Software installation is most often a time consuming task. This does not necessarily imply that one needs to be an IT specialist to be able to successfully install the educational software packages used on the Khanya networks. In fact, the installation of most of these packages is a fairly easy task where the installer only needs to have a basic background of the Khanya setup. Detailed installation notes are normally provided with the software and can be followed by anyone who has been exposed to the Khanya networks for some time.
Taking the above into account it is a concern that most LAN administrators at the Khanya schools are not given the opportunity to make use of the knowledge gained in the LAN administrator training courses to take charge of their schools laboratories and do the installations themselves. Does this mean that we are failing in our task to make Khanya schools technical independent? Does it mean that the LAN administrator training courses fail to effectively empower LAN administrators to do the first line support expected from them? Or is it perhaps an indication that our LAN administrators are just not interested or do not have enough time at hand to do these installations?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Who must install ?
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5 comments:
1. LANs do not have the time. Teaching 40 out 42 periods is no joke. (Some non-educators disagree, but try teaching this way someday). I am still suggesting that an outsider (possibly a non-educator) take on this job.
2. Software installations go according to plan if your server/network is running relatively smoothly. Other support systems such as telephonic or otherwise should be available.
3. LANs do not practice what they have learnt from their LAN sessions. They need follow sessions or continuous development(refresher sessions) to keep them going.
4. LANs do not have the confidence to do installations. Take into consideration that some computer literate facilitators refuse to install software. Involving LANs in the installation process does help, but more time is needed for a bit of hand-holding.
5. Software installation is not part of LAN training unless it has been been updated. A follow up session is needed.
6. LANs need a solid understanding of how the software works. In many cases the LAN could troubleshoot the problem, but don't know where to look.
7. Khanya must install software. There is a definite line between what the school must do and what Khanya must do. This attitude I have encountered at many schools. The question is:"When does the school take ownership of their technology?".
8. Staff changes within a school plays havoc with its operations. It is common knowledge that LANs leave schools for "greener" pastures.
9. Politics (staff or otherwise) around what can or cannot be done in the lab hampers the LANs job. I wish this one was not an issue, but it is. Discussions with ICT committees can grease some issues raised. In these cases diplomacy is used liberally to facilitate any solutions.
Often one may offer arguments on behalf of others and thereby creating the very disempowerment that one should be striving to eliminate. The question is not whether the schools can or cannot install software for themselves but rather the conversation with the school about the need to move towards self-reliance. This is as an impossible task as we choose to approach it. If half of the schools rise to the occassion themselves then the battle is half won - if we choose not to even attempt then the battle is lost by not even starting.
Reality always wakes one up from idealism.
More empowerment of LANs in taking ownership of the technical tasks in the Khanya(their labs) labs will partly solve the problem.I agree that either the LANs are disinterested(in some schools) or they may be too busy to take on the task of installation.
As Mark has said,instilling an i-can-do attitude in the minds of the LANs will assist them towards doing certain tasks themselves.It may also require us as Khanya facilitators to start empowering each other because often you get the impression that software installation is the domain of "technical facilitators" and not others,after all charity begins at home.
Softwae installation is an administrator's task!
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