INFORMATION BOOKLET LOAN LAPTOP PROGRAM

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Louise Chase
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1 INFORMATION BOOKLET LOAN LAPTOP PROGRAM

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3 Contents Statement of Purpose... 4 Insurance... 4 Schedule of Repair Charges... 4 Software... 5 Questions and Answers... 5 Internet 'Safe Surfing' General Policy for Student Use... 7 Care of Laptops: Policies and Procedures... 8 Sincere thanks to Torrens Valley Christian School for permission to use their Laptop Loan Scheme material to prepare this booklet. Page 3 of 8

4 Statement of Purpose Computer Technology In a Christian school, the educational task must be undertaken in ways which honour God and recognise His claim to sovereignty in all areas of life. In that context and in light of the technological learning tools now at hand, it is most important that our students and staff are able: To effectively utilise the wide-ranging technologies that are available in God s world. To recognise, encourage, develop and direct the potential for good in the world that such technologies make possible. To recognise, avert, avoid or resist the potential for harm in the world that such technologies make possible. Insurance Insurance in Brief This Laptop computer is covered by insurance should it be destroyed or damaged by fire, accidental physical means, or stolen, given that the cause or circumstance is not excluded by this Policy. Some of the Exclusions Replacement of damaged, worn out or spent batteries unless necessary as a consequence of damage not excluded under this policy Wasting or wearing away or wearing out of any part of an insured item caused by or naturally resulting from ordinary use or working or gradual deterioration Consequential loss of any kind or description whatsoever. Theft by the Insured or any of the Insured's employees and/or family members Theft or attempted theft whilst unattended unless: o o In a locked vehicle and out of sight but not left overnight, or At a secure location and reasonably safeguarded against theft Damage as a result, or during the course, of air or sea travel unless the items are carried as personal cabin baggage Wear, tear, fading, scratching or marring, gradual deterioration or developing flaws. Any damage covered under any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) by any contractor, manufacturer, supplier, Insurer or others. Schedule of Repair Charges These charges are usually only applied to repairs required because of misuse, neglect or not following instructions. They will also apply if the student frequently requires these services: Reconfigure software $ Re-install software and/or operating system $ Damage to a Laptop may result in a charge depending on whether the damage was caused by any form of negligence on the part of the student or not. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Any damaged Laptop will be assessed; a quote for repairs obtained, and a decision made as to how to proceed from there will be made. Page 4 of 8

5 Software Mid North Christian College Requirements The laptop will be issued with the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft Office suite and antivirus software already installed. In some cases other software has also been installed at the request of MNCC staff. This software is covered by the school's software licences. Students will still have access to desktop computers in the College computer labs when they require access to more specialised software such as CAD, Desktop Publishing and graphics applications. Please note that the College reserves the right to determine the software that is installed on the Laptop. The College must approve any additional software placed on the Laptop. Furthermore, even if the College approves such additional software, it cannot take responsibility for the correct operation of that software. The College retains the right to set up and inspect the Laptop so that it performs optimally within the College environment. Software conflicting with College requirements may have to be removed. This means that at times the machine s hard drive may have to be erased and re-configured. The College takes no responsibility for any non-college software or hardware on the machine but will endeavour to save student work that has been stored in the My Documents folder on the Laptop. Students are expected to back-up their work on a regular basis to minimise possible losses. Questions and Answers Will students tend to lose their social skills because of the time spent using their Laptops? Rather than becoming isolated by the computer as some people expected, all the available evidence suggests that, students actually become better collaborators, working together as teams, sharing skills and discussing the task at hand. Will students be permitted to load games/videos/music on to their Laptops? Simple answer no. Any files will be removed by the ICT staff and the Laptop confiscated in the case of repeated offences. Will students tend to lose their ability to write with pen and paper? No. Students still use pen and paper for a number of tasks. In the longer term, however, technological advances are likely to make the need for pen and paper much less important. Will students use their Laptops for practical subjects such as art, technology and physical education? Laptops may be used as appropriate in these subjects, such as when students are preparing or researching written assignments, designing, or making necessary calculations. Could students develop back and eye problems because of Laptops use? Students will have regular changes of activity and will not be glued to the Laptop screen for long periods of time. Part of our education process will involve teaching students how to use technology in a way that does not have negative effects upon their physical and psychological well-being. Will students still work together and in larger groups? Collaborative working habits and co-operative, larger group undertakings, are a feature of modern educational practice, reflecting the changing needs of the workplace. The use of Laptops, with the flexibility that they permit, enhances this practice. Page 5 of 8

