sure to
test your backup software to confirm that it is actually working. I completed months of routine full backups
to eventually learn that there was a bug in my software and a restore was not
possible. The software vendor did give
me a free copy of the revised software!
Also, check to be sure that your software can backup hidden
files and files in other formats if you use them. For example, if you are using a network system that allows you to
save Mac, PC and
other file types, be sure that your backup software is capable of saving them.
124.Combine Files, Change
Attributes
Files are usually combined in the application that was
originally used to produce them. You
can use this method when revising slide shows, word processing documents,
spreadsheets, etc.
Attributes are found in most operating systems. This is one way that files are marked so
that backup software can determine if files have been changed since the last
backup. Attributes can also be used to
note system and hidden files that are necessary to specific applications and
operating system. In the DOS world,
the ATTRIB command can be used to view and
change the attributes of files. In
Windows and other network operating systems, utilities or the operating system
itself can be set to allow you to view all file types and change the
attributes. Check your view menu and
look at your view options. This will enable
you to make changes if needed. It is
important to note the original attribute and set the file back when you are
finished, or the application may not run properly. Network attributes will be discussed later in the network section
on this topic.
125.Delete Folders or
Directories
In DOS, the Delete or Deltree command can be used. Delete
and the name of the file with its extension will erase the file. Deltree
is a very powerful command. It allows
you to delete folders or directories and all the files and sub-directories
contained in them. Deltree and the directory name brings a warning to be sure that you
really mean to erase this much information.
It is very handy when cleaning up a hard drive, but very dangerous when
used by students or teachers who do not understand directory structure.
In Windows 3.x, File Manager is used to delete files or folders. The command is found in the file menu. Highlight the file or folder in the window and select delete from the menu. It will check to be sure that you really
want to delete the information before erasing it. There is a delete on
the File Menu of Program Manager, but this only removes icons and windows from
the desktop.
On the Mac and in Windows 95, the trash can or recycling bin can be used to erase
files. Dragging a file to the trash
will prepare the file for deletion.
Emptying the trash or recycling bin completes the process. Delete
can also be found under the File menu
in certain applications.
126.Undelete Files, Folders or
Directories
The Undelete
command can be used in DOS to recover files that were accidentally erased. However, time is a major factor in successful
file recovery. Files are left on the
drive in their original location when erased.
They can be recovered with the Undelete command up to the time that the
operating system uses the space where they are located for new data. To use the Undelete command, you will need
to know the first letter of each file and type it in to recover the file. Windows 3.x uses the DOS undelete
command and a graphical display to perform this same function.
Mac and Windows 95 will let
you drag a file from the trash or recycling bin before you empty the
trash. Once the files are completely
erased, it is almost impossible to recover them.
127.Install Software, Change
Settings, Setup for Use
DOS uses the
program Install or a batch file to
create the directories and expand the files into their proper condition for
operation. Software is usually
installed from floppy or CD-ROM. Windows uses the
Setup program to prepare the program
for use. Setup is run from inside Windows. Choose File-Run and
select the setup program or Start-Run
and the setup program.
The Mac uses an Installer. The installer determines the components
needed for the system and saves the files.
Both Mac and Windows require
that certain components be copied to specific folders on the hard drive. The actual program is usually written to its
own directory and some accessory programs and drivers are written to specific
parts of the operating system. This is
why it is so difficult to move an application from an old machine to a new one
or prepare software backups for single applications. Applications are written this way to enhance performance, as well
as to provide a certain degree of copy protection for the author.
Settings are custom features that are specific to your
computer system. It may relate to
printer, video card, monitor, sound system, etc. In order to perform custom setups, it is always necessary to have
all documentation for your computer and sub-systems on hand. In the event that a wrong selection is made,
be sure to have a current backup or know how to boot your computer from
emergency diskette or with extensions off on the Mac, or in the Safe Mode on Windows 95.
In Windows 3.x, backups of system files are routinely made during
software installation. Look in the
Windows directory for recent backups of Win.ini,
System.ini, Progman.ini, etc. and rename the file that was produced in the
current failed installation and use the last good file with the closest
date. In the event that this does not
work, the other renamed file can be restored to its original name.
It is important to note that almost all software written
today must be installed before it can be used.
Copying the diskettes to a directory will not install the software. The installation program expands compressed
files and writes important components to the proper destination files.
128.Change Video Settings,
Install Drivers, Change Monitors
Monitors and video cards have a range of capabilities. The most basic setting will provide a
certain number of colors or shades of gray but will not take advantage of the
potential of the system. Control Panel settings can be used on
the Mac and in Windows to match
system settings to the capabilities of the monitor and video board in your
computer system. Be sure to have the
documentation available on each before attempting to change the system
parameters.
