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December 1, 2001
Loogootee School District Puts Thin Client to Innovative Use
By Bob Butcher
One of the major objectives that the Superintendent of Loogootee community schools gave me after I was hired as the new technology coordinator just over a year ago was to implement a plan to upgrade the district's six-year-old technology program.
My first step was to research alternative solutions beyond that of a typical desktop replacement plan. The second step was to find funding sources beyond the limited school technology budget to implement this plan.
My previous work experience had introduced me to Thin-Client technology, Citrix and National Semiconductor's program. The thin-client solution is simply a terminal or other computing devices used to connect to servers where applications and data are stored, maintained, and processed. This environment consists of a solid network infrastructure, application servers, and the connecting devices. The application server is the engine providing the needed processing power and memory to serve the applications to all the clients.
Using my previous experience, I continued my research into a thin-client solution. I concluded that with such success stories of its implementation--like Lemon Grove School District (California)--and its ease of use, security, reliability, and affordability, the thin-client solution is capable of providing what the Loogootee School District needed.
With the district's budget for the year, we addressed immediate network infrastructure needs by improving from a 10MB to a 100MB switched-network environment. With the remaining budget we upgraded file servers and replaced dot matrix printers. Additional funding was being pursued via a state-funded project called High Tech Schools and the Thin-Client @ School Contest co-sponsored by National Semiconductor, Wyse Technology, and Citrix. Unfortunately, the High Tech Schools Grant was awarded to only a few schools throughout the state and our district was not chosen. Fortunately though, our district's proposal submitted to National Semiconductor was accepted as the winning entry. This generous award was just what we were looking for to phase into a thin-client solution. National Semiconductor, Wyse, and Citrix combined to provide us with all the pieces needed to start this project.
Part of our proposal to National Semiconductor was that we would use the Thin-Client @ School Award to transform our career center with its limited amount of resources into a fully accessible and highly functional Career Futures eCenter. An entire classroom capable of handling 20 plus thin-client computers has been dedicated for the Career Futures eCenter.
For a secondary deployment of Thin-Client terminals, we were to distribute two terminals into each of the four teachers' lounges across the district. By providing teachers additional access to the Internet during their lunch or prep periods, we sought to create a more relaxed opportunity for computing time. Specifically, we wanted to give teachers a tool to use for research and fact-finding in an environment that could be easily shared with coworkers. This would also give us the opportunity to test the effectiveness of thin clients across our WAN.
Part of the prize included additional 40 MetaFrame licenses. Since the technology project at Loogootee JR/SR High began in 1994, a large number of '486 and higher machines currently in storage have been re-deployed in a useful manner. We proposed the use of the additional 40 MetaFrame licenses to be applied to these '486 workstations, with five workstations with the MetaFrame Licenses to be distributed into each of the eight Language Arts classrooms. These classrooms previously had only a teacher workstation, and all student work had to be done during shared lab time. This deployment gives us a method of testing applications and the functionality of the Thin-Client solution for implementation into the classroom. The deployment is considered as our pilot project to justify getting additional Thin-Client hardware and software.
Shortly after we were presented the award, we teamed up with Matrix Integration, a value-added reseller that has provided us with the necessary hardware and the installation, configuration and training for the terminals, workstations, operating systems, and Citrix software. During the planning and decision-making process, necessary paperwork was completed. Also during the waiting period, we prepared the site for the arrival of the 30 Wyse terminals. The career center needed additional electrical and data wiring, as did each of the language arts rooms.
Since the arrival of the server hardware, we have been busy integrating the existing Novell file and print-sharing servers with the implementation of the Thin-Client solution. Using both the 30 Wyse terminals and IBM 6381's, we are now providing teacher and student login for the execution of Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office 2000 applications. Teachers can also execute secure applications running off a Novell file server, i.e., Grade book, email and student management software. These computing devices that students and teachers are using to connect, provide a menu of applications assigned specifically to that particular user and also provide access to the Windows desktop. Each user can then access their saved work from the server for use in the various applications.
At this stage in the implementation we are finalizing testing of user logins, profiles, and security issues. We will soon be opening up our eCareer Center for students to use in completing their Careers coursework. Web-based applications such as Embark and Coin will be available for student use, as well as the Indiana College Network, another Web-based tool for student research into career and education opportunities. Throughout the deployment, additional availability for all students and teachers will follow a brief overview/training session.
A future phase already in the works is the migration of our student management software solution. This solution will be a Windows 2000-based application with Web access modules for family home access. A second major phase in continuing the deployment of Thin-Client technology is researching various Web-based curriculum software solutions for K-12.
As this technology continues to prove itself, we will expand its capabilities and its capacity to meet student needs. Loogootee Community Schools looks forward to the development of this Thin-Client solution and continuing the professional relationship that has been developed in working with National Semiconductor, Wyse, and Citrix throughout each phase of this project.
Email: Bob Butcher
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