St. Mary’s Primary
Echuca
1:1 Laptop Program
General Information
August 2010
What does 1:1 Laptop Program mean?
Table of Contents
SECTION PAGE
Section 1: General Overview………………………………………1
Section 2: What is a 1:1 laptop program? ……………………...1
Section 3: What do teachers think? ...... 2
Section 4: What do students think? ……………………………..3
Section 5: What is the research telling us? ……………………3
Section 6: Laptop hardware and software ……………………..4
Section 7: Transit, handling and storage ………………………5
Section 8: Using the laptop at school …………………………..5
Section 9: Using the laptop at home ……………………………6
Section 10: Equipment breakdown or loss of data …………..6
Section 11: Battery life and recharging …………………………7
Section 12: Costs of a 1:1 program ………………………………7
Section 13: Damage, loss and renewal ………………………….8
Section 14: Laptop use and health and safety …………………9
Section 15:Netbooks, PCs, Windows and Viruses ……………9
Section 16: Other FAQs …………………………………………….10
Information included in this booklet is correct at the time of printing.
SECTION 1: General Overview
St. Mary’s Primary is committed to provide learning environments that will engage our students and give them independence and flexibility in their learning.
We believe that students should be able to learn in teams, collaboratively, as a class, a whole community or alone. We believe that students should be able to share learning experiences with their classmates and the wider community.
In 2011, St. Mary’s Primary will be introducing a 1:1 laptop program into Year 5/6. The program aims to expand the learning environment beyond the walls of the classroom to give students the capability to collaborate, share information and experiences and take control of their learning in ways not previously possible.
In preparation for this educational transformation many different factors have been considered. These factors have been expressed and developed further in this document.
SECTION 2: What is a 1:1 laptop program?
1:1 learning provides every student and teacher access to his or her own laptop computer in a wireless environment allowing students to learn at their own pace and ability levels. 1:1 initiatives have gained momentum worldwide, and are increasingly seen as a key to transforming education, and better preparing students to succeed in a global world.
In the one-to-one program, students' access to a laptop and the internet enables them to be self-directed and receive highly personalised instruction. Teachers can create Personal Learning Plans for each child, addressing his or her unique needs. Students use their personal devices to do research, homework, problem-solve, team projects, email and academic coursework. At the same time, they gain valuable 21st century skills that will be beneficial throughout their lives and careers.
Why 1;1 laptops instead of computer labs?
More widespread access to computers makes it possible for students and teachers in schools to transition from occasional, supplemental use of computers for instruction to more frequent, integral use of technology across a multitude of settings. Providing students with readily available access to wirelessly connected computers has the potential to transform learning environments and improve student learning outcomes.
Furthermore,24/7 (around the clock) access to computers makes it possible for students to access a wider array of resources to support their learning, to communicate with peers and their teachers, and to become fluent in their use of the technological tools of the 21st century workplace.
Does every student need a computer?
1:1 classrooms provide several advantages over the two-to-one and four-to-one classrooms. In 1:1 classrooms, students used computers more across the curriculum and use them at home for academic purposes. In one-to-one classrooms, instruction is different as well; there is far less large group instruction than in 2:1 and 4:1 classrooms. 1:1 classrooms provides for more personalised learning.
Students in 1:1 laptop programs use computers more often and for a wider array of purposes than do students with less access to computers. They have greater levels of technology literacy and more often use productivity and design tools in ways that are integrated into other classroom activities and assignments.
Why does the classroom need to be any different?
The term "learning environment" suggests place and space - a school, a classroom, a library. And indeed, much 21st century learning takes place in physical locations like these. However, in today's interconnected world, a learning environment can be virtual, online, remote; in other words, it doesn't have to be a place at all. Whilst good teaching and learning still needs to happen, it should not be restricted to within the physical walls of a classroom.
SECTION 3: What do teachers think?
From a longitudinal study involving approximately 5,000 teachers involved in a state-wide 1:1 laptop program most teachers believed that laptops helped them:
- personalise curriculum to fit student needs;
- access more up to date information;
- better access diverse teaching and learning resources;
- cover more material in class;
- explore topics in greater depth with their students;
- create learning materials which better meet state standards;
Teachers also indicated that 1:1 laptops facilitated student learning, allowing students to:
- be more actively engaged in their learning;
- do more work;
- be more apt to revise/edit work;
- get work done more efficiently;
- become more organised;
- gather, more easily, information from different sources;
- express ideas more effectively;
- better study real-life issues.
