Student Laptop Program
2008-2009
Frequently Asked Questions
(This section of the site will be updated as we receive new questions. Please check back frequently.)
What type of laptop does the school
recommend?
All students entering
the ninth grade will be required to purchase a
tablet laptop as freshmen courses have
instructional components strictly designed for tablet computers.
Students entering the tenth and eleventh grades will be strongly
encouraged to purchase tablet laptops as well since most students
in those grades have tablets and many of the upper level courses
have incorporated tablet use into their instruction as well.
Because
of its versatility, the tablet is the ultimate teaching and learning
machine. Students can type their notes in English or history class
and then, using an electronic pen, handwrite diagrams and formulas
on the screen in math and science classes; they can record oral
work for their foreign language class or they can use the voice
recognition feature to record their own thoughts for later transcription
into a Word document; and, with the screen positioned in tablet
mode, the laptop becomes less intrusive when classes engage in Harkness
discussions.
The laptop recommendation for September 2008 is the Toshiba
Portege M700 Tablet. Please browse back to the
Laptop Information Page for specifics.
What software will be installed on
the tablet?
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Operating System - Tablet Edition, Microsoft Office 2007 Professional,
Microsoft OneNote, and Inspiration 8.0 will be preinstalled on the
tablet along with MS Forefront Antivirus, Vernier Data Logger, Epson
wireless projection unit connection software, Internet Explorer,
Firefox, and various Internet related applications including anti-spyware
programs.
Individual licenses for
Geometer's Sketchpad and Fathom 2.0. (programs used in math classes)
must be purchased through the Rocky Hill School Bookstore at $29.95
each. This software, however, will also be preinstalled on
the tablets.
Why should I purchase
my tablet through Rocky Hill when I might find a less expensive
machine through another source (a bricks and mortar or Internet
retail store, for example)?
We strongly recommend
that families purchase the tablet through the school's laptop purchase
program. Classroom instruction using technology is more effective
when all students work with the same tools; consistency and compatibility
reduce the possibility of confusion and wasted class time. While
it may seem that a comparable tablet could be purchased at a lower
price on the outside, families should remember that laptops purchased
through RHS come with features and services that are not always
included in the laptop packages offered at retail stores. Purchasing
these items separately almost always results in a higher total cost.
The RHS tablets are bundled with software needed to operate in the
RHS environment, at a savings not available through retail outlets.
The customized configuration that is loaded on each tablet makes
the transition from the shipping box to the classroom almost seamless.
Additionally, we provide significant value-added services in the
area of maintenance and support with the goal of minimizing down
time should a problem arise; a laptop from our loaner pool is always
available to students who purchase their laptop through RHS.
These services are
not available to families who do not purchase their laptops through
the school laptop program. Those students will not be able to use
our repair facility or laptop loaner pool. If families still decide
not to participate in the RHS laptop purchase program, they must
make certain that the laptop/tablet they purchase meets the minimum
hardware and software specifications established by the school.
Can personal software be loaded onto the
tablet?
The tablet belongs to the student and his/her family, therefore
the school does not place any restrictions on what software is installed.
Those decisions are left to the students and their families.
Sometimes, however, the installation of personal software may prevent
the Rocky Hill School technology staff from being able to successfully
troubleshoot or repair problems on the laptop. In these instances,
it may be necessary to restore the laptop to its original configuration
(reimage it) to return the machine to working condition. In this case,
the personal software may have to be reinstalled by the student. Additionally,
as explained in our Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP), students may be prohibited from using certain software
applications (e. g., games and instant messaging) during the school
day.
Which programs are inappropriate in school?
Some popular applications are inappropriate in a school setting
for several reasons: they may affect the performance of the laptop
itself; they may degrade the bandwidth of the network or the Internet
connection thereby interfering with school related activities of other
users; or they promote in-class distraction and the possibility of
cheating. The use of chat programs, such as AIM, Skype, and the various
"messenger" offerings; peer-to-peer software, such as LimeWire;
and online gaming are not permitted during
the school day, as outlined in our Acceptable Use Policy..
