Question:
What is included in Ranney School’s 1:1 Laptop Program? Answer:
Included are an integrated and dynamic curricular experience, use of a high- performance laptop, spare laptops for quick exchanges, on-site repairs, on-site technical support, three-year depot warranty, three-year accidental damage warranty, Computrace security including lost or stolen protection, Windows 7 Professional operating system, Microsoft Office 2010 Professional, Adobe Creative Suite 5, eBook Reader, Antivirus protection, Websense internet filtering, wireless access, 20Mbit access to the internet, and an upgraded network infrastructure and storage.
Note: Accidental damage coverage will end prior to the expiration date when Toshiba has, as a result of service provided to you, replaced your product or incurred costs under this plan equal to the original purchase price, at which time the student will be responsible for all cost incurred to repair and or replace the product.
Question:
What type of laptop will Ranney be issuing to all students? Answer:
Ranney will be using Toshiba enterprise level laptops. The Toshiba laptop offers the latest technologies, and was chosen because of its size, weight, durability, and performance. The Toshiba laptop weighs less than four lbs., a long battery life, an internal hard drive and a CD\DVD recorder player.
Question: What is the cost? Answer:
An Academic Technology Fee of $435.00 will be billed with the students initial tuition installment. For those families who pay via Tuition Management Systems, the fee can be spread out over the remaining monthly installments.
Question:
Who owns the laptop? Answer:
Ranney School owns the laptop and will replace the laptop every three years.
Question:
Can a student use their laptop computer over the summer? Answer:
Yes, as long as the student is registered for the coming year and the financial account is in a current status. The only exception is if we need the laptop for software installations or re-imaging. In this case, the student will need to leave the laptop with the Technology Department. Students using school technology off campus must adhere to Ranney School’s Acceptable Use Policy.
Question:
My child already owns a laptop, will he or she be able to use it? Answer:
For optimal efficiency all children will need to use the same laptop. The school will maintain the computers and ensure every child will have the right technology tools needed for each class. In addition, teachers will have an easier time instructing the students on how to access resources and tools when there are uniform tools with which to access them. Success of the program depends on hardware/software simplification and unification in order for the teachers and students to focus primarily on their curricular objectives, rather than technical issues due to incompatibilities and variations.
Question:
Can I buy the same laptop on my own? Answer:
The price is for the program, not the laptop. The laptop is a critical and significant portion of this cost. The school enjoys the benefit of significant educational discounts in hardware and software as well as bulk purchasing discounts. Competitive bids have been solicited in an effort to minimize the financial requirements of the program and cannot be found in any retail sale arrangement. The research we have conducted – surveys and visits to numerous laptop schools, and the experience of our teachers who have worked in laptop schools – tells us that in the long run, the entire package of hardware, software, warranties, accidental damage insurance, onsite support, spares, etc. actually costs much less than any individual purchase.
Question:
How does Ranney’s 1:1 Laptop Program compare to programs at other peer schools? Answer:
During the research period, the Academic Technology Committee (ATC) visited and/or contacted several peer schools who have implemented 1:1 programs. The Ranney program is modeled on the best practices as determined by the ATC members and their conversations with peer school faculty and administrators, as well as with Ranney faculty and administrators. The Ranney 1:1 Laptop Program is designed to support the technological leadership, pedagogical goals, and the use of 21st century technologies as described in the school’s strategic technology plan.
Question:
Will students gain additional benefits from being part of a 1:1 Laptop Program? Answer:
In a world where accessing information is instantaneous and communicating globally is the norm, Ranney students will benefit by having technology as an integral part of their education. This new technology will bridge learning beyond the classroom. Every student will have access to a Google Docs educational account, Skype technology for distance learning, student Blogs and Wiki’s, and digital text books. Using digital technologies, Ranney students will have better communication with teachers; improve their organizational abilities by tracking and managing class notes, documents, and study guides and improve writing skills
Question:
Will students have access to other digital devices? Answer:
With the addition of the new Digital Media Center to the Paulus Library, students will have the ability to access an array of digital devices including digital cameras, iPads, and eBook readers. While laptops are ideally suited for tasks requiring enhanced storage, keyboard & mouse control and CD\DVD drives, other devices such as eBook readers and iPads will be readily available to Ranney students in the new Digital Media Center.
Question:
Do the Lower School technology initiatives affect the Upper and Middle Schools 1:1 Laptop Program? Answer:
The Lower School technology initiatives are progressive and advanced in comparison to our peer schools. In fact, the students who advance to the Middle and Upper Schools are entering with strong technology credentials and are ready for the increased access to digital tools and personal laptops. Because of the technology in the Lower School, the 1:1 Laptop Program is necessary in the upper grades in order for our students to advance their digital skills and bring them to new levels of excellence.