SECTION 4: What do students think?
Approximately 43,000 students participated in this survey. They indicated that with a 1:1 laptop program, that:
- they were more likely to edit work;
- they would get work done more efficiently;
- they would do more work;
- they were better able to understand work;
- the quality of work improved;
- they were more engaged in learning and more interested in school.
SECTION 5: What is the research telling us?
Research has shown that students involved in 1:1 laptop programs perform better in state-wide testing. Writing and numeracy are two of the areas that have been researched extensively.
In writing for example, research has shown that students participating in a 1:1 program use their laptops more often for composing, drafting and creating final written reports and have a greater probability of success in achieving proficiency in state-wide standards. Even though these tests are pencil and paper-based!
Students performed better the more they used their laptops in developing and producing their writing. Most importantly, they became better writers in general - not just better writers using laptops.
In relation to numeracy, the final results of research across 245 classrooms clearly indicated that students in laptop classrooms are performing significantly better that students in standard classrooms. (Centre for Education Policy, Applied Research and Evaluation.)
There is a growing body of evidence indicating that 1:1 laptop initiatives are impacting on teachers, students and learning in many positive ways. The major thrusts of the research indicate that:
- Teachers are more effectively helping individual students with their learning and achieving the state-wide standards;
- Students are more motivated to learn, are learning more and learning it more deeply;
- Students are acquiring 21st Century Skills;
- 1:1 laptop programs are bringing about a positive change in learning and the acquisition of knowledge.
SECTION 6: Laptop hardware and software
What type of laptop will students be issued with?
St. Mary’s has chosen to use the Apple Macintosh platform throughout the school. The chosen laptop is the white MacBook. The laptop uses the powerful Intel processor, 2 Gb of memory, large hard drive and DVD/CD drive.
The MacBook comes with a range of built-in teaching and learning tools designed to make teaching and learning easier and more engaging. Each MacBook comes with a built-in video camera, microphone and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networking. The MacBook works effortlessly with wireless networks, printers, cameras and other peripherals.
The laptop also comes with a three year warranty.
The MacBook was designed for education and has some features, not readily available on PCs, that make them durable and suited for the rough and tumble of school life. Some of the features that make the MacBook extremely durable include: no delicate trays in its slot-loading DVD drives, no mechanical latches to break (just a magnet), MagSafe power adapter that quickly releases from the computer if tripped on, and a Sudden Motion Sensor that works to protect the hard drive should a Mac notebook ever be dropped.
What software applications will be installed?
The MacBook uses the powerful and secure Unix operating system. This protects the laptop from the bugs and viruses that commonly affect other laptops. The MacBook comes pre-loaded with a range of powerful software applications including Mail, the Safari Web Browser, iTunes and the iLife and iWork software suites. The iLife suite includes popular iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, Photo Booth and Garageband applications. The iWorksuite include the Pages word processing and desk-top publishing program, Keynote presentation application and Number spreadsheet software. These programs are able to open, read and save to the file format used by Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel.
St. Mary’s Echuca will also license and install a range of licensed and free-ware software that will further enhance the use of these machines.
SECTION 7: Transit, handling and storage
Will the laptop withstand rough handling by students?
The white MacBook has been designed specifically for the education market. The computer, hardware and screen are protected by a tough polycarbonate enclosure. They can withstand some rough handling, but there will be accidents and some will be dropped or suffer heavy knocks.
The Laptop will come with a hard protective shell (crystal case) that fits neatly onto the enclosure.This will allow the laptop to slip easily into a back-pack for transport. The laptop does not have to be removed from the shell to be used. Furthermore, the shell allows the student to personalise their laptop with stickers, etc. without damaging the original casing.
Will carrying a laptop to and from school pose increased risk to student security?
Laptop programs are increasingly becoming an ever-growing initiative in Victoria and around Australia. Experience from schools already running large-scale laptop programs is that it has not increased risk to personal security. We would assume that the risks associated with carrying a laptop would be no different to the risks associated with carrying around other items of value.
How heavy is the laptop to carry?
The laptop weighs 2.27 kg.
SECTION 8: Using the laptop at school
Can the laptop be used anywhere in the school?
St. Mary’s has during 2010 installed a state-of-the-art high-speed wireless networking system. This system provides high-speed wireless access at all locations throughout the school, inside and outside of classrooms. This enables students to access resources on the internet and the schools intranet from anywhere on the school grounds. Data points will also be available throughout the school if and when heavy "data lifting" needs to be done.
How will the school support the use of laptops?
