Engineering 692 /
Vocational School Computer Project /
Winter 2011 /
Kristen Frooman, Son Ngo, Amanda Peterson, Miriam Simon /
3/11/2011 /

Table of Contents

Background

Participants

Problem Definition

Stakeholders

Stated Objectives

Pre-Trip

Detailed Plan of Action

Bill of Materials and Packing List

Implementation Plan

Sustainability

Post Trip

Results

Objectives Achieved

Future Recommendations

Other Future Projects

References

Addenda

Background

The vocational school in Choluteca, Honduras was assessed during a trip to the city in 2010. The vocational school has four different areas: auto mechanics, refrigeration, sewing, and computer certification. The auto mechanics department is the only operational area. The assessment from 2010 suggested that the other three areas of the school be toured and analyzed for academic improvement.

Larry Overholt is the main contact in Honduras for project work on the vocational school. After reading the assessment from 2010 and talking to Larry about his visions for the vocational school, a computer upgrade project was set into motion to improve academics at the vocational school. This project includes installing software to 10 computers and connecting those same 10 computers to the internet in order to increase learning and allow for distance learning to take place.

Participants

There are four people involved with this computer project. Their names, emails, and expertise are listed below inTable 1. Mike Jewitt, Roger Dzwonczyk, Greg Bixler, and Sam Raudabaugh were references and participants in the planning portion of the computer upgrade project. Mike Jewitt, Roger Dzwonczyk, and Greg Bixler offered information from past experiences to contribute to the project. Sam Raudabaugh donated the software to be installed in Choluteca.

Table 1: Participants in the Choluteca computer upgrade project

Name / Expertise / Email/Contact Information
Kristen Frooman / Team Leader /
Son Ngo / Implementation /
Amanda Peterson / Documentation /
Miriam Simon / Data Collection /

Problem Definition

Larry Overholt, main contact for the Choluteca vocational school, requested a computer upgrade project. This project consisted of putting 10 computers together, installing Windows XP and Microsoft Office on all 10 computers, and connecting all of the computers to the internet. Thought should be given to antivirus software, backup batteries, and network cards. The goal of this project is to allow the end user to use the internet for distance learning.

Routers, ethernet cords, mice, usb cords, and keyboards are available for all 10 computers at the vocational school already. The vocational school also has a couple backup batteries. If budget allows, a few more backup batteries should be purchased in the event that the city power goes out. The computers themselves have 40 gigabyte hard drives, Pentium 4, a 2.6 GHz processor, and 512 MB of RAM.

This project will serve the students of the Choluteca Vocational School by increasing access to the internet and distance learning classrooms. This project will also affect the entirety of Choluteca because it will increase educational opportunity and promote learning.

Stakeholders

The main customer for this project is Larry Overholt. Larry works to run and improve the Choluteca vocational school. He has been the main contact throughout the project planning process and specifically asked for the computer upgrade project.

Other customers consist of the Choluteca community and any other student at the vocational school. The implementation of the computer upgrade project directly impacts the students who will benefit from the availability of computers with software and internet. The community as a whole will also benefit from the students who are able to improve their education from the computers.

Stated Objectives

The objectives of the computer upgrade project are as follows:

  1. Put together 10 computers with memory, a mouse, a keyboard, and a network card
  2. Install Windows XP to all 10 computers
  3. Install Microsoft Office 2007 to all 10 computers
  4. Download AVG antivirus to all 10 computers
  5. Use a modem, router, and ethernet cords to connect all 10 computers to the internet
  6. Provide as many Tripp-Lite 550 backup batteries as budget allows
  7. Supply an English/Spanish learning software program if budget allows
  8. Assess the vocational school for future projects

These objectives and the objectives from the Aquaponics 2011 project documentation must be completed with a budget of $1000. Additionally, these objectives must be completed in a time frame of 3, 8 hour work days.

Pre-Trip

Before leaving for Honduras, a detailed plan of action, a bill of materials, and an implementation plan was decided upon and documented. These aspects of the computer upgrade projects are discussed throughout this section.

Detailed Plan of Action

The action plan used throughout the project planning is located below in Table 2. Each task was assigned to a member of the group. The individual task descriptions are described below.

Table 2: The action plan followed throughout the computer upgrade project

Task / Start Date / End Date / Days / Leader for Task
Contact Larry about Request / 2/2/2011 / 2/9/2011 / 7 / Kristen
Assign Tasks / 2/2/2011 / 2/9/2011 / 7 / Kristen, Son, Amanda, Miriam
Research Equipment, Supplies, and Prices / 2/9/2011 / 2/23/2011 / 14 / Amanda
Plan Implementation / 2/16/2011 / 3/9/2011 / 21 / Kristen, Amanda
Buy Supplies and Equipment / 3/9/2011 / 3/17/2011 / 7 / Son
Ensure that All Equipment is Packed / 3/17/2011 / 3/17/2011 / 1 / Miriam
Leave for Honduras / 3/19/2011 / 3/19/2011 / 1 / NA
Put Together 10 Computers / 3/21/2011 / 3/21/2011 / 1 / Son
Install Software and Connect to Internet / 3/22/2011 / 3/22/2011 / 1 / Kristen, Amanda
Asses Vocational School for Further Projects / 3/23/2011 / 3/23/2011 / 1 / Miriam
Write Final Report / 2/2/2011 / 4/1/2011 / 58 / Kristen, Son, Amanda, Miriam

Contact Larry about Request

This task involved communicating with Larry Overholt about his wants and needs for the vocational school and the computer upgrade project. Communication was done through email and Skype.

