During this experimental phase, Just Kids employs three people whom we regularly train to help get things working again and to help teachers use software most efficiently. One of the three has a primary responsibility for data collection. However, since she is frequently in classrooms doing observation and videotaping, she can help teachers on the spot when they need it as well. A smaller school could probably get by with a tech staff of one or two persons, but no program could get along without this essential support at the beginning. Teachers come and go and new software and hardware appear frequently.
Continuous training is a necessary part of the picture.
Third, we learned that children can be trusted to work with computers on their own. Indeed, one of our problems is the average teacher's fear of technology. It is important to convince teachers that computers are relatively robust and that children can use them on their own without wrecking them. Although there are occasions when it is useful for a teacher to sit at the computer with one or more children, it is seldom necessary. The ACTT model encourages children to explore and experiment with computers independently and with other children.