St. Mary’s will provide all of the service necessary to support learning, communication and collaboration. This will be underpinned by a high-speed, reliable infrastructure which ensures that all laptops are able to connect to resources and the internet using the schools wireless networking system. St. Mary’s will also provide servers and systems for the management of email, data storage, printers, copiers and scanners, online resources and secure access to the internet. Students will be educated in the best practice for management of data, printing and responsible use of the internet.
SECTION 9: Using the Laptop at home
How can students complete school work outside of school?
This is one of the biggest advantages of a 1:1 laptop initiative. As the student is not required to share the laptop, it is personalised for their own use. For all intents and purposes it is their own portable personal computer. A student will complete and save work directly on their laptop without needing to connect to the internet. However, if they are able to connect to the internet they will be able to access the full range rich digital learning content and opportunities for collaboration with their teachers and peers within a safe virtual learning environment.
What if I don't have access to the internet at home?
Having access to the internet will certainly enhance opportunities to communicate, collaborate and access a range of resources. However, a small number of families will not have access to the internet at home. In these cases, students can will still be able to use the software on their computer to complete work. They will also be able to download and save some of the resources, for example, PDFs, Word Documents, web archives, etc., so that they can continue to work on them at home. This requires a little more forward planning, but is a good skill to learn.
SECTION 10: Equipment breakdown or loss of data
What if something goes wrong with the laptop?
Although the MacBook is robust and reliable, the reality is that sometimes things will go wrong. All laptops are covered by a three year warranty. Any hardware fault is covered under this warranty. More importantly, St. Mary’s will maintain a bank of spare laptops that will be swapped in and out of service when a computer requires a repair. This means that a student will have access to a computer at all times—even if their own computer has a hardware fault that needs to be repaired.
What if the data is lost?
This is a bit like a student losing their bag and all of their school books. The advantage of a laptop program is that all of the data on a laptop can be backed up. St. Mary’s will leave the method of back-up to the individual student, but would recommend using a USB memory stick or USB hard disk drive.
The MacBook's operating system includes an excellent automated back-up system called Time Machine. Time Machine automatically backs up data each time the memory stick or hard drive is connected.
SECTION 11: Battery life and recharging
Will the laptop battery last all day?
If the laptop is used flat-out all day, the battery life will only be 4-5 hours. An accurate answer requires a little more explanation.
Experience from other schools using this type of laptop, is that if used wisely, most laptops that have been fully charged the night before, will have enough charge to last the school day. St. Mary’s will provide information for students and parents about power-management techniques and getting the best out of their laptop. Interestingly, many students are already familiar with this concept in managing power to get the best out of their mobile phones and portable devices. It will be the responsibility of the students to have full charge available at the beginning of the day.
SECTION 12: Costs of a 1:1 program
What will the cost be to families?
The most cost effective way is for St. Mary’s to purchase the laptops at educational volume pricing and have families pay a laptop use fee. Educational volume pricing is significantly less then retail pricing enabling the savings to be passed on directly to families. The cost to families for a laptop, with all software, insurance, will be between $250 - $350 per year. This cost will be finalized after formal discussions with the Catholic Education Office and the Lease Company.
Be assured that St Mary’s is working earnestly to secure the best possible pricing arrangements.
Are there any funding sources available to families?
There are a number of sources of allowances and taxation refunds, available to families. The two main sources currently available to parents offsetting cost are through allowances and taxation rebates.
Families will be able to claim the cost of the laptop.
- The Education Tax Refund applies to any family eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A. The refund allows for a rebate of 50% for up to $750.00 for expenses for each primary school student.
See accompanying information about tax.
When is payment due?
Full annual payment will need to be made by a date in early February.
Due to certain circumstances there maybe a need for families to seek financial assistance. This can be done confidentially by completing a Financial Assistance Statement provided by the School Office and making an appointment with the Principal and Administration Officer.
SECTION 13: Damage, loss and renewal
What if a laptop is damaged, lost or stolen?
This may happen. However, the fee for a laptop will include insurance. Insurance will cover the laptop from all non-warrantable damage, loss or theft at school, home or in transit. The excess on a claim is expected to be about $250. Costs less than this amount would be the responsibility of the parents.
The insurance will not cover theft if the laptop is left unprotected in plain sight, or willful damage.
All parents will be issued with a Financial Service and Product Disclosure Statement that will answer any questions in regard to insurance. All parents will be asked to sign the contract, acknowledging that they have read and understood details relating to use and care of the laptop.