Post by Ms. G on May 16, 2013 16:29:51 GMT
I teach in a Middle School. On my campus I am one of the CTFs and have spent a lot of time doing tech support. This week the new network rolled out with no advance notice. In an environment in which the internet is integral, doing something that impacts the internet has huge implications. It effects basic communication, teacher's lesson plans, and it throws the students into chaos.
With the new network changes there was little information about how this would effect the VPN. At the middle school level we have been dealing with VPN issues all year. Sometimes it turns off and turns on for no noticeable reason but other times it is because the students were messing with the settings. When connecting the new system iPads without the VPN connected easily. iPads with the VPN have been a different matter.
First, when making major changes there needs to be at least a week heads up to when the changes are going to occur. The CTF's need to be pulled aside and instructed not just on the changes but the possible problems that we are going to encounter and solutions to those problems. It also needs to be remembered that these iPads are not in a clean environment. The students are poking and prodding at all the various settings. Yesterday when told to turn the VPN off and the back on to install the new network connection, many students heard "delete the Airwatch and AnyConnect App" causing all sorts of other issues.
I want to be able to help both teachers and students with their technology but I find myself as frustrated as they are when I don't have solutions for them.
With the new network changes there was little information about how this would effect the VPN. At the middle school level we have been dealing with VPN issues all year. Sometimes it turns off and turns on for no noticeable reason but other times it is because the students were messing with the settings. When connecting the new system iPads without the VPN connected easily. iPads with the VPN have been a different matter.
First, when making major changes there needs to be at least a week heads up to when the changes are going to occur. The CTF's need to be pulled aside and instructed not just on the changes but the possible problems that we are going to encounter and solutions to those problems. It also needs to be remembered that these iPads are not in a clean environment. The students are poking and prodding at all the various settings. Yesterday when told to turn the VPN off and the back on to install the new network connection, many students heard "delete the Airwatch and AnyConnect App" causing all sorts of other issues.
I want to be able to help both teachers and students with their technology but I find myself as frustrated as they are when I don't have solutions for them.