What happens if the tablet does not work or is accidentally
damaged?
Tablets purchased through the RHS laptop program come with a three-year
or four-year manufacturer's warranty which covers any hardware-related
problems. The RHS Technology Department will coordinate hardware repairs
with the manufacturer, and loaner laptops will be made available if
the machine needs to be sent offsite for repairs.
Repair of a tablet that is accidentally
damaged - dropped, spilled on, zapped by an electrical surge, etc.
(what is referred to as "end user damage") - will not be covered
by the warranty, but SystemGuard will cover one incident of this
type per year. (NB - the replacement of a broken screen without
access to System Guard protection can cost as much as $500.) Again,
the RHS Technology Department will coordinate the repair process
and provide a loaner laptop. We expect most repairs will fall under
the three-year warranty. However, additional accidents might be
covered by your homeowner's insurance. We encourage you to check
with your insurance agent.
What happens if the tablet is stolen?
Students are responsible for the loss or theft of their tablet.
The tablet should remain with the student at all times or should
be placed inside a locker when it is not being used. In the
gym, tablets should always be locked in a locker
during sports. Neither the warranty nor SystemGuard covers theft.
However, certain homeowners' policies may cover theft. Please check
with your insurance agent for details. Parents could also explore
CompuTrace, a
computer monitoring and tracking system. This is not an insurance
policy, but it does help to deter computer theft or to track and recover
your laptop if it is stolen.
Can I purchase insurance to cover the laptop?
If you do not have homeowner's insurance and believe that you
need insurance beyond the SystemGuard protection, there are companies
that offer comprehensive coverage specifically for laptops. Information
about these companies will be provided at the time of the tablet roll-out
in late August.
Will students be expected to bring their
tablets to school every day?
Yes!
Will the tablets be used in each class every day?
We do not promote the use of technology for technology's sake. The laptops are an essential and embedded tool in education today. Research has demonstrated that laptops in the classroom help to improve students' writing as well as allow for spontaneous, student directed learning through Internet research, data collection and analysis and multimedia presentations. Use of the laptop in class will depend on the content area and the appropriateness of technology for the lesson being taught. It is expected that the type and frequency of use will vary according to the curriculum. Many students will also take advantage of the "Anywhere Anytime Learning" possibilities of our program and will use their laptops outside of the classroom.
Will students be able to print from their tablets?
Yes. The laptops will be configured to print to installed laser
printers in the building. Students, however, will be encouraged to
practice "responsible printing" to avoid unnecessary waste and expense.
At some point, it may be necessary to implement a printing quota.
Students are encouraged to print their assignments at home before
they come to school.
Will students need a separate wireless
network card for their tablets?
No. The recommended
tablet has a built-in wireless network card. It also has built-in
Ethernet ports for connecting to the school network with a ethernet
cable or for connecting to wired networks at home and elsewhere.
How will students keep their tablets charged
during the school day?
We recommend that all students bring their laptops to school in
the morning fully charged. The battery will last approximately four
hours. In the event that the battery runs down, access to electrical
outlets will be available in all classrooms (in the middle of the
tables) as well as in student study areas.
How will students backup data stored on their laptops?
Students are strongly encouraged to make regular backups of all
their school-related data files to the network. Each student has his/her
own personal network folder where those files can be stored. Other
backup methods such as burning a cd could also be used. Non-academic
data, for example music files and photographs, may not be backed up
on the academic server. Students must make arrangements to back
up those files at home to an external hard drive, to another computer,
or to a cd/dvd.
The recommended tablets do not have internal floppy disk drives.
Will students need an external floppy disk drive?
No. Floppy disks
are no longer used on a regular basis. In their place there
are a number of options for data storage: writable cd and
dvd drives, flash drives, memory cards, etc. Student laptop
users may also store and/or transfer data by using their wired or
wireless networking as well as the infrared capability.
