Most of the time when you have a computer problem at school you think that Grant Descher, more commonly known as ‘The Tech Guy’ fixes your computer right up, and hands it back to you. But that’s not always the case. Recently, the Computer Hardware Information Technology, or CHIT lab, has been gaining popularity from around the school, as most of the student Chromebooks that need fixing make their way into the CHIT lab.
In room 427 holds a tiny room full of chromebooks and computer products, such as batteries, motherboards, wifi chips, and so much more tech that makes a computer function properly. Business teacher Ryan Barnes is the one in charge of the lab, and who appoints students to work in the lab.
“It’s a lab run by students; I just oversee it, they do all the work,” Barnes said. “We work with the technology department at Liberty and the school district.”
The CHIT lab is run by a roster of about 10 students and is open during first, third, seventh, and eighth hour. This lab is a normal class with no prerequisites, but not everyone can get into it. Brayden Davies (11) is one of the few that work in the lab, and spent a lot of time in specific classes to make his way there.
“There’s not really a prerequisite for it but you have to get recommended by Barnes,” Davies said. “I took his computer science class and he saw I was good with computers and working with technology so he recommended this class to me.”
Although most of the student computer problems in the school are handled by the CHIT lab, the more complex problems and any difficulties teachers have with their computers are handled by Descher.
“I would say as far as tools to fix Chromebooks were very similar, but since I’m a staff member I have more administrative privileges,
like assigning Chromebooks to students or doing certain software-based updates,” Descher said
The tech lab and the CHIT lab have a very good relationship when it comes to working on computers.
“I just started in October here, and it was really great to find the lab up and running and helping me,” Descher said. “They are extremely helpful, I have a great relationship with the students working there, and they’re always eager to learn more stuff and help out where they can.”
If you have a computer problem, where would you choose to go to? Room 427 and the CHIT lab, or ‘The Tech Guy’?
