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Q. What is the 1-to-1 laptop initiative?
A.
The 1-to-1 laptop initiative will allow each student at Holcomb High School
to use a laptop during the school year. The laptop is school equipment,
and must be used as such.
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Q. What kind of software will be on the
laptop?
A. Microsoft Office Professional, along with other software to be determined.
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Q. What kinds of things will teachers ask
students to use the laptop for in terms of teaching?
A. You will use your laptop for much of your class work. This may include
video editing, creating mind maps, web sites, PowerPoint presentations, Word
documents, and Excel Spreadsheets. Be aware however, you will not use your
laptop all the time in all your classes. Sometimes, a teacher may wish to do
an activity or lecture that will require you to put your laptop away. Back to Top
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Q. Do I
get a case with the laptop?
A. You will receive the following with your laptop:
1. AC adapter and power cord
2. Network Cable
3. Modem Cable (upon request)
4. Laptop carry bag
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Q. When do I get my laptop?
A. Sometime around the start of school. Back to Top
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Q.
What will the school do to help prevent students from going to inappropriate sites?
A. Holcomb
High School has a
software/hardware product which is designed to help monitor/filter all
Internet sites that students attempt to access. This software/hardware blocks
inappropriate sites and also logs a history of every site that each user
opens. Students who attempt to find inappropriate sites will be disciplined.
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Q.
What will students do without a computer in their classes if their laptop
unit is being repaired or replaced?
A. Holcomb
High School will stock
a limited number of laptop computers that can be loaned out to students. This
will minimize “down-time” for students.
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Q. Do we have to do our assignments on
the laptop?
A. You will work on most of your assignments on the laptop. This doesn't necessarily
mean the traditional use of typing a paper. You may need the laptop for
internet research or to access library materials.
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Q. Will
students be able to install software on the laptop?
A. No, students will not be allowed to install software on school owned
computers. All of the software necessary to integrate the laptop technology
into the curriculum will be installed when the laptop is issued to the
student. Security monitoring software will be used on all of the computers to
assure that software is not loaded on the laptops. Back to Top
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Q. Do teachers use laptops in their
teaching? Will I get lectures and materials online?
A. All teachers will integrate technology into their classes. Access to
online materials will occur at the school and through Gaggle or email. Obviously, as with any change or new idea
there will be a learning curve involved.
The teachers at HHS are committed to implementing the laptops into
their teaching model, however, it will take time to adjust and at different
rates. What we do with the laptops in
year 1 will probably be minimal to what are teaching practices look like in
years 2 to 3.
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Q. How much does the laptop program cost?
A. There will be a technology fee added to your tuition. This is called the
laptop fee. The laptop fee will cover the lease of a laptop for the year.
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Q.
Can a student use their laptop computer over the summer?
A. No. All laptops will be collected at the end of the school year for
general maintenance, cleaning, and software installation purposes. Back to Top
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Q. How do I connect to the wireless/wired
network?
A. To connect to the wired network all you have to do is plug your Ethernet cable
(network cable) into your laptop and into any network port at the high
school.
Setting up the wireless
network on the laptops will occur throughout the year. Watch your Gaggle email for announcements
on when and where these sessions will be.
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Q. Can I get on the Internet outside the
school - like sitting outside?
A. There is wireless Internet access in some areas immediately outside the
school. You cannot access the Internet using the school resources from home.
The wireless coverage does not extend beyond the campus. However,
if you or your parents have Internet access at home, either wired or
wireless, it is possible for you to connect to the Internet.
Instructions will be given to show you how to do this.
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Q. Does a mouse come with the laptop?
Will I need one?
A. An external mouse does not come with the laptop (it is built with a
trackpad).
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Q. Can I load all my programs on the
laptop when I get it?
A. No, you are not an Administrator user on your laptop. You will not be able
to install anything you wish. Please keep in mind that your laptop is school
property and is to be used for your school work. Back to Top
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Q.
Will there be training for students?
A. Yes, all students will be trained before the laptops are issued.
Student training will be ongoing throughout the next year.
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Q.
Will there be training for parents?
A. Before the laptops are issued to students, a parent meeting will
occur.
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Q.
Will students be able to email, chat, and play games on their laptops?
A. Chat, IM, games, and email software will be allowed as communication
tools to be used by the students. Appropriate student behavior will be expected
when using these programs. Students who violate the district Acceptable
Use Policy will be subject to discipline.
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Q. I have a desktop...how hard will it be
to transfer to using a laptop?
A. A laptop functions the same as a desktop. In terms of the operating system
and software you will notice no difference. Some things your will need to be
aware of with a laptop include network connectivity and power usage. During
your orientation and laptop fundamentals sessions we will discuss tips and
tricks with you to help with anything you may be unsure about.
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Q. Do I need a special backpack to carry
my laptop?
A. You will be provided with a laptop case when you receive your
laptop. Please ensure that your laptop is in the case whenever you need
to transport the laptop
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Q. Will I need a Jump Drive or writable
CD's? What are they and might they be useful?
A. A Flash Drive
(also called Jump Drive,
Memory Key, or USB key) is the best solution for for backing up student
files. These are storage devices that plug into a USB port on your
laptop. A school flash drive will be provided to students at the start of the
year. Loss or damage of the flash
drive will be a $10 replacement cost.
Students can
also use the writable CD player to copy files using blank CD’s.
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