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David Truss
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a collection of frequently asked questions that I used here, to introduce the program at our school. I borrowed heavily from Matt Montagne (Thanks!)
Please add your own below. Don't worry about numbering them to fit, just add another section of your own and we can have a solid collection of questions and answers. (Once we have enough we might be able to categorize them for easy 'borrowing' and use.)
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This page serves as a general introduction to our new 'Bring Your Own 1-1 Laptop' initiative for our Senior, Grade 7 to 9, students next year. Wireless classrooms for our Seniors, as well as wireless common areas, are already going to be set up this year in preparation for the change next year. There is a commitment on the part of parents to provide laptops for their children. There is also a commitment on the part of our teachers and administration to make sure that we will provide a current, challenging, and resource-rich learning environment for our students. See my newsletter introduction to the program here. Below, are some questions that you might have about the program. If you have more questions or thoughts to share regarding this initiative, please feel free to contact Mr. Truss.
1. Do I need a new Laptop?
We have a laptop, do we need to buy a new one?
No, but you must be prepared to have your child take it to school every day. Also, it should be portable, light in weight, in good working condition, and have wireless internet capabilities. Your Laptop or Netbook needs to meet the minimum requirements below.
No, but you must be prepared to have your child take it to school every day. Also, it should be portable, light in weight, in good working condition, and have wireless internet capabilities. Your Laptop or Netbook needs to meet the minimum requirements below.
2. Who Pays?
Who is paying for the computers?
Portable computers will be purchased and owned by families.
Portable computers will be purchased and owned by families.
Cost?
I don't have a portable computer. How do I get one and how much will it cost?
You can choose to purchase any computer you wish as long as it meets the minimum specifications listed below. Some laptops are more durable than others and some laptops are easier to service in China. We chose the Lenovo S10 to update teacher desktop computers. These are durable, made and easy to service in China, and well priced at around 3,000RMB. It would be realistic to find a Netbook or Laptop for 3,000 to 7,000RMB depending on what features and upgrades you would like to get above and beyond our minimum specifications.
You can choose to purchase any computer you wish as long as it meets the minimum specifications listed below. Some laptops are more durable than others and some laptops are easier to service in China. We chose the Lenovo S10 to update teacher desktop computers. These are durable, made and easy to service in China, and well priced at around 3,000RMB. It would be realistic to find a Netbook or Laptop for 3,000 to 7,000RMB depending on what features and upgrades you would like to get above and beyond our minimum specifications.
3. Specifications
What are the minimum specifications for a computer?
See the table below. If your current device meets these specifications, or if you upgrade it to these specifications, you do not have to purchase a new computer. We do not consider the Apple iPad, or mobile/phone devices as meeting our minimum requirements.
Note that these are minimum specifications. If you are purchasing a new device and wish to have your child to be able to use it for several years, we recommend a faster processor, additional memory, and 802.11n wireless.
See the table below. If your current device meets these specifications, or if you upgrade it to these specifications, you do not have to purchase a new computer. We do not consider the Apple iPad, or mobile/phone devices as meeting our minimum requirements.
Note that these are minimum specifications. If you are purchasing a new device and wish to have your child to be able to use it for several years, we recommend a faster processor, additional memory, and 802.11n wireless.
4. Accessories
• headset or ear buds (for private listening)
• protective portable computer sleeve or backpack with a computer compartment (to protect it better)
• external hard drive for backing up files (learning to perform regular back-ups and how to restore from a backup are very important skills. This is for home use, not to bring to school)
• Combination lock for lockers that will be supplied (to secure laptops when not in use)
• protective portable computer sleeve or backpack with a computer compartment (to protect it better)
• external hard drive for backing up files (learning to perform regular back-ups and how to restore from a backup are very important skills. This is for home use, not to bring to school)
• Combination lock for lockers that will be supplied (to secure laptops when not in use)
Strongly suggested
• additional AC power adapter (in case you want to have one at school and one at home)
• high capacity battery (if available)
• micro-fiber cleaning cloth to remove fingerprints on the screen
• high capacity battery (if available)
• micro-fiber cleaning cloth to remove fingerprints on the screen
Other suggestions
• an extended warranty (if available, and affordable)
• theft and hazard insurance (if available, and affordable)
• theft and hazard insurance (if available, and affordable)
5. Training?
Will students receive any special training on how to use their computer?
