If you do not find the answer to your question, please feel free to contact Deb Loftsgard at [email protected] or at (319) 283 - 2731 / ext: 1289.
Vision and Rationale Questions
What are the actual goals for implementing the 1:1 initiative at Oelwein Community Schools?
The Oelwein Community School District is taking an aggressive initiative to transform teaching and learning within the district. The 1:1 laptop initiative allows several things to occur for the benefit of student learning, including:
Laptop Questions
What is the rental price for a laptop?
The cost for each laptop for each student is covered by the district.
What if parents choose not to participate in the 1:1 initiative?
All our sixth students will need access to a laptop during the school day. A student whose family choose not to participate in the initiative will have access to a laptop during the day but will not be allowed to take the laptop home. These students must report to their homeroom teachers at 8:00 each morning to sign-out a Checkout computer. All Checkout computers must then be returned to the homeroom teachers by 3:25.
What computer and accessories will all students be receiving?
Students will be receiving the MacBook Air 13-inch, a laptop charger and a protective bag. All three of these items will be assigned to each student and will need to be returned and checked in at the end of the school year. Failure to return any of these items may result in the student being billed the full cost of the missing item.
What happens if a student forgets their laptop at home?
Students who accidentally leave their computers at home may have access to a limited amount of computers (Checkouts) that are available in the Technology Office. Students will be able to “sign in” to their account but will have access to anything they have stored on their Google Drive. They would not be able to take this computer home with them.
Will students be able to take their laptop home?
Students may take their issued laptop home, as long as their parents and them have completed the necessary training and signed the necessary forms.
Can students change the outward appearance of their laptop?
Students are not allowed to do anything to the computer that permanently alters it in any way. Snap-on covers or skins that fit the MacBook Air 13-inch properly are allowed but the following guidelines must be followed. The promoting of products, which are illegal for use by minors such as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. The displays of obscene material, profanity, or references to subversion are not appropriate. Computer cases should show respect for yourself, those around you, the school and the community. Computer cases not appropriate for a school setting will be asked to be removed.
Will students have to turn in their computer at the end of the school year?
Students are responsible for returning their issued laptop computer, charging unit and bag to the Technology Department at the end of the school year.
Can students bring their own laptop rather than using one provided for them?
Students are not allowed to bring their own computers from home to use. Computers at Oelwein Community School District are all formatted with the same basic programs and structures, and many of these are not possible on other computers. In addition, students will need to have access to our district server, and this configuration will only be available on school issued machines.
Access and Control Questions
Will these laptops replace traditional textbooks?
Students will still be issued traditional textbooks. The laptop computer is not a replacement but an extra tool for education. Teachers will be integrating electronic elements into their classes, using technology for instruction and assessment, but we are not replacing traditional education with laptops.
Will the middle school still have desktop computer labs?
All standard computer labs will not be removed from the middle school, since our initial year of this project is only for sixth grade.
Where should students store their laptops when they are not in class (PE, lunch, practice, etc.)?
Students need to keep their laptop in a secured location at all times when unsupervised. The best choice students can make is to lock their laptop in their locker (using a combination lock). During lunch time, students will take their laptop to their next class and that teacher will lock the room and take the students to lunch.
Laptops left in bags in unattended classrooms or other areas considered “unattended” will be confiscated by faculty or staff as a protection against theft. If confiscated, the student will receive a warning before getting the laptop back. If the laptop is confiscated a second time, the student may be required to get a parent signature acknowledging financial responsibility before getting the laptop back, along with other potential appropriate consequences.
How will computer activity be monitored during the school day?
All teachers will have the DyKnow monitoring system on their computers. This system allows teachers to see the screens and the
computer activities of their students. This system also allows teachers to “lock out” certain internet sites and programs (for example,teachers may block students from having any internet access while taking a test).
Will student internet access be filtered outside of school?
Internet access on the school issued laptops will not be filtered by the school’s website filtering software when the computer is connected to the internet outside of school. This is the responsibility of the parents; however, there are websites like opendns.com that allow parents to filter through their router at home.