You may change the number of colors, monitor frequency,
resolution, etc. 256 colors are usually
the minimum for most PC systems today.
Thousands of colors may be available for Mac and high-end PC systems. Resolution is typically 640 by 480 on 14 and
15-inch monitors, but larger monitors may use 800 by 600 or even 1024 by
768. The amount of memory in the video
circuitry is important in determining these capabilities. A VGA or Super VGA monitor may be able to
handle the frequencies to display this type of resolution. Multi-Frequency monitors are designed to
handle all of the different resolution types that your video system can
deliver. Dot pitch is another
factor. This refers to the width of
each dot projected on the screen. .28
or smaller is found in most monitors today.
Once again, a driver is used to actually produce the
selected video image on the monitor. A
driver is installed to enable the features of your system. Be sure to save all driver diskettes that
were shipped with each system you purchase.
File these drivers with the documentation. If you select the wrong driver, you may lose video
completely. Restart the computer and
change the system settings. On the Mac start with extensions off or from the System
CD. On the DOS or Windows 3.x system
go to the video driver directory or Windows directory and run the setup
program to change to a basic driver such as VGA. You can then start Windows and make changes in the Control Panel or using the Video Utility
Software.
In Windows 95, start Windows in the Safe Mode
and go to the Control Panel and make
changes as necessary.
129.Change System Settings
-Virtual Memory, 32-Bit File Access
These changes can be made on Mac or Windows systems. On the Mac, open the
Control Panel under the Apple Menu
and select Memory. Virtual
memory allows you to create a swap file on your hard drive so that you can
write information to the disk and simulate the presence of more RAM. The size of the swap file is limited to the
amount of contiguous free space available on the drive. On the same setup screen, you will see cache
memory. This allows the machine to
store some parts of the operating system or files currently being executed in
RAM. Increasing this number decreases
the amount of RAM available for executing programs. The same is true for RAM
Disk. RAM disk uses part of RAM to store files prior to writing them to
disk. This can improve the performance
related to saving files and exiting a program, but is dangerous in the event of
power failure. Older machines may have
a setting to enable 32-bit file access on this same Control Panel. Newer
machines use this automatically. Some Mac users do
not make changes in the memory control panel.
If you are having problems, try turning Virtual Memory on or off and check to see if the problem persists.
In Windows 3.x, go to Main,
Control Panel, 386 Enhanced Mode and Virtual
Memory. Be sure to make the memory
permanent, which will create a file on the hard drive. Take the value suggested by the operating
system since this is probably the most that can be used for your system. 32-bit disk and file access may be found as
check boxes in this same area. Try them
and see if they improve system performance.
If your system does not boot properly, edit the system.ini and change 32-bit file access to off. Other error messages
can lead you to similar changes, or you can select an older version of the file
to get the system up and running.
Windows
95 does not need any modification to the system files under normal
circumstances. It is set to optimize
memory and file swapping.
130.Clean Mouse Internally,
Adjust Rollers, Run Test Program
Remove the retainer ring at the bottom of the mouse by
turning the ring counter clockwise or moving it in the direction of arrows on
the underside of the mouse. Remove the
ball and check for the small rollers that contact the ball. You will note the presence of fibrous
material on the surface of the rollers.
Use a small screwdriver or wooden object to lightly scrape the
rollers. Hold the roller with a
fingertip if necessary to keep it from moving.
Gently remove any foreign material.
You may have to use a Q-tip and small amount of alcohol in extreme
cases. It is possible to buy a special
cleaning ball that can be inserted into the ball chamber. This can be used to clean the mouse by
quickly moving the mouse across the mouse pad in a circular motion. The screwdriver technique is usually
effective.
The mouse can be opened completely by removing the screws
that hold the cover in place. This is
necessary if the rollers are moved from their mounts and must be reset. Press the ends of the rollers back into the
mounting posts. In the event that the
posts are damaged, a drop of Super Glue on the broken parts can sometimes
extend the life of the damaged mouse.
Note: Some schools have a problem with students removing
mouse balls. The retainer ring can be
glued in place to prevent this. It
does, however, require that you take the screws out to perform routine
cleaning.
The test program can be found in the DOS mouse directory or
in the Control Panel in Mac and Windows systems.
131. Explain the Function of Computer Components
for Training
A Tech Specialist must be able to describe the function of
each hardware component to students and teachers. Keyboard, mouse, monitor, and CPU are usually no problem. Internal components such as hard drives and
RAM present more challenging questions.
A 3.5 inch floppy is not very floppy, so it usually helps to take one
apart to help differentiate it from the real hard disk. RAM and storage
present problems because they are both addressed in Megabytes. RAM is for running programs and is available
when power is on. Storage is relatively permanent and related to the magnetic field
that can be recorded on the hard disk or floppy disk in a fashion similar to
audio recording.
