Staff bringing home computers during holiday time for familiarisation purposes Most teachers do not have the time to learn how to use computers during their busy school day. Some schools opt to allow teachers to bring home a computer during the evenings, weekends or holidays so that they can learn and experiment at their own pace. Desktop computers are not very amenable to constant re-assembly. Therefore, it must be decided whether the longevity of the computer or the expertise of the staff receives greater weighting. If financial resources permit, the purchase of a portable laptop may be a consideration.
Computers do break down or develop software problems from time to time.
A fault may sometimes stop the use of the computer for weeks on end due to the fact that no one has the responsibility for repairs. If designated members of staff take responsibility for repairs, the speed, low-cost and reliability of repair will be ensured. The importance of staff development cannot be underestimated. Although there may be existing expertise in the school, plans have to be put in place to ensure that this expertise is shared and updated, that all teachers are given a scheduled opportunity to learn and that training is a regular and ongoing process.