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The Asus Eee PC and me
August 6th, 2008 by misterel
Due to the imminent arrival of my to girls for a couple of weeks and the extremely dodgy weather forecast I decided I needed another web based PC so that the kids could have internet access and also allow me to use the desktop to get on with writing schemes of work. I decided on an Asus for a variety of reasons:
- my dad had just got one and my girls had already used it so I knew they were ok with it
- we’re going to get a version of the Asus for school so it was a way for me to get used to it
- I liked the look of them
- they’d just been reduced by £20.
The verdict so far:
- It’s easy to use. The linux system works well and finds the wireless easily. It also boots up fast and is silent… no moving parts.
- The 701 screen is a tad small. When web browsing you’ll normally need to F11 the screen or get annoyed
- The keyboard is easy to use. I’m not a touch typer but can type reasonably fast and once you get used to the keyboard it works fine
- The touchpad is horrible. This is my only bugbear with the whole thing. The pad itself is fine and works as you’d expect it. However using the pad and the little metal button is bloody fiddly and annoying. I end up using to hands as my thumb doesn’t seem to have the dexterity to work the button properly…that maybe just me though.
- Portability is a great feature. You can just pick it up and start using it… pretty much anywhere.
I know that I can plug in a mouse, a usb keyboard and a screen to alleviate all of the above issues but tht sort of defeats the object of having it.
How will it be used in school?
Our school has PC access issues. The ICT dept is running wild with the number of students opting for courses and the number of courses being run. This has meant that other subject areas have been sidelined. They are not happy…understandably. We have three laptop trolleys in school that MFL, Maths, Science and PSHE use. They have been working well but will soon need replacing. English have no computer access and are desperate for some However their main requirements are research and word processing and the Eee PC’s seem to fit the bill. However, the 701 is too ’small’ so we will probably opt for the 901 or 1001.
We are also getting a completely refurbished Library or ‘learning resource base’. The idea will be to create study space that is multi functional, so pupils/staff can either have a desk space for study or loan an Asus from the librarian. I think that that is a great use of these little beauties.
Posted in Resources, Teaching & Learning | tagged 1001, 701, 901, asus, eee PC, linux | | 0 Comments
information overload
June 30th, 2008 by misterel
I don’t think I am cut out for blogging. I follow various educators on twitter and they bombard the network with so many fantastic websites, resources and ideas that I have trouble keeping up… I haven’t dared look at my google reader for fear of information overload.
I have recently been debating what ASUS to get for school. The cheaper 701 or the 901. I have seen both and reckon our kids would easily get on well with the 701. I also like the fact that it boots up remarkably fast (linux version) and the battery will last for ages (especially if you don’t have the wifi on).
I have also been studying with interest the development of easy to use hand held camcorders. I especially like the new flip video . However have had discussions with my techies who think the .mov format means that doing any meaningful editing in adobe premiere elements is difficult.
Then, there is the great website I found thanks to a tweet on twitter called wordle. This site allows you to create fantastic word clouds and will even creat them based on rss feeds and delicious tags. Below is my first wordle created using my delicious tags.
This may not look like an information overload, but there have also been shed loads of info on moodle, including the latest moodle book and the new games module. Amongst this melee of information, (of which I have forgotten loads or added to stumble or delicious for later), I am also trying to get my head round re-writing SoL (Schemes of Learning) for KS3 and also getting ready for the next academic year, where ICT Coordination is high on the agenda.
Going to go now, have a new toy to play with. Just got a nike+ sportsband. Now all I need to do is go for a run.
Posted in Resources | tagged asus, flip video, KS3, nike plus sportsband, twitter, wordle | | 1 Comments