Will the school have expanded access for students without home internet access?
The Middle School cafeteria will be open for the students from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Do students own the laptop?
The students are issued a laptop from the Oelwein Community School District, just like a textbook, and thus, the laptop is District property.
Can students access the internet at home using their own internet provider?
Students may easily connect to any wifi system. Students may plug-in and connect to the internet using an ethernet cable also, but they may need a converter to make sure the port fits into the computer.
Computer Support and Care Questions
How often will the computers need to be plugged in or charged?
The battery life of the new MacBook Air is between 14-16 hours; however, students should come to school with a fully charged laptop on a daily basis. Students should also try to preserve battery power during the school day by lowering the lid whenever the computer is not in use.
What if a laptop is lost, stolen or broken?
If a computer is lost, the student will be financially responsible for its replacement. If a computer is stolen or vandalized, the parent shall contact the principal of the school to file a police report.
A student who does not have computer due to the computer being damaged accidentally will be allowed to use a computer from school. These Checkout computers will be available for students to use during the time of repair. A student who does not have a computer due to the computer being damaged intentionally may be allowed to checkout a school owned computer only if there is one available. The student will not be allowed to take the laptop home.
What if I forget to bring my laptop to school?
A limited number of spares are available to be checked out at both tech offices at the school and high school.
What is the best way to clean the screen?
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth when cleaning the computer. If necessary, the cloth may be dampened slightly to assist in the cleaning areas that do not appear to be coming clean with the dry cloth. Computer screens show fingerprints and smudges easily, but be sure to follow proper cleaning procedures to keep your screen looking new. Cleaning supplies are available to be used at the tech offices at the high school and middle school.
What is the safest way to handle the laptop as it travels from home to school?
The laptop must be carried and stored in the issued protective bag at all times when not in use. They are not allowed to put these laptop bags inside of a backpack.
What are the actual goals for implementing the 1:1 initiative at Oelwein Community Schools?
The Oelwein Community School District is taking an aggressive initiative to transform teaching and learning within the district. The 1:1 laptop initiative allows several things to occur for the benefit of student learning, including:
- Promoting student engagement and enthusiasm for learning through the work of Challenged Based Learning
- Encouraging collaboration among students, teachers, parents, community members, and people throughout the nation and world through interactive capabilities and opportunities
- Providing a rich learning environment with real-life problems, reducing the use of worksheets and workbooks
- Guiding students in their learning and production of knowledge
- Allowing students access to information, along with an opportunity to connect it to their learning in a meaningful manner
Laptop Questions
What is the rental price for a laptop?
The cost for each laptop for each student is covered by the district.
What if parents choose not to participate in the 1:1 initiative?
All our sixth students will need access to a laptop during the school day. A student whose family choose not to participate in the initiative will have access to a laptop during the day but will not be allowed to take the laptop home. These students must report to their homeroom teachers at 8:00 each morning to sign-out a Checkout computer. All Checkout computers must then be returned to the homeroom teachers by 3:25.
What computer and accessories will all students be receiving?
Students will be receiving the MacBook Air 13-inch, a laptop charger and a protective bag. All three of these items will be assigned to each student and will need to be returned and checked in at the end of the school year. Failure to return any of these items may result in the student being billed the full cost of the missing item.
What happens if a student forgets their laptop at home?
Students who accidentally leave their computers at home may have access to a limited amount of computers (Checkouts) that are available in the Technology Office. Students will be able to “sign in” to their account but will have access to anything they have stored on their Google Drive. They would not be able to take this computer home with them.
Will students be able to take their laptop home?
Students may take their issued laptop home, as long as their parents and them have completed the necessary training and signed the necessary forms.
Can students change the outward appearance of their laptop?
Students are not allowed to do anything to the computer that permanently alters it in any way. Snap-on covers or skins that fit the MacBook Air 13-inch properly are allowed but the following guidelines must be followed. The promoting of products, which are illegal for use by minors such as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. The displays of obscene material, profanity, or references to subversion are not appropriate. Computer cases should show respect for yourself, those around you, the school and the community. Computer cases not appropriate for a school setting will be asked to be removed.