Will students need to
get online at home?
At school, students will connect to the Internet wirelessly. At home,
parents will need to contract with an ISP (Internet Service Provider
like Cox or Verizon) to allow for Internet access. The laptops have
a built-in modem for a dial-up connection to the Internet and an Ethernet
port for wired cable connectivity. Many students are also connecting
wirelessly to their family's home network.
Will there be any future costs associated
with the laptop program?
Yes. Both the Microsoft
School Agreement license for Windows XP Operating System and Office
XP Professional and the Symantec Antivirus license must be renewed
annually. The total cost of those two licenses will be approximately
$35 and will be billed to the student's bookstore account. Other
software may be added as required by specific courses; for example,
students enrolling in the Journalism class will be required to purchase
Adobe InDesign. This purchase will be managed by the school
and charged to the student's bookstore account.
May I use an Apple laptop?
Because of potential software, hardward and network compatibility
issues with the Apple laptops, it is our strong recommendation that
families not invest in Apples for use in this program. Consistency
of platform maximizes the learning opportunities in the classroom.
It allows for the efficient interchange of documents and programs,
and it ensures timely in-house technical support.
What
are the minimum software and hardware specifications for laptops
not purchased through the school's laptop purchase program?
- Windows XP Professional Operating System (Windows XP Home Edition
is not recommended)
- Microsoft Office 2007 with Word, PowerPoint and Excel
- Antivirus software - the antivirus software we preinstall on
the recommended laptops is Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition,
an application that is not commonly available on laptops purchased
from retail stores. Laptops must have adequate antivirus protection
so that they do not pose a danger to the school's network and
other computers connected to it.
- Geometer's Sketchpad and Fathom 2.0 - can be ordered through
the school bookstore at a cost of $40.00 each for the Class Kit
Offer.
- Inspiration 8.0 - can be ordered from Educational Resources
(800 624-2926); explain to the salesperson that you are a student
or the parent of a student and you will receive the educational
pricing (approximately $60.00).
- Wireless card or integrated wireless component (Wi-Fi 802.11g
compliant)
All student laptops that
are not purchased through the school's laptop purchase program must
be inspected and approved by Mrs. Streuli. Students will need
to bring their laptops to the RHS Technology Department to be configured
for access to the school's network and to network printers.
Which independent schools already have student
laptop programs?
More than 800 schools worldwide use laptops. In general, these schools have observed that the use of laptops leads to higher quality work, especially in writing; increased student motivation and organization; improved productivity and critial thinking skills; and the development of real world skills in using and applying technology. Laptops in the classroom allow for more engaged learning, and teachers are not forced to sign up for the computer lab in order to include technology in their lessons.
In New England and New York, the following
schools have laptop programs: Brewster
Academy (NH), Rye
Country Day School (NY), Greenwich Country Day School (CT),
Greenwich
Academy (CT), Brunswick
School (CT), Fairfield Country Day (CT), The Gunnery (CT), Kent
School (CT), and Suffield
Academy (CT). Other well known laptop schools include Cincinnati
Country Day School (OH), Episcopal
High School (TX), The Lawrenceville School (NJ), Detroit
Country Day School (MI), The
Peddie School (NJ), The
Trevor Day School (NY), The
Hill School (PA), and Franklin
Road Academy (TN). We encourage you to visit their websites.
Which independent schools
have tablet programs?
Cincinnati
Country Day School (OH), Franklin
Road Academy (TN), Berwick
Academy (ME), Kent School
(CT), Vermont Academy
(VT), Greenwich Country Day School
(CT), Dwight-Englewood School
(NJ), and the Academy of the Holy Angels (NJ).
Are there any payment
options other than check or credit card?
Please contact the RHS
Business Manager, Mark Buckley for further information. His email
address is mrbuckley@rockyhill.org
and his phone number is 884-9070 ext. 135.
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