Please refer to other sections of the book for specifics
related to other components.
132. Clean Floppy Drive with
Cleaning Diskette
The floppy drive heads become coated with the magnetic
medium worn off of the diskette as it turns in the drive. As it builds up, it can cause read or write
errors. Cleaning diskettes have an absorbent and somewhat abrasive fabric
inside where the magnetic disk is usually located. A cleaning fluid is placed on the fabric and the diskette is
placed in the drive. The DIR command in DOS or
trying to open a file on the diskette will bring the heads in contact with the
pad and cleaning fluid. This can remove
the material from the heads and eliminate “read” and “write” problems. This is not a routine procedure. Perform this cleaning when you are having
trouble with the drive.
133.Upgrade, Replace, Troubleshoot Cables, Brightness, Contrast, Power
Monitor
upgrades are relatively easy. Disconnect the connector from the video port and
unplug the power cable. The video
cable on the new monitor is then attached to the video port and its power cable
is connected to the power supply. Most
monitors have a removable power cable.
It is usually easier to use the existing power cable and attach it to
the back of the monitor. The new cable
that came with the monitor can be attached to the old monitor for use or saved
as a spare if the monitor is no longer operational.
The
monitor may ship with new video drivers.
Run the installation program and setup the video card to take advantage
of the capabilities of the net monitor.
Mac will use the new software
to upgrade color and resolution as well as take advantage of auto-calibration
and other features of the monitor. DOS and Windows 3.1 will install the new drivers and possibly update the config.sys and autoexec.bat. Windows may
have some additional software installed to provide easy adjustments to the
monitor from the Control Panel or
special group. Windows 95 will usually detect the presence of new hardware and
determine the drivers and settings needed.
If it does not, go to the Control
Panel and run Add New Hardware
and attempt to auto detect the
monitor. If it does not, go to the Display icon and add the new monitor by
selecting Have Disk and insert the Windows 95 setup diskette that came
with the monitor.
Trouble-shooting monitors involves determining if you have a monitor problem or a video card problem. The first step is to check the cables to be sure that the plug is securely plugged into an active A/C outlet and that the other end is firmly attached to the rear of the monitor. The video cable should also be checked to be sure that it is attached to the video port. However, the monitor should display a blank white screen even if it is not attached to the computer. The next step is to check the brightness and contrast controls to be sure that the previous user did not turn them the wrong way. You can put the back of your hand up to the screen to see if the electromagnetic field makes the hair on the back of your hand stand up. This is a good indication that you have high voltage and that the monitor is plugged in. If there is still no display, turn off the CPU and wait 10 seconds. Turn it back on and observe the monitor for any visible light or response. In the event that the monitor is working but the color is incorrect, check the manual to determine if it has a monochrome mode. It is possible to enter monochrome mode by accidentally hitting the wrong keyboard combinations on some computers. A color video card and monochrome mode may result in green with no horizontal and vertical control. If other colors appear and the monitor has a poor display that cannot be adjusted with the brightness and contrast, turn off the monitor and CPU and remove the monitor connector from the video port. Examine the pins to be sure that they are not bent. (Do not be alarmed if there are some missing pins in the connector, as all pins are not necessarily used.) If there are bent pins, use needle-nosed pliers or carefully straighten them with a screwdriver. Reattach the connector and screw the mounting screws on tightly. Pins cannot be straightened more than once or twice before they break.
134.Setup and Use LCD Panel, Scan Converter or Data Projector
The
problem with using a computer in a large room is related to screen size. There are a number of devices available to
overcome this weakness of the computer system.
The LCD Panel is a device that is used with a high intensity overhead
projector to project the screen images on a conventional movie screen. The panel is attached to the power outlet
and the video input on the panel is connected by cable to the video port on the
computer. A second connector is
provided to connect to the regular monitor so that you can use the monitor and
the panel at the same time. The panel
must be set to RGB or VGA depending on your video card. It will usually detect the video source and
set itself to the proper settings. The
overhead is adjusted in the usual fashion to focus and direct the image at the
screen. The cheapest way to export the
computer output to a larger screen is through the use of a scan converter. This device allows you to connect the
computer directly to a large screen TV monitor. Scan converters come with software that helps to control flicker
and adjust the position of the image on the screen. LCD panels tend to be dark and have limited projection size; Scan
converters have lower resolution and are restricted to the size of your largest
TV monitor. The Data Projector has the
highest quality image and brightness. A
good projector can also be used with audio and it can be used to project video
from a VCR or Laserdisc. It is the most
expensive of the three. Telex has a new model called the Firefly
that has excellent quality and is relatively low-cost. It also folds into a compact carrying case.
