Printers not allowed in classrooms

Discussion in 'General Education' started by Sarge, Sep 30, 2014.

  1. Sarge

    Sarge Enthusiast

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    Not banned, exactly. I won't get in trouble for having one.

    But our computers were re-imaged in such a way that one can no longer connect any kind of printer without network admin privileges. And the only people with network admin privileges are at the DO and their new policy is to not connect printers for anyone. By order of the IT director.

    Being that the computers in question are laptops, if I take my computer home, I can't print anywhere. I'm lucky. I was able to talk the IT tech who services our school to connect my printer and being that my home printer is the same make and model, I can also print at home. But all the other teachers in the district are not as lucky.

    Their justification is that we have nice new super printers that are located in the staff workrooms. We are supposed to use those now. So if I want to print, I have to send it to that printer, and then wait until recess, lunch, or my non-existent prep period and then go stand in line to get my document(s).

    The funny thing is that this is all the work of director of IT who isn't even a district admin. I'm on the district technology committee and virtually every person at the meeting we had last night went off on this guy (who wasn't there due to a back injury). I've never heard so much criticism of someone (albeit well deserved criticism) who was not in the room without mentioning them by name.

    According to the our curriculum tech person, the IT director is claiming that indoor air quality is the issue. But all the indoor air quality studies regarding laser printers are from 2007 and only involved a limited number of laser printer brands and models. Moreover, there were studies in 2008 that disproved the 2007 studies.

    Any ideas for taking action. I'm thinking of asking my principal if I could email the superintendent directly on this. I don't see why he couldn't "order" the IT director to fix the problem. All I want to do is connect my laptop to a printer via USB - a function that the laptop came with but has been taken away.
     
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  3. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Enthusiast

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    This sounds like bureaucracy at its best. Indoor air quality? Good grief. I hope you can get this resolved.
     
  4. catnfiddle

    catnfiddle Moderator

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    Sounds like the committee and the director need to have a major chat. Come armed with those environment studies as well as evidence of a decrease in teacher productivity due to the new policy. Good luck!
     
  5. a.guillermo

    a.guillermo Rookie

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    God, why are people so whiny about stupid stuff? I seriously think that people will do anything to find something to make a rule about. That is just idiotic. There is nothing wrong with using a printer.
     
  6. MissCeliaB

    MissCeliaB Aficionado

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    This is why I bring my own laptop from home.
     
  7. txmomteacher2

    txmomteacher2 Enthusiast

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    We have had printers in our rooms for along time. Our principal that we have now does not want to use money for new ink. So we are supposed to do what what the OP has to do.Send it down to the workroom printers. I am going to keep replacing my ink in my room with my own money. ( I know I shouldn't) but sometimes I just need a quick copy and don't want to have to go down to get it. This summer I got in trouble over having my personal laptop hooked up to their printer in my room through a USB. In fact the tech guy took my USB cable and wasn't going to hook it to my school computer but he finally did.
    Problem would be solved if they would give a teacher computer for my desk.
     
  8. Sarge

    Sarge Enthusiast

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    We can't get online with anything but a school computer.
     
  9. MissCeliaB

    MissCeliaB Aficionado

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    Oh. I just hook my laptop up to the network. Also, we have two wireless networks: one for teachers and one for students.
     
  10. bros

    bros Phenom

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    When I was in school, to get past the "buying ink for your own classroom" thing - all of my teachers would submit requests to the district asking for a new ink cartridge like once a month, because it was in my IEP that I needed to be able to use a teacher's computer to print (they'd even submit the requests when I hadn't used their computer that month)
     
  11. Peregrin5

    Peregrin5 Maven

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    I've had to get through so much BS and bureaucracy to get my stuff set up. We have the same restrictions on everything. We aren't allowed to use personal devices to connect to the internet, you need an IT guy to set up your printers, etc.

    Luckily, our school IT guy is pretty chill, and he sets up my computers so I have full admin access on them. I also did some hacks and got access to the wifi on all of my personal devices.

    But anytime I have to go through the district I just hit roadblock after roadblock.
     
  12. Rox

    Rox Cohort

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    Have you thought about going paperless? :cool:
     
  13. TamaraF

    TamaraF Companion

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    I cannot believe this. I have a printer in my room, and I use it constantly. I print out homework for students who were absent, I print assignments, the list is endless. I would be completely frustrated if they took away my printer!
     
  14. teacherintexas

    teacherintexas Maven

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    That's just about the craziest thing I've ever heard of.
     
  15. dgpiaffeteach

    dgpiaffeteach Aficionado

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    I've never had one in my room. I've never really missed it though.
     
  16. catnfiddle

    catnfiddle Moderator

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    That works in environments where students have their own devices. Is that the case with your school, Sarge?
     
  17. bandnerdtx

    bandnerdtx Aficionado

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    Do you have a district level committee to address academic and curriculum issues? (Every district in Texas is required to have one, so I thought maybe you guys have that, too?)

