Broomfield business offers tech help to teachers as lessons go virtual because of coronavirus – Boulder Daily Camera

Code Blue Computing, a Broomfield IT consulting company, is offering teachers free services as they prepare for distance learning.

With “bumps in the road” expected as teachers deliver their lessons from home after the state ordered schools be closed through April 17, the company wanted to remotely address a range of issues educators might see in the weeks ahead.

The company, started in 2010, is owned and operated by husband and wife, Jeri and William Morgan, who had experience in corporate IT.

Jeri Morgan said right now, parents and educators are trying to figure out how to work while away from the technology they’re accustomed to at their respective schools.

“A lot of times the games kids play will wreak havoc on computers,” Morgan said. “Or even folks working from home need to separate those networks as far as where data is stored.”

Families that need help can always call, but teachers specifically will be receiving free help.

Techs will set up a remote appointment, which teachers can make by visiting codebluecomputing.com or emailing the Morgans through the site.

“Basically we’re able to do a full scan of their system and optimize the system as best we can,” Morgan said. “Some computers have viruses, some have things running that are slowing it down. We’ll be able to make sure they don’t have network issues.”

Since site visits are not available because of the statewide stay at home order and social distancing mandates, all work will be done within the constraints of the equipment owned by teachers. The hope is to make things easier for educators in the upcoming weeks or months, Morgan said.

No teachers are currently lined up to receive tech assistance, but the company’s post on social media is generating interest, Morgan said. Code Blue serves customers in the north metro-Denver area, including Broomfield, Arvada, Westminster and Thornton.

The couple has 8-year-old twin boys, and when the Morgans picked up cues that schools might be closing, they began talking about how to help their friends and neighbors who teach.

“I know so many teachers who are always in situations where they have to buy supplies for the classroom, or Clorox wipes or whatever,” Jeri Morgan said. “This is going to be another thing where they might not have the resources they need.

“This is something we could do and it’s something we should do,” she said about the free services.

The company provides computer repair services and IT support to residences and small businesses. Code Blue received the Emerging Business of the Year Award from the Broomfield Chamber of Commerce in 2015, according to its website. Services include diagnostics, PC tune-ups, laptop repairs, managed IT services, maintenance agreements, mobile repairs, NetBackup consulting, virus removal and website development.

Boulder Valley School District will move to distance learning Monday.

District spokeswoman Carolyn Nohe said the district has a great IT support desk to help teachers with Chromebooks and laptops. She’s not sure if teachers will need Code Blue services, but said she appreciates how companies and individuals are stepping up to help.

“It’s really great how the community has been pitching in and offering services,” Nohe said.

The district was offered online conferencing services from Zoom, but is already set up through Google and will use Google Meet. Other organizations, such as the Boulder Public Library, also have offered online educational programs.

“It’s already a time of such big change,” Nohe said. “We’re trying to use existing tools we have that everyone is familiar with. The balance is being able to use all these great things people are offering, but keeping in mind teachers already are overwhelmed with adjustments.”

BVSD teachers spent last week working with district officials to prepare for home-learning and developing lesson plans. District officials have also been working with teachers who needed better internet connections, Nohe said.

Christina Dahmen, spokeswoman for Adams 12 Five Star Schools, said the district is using a number of delivery systems for virtual lessons that may vary by grade level or content area. The district will launch remote learning on Wednesday.

“School staff are working in collaboration with the district and their fellow educators across district schools to provide remote learning for all students,” she said. “Support and guidance are being provided for school staff from the district’s instructional technology and learning services teams.”