Some
computers do not operate with a built-in screen and the external video
port. As a result, you must setup your
presentation and then switch the monitor to the external port. This may be done in the Control Panel on some Macs
or with a specific keystroke. See your
manual for details.
Most
scan converters have RCA pin plugs. If
your monitor does not support this type of connection, attach to your VCR
inputs, change to the line in or video in on the tuner. Change your TV monitor to channel 3 or 4, depending
on where you tune to display videos, and your computer presentation will be on
the screen.
135.Troubleshoot Cables, Power Cord
Most
printers have some type of status lights.
If there is no indication of power, check the cords to be sure that they
are attached to the wall outlet and the printer. Check the outlet by determining if it is active by plugging in
another electrical device, or move the plug to another outlet that is known to
be active. Check the back of the
printer to see if there is a Reset switch.
It is possible that fuses internal to the printer have been blown. This is not designed for routine repair.
If
there is power to the printer, but it still will not print, check to be sure
that the ribbon, ink cartridge, toner, etc., is filled and properly
installed. Check the settings to be
sure that it is on-line and ready to print.
Run a self-test according to the manual. If everything checks out okay, then go to the computer.
Check
the printer driver in the Control Panel
to be sure you have selected the right printer and correct port. On Macs
that are on networks, be sure that the printer is plugged into the modem port
or if it is an AppleTalk printer,
that you are running Laserbridge or AppleTalk bridge. An AppleTalk
printer requires phonenet or AppleTalk connectors and special
cable. Standard Apple cables will connect to regular printers via the modem
port. PC’s need to be set to print to the parallel port, LPT1. Very few PC printers are serial printers.
Most PCs have only one true
printer port. However, a networked
computer can use the network to simulate LPT1, LPT2, etc. Be sure that you are connecting to the local
printer attached to the computer. It is
possible that the printer could be set up as a network printer. Check the autoexec.bat to see if it is
running a command such as Rprinter or Nprinter. If it is, type REM at
the beginning of the line that has this command, save the file and reboot the
machine. This will bring it up as a
local printer to be sure that you have a printer problem and not a network
problem.
136.Clean Printer Interior
Printers collect paper dust, pieces of paper, bugs, toner, etc. The worst possible problem is to have sticky labels come off a sheet of labels and stick to the rollers or guides of the printer. Use a soft paper towel or a small vacuum cleaner to pick up the dust. Turn the printer on its side or upside down if possible. Wipe the toner off the rollers and pick it up from the case below. Labels have to be gently pulled off a small bit at a time until the area is clear. A damp towel can be used to remove any residue from the adhesive.
Some
laser printers have a reservoir for used toner. This can be removed and cleaned with vacuum cleaner fitted with a
toner bag and filters. The toner can be
disposed of with copier toner or when the cartridges are sent back for
refills. This is the time to thoroughly
clean the inside of the laser printer.
Any remaining toner can be picked up by the drum or ruin paper as it
passes through the machine. The biggest
cause of toner spills closing the printer too hard and jarring the toner
cartridge.
137.Change Ribbon, Toner, Ink Cartridge
A
printer ribbon can dry out and lose the ability to print legibly. A fabric ribbon is impacted by the print
head and eventually wears thin. A
ribbon may be reused until it is too thin to hold ink. It can be re-inked using a special re-inker
available in computer catalogs or it can be lightly sprayed with WD40. WD40 works best when the ribbon cartridge
can be opened and the whole ribbon can be lightly sprayed. Allow it to sit overnight and reinstall it
the next day. Test-print several pages
to be sure that the fabric has absorbed the WD40.
Toner
cartridges are not easily filled. They
should be returned to your local recycler and filled there. Refilled cartridges usually have more toner
than brand new cartridges. The first
step involves cleaning the interior of the printer, the small wires in the
print mechanism, and replacing the pad.
Follow the step-by-step instructions if possible. Shake the cartridge to distribute the toner
and place it in the holder. Remove the
tape that seals the toner into the cartridge.
Gently close the cover and test the printer.
Ink
cartridges should first be checked by running the head cleaning utility and the
self-test. If a color cartridge is
empty, the cartridge should be removed and replaced. Refill kits are sold by computer supply houses, or you can buy
ink made for ink jet printers and refill them with a hypodermic needle. Use an ice pick to enlarge the air hole and
insert the needle into the cartridge.
Do not over fill. Be sure to
wear gloves and fill over old newspaper.
If you do not want to refill the cartridges yourself, there are
recycling stations that refill ink cartridges at reduced rates and guarantee
them.
