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August 01, 2005
The Desk!
It all began innocently enough. Famous last words....
I was in the new Watson School of Education at UNCW doing the Teaching Fellows final interviews back in February. They have the most incredible Teacher Stations in every classroom. From the lectern the teacher can control the lights, screen, dvd/vcr, Internet, and document camera - EVERYTHING from a touch screen controller. Pamela began quickly making fun of me as I sat to draw up everything I saw and how it was situated and worked together. During the spring semester I received a $3,000 grant that put a digital visual presenter and a document camera in my classroom. This was the first document camera in Wayne County schools but it is no longer alone – Pamela Johnson of Eastern Wayne Middle and Marion Carter of Mount Olive Middle, have since purchased them for their classrooms.
I returned to UNCW this summer to show some friends around and snooped around the School of Ed until I found an open classroom. I suppose I had already decided that I had to have that idea incorporated into my desk. I used my Treo to photograph all the components so that I could share them with my dad because he tends to indulge my crazy ideas. It did not take much convincing at all. And the dream was headed to reality.
My first task was to sit down and draw up the plans. I took drafting in high school and never thought it would be a benefit. Everything in life returns again sometime. Mark took my plans and started making notes and asking tough questions. We redrew them and agreed on a final product. I consulted with Alvin about how to get the signals from multiple inputs out to my one projector that I hope to have mounted in the ceiling without having to change wires every time I use a different piece of equipment. Alvin loves a technology challenge and this one made him go to work. Everything will run through the new Dell computer we are installing in the desk and travel to the projector through one cable. No switching. Once again Alvin had delivered. Now don’t get me wrong – this desk will not control the lights or the pull down screen but I think I can manage flipping the switch and pulling the string for a while longer. That is about all it won’t do!
I spent the better part of the summer thinking about, debating, and finally ordering the components that will make this my teacher presentation station. A new Dell powerhouse computer with a DVD burner will be the centerpiece. We decided to go with a new machine rather than to update the IBM teacher computer that is already in place because it was easier and permanent. Alvin solved my multiple input problems with a Plextor Converter that I purchased from my friends at CDWG. Pamela and I picked up some speakers at Best Buy when I was in Charlotte for the Teaching Fellows Conference and added a new DVD/VCR from Sam’s Club. I already have in place the projector and the Document Camera. Everything was right and ready now the only missing piece is the desk.
We visited Lowe’s and the folks there were so helpful. I wanted to be able to lock the desk drawers but wanted one key. I thought it was going to be an expensive and timely special order but the gentleman at the desk went through the trouble of finding four lock units with the same key for the “poor schoolteacher”. Mr. Cooper went that extra mile in the Floor Vents section (these will be the hottest speaker grill covers) by searching to find the size and style I wanted. He is a genuinely helpful person and the fact that I was lucky enough to teach his son for two years didn’t hurt any. All told – the materials for constructing the desk were about $400. Now don’t get me wrong – that is an awfully expensive desk but nowhere near the costs of the lecterns I saw online.
Right now everything is stacked up in the parent’s barn. This afternoon when my dad gets home we will begin the construction process. I am excited and cannot wait to see and use the final product. Check back regularly to see the progress happening.
Posted by hlperson at August 1, 2005 12:49 PM