Hardware check out - How does your classroom function?
From Jim Sill:
When your students are working on a project, do they have to “check out”
a camera to use during class. Who keeps track of this?
Ideally, I would love to have an equipment room that kids go to in order to check out equipment.
When they return, equipment is checked and accounted for. BUT….that is fantasy land!
If my kids use a camera outside of class, they must fill out a sheet with all the equipment info.
During class there is not much accountability. With over 120 students in video, this is leading me to have a lot of problems.
How do you account for equipment and hold the user responsible during and after class for all equipment?
Wayne Welch:
I have been buying plastic baskets at places like the 99 cent store that are about the right size for each camera. I am using a label maker to name each camera, and name each basket the same with a label that is taped on the inside rim of the basket so it can be seen when empty. And I am making cards with each kid's name (in fact, with their picture, also) that I give to the kids.
When they are getting a camera for use outside of class, they hand me the card filled out with date purpose, etc. I give them the camera and drop their card in that camera's basket.
If they are checking out for the room or campus use only, I still exchange the card for the camera, but I don't require it be filled out. When a camera is returned, it replaces the card and the kid gets the card back. I am making multiple cards, assuming kids will misplace them. I was going to keep all the cards myself, but I did not want the added time of having to pull and return cards to envelopes or whatever.
What is especially nice is all you have to do is survey your baskets to know what is out, and grab the card to see who has it.
Again, I'm still implementing it. And I also need to work something out with peripheral equipment. But I am hopeful. I worry every day that equipment will disappear and I won't know where it went.
Bruce Hills:
When I have project work that requires video cameras, I have ONE student set up a chart that students sign out for the camera. We have students take video cameras home (ouch). But it has worked for us in our little, ol' country school.
I did have a special needs child take my personal digital camera home the other night rather than the inexpensive school one. When I looked for mine after a 5:00 meeting, I noticed it was GONE!!! I was hoping that the child inadvertently took the wrong camera home. She did after confirming this with her mother during a subsequent phone call home. I asked the mother that she NOT go out by the swimming pool with it!!!!
iPod checking out is another security risk. I keep the school one in a safe place that no student is aware of. However, we are going to be doing a series of iPod broadcasts soon and it will be checked in and out. I will most likely have to get a lock box and have ONE student be the "keeper of the pod". I find that there are some students that take great pride in being the "guardian of the gates".
Terry Gray:
We just started this semester with a bar code system for checkout of everything we have in our AV Dept. Which now includes the Tv Pro class cameras. The program is on our PC’s and Mac’s in our area and in the Library and most with the bar code gun type reader. We have it set up for a one week check out and then it sends an email to that person that a late fee will have to be paid for not returning it on time. But more important then that, it freezes their records. For those that want to Graduate or want to move to a 4 year College, that’s pretty important. We just started it with our cameras so we’ll see how it goes.
Seth Chambers:
Speaking of checkout, I am going to start using Delicious Library to check out my equipment. Version 2 (due out soon) actually allows you to track & check out equipment (such as tools). Check it out at http://www.delicious-monster.com/.
Jon Corippo:
another possibility: http://www.evological.com/evobarcode.html
This one works with an iPhone, too: http://www.intelliscanner.com/
IntelliScanner's award-winning barcode readers organize everything in your home or business. Just scan the barcode to organize books, movies, wine, comics, groceries, business inventory, assets, and more -- automatically.
Jim Sill:
Thanks for the info, everyone! It is interesting how different we all are when it comes to equipment.
I will mention one thing that has really worked for me this year. I got the idea from our VVI visit to Fresno City. I bought a firewire cables and USB extension cords and attached one set to each computer with zipties. No longer to I have the Firewire Fight when we are editing as a class. The USB extension cords help reduce the wear on the USB port on the CPU.
Terry and Craig...is there a software/barcode scanner bundle that you can buy? I have found barcode readers, but would love to buy the reader,barcode printer, and database software in one small purchase.
Patrick Wilson:
I usually NAME the cameras after famous cartoon characters. I logged the serial numbers/DPNs with the names elsewhere. For instance, all my video cameras are named after SIMPSONS characters, my still cameras are named after DISNEY characters(Disney is good for many names), my tripods are named after SOUTHPARK, although I'm changing to STAR TREK because it is not so vulgar. You could use FAMOUS superheros, maybe Marvel for one type of gear and DC for another. Also, VIDEO game characters work well(Master Sarge, Mario, Zelda, etc.) Kids remember names.
Please keep your suggestions coming.
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