138.Change Drum, Clean (Laser Printer)
Some
laser printers have the drum and toner cartridge in one unit. If you have this type of printer, e.g. Hewlett Packard, Apple LaserWriter you do not have to be concerned with the
drum. Printers with Kit A and Kit B
types of refill kits have a separate drum that is changed at a longer interval
than the regular toner. It is important
to do this change in reduced light to minimize exposure of the drum to light. Follow the usual cleaning techniques, remove
the old drum and install the new drum. Then replace the toner cartridge. The drum should be packaged in the
protective foil and returned to the manufacturer or recycling center.
139.Set DIP Switches to Match Computer System
Older
printers seem to keep working, so it is important to discuss DIPswitches. These are small switches used to set up fonts, printer data
paths, data bit length, etc. Students can flip a switch and the printer will
print strange characters or nothing at all.
The old Apple ImageWriter has
two banks of switches. Check the manual
or a working printer and compare the switch positions. Write down the proper switch position on
masking tape and tape inside the printer cover.
140. Troubleshoot Print Queue (Print Manager in
Control Panel Win3.x, Queues Win 95, Print Spooler for Mac.)
When
printing a job, it is placed in a waiting area called a “print queue”. This returns control of your computer to you
faster so that you can continue working.
The computer will then remove jobs from the queue and send them to the
printer when it is ready. If a printer
is off-line it is not ready. Users
usually expect immediate response from a printer and if the job does not start
to print they quickly send a second, third, etc. job to the queue. When the printer is turned on or put
on-line, the jobs are then printed – all of them. Troubleshooting here involves the same steps used when
troubleshooting power and cables. Be
sure the printer is ready. If it is,
check drivers and ports to be sure the printer is setup correctly. Clear any unwanted jobs from the queue
before the printer is started. Check
the toolbars to look for off-line or holds on any print jobs. Then select Resume. Clear all print
jobs if necessary and print a single word to determine if everything is ready.
141. Print Transparencies, T Shirt Transfers
Any type of laser or ink jet medium can be used in most laser or ink jet printers. Select the media designed for your type of printer. Load it into the printer and carefully print. Do not touch the surface of the printout for up to an hour to be sure that is dries properly. Some ink jet transparencies come with a special cover that is placed around the printout to protect it. Read the literature that comes with the media to determine exact requirements. T-shirt transfers are usually ironed onto the shirt after the print dries.
142.Install and Configure Internal Modem
The
internal modem is inserted into a slot on the motherboard of the computer. Mac
systems may be designed with different types of slots and there may be specific
modem types to fit the clearance within the cabinet. Contact your dealer to be sure that you are purchasing the
correct board for your system. Each
model of the Mac has a unique way to
open the case. This information is in
the user’s manual. Once you have access
to the slot, remove the plastic tab.
This may involve removing a metal holder inside the case or lifting it
from the back plane. The modem card is
then inserted firmly into the slot until it is completely seated. The telephone line is then inserted into the
RJ11 labeled line and a telephone can be attached to the RJ11 labeled phone. There are no jumpers or switches on Mac modem cards. A software driver may be needed. Run the Installer
on the diskette that shipped with the card.
If there is no diskette, the device may be ready to use with your
existing communications software. There
is usually bonus communications software that ships with the modem. This should be installed and configured
according to the directions in the manual.
PC
systems will require jumpers or switches to be set to optimum values for your
computer. On some newer “plug and play”
systems, software is used to set up the card or it is configured in Windows 95. You must select a Com port and IRQ to be used by the modem. PCs
have Coms 1 – 4 available. Com 1 and
Com 2 are usually built into the machine.
Some machines may use Com 1 for the mouse, so it is best to set the
modem to Com 4. This will allow you to
use Com 1 and Com 2 as well as the modem.
These ports are shared in some ways, so you most likely will not need to
use Com 2 and Com 4 simultaneously. The
IRQ is known as an interrupt. You can
use MSD (Microsoft Diagnostics) or
other utilities to determine which IRQ’s are available. 9 or 11 may be good choices depending on
your system. Windows 95 will determine the available settings and configure your
“plug and play” modem.
143. Setup and Configure Communications Software
The
software is much easier to configure.
Install the software using the Installer, Install, or Setup
Utility. Open the configuration screen
and enter the port that the modem is using and the IRQ on PC systems. Check the information concerning the
bulletin board or other service that you plan to use and set the Control
Panel. This will list modem speed, data
bits, parity, handshake, etc. These
values should be supplied by your service or use the defaults until you learn
otherwise. Internet providers will also
supply information about IP Addresses, Gateway, DNS servers, Subnet Masks,
etc. These values are placed into MacTCP, TCP/IP, Chameleon Sampler, Winsock,
or other TCP/IP software. Windows 95 uses its own Network Control
Panel and TCP/IP settings.
