Teacher's Quick Start Guide
For "Single Classroom" Kiosks
(Document is designed to be printed in
"booklet" format)
Teacher's Quick Start Guide
For "Multiple Classroom" Kiosks
(Document is designed to be printed in
"booklet" format)
The current Kiosk software application was built to run on devices using a Unix-type operating system.
It general this means that it runs on Unix, Linux, and Appleās OS/X.
Note however that there are many variants of these systems, and that there are minor modifications required for certain platforms. Take a look at the specific device documentation for more information.
These are cheap (in both senses of the word) netbook computers that were manufactured in China for several years. They are still available.
When purchasing, the key things to look for are:
For these to work as ESL Audio Kiosks, you must buy an 8GB SD card (~$5.00).
A special "image" must be copied to the card. When the netbook "boots", the system on the SD card takes over from the native Android 2.2 system.
Instructions and the files required to configure SD card are not yet available on-line.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Manufacturers have updated this model to one that uses the 8850 or 8880 processor. These newer models come configured for a more recent version of Android (4.0+). Working operational "images" to run the Kiosk have NOT yet been developed and tested for these newer models.
When time permits, work will begin on building a Kiosk image for the newer models.
The ESL Audio Kiosk can run on any Linux netbook/notebook device. (Theoretically!)
Major netbook/laptop companies do not distribute devices with Linux pre-installed. (Well, not anymore! The first netbook devices did in fact run a version of Linux) The great majority of netbooks come with some variation of Windows. "Windows 98" is very common.
Most Windows netbooks/notebooks can be configured to run as "dual boot" systems using both Windows and Linux. That means that when you start them up, you can select whether that particular session should run with Windows, or with Linux.
Alternatively, you can choose to completely overwrite the Windows system with Linux.
Much testing of the Kiosk has been done with netbook devices (from Acer and Asus) running the "Linux Mint" Ubuntu version of Linux. The scripts that make up the Kiosk application should work on any version of Linux, but testing is needed.
Linux on brand-name hardware is the best combination of full functionality and reliability
(none)
Apple's OS-X operating system is nothing more than a variant of the Unix operating system originally created by Bell Labs.
That is great news, because it means the Kiosk can run on Macbooks, etc.
Special code statements within the Kiosk application adapt its functionality for the quirks of OS-X
Although the current Kiosk release should run on any recent OS-X release, be aware that most testing was done with "Snow Leopard".
A notable difference between OS-X and standard Unix systems is that with OS-X, file names are NOT "case-sensitive." (Linux file names work like standard Unix)
Work well. Fully functional.
None
The Pocket Kiosk is not yet available for use by ESL organizations. Initial prototypes are under development.
The concept behind "Pocket Kiosk" is the creation of an extremely small and lightweight device.
The Pocket Kiosk does not use a keyboard, and has a minimal display screen.
Logic within the Kiosk application of the Pocket Kiosk, is "smart enough" to choose the appropriate action based on the act of plugging a device into the USB port. It will "read" the device to determine if the item is a teacher USB flash drive with files that need to transfer to the Kiosk, or if it is a student MP3 player.
Interface is completelly reliant on use of properly initialized USB devices.
Pocket Kiosk prottypes are being created based on single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi
When time permits, work will begin on building a Kiosk image for the newer models.
The "Ether Kiosk" is a "virtual" distribution device.
It is the term being used in this system to explain the functionality of MP3 audio file distribution using "Podcasts". This facilitates comparison with the methods that involve a physical Kiosk device in the classroom.
ESL organization must make arrangements for a Web Server, and install the application on that server.
Consider the "Digital Divide implications of this approach.
The following types of devices DO NOT work as Kiosks
At an unspecified future point, work may be done to create a Microsoft Windows version of the ESL Audio Kiosk. However, it is a low priority task.
Under Construction
8650 Netbook Kiosk
Pocket Kiosk
Apple Macintosh Kiosk
The "Current Class"
Student Device Configuration
Safe and usable location...
Under Construction
Under Construction
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Under construction
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Thoughts, observations, and recommendations on "what works" vs. "danger zones"
The ESL Audio Kiosk is a work in progress. As more teachers and programs get involved, there will be more information about experiences and how to build success.
Under Construction
Under construction
Podcast software lets you "subscribe" to a podcast "feed".
Ideally you configure the software to automatically
download new content to your device when it is available.
This way, you can listen to the content later, even
if you don't have an Internet connection.
Podcast software is available for many convenient / highly
portable devices, such as SmartPhones.
The information here will show you how to connect your
(or a student's) device to a podcast feed.
In addition to SmartPhones, there are other portable devices that can subscribe to podcast feeds using similar software. These include:
You can also listen to podcast broadcasts on the simpler Apple iPod devices, but it is a more complex process. Rather than being able to directly receive the content you must subscribe on a personal computer using iTunes. Then after downloading podcasts to iTunes, if you "sync" iTunes with your iPod, the podcasts will be transferred to your portable device.