Yes. They will be required to demonstrate proficiency in using their computers. We will have "bootcamp" workshops. More information will be forthcoming on the bootcamp and process. Also, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) will be provided throughout the year.
Above and beyond safety concerns and training, we will also be placing high expectations on appropriate use. The workload for students is significant. Off-task behavior of any kind is often self-correcting, and when it isn't there will be escalating levels of logical consequences. It will not take students long to figure out our expectations and we are confident that they will be respectful and honourable in their use of their computers.
Yes. They will be required to demonstrate proficiency in using their computers. We will have "bootcamp" workshops. More information will be forthcoming on the bootcamp and process. Also, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) will be provided throughout the year.
Above and beyond safety concerns and training, we will also be placing high expectations on appropriate use. The workload for students is significant. Off-task behavior of any kind is often self-correcting, and when it isn't there will be escalating levels of logical consequences. It will not take students long to figure out our expectations and we are confident that they will be respectful and honourable in their use of their computers.
6. Computer Use
Will my child be expected to use his/her computer both at school and at home?
Yes. One of the goals of the portable computer program is universal access. This means access to the learning tools on the computer at home and school. Some homework assignments will require you to use your computer while other assignments will not.
Some will require the internet and some will not. Please note that computers are tools for learning at school, they will compliment and enhance what we do, they will not replace other tools.
We will guide and monitor computer use at school and parents will still need to guide and monitor use at home. (See my first Parents as Partners: Questions & Advice article, 'Children and Computer Time' at the bottom of the Parents as Partners page.)
Yes. One of the goals of the portable computer program is universal access. This means access to the learning tools on the computer at home and school. Some homework assignments will require you to use your computer while other assignments will not.
Some will require the internet and some will not. Please note that computers are tools for learning at school, they will compliment and enhance what we do, they will not replace other tools.
We will guide and monitor computer use at school and parents will still need to guide and monitor use at home. (See my first Parents as Partners: Questions & Advice article, 'Children and Computer Time' at the bottom of the Parents as Partners page.)
7. Internet at home?
Will I need to have wireless Internet access at home?
No. You should have Internet access, but this can be accomplished by plugging your computer into your current Ethernet port on your cable or DSL connection.
No. You should have Internet access, but this can be accomplished by plugging your computer into your current Ethernet port on your cable or DSL connection.
8. Software
My own:
Can I install software on my computer?
Yes. You have administrative rights to your computer and may install your own applications, provided that such applications do not violate the school's acceptable use policy.
Yes. You have administrative rights to your computer and may install your own applications, provided that such applications do not violate the school's acceptable use policy.
For school:
What software do I need on my computer?
• anti-virus software is required for all computers (even if your computer is relatively immune from viruses, you can transmit viruses to other users)
• word processor, presentation, and spreadsheet suite (e.g., Open Office, Microsoft Office, Apple Computer's Pages, Keynote, and Numbers)
• web browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, IE)
• We will require students to have a minimum set of open source software (for example: Open Office) and free applications. We will have clear instructions available and also offer assistance in order for students to install the free and open source software that we will be using.
• Throughout the year other software or software updates will be required, and will be made available or downloaded. Learning how to update a computer is an important skill to learn as well%2
• anti-virus software is required for all computers (even if your computer is relatively immune from viruses, you can transmit viruses to other users)
• word processor, presentation, and spreadsheet suite (e.g., Open Office, Microsoft Office, Apple Computer's Pages, Keynote, and Numbers)
• web browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, IE)
• We will require students to have a minimum set of open source software (for example: Open Office) and free applications. We will have clear instructions available and also offer assistance in order for students to install the free and open source software that we will be using.
• Throughout the year other software or software updates will be required, and will be made available or downloaded. Learning how to update a computer is an important skill to learn as well%2
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