Assign Tasks

This was completed with all four group members. Tasks were assigned based on strengths and time constraints.

Research Equipment, Supplies, and Prices

This task involved researching the equipment needed to put together computers, install software and connect to the internet. Research on whether software was cheaper in the United States or in Honduras was also completed. Prices were researched and compared.

Plan Implementation

This task required coming up with the plan of action while in Honduras. The schedule of when each part of the project was going to be implemented and how it was going to be implemented was determined during the completion of this task.

Buy Supplies and Equipment

This task was simply buying the software, tools, and equipment needed to implement the project while in Honduras.

Ensure that All Equipment is Packed

This was a check to make sure that all supplies was packed before leaving for Honduras.

Leave for Honduras

This required the project group to leave the United States for Honduras

Put Together 10 Computers

This involved putting 10 computers together with enough memory, a mouse, a keyboard, and a network card.

Install Software and Connect to Internet

This required the group to install Window XP, Microsoft Office 2007, and AVG Antivirus on all 10 computers.

Asses Vocational School for Further Projects

This involved the assessment of the remainder of the vocational school. Observations and ideas for future projects were documented.

Write Final Report

This required the group to document all steps in the planning and implementation of the computer upgrade project.

Bill of Materials and Packing List

The bill of materials is shown in Table 3. The total is dependent on whether the battery backups and the English Rosetta Stone language software is purchased. The battery backup and the Rosetta Stone may be bought if the budget for the combination of this computer upgrade project and the Choluteca aquaponics project remains under $1000. Sam Raudabaugh is donating the Spanish version of both the Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007 software. Since all of these products are cheaper in the United States than in Honduras, most of these products will be bought in the United States and are included in the packing list shown inTable 4. The battery backups are relatively hard to pack and travel with, so if they are to be purchased they will be purchased in Choluteca.

Table 3: The Bill of Materials for the Computer Upgrade Project

Bill of Materials
Choluteca - Computer Lab
Product / Quantity / Price/Item / Total Price / Location of Purchase / Other Notes
Windows XP / 10 / Donated / $0 / Sam Raudabaugh / NA
Microsoft Office 2007 / 10 / Donated / $0 / Sam Raudabaugh / NA
AVG Antivirus / 10 / $0 / $0 / Free Download / NA
D-Link - Desktop 10/100 PCI Network Card / 10 / $24.99 / $249.90 / Best Buy / NA
Tripp Lite - 550VA Battery Back-Up System / 0 to 4 / $79.99 / $79.99 - $319.96 / Best Buy / Only if Budget Allows
English Rosetta Stone / 1-Level1 / $249.00 / $249.00 / Rosettastone.com / Only if Budget
Allows
Plastic Cable Ties 300 $1.25/100 $3.75 cabletiesandmore.com NA
Total: $249.90 -$818.86

Table 4: Packing List

Packing List / Quantity
Windows XP / 10 licenses
Microsoft Office 2007 / 10 licenses
Flash Drive - for downloading antivirus / 2
Network Cards / 10
Plastic Cable Ties / 300
Rosetta Stone (if purchased) / 1

Implementation Plan

During the first Saturday in Choluteca, the vocational school will be visited to scope out the site. Following this Saturday, the schedule shown in Table 5 will be followed for implementation.

Table 5: Schedule for implementation

Saturday (03/19/2011) / Sunday
(03/20/2011) / Monday (03/21/2011) / Tuesday (03/22/2011) / Wednesday (03/23/2011)
Visit Vocational School and scope out site / Put together 10 computers / Install Software and connect to the internet / Troubleshoot and trial (Show it to Larry) / Anything else that needs to be done and further assessment

The implementation schedule may change based on whether Sunday is a rest or a work day. If Sunday is a work day, the implementation of the computer upgrade project will begin on either Sunday, March 20th. If Sunday is for rest, Monday, March 21st will be our first work day. The first work day in Honduras will be set aside for putting computers together with enough memory to run Windows XP, Microsoft Office, and the internet. A mouse, keyboard, and network card will also be added to 10 computers. This may require taking equipment from other computers, however, Larry has assured the project team that there is enough equipment to construct 10 working computers.

The second day will be used for software installation. The computers will be wiped clean. Windows XP will then be installed, followed by Microsoft Office 2007. AVG antivirus will be downloaded to a flash drive before arriving for the day’s work. Due to this, the flash drive will simply be inserted into the computers to install antivirus on all 10 computers. The internet connection will be the last part of the day’s work. A router and ethernet cables are provided at the school. The router will be connected to the modem and the computers will be connected to the router as seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1: The internet connection diagram(taken from How Do I Connect My Modem and Router to My Computer?)