Will students have to turn in their computer at the end of the school year?
Students are responsible for returning their issued laptop computer, charging unit and bag to the Technology Department at the end of the school year.
Can students bring their own laptop rather than using one provided for them?
Students are not allowed to bring their own computers from home to use. Computers at Oelwein Community School District are all formatted with the same basic programs and structures, and many of these are not possible on other computers. In addition, students will need to have access to our district server, and this configuration will only be available on school issued machines.
Access and Control Questions
Will these laptops replace traditional textbooks?
Students will still be issued traditional textbooks. The laptop computer is not a replacement but an extra tool for education. Teachers will be integrating electronic elements into their classes, using technology for instruction and assessment, but we are not replacing traditional education with laptops.
Will the middle school still have desktop computer labs?
All standard computer labs will not be removed from the middle school, since our initial year of this project is only for sixth grade.
Where should students store their laptops when they are not in class (PE, lunch, practice, etc.)?
Students need to keep their laptop in a secured location at all times when unsupervised. The best choice students can make is to lock their laptop in their locker (using a combination lock). During lunch time, students will take their laptop to their next class and that teacher will lock the room and take the students to lunch.
Laptops left in bags in unattended classrooms or other areas considered “unattended” will be confiscated by faculty or staff as a protection against theft. If confiscated, the student will receive a warning before getting the laptop back. If the laptop is confiscated a second time, the student may be required to get a parent signature acknowledging financial responsibility before getting the laptop back, along with other potential appropriate consequences.
How will computer activity be monitored during the school day?
All teachers will have the DyKnow monitoring system on their computers. This system allows teachers to see the screens and the
computer activities of their students. This system also allows teachers to “lock out” certain internet sites and programs (for example,teachers may block students from having any internet access while taking a test).
Will student internet access be filtered outside of school?
Internet access on the school issued laptops will not be filtered by the school’s website filtering software when the computer is connected to the internet outside of school. This is the responsibility of the parents; however, there are websites like opendns.com that allow parents to filter through their router at home.
Will the school have expanded access for students without home internet access?
The Middle School cafeteria will be open for the students from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Do students own the laptop?
The students are issued a laptop from the Oelwein Community School District, just like a textbook, and thus, the laptop is District property.
Can students access the internet at home using their own internet provider?
Students may easily connect to any wifi system. Students may plug-in and connect to the internet using an ethernet cable also, but they may need a converter to make sure the port fits into the computer.
Computer Support and Care Questions
How often will the computers need to be plugged in or charged?
The battery life of the new MacBook Air is between 14-16 hours; however, students should come to school with a fully charged laptop on a daily basis. Students should also try to preserve battery power during the school day by lowering the lid whenever the computer is not in use.
What if a laptop is lost, stolen or broken?
If a computer is lost, the student will be financially responsible for its replacement. If a computer is stolen or vandalized, the parent shall contact the principal of the school to file a police report.
A student who does not have computer due to the computer being damaged accidentally will be allowed to use a computer from school. These Checkout computers will be available for students to use during the time of repair. A student who does not have a computer due to the computer being damaged intentionally may be allowed to checkout a school owned computer only if there is one available. The student will not be allowed to take the laptop home.
What if I forget to bring my laptop to school?
A limited number of spares are available to be checked out at both tech offices at the school and high school.
What is the best way to clean the screen?
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth when cleaning the computer. If necessary, the cloth may be dampened slightly to assist in the cleaning areas that do not appear to be coming clean with the dry cloth. Computer screens show fingerprints and smudges easily, but be sure to follow proper cleaning procedures to keep your screen looking new. Cleaning supplies are available to be used at the tech offices at the high school and middle school.
What is the safest way to handle the laptop as it travels from home to school?
The laptop must be carried and stored in the issued protective bag at all times when not in use. They are not allowed to put these laptop bags inside of a backpack.