Support

Everyone on my courses gets a Booklet [paper or PDF] and a CD with resources and software.

I always offer post-course support – people email me for clarification or advice.

I also offer mentoring for teachers trying to use computers and make resources.

Mac Users click here

Technical advice pre-course:

Teachers coming on a course often ask how they can prepare for the day. Sometimes software needs to be installed on the day but Technicians prefer to do this for them before they come.
What spoils your day?
*Some teachers forget to bring a laptop. I do have one or two spare but then you will not have the files on your laptop to take home.
*Some laptops are password protected [even when the Technician has promised that they were not] – you should hear the telephone calls that I overhear.
*Some laptops are not up to it – a laptop needs to be maintained, and de-fragmented. All laptops that I have seen [bar 1 ancient model] are capable of being used if maintained, but older models are usually slower.

Technical stuff – read before attending!

I always ask teachers to bring a working laptop – this guarantees success.

The teachers who do not have their day spoiled:

• bring a laptop – don’t forget it
• do not bring an old, poorly maintained laptop
• have the administrative rights to install software
• have audio elements working on the school spare laptop supplied by the technician
• don’t forget a CD drive – if separate
• don’t forget to bring the powerpack / cables

Teachers on Podcasting courses can bring some software already installed to save time. These are freeware programmes which a Google search will find:

• Audacity
• Easypodcast
• Photostory3
• Juice
• iTunes

I don’t want to criticise Technicians, but every week someone brings a laptop which has been ‘prepared’ or ‘supplied’ by their technician, and it fails to do something. You need to clearly inform Technicians about the kind of activities you are going to do on the day:

• use audio to record and play
• use video
• install software – you’ll need passwords.