144.Setup FAX Modem and Send FAX
Most modems purchased today have FAX capability. Remember that the FAX is addressed by the software as a printer. You should load the FAX software that shipped with the modem or configure the built-in FAX software. This also involves creating a FAX Cover that lists your name, address, phone, FAX, etc.
To
send a FAX, open your word processor and type the document. Select Print and change to the FAX modem as
your printer. Choose Print. The FAX software will open and you will
enter the name, phone and FAX number, and any message on the Cover Sheet and
send the FAX. The modem will dial the
number and make a connection. The FAX
will then be printed on the FAX machine at the destination.
A
log will be printed to let you know if the FAX was received and any details
regarding time, date, etc., for your records.
In the event that it did not go through, the modem will dial
periodically until the FAX is transmitted successfully.
145.Use Video Conferencing /
Audio Transfer Software, Internet Browser / Mail - Eudora, Netscape, Internet
Explorer or Others
Video
conferencing requires a small video camera and software that can capture and
transmit portions of the video signal.
“See You See Me” was one early type of video conferencing
technology. The two or more
communicating groups receive images from the other. The biggest weakness is due to the bandwidth required to transmit
such sessions over long distances.
Satellite video is still the most reliable way to conduct real time
video conferencing. New telephone
technology may offer cheaper ways to accomplish similar sessions. Internet video conferencing will probably
require higher speeds and greater bandwidth before it becomes usable in
educational and business settings.
Audio
transfer is much easier. Compressed
sound files can be sent as attachments in e-mail documents. Actual audio clips can be compressed and
transmitted as files. REAL AUDIO is the
name of a company that is working with real time audio and video transfer over
the Internet. Their system works by
sending files across the wire and decoding them with player software. It appears to be real live sound because the
files are sent and decoded sequentially.
A fast link can give radio quality sound clips and acceptable video
playback.
Browser
and Mail software are the most valuable tools today. Mail has enabled worldwide communication on the Internet. Eudora, Netscape Mail, and the mail
component of Internet Explorer use a POP mail or other Internet mail post
office. The post office is maintained
by a school, Internet service provider, On-Line Service, or business. Accounts are set up by giving an account
name, an Internet mail address, and a server name. The account name is usually your first and last name, the mail
address is a portion of your name usually limited to 8 characters followed by
an @ sign and the name of the service provider or domain name. The server name can be an IP Address or the
domain name of the provider. Internet
mail is addressed to the mail address of the recipient and includes the return
address of the sender. It has a subject
blank, which may be required and an area to type the letter. Attachments may be added from the
toolbar. Selecting Attach will let you
mark a file anywhere on your system for inclusion with the note.
Browsers
are the great software breakthroughs that brought the Internet to the common
man. They are graphical user interfaces
that enable you to explore pages anywhere in the world, download files using
FTP (File Transport Protocol), Search, etc.
In my opinion, the Browser and its search capabilities are the most
important tools in education today.
The
Bookmark is a means of saving the address of special sites. These sites may relate to specific topics or
favorite sites that you return to often.
It is important to note that these site lists can be edited and saved in
separate files. It is possible for the
teacher to create bookmark files for specific lessons and save them to
diskette. These diskettes can be used
by students who wish to explore the subject on the Internet.
146. Install CD Software
Most
CD software today requires that certain access files be installed on the local
hard drive. The installer, install or
setup program can be run from the CD or diskettes that ship with the
CD-ROM. You will usually be given a
choice regarding how much access software you want on your hard drive. Minimal numbers of files save hard disk
space but reduce performance. Maximum performance requires the most hard disk
space. Some CDs will have an
intermediate installation that compromises on disk space and performance. This may be the best for your system.
CD
Towers offer a network solution for CD-ROM access. However, the files must still be installed on the local drive in
most cases. Some software can be
installed on a network hard drive and accessed from the networked
computer. The capacity and speed of your
network system are your considerations in this case. Run the installer and select the F or network drive of your
choice for the destination of the files.
(You may map drives to different letters or name the network drive in Appleshare or Peer-to-Peer networks.)
147.Troubleshoot Installation and Performance, Setup Cache to Improve Data
Transfer
Troubleshooting
CD installation should start with testing the software to be sure that you can
access the data recorded on the CD. If
the software starts but no CD can be found, check to be sure that the correct
CD is in the CD-ROM drive. On network
systems, check to be sure that the software is set up to access the CD on the
proper drive. Windows 3.x (Nwuser Tools)
or Windows 95 (Network Neighborhood) will let you map the CD volume to a specific
drive letter and make this available every time you start Windows. On the Mac, you can select the volume in the Chooser when you log onto your network
with Appleshare. An X box will reconnect this every time you
start your computer.
