07/20/13

SL Journal Response
My SL project was at Space Coast Christian Academy (SCCA), a non-profit charter school for grades Pre K 12 located in Cocoa, FL. My time with them was spent mostly with the principle discussing what they currently have for their computer and data network, what they would need to upgrade it to current standards, what they can change to save money in the future, where their IT funds come from, and some possible forms of fundraising. 1st visit On my first visit to SCCA I spoke with the principle about what his current problems where and what he needed. I also explained what the term Digital Divide is and asked in his opinion where his school stood; unfortunately it was not on the higher side of the divide. He explained to me that through his 9 years at the school that they did not have a computer guy, but just missionaries or members of their affiliated church do things here and there. And that they just made do with what they had, even though it was apparent to him that there current system hindered both the productivity of the teachers and quality of the students learning of some subjects. For example they are supposed to offer a foreign language course, but not having any bi-lingual staff members they rely on a software program such as Rosetta Stone. Unfortunately they have not had the software loaded on a properly functioning computer for the past 2 years, thus crippling the ability for the students to learn any foreign language skills. They also rely on wireless connectivity for internet / network access for most of the classroom computers. His teachers have told him that they can only connect every now and then, and have a poor signal all of the time. And the funding for any computer related items or upgrades are based on a we need it now methodology; there is no form of budgeting. 2nd visit On my second visit to SCCA I installed software required to program their newly installed electronic door lock at the schools main entrance. I installed and setup the software as well as did the initial programming of the lock itself. I also provided training of the basic skills I had recently acquired about the operation of the electronic door lock, how to add new codes, and upload / download information to the lock. I had no prior experience with an electronic door lock, nor did the lock come with a complete set of instructions; so I had to learn on the fly. The project was a success. 3rd visit On my third visit to SCCA I performed a physical inventory of all of the computer equipment, which included monitors, PCs with specs, printers, routers, switches, modems, keyboards, and mice. 4th visit On my fourth visit I brought a high powered router to their facility to evaluate the best locations to install wireless access points (AP). My final verdict was to place one wireless AP in the center of the T shaped hallway of the schools main building and another in the adjacent building which houses the high school students.

07/20/13 5th visit On my fifth visit I went over my results with the principle about what is outdated and needs to be replaced and what infrastructure changes needed to be made for their data network to function properly. The conclusion was that 5 of the 13 computers needed to be replaced and 2 addition computers where needed 1 for foreign language (that computer was originally shared with a teacher), 2 wireless AP added, a 4 port switch in the high school upgraded to an 8 port switch to accommodate extra computers in that location that do not have network access, a reduction in the amount of printers that the school has (ink is expensive), and that they needed a dedicated location to keep extra IT equipment, because they had stuff all over the place. I actually found 2 good computers in the closet of a storage trailer. At home work After my fifth visit I evaluated different equipment to come up with the most cost effective parts lists to perform the necessary upgrades. I also repaired the computer used for foreign language skills, and two computers that I found while doing the physical inventory. Final visit On my final visit I went over the parts list costs with the principle. I explained that a lot of money could be saved by reducing the schools printers to 2 or 3 network printers. Also went over the fact that they do not budget for any current or future IT related upgrades, thus making it much harder for them to either keep up or overcome the divide. We also discussed other ways to offset their IT costs, such as fundraisers like candy sales or a car wash, donations both financial and physical (2-3 year old computers) from the members of the affiliated church, and programs such as Computers for Education. Project reflection My service learning project has given me a better understanding of how to give a proper evaluation to an organization needing technical upgrades. It is not just giving them a parts list and performing the installation, it also involves researching different options and parts to come up with a biggest bang for your buck solution, physical research for product placement, and brainstorming to find ways for them to pay for it; such as a computer drive, donations, carwashes, candy bar sales, reduction of duplicated resources (every teacher has a printer instead of using the network copier), etc. It also involves educating the organizations management on what they are doing right and what they wrong; both technically and financially.