The third day will be used for assessment for future projects. The computer lab will be assessed for energy efficiency and possible software upgrades. Other areas of the vocational school will be observed for future projects as well. The materials needed for each implementation task is summarized below in Table 6.

Table 6: Materials needed for each task

Task / Equipment Needed
Put together 10 Computers / Mouse, Keyboard, Memory, Basic Hand Tools, Cable ties, network cards
Install Software and Connect to Internet / Windows XP, Mircrosoft Office 2007, Flashdrive with antivirus, eithernet cords, router, modem, cable ties
Asses Vocational School / Notebook

Sustainability

The computer upgrade project will be sustained by Larry Overholt after completion of the project. A binder with software information and manuals will be left for him for reference. Additionally, a diagram of the internet set-up and documentation on how the computers were put together will be included with the binder.

In order to keep the software and computers up to date, the team will suggest to Larry to upgrade to newer versions of software and antivirus as funds become available. The team will also suggest adding memory to the computers and purchasing back-up batteries for all the computers. Until battery backups are available for all computers, students will be informed to save their work often.

To keep the computers functional, directions on cleaning both the computer and the keyboard will be left with Larry. Cloth covers to cover the computers may be beneficial in keeping dust out of the machines. Additionally, it will be suggested that food and drink stay away from the computes. This will decrease the risk of computer damage and increase the life of the computer.

Post Trip

During the trip, the computer upgrade project was implemented during a 2 and a half day time span. The results and objectives achieved are listed and discussed below.

Results

All ten computers were put together with working mice, keyboards, and cabling. The internet was connected and the Spanish version of Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007 was installed. There were problems with some of the keyboards working. In order to fix this, a couple of the keyboards had to be switched out and USB keyboards were used instead. There were also problems moving the computers in and out of the desk. The desk was built so the computers were hard to move for security purposes. Due to this, it was difficult to remove and work on the computers. This is good for security, however it makes it difficult to not only move the computers but also access the CD drive. This was not able to be fixed and the team worked around the issue by removing the computers from the desk and making sure all work was completed on the computer before placing the computer back into place on the desk. New desks were listed as a future recommendation. Also, computer locks were recommended to secure the computers after implementation of new desks.

The internet was connected but the speed of the internet was very slow. The internet was tested for video streaming and the internet proved to be too slow for video to be a useful resource on the computers. Since the internet is a good source of information and education and would benefit the students of the vocational school, higher internet speed was listed as a future recommendation. There was discussion of using the vocational school computers for distance learning prior to the trip. After arriving at Choluteca and further discussing distance learning plans, it was decided that distance nursing classes would be provided at Larry and Angie Overholt’s home instead of the vocational school. Therefore, internet speed for distance learning is not necessary at the vocational school. However, a higher speed would greatly benefit the productivity of the students.

Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007 were installed on all 10 computers. Since the software programs were in Spanish, it made it difficult to navigate the computers after installation. Careful thought and translation was needed to complete registration of the products and complete the updates. The updates on all the computers was started but not completed. The updates took over a day to complete and there was simply not enough time for the team to complete them all. Additionally, AVG antivirus was not installed on the computers. However, the antivirus was left on the desktop of all 10 computers. Instructions were left on how to install the antivirus and how to finish the updates.

Objectives Achieved

The following objectives were achieved during the implementation of the computer upgrade project:

  1. 10 computers were equipped with working mice and keyboards
  2. 10 computers were connected to the internet through Ethernet cords and a router
  3. Spanish Windows XP was installed to 10 computers
  4. Spanish Microsoft Office 2007 was installed to 10 computers
  5. AVG antivirus was placed on the desktop of all 10 computers for future installation
  6. Windows Updates were started on 10 computers and instructions were left with the Vocational School on how to complete the updates
  7. Usernames were created for an Administrator and a Student. The Student username was limited so that they cannot change main settings on the computer
  8. The password for the Administrator username was set to centrovocacional
  9. Future recommendations were made

The following objectives were not completed during the time at the Choluteca Vocational School and should be considered for future upgrades.

  1. A battery backup was connected to the computers
  2. Rosetta Stone was installed on a computer

Overall, the requests of Larry Overholt were completed. There was a limited time and funds and this resulted in the extra computer upgrades not being completed. These upgrades that did not get completed consisted of adding a battery backup system, adding Rosetta Stone, and finishing the final Windows Updates. These aspects of the project were left in an instructions and future recommendations document for the Vocational School.

Future Recommendations

Future recommendations include obtaining Spanish keyboards for all computers, upgrading to a higher internet speed connection, redesigning the computer desks, and replacing the current monitors with flat screens. In order to reach the goal of teaching nursing classes through Columbus State on the computers, the internet speed needs to be increased. This requires that the internet be upgraded through the cable company.

Spanish keyboards will increase the ease of typing on the computers and should be implemented. The computer desks currently make it hard to move the computers and access the CD drive. If CD drives will be used, it is recommended that the desks be redesigned so that the CD-ROM can be opened and accessed without such a tight fit. If this desk redesign were to be completed, the security of the computers can be sustained by adding computer locks. Flat screen monitors may also want to be bought when funds are available.