New Notebook Computer 1-1 Program to be Launched for the 2009-10 School Year
St. Vincent Pallotti High School has been developing their Technology in the Classroom Program for over two years and it will officially launch in August 2009. Although participation is not mandatory, it can be very beneficial to your son or daughter to take part in this program. Here’s why:
We have had monthly training sessions for the teachers on how technology can be used as an effective tool in education during those two years.
We have upgraded our infrastructure to support at least 500 notebook computers on a wireless network.
All of our teachers have a tablet computer which they now use daily in their classrooms.
The tablet computer, along with an LCD projector, has replaced the chalk boards & white boards in the classroom.
Teachers are using their tablets currently to access the Internet, pulling in current events as they are happening, plus they can access the vast information pool as a resource during classroom discussions.
Instead of just teaching facts to the students in a traditional “lecture," the lesson becomes more of a collaboration between the teacher and the students. The 1-1 notebook computer program will also help teach students how to use the large amount of research tools available on the World Wide Web, thus increasing their ability to effectively do research on their own. We will also teach organizational and study skills, from organizing lecture notes to completing homework and submitting it electronically, using school provided software on the notebook computers.
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we have received from parents concerning our 1-1 Notebook Computer Program. Please read through them to help guide your decision.
Q) Does my son or daughter have to participate in the program?
A) No. Although it is beneficial for them to do so, we understand the current economic situation and do not require a student to participate. It will not have an effect on their ability to learn, as classes will have some students who are and who are not participating in the program. The teachers are aware of this and most assignments will be geared towards either.. There will be desktop computers available to the students in the library and computer lab.
Q) Why do I have to buy the notebook computer from Pallotti when I found a similar one at the local box store for less?
A) We will be using special classroom educational and management software to control the use of the computer while the student is in the school. Some of the features this software allows are – teachers can take control of a student’s computer and project its screen to the front of the classroom, send multimedia content to the student’s computer, and view each and every students screen and observe what they are doing from the teacher’s tablet. The teacher can limit the students’ access to the Internet during class from limited to no access at all. Discussion groups can be created and different discussion points can be delivered to each group.
Other features of the classroom management package include being able to record not only the projected screens, the media being used by the teacher, but also the classroom discussion for later playback when reviewing for a test or when having difficulty with a homework problem.
There are several advantages for having a common hardware and software platform, the foremost is having a stable platform that is compatible with the software packages that will be used in the classroom. Distributing this software to a known hardware configuration will make the use of technology easier for the students, the teachers, and especially the tech support department. Can you imagine the nightmare of having a classroom of 25 different models of computers? Now expand that to 30 classrooms in the same situation, each with different versions and patch levels of their operating systems and application software. With a common platform, training is simplified, tech support is simplified, and each student has a level playing field (not envious of their peers’ faster and better notebook computer).
Q) What advantage does my student have if he/she has a notebook computer?
A) As we are sure you are aware, most colleges now require some form of portable computing device. We feel that introducing them to this technology prior to college will ease the transition into the next phase of their education and give them an advantage by putting them a step ahead of other students.
Q) How has Pallotti researched other 1-1 Programs?
A) Please be assured the decision to bring the technology into the Pallotti classroom has been well researched. We have been preparing for over two years. We have been in contact with other schools that have made the transition to a 1-to-1 notebook computer program many years ago. We have listened to their experiences and have already avoided some of the problems and pitfalls they experienced. Our Technology Department has attended national and state conferences (the latest was sponsored by Purdue University with presentations from the faculty at Purdue, Virginia Tech, and MIT) in order to prepare for the program.
Q) How much does it cost and what is included in that price?
A) (All grade levels) The student/parent may make a one time, upfront payment of $975.00 plus tax ($1033.50). The student will receive a notebook computer (for 09-10 it is the Lenovo R61)with a three year manufacturer’s warranty and two year accidental damage coverage, necessary school software (incl. Office 2007) and a carrying case.
(Class of 2013(Freshmen) only) The student participates in the computer program for all four years at a cost of $395.00 per year. The fee is required each year at registration (This is a non-refundable fee). At the end of the second year the computer is replaced with a new computer. At the end of the fourth year the student is given the computer he/she currently has with the original software load provided by the manufacturer and with one year remaining on the manufacturer’s warranty. The package will include a notebook computer with school software and a carrying case. It will also include accidental damage coverage during their 4 years at Pallotti. The manufacturer’s warranty will extend for one year beyond graduation.
Only Freshmen can participate in the yearly payment plan, all other grades must make the onetime upfront payment.
Q) Why is Option B available only to incoming freshmen?
A) The difference in the two options is due to Option B being a leasing program for 4 years at Pallotti. Since the sophomores, juniors, and seniors won't be at the school for the 4 year lease term, we could not offer this type of program.
The terms of the leasing contract include an equipment refresh 2 years into the program (the leasing company will take back the old computer and replace it with a new one). The offer to the sophomores, juniors, and seniors is being made to give them the opportunity to get into the program. Since the computers for this group are not on a lease they need to be purchased outright (the school does not have the funds to make loans, so we cannot offer a payment program).
Q) When do I have to order/purchase the notebook computer by?
A) If you are an incoming freshman, you will have the opportunity to order it at registration on March 21, 2008. All incoming and current students must have their order in by March 24, 2008. The current price is only available until March 31, 2008.
Q) What happens if the computer is not working correctly or is broken accidently?
A) The student should bring the notebook computer back to the Technology Department and they will assess the damage. If it cannot be repaired, it will be sent out to be repaired or replaced, which is covered under the accidental damage coverage and/or the manufacturer’s warranty.
Q) What happens if the notebook computer is lost or stolen?
A) If the notebook computer is damaged due to negligence, lost, or stolen, it is the responsibility of the parent/student to purchase a replacement notebook computer through the school.
Q) Will my student be able to use the computer at home and have access to the internet?
A) Your son or daughter will have complete access to the Internet when they are at home. While in the building certain web sites will be blocked and the teachers will have complete control over when and if the computer can access the Internet during the class period. Outside of class, only certain web sites will be blocked by the Content Filtering service we subscribe to. This Content Filtering is a requirement by the Federal government in order for Pallotti to accept Federal grant monies. The Content filter has 50 categories of filtering available and we control the selection of those categories. We mainly have pornographic & violence types of sites being filtered. We do not block Facebook.
Q) Will the software on the computer be limited to only what the school installs?
A) Yes, we will restrict the student from loading software onto the computer, for two main reasons:
1. Security: the loading of unknown software could pose a security risk to the other computers in the building if not controlled;
2. The only way we can even attempt to guarantee the computer will be working in the classroom is if we control the software that is on the computer. Many programs cause conflicts with other programs. Once the student graduates and takes the computer with them they are free to load whatever software they choose, but as long as they are connecting to our network at Pallotti we will have restrictions on software loading.
We really want to stress to the parents and the students that this computer is for use in their education while here at Pallotti, not for their entertainment at home.
Q) Will I need to purchase any additional software for individual classes?
A) There will be no software you will need to purchase in addition to what will be provided by Pallotti. We hope that more of the textbooks will become available in electronic form. Once they are available, you would be required to buy either the book or the electronic version.
Q) Do I get to keep the notebook computer when I graduate? A) Yes.
Q) Do I get to keep the school software when I graduate?
A) No. The Technology Department will take back the computer and restore the original software that came with the computer. This will not include the Office Suite, however the student may pruchase a significantly discounted copy through our Microsoft Educational agreement for a small fee (currently $14.95.)
For more information please contact a member of our Technology Team.
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