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Do all students have to have the same laptop and how much does it cost?
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Yes. Standardization is essential for a successful Laptop Programme. It is necessary for teachers to design and deliver lessons knowing that every student has the same make and model of computer and the same version of software installed. Our technicians have to maintain and service hundreds of laptop/tablets, which is possible only when equipment is standardized.
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What software does the school install on the laptops?
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The following software is installed by the school as part of the base image applied to all laptops. This software is the property of Mulgrave School and will be removed when the student leaves.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, OneNote)
- Various subject specific applications
- Adobe Flash
- Sophos Anti-Virus
- Microsoft Experience & Education Pack
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How will the laptops be used in class and how often will they be used?
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Teachers will use the laptops where it is appropriate to facilitate instruction and enhance student learning. The laptops may not be used every day in every class. Most courses will use the laptop on a regular basis for note taking, data collection & analysis, research, graphing, and writing assignments. Teachers will use the laptops where it is appropriate to facilitate instruction and enhance the students' learning. Laptop projects may include:
- creating and editing assignments;
- class presentations;
- graphing data collected from experiments, then - analyzing the results to test the student's original hypothesis;
- research and WebQuests;
- accessing interactive websites;
- using online subject sites such as chemplace.com and biology.com which contain material tailored for high school curricula;
- communicating with authors or other subject experts, and programs such as WIER (Writers in Electronic Residence) where students receive feedback on their writing from a published author.
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Can I purchase a laptop for my child on my own and not use the school’s selection?
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No. In an instructional setting, is it essential that all students have the same tools. In addition, the use of third-party machines with non-standard configurations adds additional support costs to the school. For this reason, laptops not purchased through Mulgrave School will not be granted access to the school network and all of the resources it affords.
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What if the laptop is accidentally damaged? What is covered in the warranty?
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Laptops and tablets have improved in durability but they are still fairly fragile electronic tools. Students will be reminded to be very careful with their laptop.
The standard warranty covers repair of hardware component failure that may occur as the result of normal computer use,which includes traveling to and from school.
The accidental damage warranty covers one major accidental incident per year. In other words, a major incident could be; an LCD screen, a laptop being dropped, exposure to liquid causing failure, a cracked or broken case or hinge.
A few common situations:
- Will repetitive minor damages be covered?
– i.e. the child who repeatedly plucks the keys off. NOT COVERED
- The power adaptor fails with no visible damage. YES COVERED
- The internal wireless adaptor stops working. YES COVERED
- Will willful damage be covered? NO
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What if my child loses their laptop? Do I need to insure the laptop?
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Loss or theft is not covered under the warranty. Parents are responsible for the replacement cost of the laptop if it is lost or stolen. You may wish to check if this amount can be covered under your homeowner's insurance policy.
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Will students be allowed to install their own software? What about inappropriate use in and out of the classroom?
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The Laptop Programme is an educational initiative. The laptops are set-up as educational tools, not entertainment devices. As such, software and usage must have clear academic merit as determined by the faculty.
Students will be allowed to install their own software, provided they have the original media. That is, it must be a legal copy of the software (the media will be secured by the school until such a time as the software is removed from the laptop). In class, games, casual web surfing, instant messaging (chatting, ICQ), or other activities not approved by the teacher will not be permitted and will result in a 5 school-day loss of the laptop.
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Who do I contact for further information and clarification?
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Murray Miller
Manager Information Systems
Eddie deBeer
Assistant Head