Parent der 2013_handout

Menai High School

Year 9 - 2013

Laptops and learningStudies show the benefits of providing laptops to each student are increased student motivation engagement interest improved student organisation and improved self-directed learning increased academic achievements and better work habits improved communication and information skills

The 2013 device will be the fastest and most high-spec laptop so far

It has a 64 bit operating system and a solid state drive which will provide faster boot and software load times

TSO support will remain at schools until the end of 2013

From the beginning of 2014 schools will need to make their own arrangements for technology support

Whatrsquos happening at Menai High hellipLaptops have arrived Issued to Year 9 during English lessons beginning Monday 18th March

Laptops are the property of Menai High School and will be loaned to year 9 students If a student leaves our school the laptop charger and case must be returned to the school

At the end of year 12 laptops will be returned to school

All classrooms have wireless access points

The Laptop - Lenovo Thinkpad X131e

bull Impressive processing capability - Intelreg Celerontrade 887 (15GHz)bull Plenty of storage space ndash 128 Gb hard diskbull 4GB RAMbull Wireless connection and Bluetoothbull Webcam and built-in microphonebull Full size keyboard with integrated spill resistancebull 116rdquo high resolution screen bull Improved battery life - up to 85 hoursbull Windows 7 Pro Academic Licencebull Recessed ports (including HDMI) for better protectionbull A rugged body suited to the education environment no more than 175kgbull Neoprene case

SoftwareFull Microsoft Office 2010 software

Word Excel Access PowerpointAdobe Creative Suite CS6 software

Photoshop Elements Premiere ElementsVarious other software for Mathematics Music Webcam video and still photos Drawing Google Earth iTunesFull Microsoft anti-virus and anti-spyware protection as well as Blue Coat internet filtering

NOTE ndash non DER registered software is not able to be installed on the laptop

Support for students

Students will receive guidance on good laptop care including ergonomics

Your child will be encouraged to keep their laptop in their school bag when travelling to and from school ndash using the case provided Anti-theft measures installed on the laptop remove the incentive to steal the laptop helping to protect your child


The laptop will have Bluecoat virus protection and will also be protected by Microsoft Forefront security

Your child is protected when using their laptop at school and at home by filters that block inappropriate Internet material A record of every website that the student visits is kept and can be investigated if necessaryThe Bluecoat Internet filter system blocks all social networking and chat sites

We cannot control home computer use which is under parental control


Students will receive guidance on digital safety and digital citizenship

cyber bullying plagiarismcopyright privacyconfidentialitypassword security

The laptop user charter and school policies

The charter covers many facets of the laptop initiative including

Care of laptop including a commitment to take the laptop home and charge the batteryAcceptable computer and Internet use including privacy issues cybersafety and classroom protocols Adhering to Online Communication Services Acceptable Usage for School Studentspolicy You can access this policy at httpbitlyY75Hc3

Existing school policies that are relevant ndash anti bullying homework cheating bringing required equipment to school

Your questions answered

What if we already have a computer at homeStudents will be using their laptops in class each day and are expected to continue their work at home They should continue working on their laptops at home using the same files and software theyre using at school Students are expected to bring their laptops to school each day with a fully charged battery the same as they would bring books for class


Are the laptops covered by a manufacturerrsquos warranty

Yes The warranty covers manufacturerrsquos defects and normal use of the laptop for 2 years It does not cover negligence abuse or malicious damage


Are the laptops covered by insurance Yes The NSW Treasury Managed Fund Contract of Coverage states The Fund covers all losses provided the loss is fortuitous real and quantitative Damage or loss occurred from carelessness inattention or an apparent disregard is deemed to be due to negligence Damage or loss caused or partly caused by negligence is not covered by Treasury Managed Fund Parents who currently hold a personal home contents insurance policy may choose to notify their insurer about the issue of the DER laptop


Who pays if the incident is not covered by insurance due to some form of negligence

Should any equipment on loan be lost or damaged due to negligence or abuse or malicious act or failure to ensure safe custody of the laptop the student will be requested to pay replacement or repair costs


Can you give me an example of what is meant by lsquonegligencersquo

If a student trips over the laptop electrical cord and the laptop is pulled onto the ground and smashes the screen the claim will not be paid as though it seems on the surface to be an accident there was not due care taken to guard against such an incident happening In such a case the school would request reimbursement from the student


What if a family refuses to pay For families in financial hardship the Principal has discretion to make arrangements for the cost to be paid off over a period of time or other flexible solutions However if a family refuses to pay the Principal may arrange for a loan laptop for the student for day use only ie the student cannot take it home The TSO will ensure it is charged overnight so the student will not be disadvantaged in the classroom


What happens if my childs laptop breaks Let the school TSO know as soon as possible Laptops and batteries are covered by a manufacturers warranty for two years The warranty covers manufacturers defects and normal use of the laptop It does not cover negligence abuse malicious or accidental damage


What happens if the laptop is accidentally lost or damaged If the laptop is accidentally lost or damaged you should tell the school TSO as soon as possible You will need to complete and sign a Laptop Incident Report and a Statutory Declaration outlining the facts The declaration will need to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or a solicitor Your child will then be issued with a replacement laptop at the discretion of the Principal