A cache is a storage area for data to improve system performance. In the case of a CD cache, data are read from the CD and placed into memory. Memory is much faster than the fastest CD drives, so the data are delivered to the processor much faster and video and audio playback are much smoother. Most CD drives come with caching software or instructions for maximizing performance. Some drives come with built-in RAM to cache the data. Check the documentation when shopping for drives. A disk Cache may also improve performance. A disk cache uses part of the hard disk to store CD data to deliver it faster to the processor. Disk caches are not as fast as RAM caches but they are faster than the CD drive itself.
148.Use CD Audio Player, Capture Audio
A
multi-speed CD drive can play audio CD’s.
Place the audio disk in the drive and launch the player software. Some computers will sense the audio CD and
automatically launch the audio software.
Most of this software is designed to look and work like the CD player in
your stereo system. Start, Stop, Track,
Play, Forward, Back, Volume Controls all work to play music CD’s. The most important software is the audio
capture software. This usually ships
with your operating system, but may be part of your CD Drive / Audio Card
package. Capture software takes the
audio from the CD and records it into a digital audio file that can be edited,
enhanced, etc. The audio can be
inserted into presentations, sent as attachments to messages, or used for
warnings, etc., as system sounds. A
microphone can be used to add voice to the sounds or add vocals to music
tracks. The microphone plugs into the
sound card or microphone jack on the CPU.
149.Use PhotoCD, Video, etc. to Enhance Presentations
A
normal camera can produce quality images that can be put into computer slide
shows, presentations, etc. Selected
photos can be processed by your local photo finisher and recorded on Kodak
PhotoCD. Purchase a blank multi-session
CD, and the images are recorded on it is various digital sizes. PhotoCD software can then read these images
and they can be brought into the computer from the CD. Some photo finishers can put lower
resolution photos onto floppy diskettes.
This gives an even lower-cost way to bring your own photos to the
desktop. Digital cameras are the next
step. Current cameras bring good
quality pictures directly to the computer system through a serial port. The photos are ready immediately for import
into the computer.
Video
capture requires a special card and high performance computer. Video is brought in from any video source,
e.g. video camera, VCR, laser disc, CD-ROM, etc. The video is digitized by the board and saved as a video
clip. These files use compression to
make them more manageable, but they are still very large files. Most cards allow you to export the video
back to tape to save disk space. The
video files can be inserted into presentations or control software can play
them back from tape during the presentation.
150.Set up or Explain Cable Distribution System Components
Most
cable television providers give a free cable hookup to schools. This is useful in the media system but has
limited potential. A solid-state
amplifier can be attached to the cable drop and several additional drops can be
added within the media center. This
type of amplifier is under $100 and will add five or more cable access points
in the library. This will facilitate
recording of PBS and other shows for use according to the copyright law.
To
maximize the availability of cable to every classroom requires running coaxial
cable to every room and providing an outlet for every television and/or
videocassette recorder. This type of
distribution system requires a higher power amplifier and, possibly, line
amplifiers on long distance runs. Once
this system is installed, a channel blanker and modulator can be installed to
enable the distribution of local programming on the cable. The blanker eliminates a specific channel
such as a pay channel that is not provided and the modulator generates the television
signal that carries the video and audio from the production center. More blankers and modulators give additional
channels for video distribution or transmission from a satellite receiver for
distance learning. A production studio
can be added with a simple mixer board to enable production of morning news and
other school programming.
151.Suggest Programs, Produce Programs for Distribution
Morning
announcements are great ways to start the local TV broadcast and add a new
elective for any grade level. Class
projects, special events such as holiday productions, black history month,
earth day, science fairs, class elections, etc., are ways to involve students
in video activities. It is also a great
tool to acknowledge student achievement and reward students for their
accomplishments. The whole student body
can watch without the time lost by moving to a new location. The distribution system is also useful for
moderating tests, explaining registration procedures, etc.
152.Use Audio/Video Mixer or Other Video Selection System
An
audio/video mixer is a low-cost alternative to the switcher and audio board
used in a real television station. The
mixer will have two or more microphone inputs and three or more video
inputs. A fader control will allow you
to dissolve or even use special effects to change from one video source to
another. The third video source can be
videotape or digital camera with video output capability. Some boards will also connect to cassette
audio players to input background or theme music. The boards also generate color fields so that they can be
switched from a video camera to another and then faded to a color field or even
black to simplify linear or digital editing when more sophisticated equipment
is available. Other video selection
systems may be separate audio and video boards or digital signal processing
equipment. Very good quality shows can be done with inexpensive equipment and
eager, creative students.