The current technology available to Lower School students include Smartboards, wireless Apple iTouch and iPad devices, Apple iMacs, Standard and Tablet laptop computer carts, desktop computers and digital cameras. In the coming years the expectation is to double the use of wireless laptops, Apple iTouch and iPad units, and digital cameras to increase wireless access and to consolidate and centralize network color printing for all classrooms. With these tools, the students are producing incredible work from interactive Capstone presentations, to morning broadcast announcements, blogging with faculty, designing digital art, re-creating photographic images, performing online research, as well as reading books on e-readers. Next year, students will broaden their technology skills to include online standardized testing, wikis, and adding to their textbook options with new online eBook formats when available.
Question:
Who are the members or the Academic Technology Committee (ATC)? Answer:
Edward Curtin, Director of IT. and ATC Coordinator
Daniel Moller, Assistant ATC Coordinator; Upper School Computer Science teacher and Network Administrator. Stacy Goto, Middle School Computer Science teacher and Technology Specialist.
Maureen Wood, Lower School Computer Science teacher and Technology Specialist. Other individuals who played pivotal roles during the decision process:
• Faculty:
David Ketcham, MS Dean of Students/teacher; Laurie Rozzo, MS Science teacher; Lorraine Benditt, MS English teacher; Dan Lippiello, US Math teacher and Marnie Jones, US Science Chair/teacher.
• Administration:
The following administrators were instrumental in providing advice, guidance and the necessary resources to accomplish the task at hand: Dr. Lawrence Sykoff, Head of School; Paul Zanowski, Upper School Head; David Fischer, Middle School Head; Patricia Marshall, Lower School Head; and Bridget Looney, Lower School Curriculum Coordinator.
• Faculty-at-Large
All faculty members gave their feedback on how the 1:1 Laptop Program would affect them in terms of their academic discipline, their specific division and how it would affect the overall school environment.
Question:
Do I need to purchase insurance for a stolen school-issued laptop? Answer:
No, the 1:1 Laptop Program includes Computrace Lojack Security. If a laptop is lost or stolen, Computrace, with the support of local law enforcement, can locate and secure a lost or stolen laptop. If the stolen laptop is not found within 60 days, Computrace will reimburse Ranney School for the cost of the laptop up to $1,000.00. Question:
What type of support will Ranney provide? Answer:
Ranney takes full responsibility for the repair and maintenance of all Ranney-issued laptops. Ranney has Windows and PC certified technicians on staff to help with problems. Loaner laptops will be available to students when repairs cannot be made within a 3 hour time frame. In addition, Ranney has entered into agreements with a Toshiba representative for next business day repair and replacement services.
Question:
What type of security is the school providing? Answer:
Ranney provides security at the network and the local computer level. In order for a device to connect to our local network, it will need to be authorized by the Technology Department. All internet access is filtered by content filtering that checks for inappropriate content. All laptops will have antivirus software that will be automatically updated.
Question:
Does this security extend to the student’s home usage? Answer:
No, the student’s family is responsible for his or her computing actions off-campus. Students are expected to follow the terms in the Acceptable Use Policy, while on and off campus, as noted in the online Parent/Student Handbook.
Question:
Will students be responsible for backing up their personal data? Answer:
Yes, Ranney cannot warranty any data that students save on their local drives. Students should back up daily on some type of external media, such as USB drives. Please take note that students will be instructed on how to back up their files on external media, to their network folder, or to internet-based backup solutions.
Service, Repairs and Insurance:
Question:
Can students use their own accessories with the laptop? Answer:
Yes, students will be able to use two USB ports and one Firewire port on their laptops for accessories, flash drives and external hardware.
Question:
Can my child put their own files, including music, pictures, documents, etc. onto the school-issued laptop? Answer:
The Ranney issued laptop is an educational device meant for pedagogical use. While we want the students to consider this machine to be their personal laptop, the uploading of non-educational applications and documents must be in accordance with Ranney School’s Acceptable Use Policy.
Note: Under no circumstances should a student change or add private passwords that may disable or lock the laptop BIOS or the local hard disk drive.
Question:
Can a student use their iPod and digital camera with the issued laptop? Answer:
Yes, students may connect their iPod music player or digital cameras to their issued computer. Students will also be able to load music and digital pictures they have obtained legally. However, students will be responsible for backing up their own personal music and photos that they have loaded on their laptops.
Question:
Will training be available to help students learn how to use their new laptops? Answer:
Yes, students will be given basic training on how to operate, maintain and troubleshoot their laptops at the beginning of the school year. The IT staff will be available to provide support and answer questions on Ranney supplied laptops during the school year.
Question:
With the large number of laptops on campus, how will students be able to track their own? Answer:
The laptops will have external labeling with the student’s name and graduation year, as well as internal labeling for identification on the school’s network. In addition, students will be encouraged to personalize their carrying cases. Note: All students will be required to purchase a sturdy carrying case to protect their laptop.
Question:
How much classroom usage do you anticipate in the first year? Answer:
Our initial starting goal is to use the laptops for at least 20 percent of the instructional period. The program will expand as students and teachers become more comfortable using the laptops. This new program is dynamic in nature and will evolve and expand according to the needs of the student.
