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Evaluation of the SchoolsOutGlasgow.net project - Final Report
APPENDIX B: SCHOOLSOUTGLASGOW.NET GCC - Flyers
schoolsoutglasgow.netwhat is IT?
schoolsoutglasgow.net (SO) is an online project looking at new ways of re-engaging young people of school age back into learning. These young people have been out of traditional educational systems for a variety of reasons.
SO involves no costs to parents/carers being funded by the City Council and SEED. It provides each learner with a computer and Internet access. A computer that is connected to the Internet allows you to turn your home into a place of unlimited information and communication
Young people joining this project will be part of an online learning community where they will be free to choose when and what they want to learn, using a computer with the internet as their primary means of access to learning. This online community will be accessed from home.
what is the internet?
Like a newspaper, the Internet can give you new information every day, including world news, business, sports, travel, entertainment, and ads.
Like a library, the Internet contains information on almost any topic you can imagine in many formats, including books, articles, videos, and music recordings.
Like the postal service, the Internet allows anyone who knows your Internet address to send you a letter. (It's called electronic mail, or e-mail for short).
Like the telephone, the Internet allows you to "chat" with other people by participating in online discussion groups.
The Project
The first phase of SO will establish a virtual online community of 30 young people. These young people will be given an opportunity to develop their self esteem and be reintroduced to learning. SO will be achieved through the support of special online tutors, buddies (senior pupils from other schools) and the use of new technology.
For further information
Contact schoolsoutglasgow at Richmond Park School
Tel: 0141 429 0906
Fax: 0141 429 6047
Email:tommycrocket@schoolsoutglasgow.net
SchoolsOut Hardware Help
Computers are complicated. It is not unusual for them to have problems. This booklet will help you solve some of the more common problems that computers have.
You will receive more sheets for this booklet as new equipment arrives. Please keep them together in a safe place, and use them if your computer has a problem.
What to do if your computer does not work
First of all…Don't Panic. It is very unlikely that you have broken your computer. You would have to try quite hard to do that.
There are three things that might go wrong with your computer. Here is what to do for each of them.
My Computer has a hardware problem
Hardware is all the bits of your computer. Things like the mouse, keyboard, monitor and computer box itself.
The biggest problem with hardware is that all the bits have to be plugged together, and sometimes, the plugs come loose stopping the bits from working.
This is what to do if you think your computer has a hardware problem.
1. Restart your computer. Hardware problems quite often sort themselves out if you restart.
2. Check the FAQ section of this booklet to see if your problem is covered. If it is, follow the advice given.
3. Complete the Hardware Checklist.
4. If you still have a problem, phone your teacher. They will arrange more help.
My Computer has a software problem
Software is all of the programmes you use on your computer. It includes things like your word processor, games and email programme.
There are too many kinds of software to list all the problems they might have here. But this general advice will solve many problems.
1. If a programme does not seem to be working properly. Save any work you are doing and restart your computer. See the FAQ section for instructions on restarting your computer.
2. If your computer freezes, see the FAQ section for instructions on restarting your computer if it freezes.
3. If your computer seems to be working very slowly, you might have too many programmes running at once. Try to use only one or two programmes at a time.
4. If all else fails - save your work and restart your computer. 9 times out of ten, that will fix it.
5. If you still have a problem, phone your teacher. They will arrange more help.
My computer has a network problem
Your computer will be connected to Internet using a broadband connection. Advice and help on your broadband network connection will be sent to you when it is installed.
SchoolsOut FAQs
FAQs means Frequently Asked Questions. They are a list of answers to the questions people most often ask.
FAQs let you find answers to questions you have. They are used a lot for computers, and you will find a lot of FAQ sites on Internet.
Safe Check Procedure
Important - Read this first
Never do anything to the connectors on a computer while it is connected to an electrical socket. Computers are electrically powered, and there is a danger that you could get an electric shock.
Changes to computer connectors should only be done by an adult.
Whenever you are checking connectors, follow this procedure.
1. After you have switched off the power at the socket, unplug the computer from the electricity socket, and carefully check all the computers connectors:
- Make sure the connectors are plugged in correctly
- Make sure the connectors are plugged into the correct socket. The plugs and sockets are colour coded to help you. The colours of plugs and sockets should match.
2. Without connecting the computer to the electricity supply, carefully check that all the power plugs are fully plugged in.
3. Plug the computer into the electricity supply.
4. Switch on the electricity supply.
5. Restart the computer.
6. If the problem still occurs, phone SchoolsOut for more help.
What should I do if I can't shutdown my computer?
1. Press the power button for 5 seconds.
2. The computer will shut down.
What should I do if my computer will not shut down when I press the power button?
1. Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the power cords are connected correctly.
2. Your computer should restart and shutdown normally.
What should I do if my computer freezes during startup?
1. Press the power button for 5 seconds.
2. Your computer should shut down.
3. You should then restart your computer.
What should I do if my computer will not shut down when I press the power button?
1. Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the power cords are connected correctly.
2. Your computer should restart and shutdown normally.
What should I do if my computer seems stuck in sleep mode?
Moving the mouse or pressing the keyboard should waken your computer within 30 seconds. If it does not waken, try pressing the power button.
If pressing the power button does not waken it:
1. Hold the power button in for 5 seconds.
2. The computer will shut down. Note however that any unsaved data will be lost.
What should I do if my computer will not shut down when I press the power button?
1. Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the power cords are connected correctly.
2. Your computer should restart and shutdown normally.
What should I do if my computer freezes while I am using it?
Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys at the same time. If a window showing the applications currently running appears, look at the list. If one of the applications is marked as not responding:
1. Select the application in the list by clicking on it.
2. Click on the End Task Button.
You may be able to continue working, however it is safer to save any work in progress, and restart your computer.
If pressing the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys at the same time has no effect, you should restart your computer. Note that any unsaved data will be lost.
To restart your computer:
1. Press the power button for 5 seconds.
2. The computer should shut down.
If pressing the power button has no effect:
1. Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the power cords are connected correctly.
2. Your computer should restart and shutdown normally.
What should I do if my monitor doesn't work?
1. Check that the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly.
2. Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the monitor is plugged in correctly
What should I do if my keyboard doesn't work?
1. Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the keyboard is plugged in correctly.
2. Check that the keyboard is clean.
3. Check that no keys are stuck in the down position.
4. Check that nothing is pressing on a key.
What should I do if my mouse doesn't work?
Follow the Safe Check procedure at the start of the FAQ section to check that the mouse is plugged in correctly.
Check that the mouse is clean.
1. Unscrew and remove the circular plate from the bottom of the mouse.
2. Remove the ball.
3. Remove any residue from the ball and the ball cavity.
4. Replace the ball and cover.
5. Remove any residue has built up on the mouse base.
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