Jeff Mao, Maine Coordinator of Educational Technology

I recently was pondering 1:1 things, as I always do when I jog (I hate jogging, but I hate being overweight even more), when it dawned on me that maybe I should ask the people who are at the center of a wide-scale 1:1 implementation how they are managing such a massive rollout of laptops.

So, I checked the MTLI contact website and found Jeff Mao, the Coordinator of Educational Technology for the project. He was kind enough to answer some of my questions, and I will post his responses in full. I did receive permission from him to post his comments, and he has every right to ask that I take the post down should he, or others above him, decide to do so.

From: Jeff Mao
Subject: Re: 1:1 Implementation Question
Date: July 21, 2006 2:53:42 PM CDT
To: James O'Hagan

James,
Our 1:1 set up is based on a few requirements that we predetermined before going to the vendors seeking bids. One was that the device be able to work in a non-networked environment. As such, the model is based on local accounts. For backup, all users have an account on a centrally managed system. Data is backed up using a software agent that Apple wrote that syncs files between one directory on your computer and your network directory. The new system uses webDAV as the network transport. Previously (first 4 years) we used FTP.

The backup system is hosted and managed by Apple in a co-location facility here in Maine. All schools access it via the Internet.

The software backup agent also has the capacity to be locally configured by the user to point at a different server. So, if a school has their own AFP, SMB, or webDAV server, then they can use that server as well.

In general, we have avoided network homes or mobile accounts because of the necessity to have a server in every school. Our program spans over 270 schools ranging in size from 2 students and a teacher to over 800 students and a teacher. In addition, mobile accounts simply creates more network chatter than we feel is useful, and it doesn't increase the likelihood that users will move data to the network for backup. But it does increase the likelihood that they will put data on the server and then not keep a local copy, go home, and then not have their stuff.

Jeff

From: James O'Hagan
Subject: Re: 1:1 Implementation Question
Date: July 25, 2006 10:01:50 AM CDT
To: Jeff Mao

Wow, one large central backup server. That is something! Nice that they moved you to webDAV.

Thanks for the insight!

From: James O'Hagan
Subject: Re: 1:1 Implementation Question
Date: July 25, 2006 10:03:50 AM CDT
To: Jeff Mao

I guess my second thought that comes up is there a state standard image for the laptops that cannot be changed at the district level, or do districts have control over what programs are available to students?

Thanks for answering my questions.

From: Jeff Mao
Subject: RE: 1:1 Implementation Question
Date: July 29, 2006 9:11:40 PM CDT
To: James O'Hagan

The MLTI Program uses a master state image that is preconfigured with user accounts (ie student, teacher, parent, admin) and preloaded with software either provided by Apple through the bid, or acquired by the State (ie someone donated it). That image also includes minor configuration changes to suit a large-scale one-to-one like disabling iTunes sharing and iPhoto sharing (both can really slow down a wireless if every kid decides to start playing), etc. Districts/schools can then add additional software to the image. The deployment method uses firewire drives with a custom boot image that when used as a boot drive for an iBook, the iBook is then automatically wiped and reimaged using the master image. As a post-install, any packages (.pkg) that the school includes in a specific directory on that firewire drive (surprisingly, named "Packages") is then installed on the image. Most common titles are often set up in a package installer by myself or some of the other more technically-minded techs and shared among schools. Apple offers classes on how to build packages as do I.

Jeff