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Q
Why introduce a one-to-one laptop learning program?
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A
Technology plays a part in all our lives through work, play, and study. At. St. Andrew’s, we believe it is import to provide efficient and powerful tools to our students to expand their creative horizons, enhance their critical faculties, and experience wise boundaries in a supportive learning environment. The Apple laptop is a tool that crosses subject, grade, and even global divisions in education. By using laptops in the classroom, we will open up a new world of possibilities to allow innovative, student-centered learning.
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Q
What are the hardware and software specifics of the one-to-one initiative?
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A
Students receive a brand new 13” Macbook Air, a charger for home use, a hard shell case, and a padded neoprene sleeve branded with the St. Andrew’s logo. The laptop will be loaded with an array of software, including Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, several age-appropriate learning tools such as Inspiration mind-mapping software, and access to cloud-based school-subscribed software.
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Q
Why is the school going with laptops instead of iPads for its one-to-one program?
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A
The features and functionality of the Macbook Air, as well as the professional suite of software and applications available, provide our students with a more robust and well-rounded tool for learning at this point in time. As the iPad and other technologies evolve, we will continuously evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the various options for different grade levels and divisions.
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Q
How often will my child receive a new machine?
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A
On a three-year-cycle, by grade level, each student will receive a new laptop. The make and model will be the most current and appropriate in that year for the school’s educational purposes.
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Q
How will this be paid for?
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A
There is a technology program fee that is separate and distinct from tuition. For the 2013-14 school year, the fee is set at $525. This all-inclusive fee represents a significant discount from the combined retail cost of the laptop, software, warranty, insurance, and support provided by the school’s program.
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Q
If my child already owns a laptop, will he or she be able to use that laptop at school?
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A
No. A key component of the initiative is the inherent equity of every student having the same laptop. In addition, the uniformity of hardware and software increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the program for the faculty and the technology support professionals.
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Q
For grades four through six in the 2012-13 school year, what support is there if my child encounters a problem with the laptop?
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A
If the student is at school, the first place to seek help is the classroom teacher, who may then assess the issue and if necessary, forward the matter, through the Intermediate School Administrative Assistant, to the technology department. If the student experiences a serious issue with the laptop away from school, the parent can email laptops@saes.org which directs an email to the appropriate faculty and administrators involved in the laptop program. Once the student comes in to school with laptop, the problem can be handled through the same “chain of command” as described above, beginning with the classroom teacher.
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Q
What happens if my childʼs laptop breaks?
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A
The procedure for dealing with this problem will follow the same process as described in the answer to the previous question. If the laptop requires repairs, the student will receive a loaner machine of the same type. Students will be taught to restore their “documents” and “desktop” from the web-based backup system, called “Crash Plan Pro”.
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Q
Will my child have access to enough power to use the laptop throughout the day?
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A
It is the student’s responsibility to come to school with a fully-charged laptop at the beginning of the school day. Locked carts with power chargers are available in each Intermediate School classroom.
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Q
Can my Intermediate School student put his or her own music onto the school-issued laptop?
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A
Students in grades four though six may only import music from a CD or DVD through an external drive., if they own one or use one available at school by special permission for academic use. They are not allowed by law to sign up for an Apple account and parents are not allowed to enter their own account information into the school laptop to download music.
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Q
Is there anything my Intermediate School student will have to do prior to receiving a laptop?
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A
Students will be required to become familiar with their classroom rules on laptops. They will also take an online “Driver’s Test” comprising all aspects of laptop ownership and responsibility. Students are not expected to have prior tech skills and knowledge. At an age-appropriate level, these will be incorporated into class work.
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Q
Will my child receive training on how to use the laptop?
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A
Students will receive training in class on how to set preferences, save documents, and use the software. Teachers will model how to use programs to complete assignments before the laptops are sent home for homework.
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Q
What protection against inappropriate content will be provided?
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A
Parents and teachers are in partnership in the one-to-one learning initiative in the Intermediate School. The school will provide cloud-based content filtering that is available whenever and wherever the laptop is connected to an online network. Many categories of inappropriate content are blocked, as well as social networking sites including Facebook. The school can adjust the “Barracuda” filtering software as needs arise.
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Q
I have more questions. Who can I ask about the one-to-one program?
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A
For the Intermediate School, fifth grade teacher and Intermediate School Tech Coordinator, Judy Kee jkee@saes.org or Academic Tech Coordinator, Anne Macdonell amacdonell@saes.org can answer any questions.
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Q
When will my Intermediate School student receive the laptop and will we keep it during vacations and summer break?
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A
Homeroom teachers in grades four through six will determine the most appropriate date and time for their students to begin using laptops in the classroom. Students will not be permitted to bring laptops home until after Back-to-School Night, in the Intermediate School. Policies regarding home use of laptops during school breaks and summer vacations will be decided after meetings of the Laptop Implementation team and Intermediate School faculty members.