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Computer Administrator Job Description

Ponhofi Senior Secondary School

Job Duties

Learn about the Ponhofi computers (continuously and as much as possible)

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • User files (especially the computers, development and student computers folders in c:\users\ponhofi\)
  • Talk with users to find their needs
  • Read books and magazines

Computer classes

Class Group Number Knowledge required of teacher
IGCSE Computer Studies Students 1-3 classes of 35 Advanced
Computer Administration Teachers/Staff 1-5 Advanced
Computer Teaching Teachers/Staff 1-5 Advanced
Computer Literacy Students 12 classes of 35 Intermediate
Computer Literacy Teachers/Staff 5-20 Intermediate
Computer Literacy Outsiders ? Intermediate
Supervised Open Hours Students 40 or less Basic
  • Teach advanced and some other classes; obtain, develop and organise teaching materials
  • Recruit, supervise, assist, and organise timetable for other computer teachers

Maintain computer hardware and software

Number Computer Model Location Used By Peripherals Major Software
20 Acer P120 16/1GB Computer Lab Students Lotus SmartSuite
1 Acer P200 32MB/2.5GB Computer Lab Staff scanner, printer, CD kit, net hub, OHP, 17" monitor MS Office, CD's
1 Franklin "Apple II" Computer Lab nobody printer, input devices
2 Acer P150 32/2.5 Office Staff printer, net hub, CD kit MS Office, CD's
2 Mitac, Auwa 486 Office Staff scanner, CD kit MS Office, CD's
3 HP 386 6MB/64MB Office, TRC Staff Lotus 123 r5, WP 6.0
  • Order and install expendables (ink cartridges, paper, diskettes, labels, whiteboard pens, etc.).
  • Make minor repairs (clean keyboards and mice, fix monitor settings).
  • Troubleshoot problems (printing failures, lost files, quitting programs, programs not responding).

Manage files

  • Clean files on student computers using batch files in \\ondjaba\c\users\ponhofi\student computers\batch files.
  • Make regular backups of system and users' files on teacher computers (e.g. incremental weekly, full monthly).
  • Make more free disk space (e.g. defrag monthly, delete files, compression, reformat/reinstall everything).

Development

  • Decide which development projects below are appropriate and implement them.
  • Think of your own ideas for new development projects and implement them if they are appropriate.
  • Keep in mind long-term development, appropriate technology, ease of maintenance, and Ponhofi's budget.
  • Document your changes, procedures and problems.

Development Projects

Broken hardware

  • Return monitor to Schoemans for refund or replacement
  • Get refund or replacement for HP DeskJet 540 printer from Schoemans; for Zip drive and disks from NCS
  • Revive the Franklin computer

New hardware (also see status report)

  • Install the 386 computers
  • Order more printers for office, TRC, library
  • Get network cables to connect office, computer lab, TRC
  • Get network cables and network cards to connect the three 386 computers to the existing network
  • Upgrade memory in old computers (Onghoshi from 20 to 32 MB, Okambishi from 12 MB to 16 or 32 MB)
  • Video conference camera, Web phone, digital camera, joystick, MIDI music keyboard, radio/tv/video grabber

New software (obtain, install, learn, use, teach)

  • Internet Explorer 4, Windows 98, FrontPage
  • Educational software (buy CD's especially network-ready ones, download shareware from Internet)
  • Norton Utilities, Antivirus, Navigator for student and office computers

Software development

  • Write educational software (e.g. using VB Script 2.0 and IE 4.0)
  • Improve the QBASIC programs (maybe by converting them to another language)

File management

  • Make a better backup system (more efficient, more systematic, more complete, safer, Zip or tape drive)
  • Improve file security on student and office computers
  • Reduce need for maintenance chores (by improving batch files, editing registries, standardising file locations)
  • Improve organisation of shortcuts and folders in start menu; standardise programs on all office computers

Internet

  • Get Internet connection
  • Get phone line for computer lab (or move modem from Ondjaba to Etotongwe)
  • Set up web browser to access the Internet; Enable all Ponhofi computers to access the Internet
  • Set up electronic mail software to send and receive local and Internet mail
  • Find useful educational software and information on the Internet
  • Make new Ponhofi web site or improve existing one (using FrontPage express, Word, Publisher, Notepad, etc.)
  • Make it easy for students to create their own web pages
  • Put Ponhofi web site on the World Wide Web

Computerise school data

(Select, obtain, install and learn appropriate software, enter and process data, teach appropriate people)

  • Library catalogue for librarian (Albert)
  • Inventory of science laboratories and other teaching equipment for teachers (Mamudu, Lydia)
  • Accounts for accountant (Meme Yambeko)
  • Marks and report cards for all students and teachers

Computer literature

(Order, buy, get donations, make available in library)

  • Books (technical and student resources)
  • Magazine subscriptions (SA Computer Buyer, PC Magazine SA, SA PC World, Technology Update, Computers in Africa)