    I'm a big fan of following the chain of command. You've talked to these guys directly, but I would make a formal "complaint" to them, in writing, via email that outlines your concerns with recommendations for solutions. If they don't respond the way you want, then go to the principal and superintendent.
     
  18. nyteacher29

    nyteacher29 Comrade

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    this is right up there to not having access to a copier (aka my school!)
     
  19. chebrutta

    chebrutta Enthusiast

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    We don't have printers in our room - haven't had them for several years. Had to print to a central location and hope no one else took your papers when you go to get them at lunch. Now we have printers in a closer location, but you're still sharing with 4 or 5 other people.

    It sucks.
     
  20. MelissainGA

    MelissainGA Groupie

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    We have our own printers in our classrooms, we also are able to use multiple devices on the networks. We have a new online Math program that the students need access to the Internet. In order to have enough access points for one of my groups I brought two old laptops (not good for much more than wifi access) and we use them every day on the network.
     
  21. 3Sons

    3Sons Enthusiast

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    Some IT people are kind of control freaks. They either think they're not doing their job if they don't lock everything down, or they're just jerks. Typically, these people are network admins and infrastructure personnel and get thrills from coming to work in a tie every day and using acronyms and jargon like SDLC.

    Other IT people are happiest when they're helping people get their jobs done. These people are often software developers.

    Sounds like you got the first type. Bandnerd is right; the best way to deal with them is through highly formalistic processes. If they're following the correct change control procedures, they should have documents signed off from all primary stakeholders and primary sponsor to update the laptops removing the access, and they should have impact analysis documentation on the effect of printers on air quality and the loss of efficiency and lowered test scores as a result of students not having their materials. They should have a functional requirements document and a technical requirements document outlining the change. Request these documents, and when they don't have them ask them what procedures they have for change control.
     
  22. readingrules12

    readingrules12 Aficionado

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    I have a printer in my room, and few of my colleagues do. It saves me a ton of time, and I never have to worry about it not working when the network is done. Sarge, you are right. I wish you well. I wish I knew what to say to get people to listen to common sense. I am still working on that one.
     
  23. Pisces_Fish

    Pisces_Fish Fanatic

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    I consider myself super lucky. I have a laser copier and a color inkjet. If they took these I'd lose my mind. Hope you win this STUPID battle!!
     
  24. KinderCowgirl

    KinderCowgirl Phenom

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    We have the same system-it is really frustrating. The worst part is when you print it to the workroom and get down there to pick it up and the printer is jammed or out of paper-so it didn't print. You have to walk back to your room and print it again. Or you get down there to get it and someone else must have taken it by mistake because it's not there. Some things I think should be a no-brainer.
     
  25. GTB4GT

    GTB4GT Habitué

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    nothing is more frustrating than navigating artificial obstacles and barriers created by those who should be supporting and aiding the efforts of those who are dong the teaching.

    I dealt with this in the private sector with the corporate bureaucrats, but in the education system, it is beyond mind boggling. In my district, if the central office were to disappear I don't think anything would change (for the worse). That is a lot of overhead (and taxpayer money being wasted).
     
  26. smalltowngal

    smalltowngal Multitudinous

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    No printer in the office, but it isn't too far from my door. The only thing I have to worry about it 1)something taking it by mistake or 2) the printer jamming up. Sometimes I have to wait because someone is using the copier.
     
  27. MissMae

    MissMae Rookie

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    Our district has the same set-up. Although our work computers are desktops, and not laptops, our workroom printer breaks down often enough for me to not want to deal with that headache each week. Sooo, I bought an older simple printer that connects via a USB cord. Any newer printer you buy now will want to connect using a wireless connection, which your laptop will not allow per district policy and IT admin priviledges. So, hunt around eBay or Amazon for an older printer. The HP d2460 I have works well at work.
     
  28. ktdclark

    ktdclark Comrade

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    WOw!! Sounds like a control issue...what about if kids are printing up reports or notes or information????

    I am at home as we speak, working on report cards and printing on my home printer--can't imagine trying to fit this in during my work day.
     
  29. princessbloom

    princessbloom Comrade

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    We don't have any in our rooms either.
    I think the reason is that people were printing personal things on their classroom computers, yet the school was having to pay for the ink. By printing in a central location, there are more eyes watching and people are (apparently) more careful about what they print.
    Just a guess.
    I miss the convenience.

    I would definitely bring it up because it sounds like you are more knowledgeable than the IT guy!
     
  30. iteachbx

    iteachbx Enthusiast

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    I've never heard of such a thing. I don't understand how you printing at home has anything to do with the reasoning for restricting the access to printers. We have plenty of teachers without printers in their classrooms because they're broken and/or old. Your situation just doesn't make sense. Hope it's resolved soon.
     

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