Dont be afraid of Windows 8: What you need to know to use your new laptop.

Jim Murtagh

Introduction: Faculty and staff laptops are being replaced upon return to school for the 2013-2014 academic year. Your new laptop is a Dell XPS 12 convertible which functions like a touch sensitive tablet as well as a traditional laptop, due to its unique swiveling screen. Some teachers have expressed reluctance about switching to Windows 8, which is the operating system on these machines, and using a tablet device. This professional development will give you all the skills you need to get started with your new computer. You will learn how to navigate the touch interface, and understand the differences between Windows 7 and Windows 8. This PD consists of a series of carefully selected videos, which will acquaint you with your new computer, introduce Windows 8, and then demonstrate how to customize your desktop so that you can take advantage of all the great improvements Windows 8 offers. The last few videos show how to perform common task such as adding printers, copying files, and saving bookmarks. Content Area: This PD is intended for all K-8 faculty, as well as selected staff members, who are receiving a Dell XPS 12 replacement laptop in the 2013-2014 school year. Objectives: There are two focus points for this training: 1. Getting familiar with your new laptop a. How to rotate screen b. Exploring the controls (power button, Windows button, USB ports, volume, battery lights) 2. Exploring Windows 8 a. Explanation of new layout b. Windows 8 start menu and charm bar c. Basic tips and tricks to survive the conversion from Windows 7 d. Essential productivity skills (printing, copying files, web browsing) Standards Addressed: 21st Century technology skills are at the core of this training. Tablet devices and Windows 8 are predicted to be the tools for educators for the next several years. Relative Advantage: The district has chosen a convertible tablet laptop because it satisfies the changing needs of teachers. The XPS 12 functions as a traditional laptop with a full size keyboard. It has the computing power to run the Microsoft Office Suite as well as any specialty software you may currently own. This particular computer has a rotating screen which transforms the unit into a touch sensitive tablet, which you can carry with you as you walk around the classroom. This mobility will free you from having to return to your desk to record notes, or assessment data. It also allows you to show additional content to a single student, or small group of students, without having to use the classroom projection system, which could disrupt the entire class. Windows 8 will be installed on this computer. Microsoft has designed this operating system to excel on the tablet platform. Windows 8 adds numerous productivity benefits in this release, and once you are comfortable with the new interface, you will be able to take advantage of the enhanced workflow. Timeline: There are 13 videos in this PD series. You are encouraged to follow the sequence outlined in the spreadsheet that accompanies this lesson plan as the progression goes from an introduction to the XPS 12, then to a Windows 8 introduction, and finally to more advanced Windows 8 skills. Viewing all videos will take about 1.5 hours. Additional time should be spent practicing and exploring the new computer so that a reasonable comfort level is achieved. Materials: Internet and YouTube access is required to watch the videos. It is not essential that you have your laptop with you, but highly recommended, so that you can experiment while following along. If you use your

classroom computer to play the videos, you can play with the laptop, without interfering with the video. The accompanying spreadsheet identifies the series of video titles and their suggested viewing order. The hyperlinks bring you directly to the video for easy viewing. The spreadsheet also contains a matrix indicating the topics covered in each video, the viewing time for each clip, and a summary of the major points in each video. Grouping Strategy: These activities can be performed individually, but small groups of 2-3 users has the benefit of bouncing ideas off each other and building on shared knowledge. Learning Activities: Teachers and staff are expected to watch the series of videos, and then spend some additional time exploring their new laptop and the Windows 8 environment so that they become comfortable with these new tools. Teachers should login to the laptop, connect to email and the Internet, transfer their files, and connect to printers. Assessment: There will not be a formal assessment of skills, but it will be apparent which teachers/staff are familiar with the new laptop and Windows 8 based upon their ability to independently use the new computer. Learners with Special Needs: Headphones are recommended for those users who may be watching the videos in noisy areas, or for whom extra volume is required. Windows 8 is customisable for low vision users. References: URLs for all videos are included in the accompanying spreadsheet.