A New Mexico school will be putting more technology into the hands of it's students thanks to a donation by a White Sands Missile Range tenant.
The Training and Doctrine Command Analysis Center (TRAC) at WSMR donated 26 high performance tablet laptop computers to Sonoma Elementary School in Las Cruces, Jan. 27. The PCs all came equipped with external batteries that can extend the laptops battery life by up to eight hours, docking stations to allow more accessories to be plugged into the computer, a reversible touch screen to allow the laptop to also perform as a tablet PC, solid-state hard drives, as well as carrying cases, styluses, and other accessories.
TRAC's mission on White Sands is to analyze of various Army systems and operations. Using computer modeling and simulation TRAC analyzes a wide range of Army systems, equipment and methods. "Typically we do studies that are directed by the Army to assess new equipment, materiel or solutions that are being presented," said Maj. Patrick Workman, a senior military analyst for TRAC White Sands. Conducting these analyses requires the use of newer and more resource intensive software than your average computer sees, with simulations often including massive amounts of data that needs to be processed quickly. This requires TRAC to replace its computers often to ensure that the hardware has the power needed to run the ever more demanding software. It was after one of these replacement cycles that TRAC was left with the laptops it decided to donate to Sonoma elementary. After being replaced with new systems that could better support TRACs evolving needs, computers like the tablet laptops would normally be turned in and, often times, destroyed, but since these computers were still in good condition , and by normal civilian standards still high quality, it was decided that the computers would be of better use if donated to the school. "We found out about executive order 12999 that allows for the transfer of computers to schools." Workman said.
To meet security requirements the computers had to be completely wiped of any and all data, fortunately the donation also included necessary software allowing the school's computer technicians to reinstall the operating system and all drivers onto a clean system, and avoid the challenges that can sometimes arise from the mess of drivers and software typically present on second hand computers.
While the school is still working on the details of how to best use the new computers, the large number being donated means that they have to option of deploying them throughout each grade level to try and maximize the students exposure to technology. "Currently we have three student computers in each room, the teacher has a laptop, we have a computer lab, and there's a smattering of iPads. But when you look at 700 children, that's very little contact time that children will have with the technology," said Wendi Hammond, principal of Sonoma Elementary.
As an elementary school, the fact TRAC donated tablet computers instead of conventional laptops or desktops is a valuable bonus as the student body doesn't have the experience with a keyboard that older students might have."It removes part of the skill deficit that a child (of elementary school) age would have in their ability to type and word process. They are more familiar with a handy pen or pencil," Hammond said.
The donation comes at a very important time for the school as the funds that they have been getting under various stimulus programs has run out. "The stimulus money was spent the last two years, so this year I'm back to just barely operating costs and materials like paper, pencils, construction paper, glue, scissors, and markers. So I don't have a lot of extra budget to ramp up for the 700 students I have, so I'm very excited because we were not buying any new technology this year," Hammond said. By receiving the donated laptops, the school will be able to help make up for its reduced budget while making current technology available to the students.
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