What happens if the laptop is stolen or vandalized If the laptop is stolen or vandalised you should tell the police and the school as soon as possible If out of school hours you should notify the school the next school dayThe police will give you an official report number Youll need this number before a replacement laptop can be provided You will need to complete and sign a Laptop Incident Report


If the laptop is lost damaged or stolen what will happen to my childs schoolwork It is your childs responsibility to regularly save a copy of their schoolwork also known as backing up their workStudents will be shown how to save their work to their online storage area lsquoMy Lockerrsquo Another copy should be made externally eg to a USB drive or by emailing work to themselves


What happens if other accessories such as the battery and power cords break or are lostIf the power cords and battery are still under warranty -which is limited with normal use conditions applying as well as a time limit - then they will be replaced But if the breakage is outside of the warranty period or the items are loststolen or there is evidence of insufficient care of the equipment then the student will need to purchase replacements


Whats to stop an unscrupulous student selling their laptop and then claiming it has been stolen All laptops have extensive hardware and software security measures These security measures will remotely disable stolen laptops and will help to track and prosecute thieves As soon as any laptop is stolen or lost the school will lock it down When the laptop is connected to the internet even with a new operating system it will report its location


Under what circumstances will parents need to pay for repairs to or replacement of the laptopThe laptop warranty covers manufacturer defects under normal use of the laptop It does not cover negligence abuse accidental or malicious damage Eg Damage caused by spilling coffee on the laptop is not covered Accidently stepping on or kicking the laptop after lying on the floor to do some work with the laptop is not covered This is negligence and cannot be covered under warranty as such the parent or guardian will be required to cover all repair costs of the laptop


Where is this in the Laptop User Charter The Laptop User Charter states Laptops that are damaged or lost by neglect abuse or malicious act may require reimbursement The Principal will determine whether replacement is appropriate andor whether or not the student is responsible for repair or replacement costs and whether or not the student retains access to a laptop for home use (225) The laptops are loaned to students under the same conditions that other school equipment is loaned In the case of other school equipment such as library books cameras etc the borrower is required to pay repair or replacement costs if the item is lost or broken


Can student laptops connect to the Internet at home If you have the Internet connected at home your child can also access it there If you dont have access to the internet at home your child can still use the software on their laptop to work on their schoolworkNOTE ndash the laptop will not work with Telstra 3G wireless or other similar systems as these systems require the use of an external USB modem which will not work with the laptop


Does my child actually own the laptopNo Whilst the student is at Menai High School the laptop is ldquoon loanrdquo to the student Any breach of the laptop user charter eg the student not obeying the teacherrsquos instructions and playing games during class may result in the laptop being taken off the student as part of the disciplinary process at the school


Can students customise the laptopYes the student is able to customise the background screens and exterior of the laptop They should keep in mind that the laptop does not belong to them and only use stickers that are removable


Can I request that my child only have use of the laptop at schoolYES

If you would prefer that your child only have use of the laptop during school hours this can be arranged Your child would then be required to ldquoCheck outrdquo the laptop before their first class of the day and then lsquoCheck-inrdquo the laptop before leaving the school at the end of the dayA letter to the Principal stating this choice will need to be provided to the school

What you need to do

ParentCarers and Students need to read carefully then sign the Digital Education Revolution ndash Laptop User Charter and return it to the school by the due date (15th March) Take into consideration all the issues we have covered in this presentation ndash especially costs of repairsreplacements that are not covered by warranty Understand the costs of ownership of the laptop and the policies within the User Charter

If a signed form is not returned then the student will not be given a laptop

Management of LaptopsTaking leave ndash students should advise the TSO if they are taking leave outside school holiday times andor if they are taking the laptop beyond the Sydney metropolitan area

Transferring school or leaving schoolThe laptop MUST be RETURNED to the school TSO if the student leaves our school

Our Expectations

Students will bring laptops to school every day

Laptops will be fully charged every night

Normal discipline procedures will be applied for inappropriate use

School contacts

Technology Support OfficerMr Hamilton

DER ManagerMrs Cooper

Deputy WelfareMr Lindsay

Deputy CurriculumMrs Allen

School Timeline

Return of laptop user charter by Friday 15th March

Issue of laptops to studentsby English class beginning on Monday 18th Mar

More Information

School A to Z technology guide for parents

httpwwwschoolatoznsweduautechnology

Online communication policy for studentshttpbitlyY75Hc3

Laptops and learningStudies show the benefits of providing laptops to each student are increased student motivation engagement interest improved student organisation and improved self-directed learning increased academic achievements and better work habits improved communication and information skills





































































What you need to do





Our Expectations




School contacts





School Timeline



More Information








































































What you need to do





Our Expectations




School contacts





School Timeline



More Information






Our Expectations




School contacts





School Timeline



More Information




School contacts





School Timeline



More Information




School Timeline



More Information




More Information




Parent der 2013_handout

Documents

Transcript of Parent der 2013_handout