Interviews with stakeholders about Teddington School's Pilot Zone - Interview Three (April 2009)
The network manager's view (10mins07secs)
Ed Hui joined Teddington School as network manager with a specific brief to work closely with teaching staff and to look ahead to the needs for the new school. Combining his experience as a scientist, in computer sales, and as a teacher - as well as his current role as a network manager - Ed has played a pivotal role in bringing new technologies in for trial.
As a scientist, Ed says he is well aware that experimentation means that things will go wrong as well as right, but that is an important part of the learning process. "The Pilot Zone gives us the chance to experiment without risk," he says, and it is important to speak out when products being tested fall short of expectations.
He talks through some of the features currently being trialled in the Pilot Zone, including:
1. Printers - which can print, scan and copy - a feature of most office spaces but still rare in schools for use by students;
2. Server - RM installed a server for Ed to trial;
3. Interactive whiteboards v teaching software;
4. Short-throw projectors;
5. Furniture - different heights, benches, plectrum-shaped tables;
6. Computer systems and wireless devices;
7. Long-throw projectors.
"Why do you need an experimental space? You need to put theory into practice. It's like having a small BETT in your school," says Ed. While sales people will demo technologies, the real benefit comes from inviting them into your own environment and leaving you to try out the equipment over days or even weeks, according to Ed.
Finally, he says that every school should have the foresight to release someone like him as a few hours a week will pay dividends later on.