6 Can students use their own Laptop rather than a loan Laptop? Simple answer yes, provided the appropriate forms have been signed and returned to the College. Students who wish to bring their own hardware do so on the understanding that they will be subject to the same conditions and responsibilities as those who use a loan Laptop. The College reserves the right to refuse permission if it is apparent that harm may be caused to the College s network and infrastructure or if unsuitable or unlicensed software is detected on the device. Internet Safe Surfing Students need to learn to research the databases of information wisely, to assess the validity and/or bias of the resources that they find and to be responsible with the material that they access via the Internet. At the present time students are able to access the Internet when their teachers give them permission. Understandably parents have had a number of concerns about open access to the Internet. The school is taking action to address those concerns. Some of those anxieties and related questions are addressed below: Pornographic Sites There are a few pornographic sites that have similar names to valid sites but only a few and students are most unlikely to "accidentally" type them in. Pornographic sites usually have quite obvious names that indicate that they are unsuitable. Most, if not all porn sites, do have warnings or "are you over 18" questions. Part of learning to use the web is being aware of the problems. Mouse Trapping Mouse trapping is a ploy used by web page designers to open multiple windows and stop you from using normal means to close down the pages. BUT this is not usually a feature of the first page. From one point of view, this mouse trapping feature of some pornographic sites is in fact a good deterrent for students in that it greatly increases their chances of being caught! They need to learn those things, particularly when they move into the workforce and use computers extensively as a matter of course. The site can be closed down by using CTRL-ALT-DEL and ending the task. School Use of the Internet Staff and students are able to request that a particular blocked site be made accessible if sufficient curriculum justification can be made. Naturally the school can provide no such protection off-campus. The use of firewalls and filtering in the home is a matter for each family. The school website contains an extensive set of links that will provide parents with answers to questions relating to safe surfing, Cyberbullying and Internet protection in general. From time to time the school, in conjunction with the Parents & Friends, may conduct information forums and all parents are encouraged to attend. Page 6 of 8

7 Pirating The school is active in explaining the laws concerning the theft of software or other intellectual property. We will check computers and when pirated files are found, talk to students about the illegality of the practice. We will continue to communicate our policies regarding pirating to both parents and students. Random Checks As noted above, logs of all sites visited by each student are kept and although these logs are large, it is possible to track down students who have been visiting non-educational sites. Large downloads and popular sites are checked on a regular basis and students are called in to justify their use of the Internet. Students who continually abuse their access privileges may have their access barred and may have their Laptop confiscated if they continue to offend. Some Protection, Yes But Completely protecting students from the pitfalls of this technological world is not possible unless we eliminate student contact with the Internet entirely. We do not believe that this approach is helpful to them in the long run. Ultimately, as a Christian community where the family and the school collaborate on learning, it is our role to help students cope with the digital age, including its many challenges, temptations and distractions. If students are to recognise, encourage, develop and direct the potential for good in the world that such technologies make possible, they must learn the appropriate technological etiquette. We would also expect them to grow in their sense of responsibility to God and the world, and develop discernment based on Biblical values and understandings. It would be preferable for them to learn at school and at home (even by their mistakes and failures - and the consequences), than to suffer the more devastating and humiliating penalties associated with inappropriate use of technology in the workplace or in the wider community generally. General policy for student use 1. In all forms of communication at MNCC, students are expected to observe the general standards and courtesies expected in a Christian School. This includes all forms of communication using Information Technology. Failure to observe this general expectation in the misuse of technology is considered a serious breach of school discipline. 2. The school will install only those software packages appropriate to the school on the Laptops which are provided to the students by the school. Page 7 of 8

8 Care of Laptops: Policies and Procedures General Care Every effort should be made to protect the Laptops from full sunlight, contact with water, humid and steamy conditions, and contact with food or drink The regular use of some form of backup storage such as a USB memory stick is highly recommended Students may need to purchase head/earphones for use with some applications in class. The Laptops and their cases are not to have stickers or other decorations applied to them as these may void the warranty and insurance Laptops should be in sleep mode or off, and inside the school-approved bag before being moved from one location to another Any faults or damage must be reported to the Front Office immediately and arrangements made for repairs. During School Hours Students are to keep their Laptops locked in their lockers when they have subjects that do not require the Laptop (e.g. Physical Education) Students Laptops are locked in their lockers during recess and lunch unless they are being used in an appropriate manner and in an appropriate place. After School Hours Students are expected to take their Laptops home each night Students are expected to take responsibility for ensuring that the battery is recharged overnight. Lost or Damaged Laptops Loss of a Laptop should be reported immediately to the Front Office. If a Laptop is found in an unlocked locker, or on the school grounds, not in the immediate possession of its owner, the Laptop will to be taken to the Front Office. Loss or damage of a Laptop in any other circumstances should be reported to the Front Office. If possible, the School will provide a temporary replacement machine for use during the day The School reserves the right to withdraw the use of a Laptop and/or Laptop facilities from any student who is excessively or persistently careless, thoughtless or destructive with their Laptop, or with the Laptops of other students. Maintenance of Laptops Malfunctioning Laptops should be reported to the Front Office. Identification of Laptops Laptops are labelled with a serial number. On delivery of the Laptop to the student, the serial number will be recorded against the student s name. This number will be entered on the signed agreement form and students should make a note of this number for future reference The carry bags will be labelled with easily identifiable plastic tags. The tag will identify the student s name and the School telephone number. Identification tags and stickers must not be modified or removed. Page 8 of 8

St Columban s College

St Columban s College MacBook Use and Care Policy Year 9-11 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Overview of Policy... 3 2. The 1:1 MacBook Program at St Columban's College... 3 2.1 The MacBook 2.2 College Approved Programs