153.Use Satellite System and Route to Classes
A
satellite dish and tuner provide you with many new video and audio sources. If the output of the tuner is connected to
the input of your cable distribution system or video mixer, you have the means
to direct any programming to your cable drops.
There are many distance learning providers as well as Video Field Trip
producers who provide ideal educational material for distribution to
classrooms. Turner Broadcasting
produced some excellent field trips that were used to enhance the social
studies curriculum. One such field trip
provided great insight into the battle of Gettysburg and related it to the war
in Bosnia.
154.Manage Distribution System
The
distribution system must be monitored for signal quality and performance. This is not difficult since you have so many
students and teachers observing your programming from all over the school. The most common problems are related to
cable damage, electromagnetic interference from wiring and lighting, and power
surges due to lightning. A set of spare
connectors and fuses should be enough to keep your system running under most conditions. It is very worthwhile to put surge
protectors on all distribution equipment.
155.Edit Video (Linear / Digital or Non-Linear), Digitize Motion Video
Linear
video editing is done from one video deck to another. Two regular video recorders can be used to do this type of
editing. However, true linear editing
decks have a controller that is set to insert the desired piece of video into
the precise insertion point with minimal signal loss. A great deal of skill is necessary to produce quality
programs. It is always important to
record black or a single color on the master tape prior to editing to ensure
smooth transitions from cut to cut.
Digital
video editing involves the use of a computer with a video board. This technique converts linear video images
to digital video sequences in the form of a computer file. A second, third, and so on, digital file can
be combined with the first, and then transitions and special effects can be
added. This method is easier than
linear editing, but the computer and board are more expensive and require very
large hard disks for storage. Once the
video is ready though, it can be recorded on tape and the hard drive can be
erased and used for the next project.
The best thing is that you can edit and work with files many times
without losing quality while linear editing loses quality each time duplication
is done. Cinema boards are coming down
in price and, of course, processor speeds are increasing all the time.
156.Use Video Capture Card and Software (Still Frame)
This
one is almost obsolete. Frame grabbers
were required to take images from video cameras, tapes, laser discs, etc., and
convert them to digital images. Cards
such as ComputerEyes and Mac A/V computers could take the image
and process it into a usable but mediocre digital image. Cameras that produce digital images are
available today at a reasonable cost and they provide higher resolution. Some provide video output and digital output
for the same cost. These cameras also
store more high-resolution pictures and some use memory cards or diskettes to
give you unlimited storage. New editing
software also allows you to enhance images and make corrections if necessary. The images can be saved in compressed
formats and used in computer presentations, web pages, etc.
157.Program to Record Multiple Selected Broadcasts
It
is an old joke that the majority of the American public cannot program their
VCRs. Most that knows how to program
can set up for a single show. It is important
to know how to set up several shows using the program number function to
schedule each recording. The most
important thing is to determine how much tape you have available and what
speeds can be used to fit all recordings on the tape. The SLP mode is usually best because it will provide up to six
hours of acceptable video- not great quality but acceptable. The fastest tape speed will yield the best
picture but limit the number of recordings.
The machine does not require that all shows be programmed in order, but
it is usually better for you as programmer to input them in the order that they
are being broadcast. The most difficult
part is planning for day changes if programs are on during late-night hours. Don’t forget to check your clock to be sure
the AM and PM settings are correct. It
is also a good idea to use an uninterruptible power supply in case your
recorder does not have sufficient battery backup for extended power outages. (Of course, if the power outage occurs
during your show you will probably lose your cable connection.)It is very
important to check the settings after you enter the date and time for each
broadcast.
158.Clean Heads Using Cleaning Cassette
The
cleaning cassette looks like a regular videocassette, but has an absorbent
material in place of the tape. A
cleaning solution is put on the tape and it is run over the heads to remove any
oxide residues from the video and audio heads.
This procedure should be done when you notice horizontal lines or other
distortion while playing back a tape.
The cleaning tape works well but is hard on the heads so it should only
be done when necessary. Some
manufacturers recommend professional cleaning once a year. I have always had good luck with the
cleaning tape.
159.Remove Foreign Objects or Defective Tape from Machine
Bugs
and other materials may get into the tape machine. In fact, the tape door seems to attract little fingers that drop
pencils and other materials into the unit.
Most of these can be removed by holding the door open and gently shaking
the material from the drive mechanism.
If the material does not come out this way, you must open the deck. Disconnect all cables and power cords and
open the unit carefully. Gently remove
any foreign objects. Do not try to
disconnect belts or springs. If a tape
is caught in the drive, it may be easier to cut it carefully and splice it back
together later. Occasionally you can
actually get it from around the head and transport mechanism in one piece. If you encounter gum or other sticky
material, it is time to send the machine to a professional repair center.