1:1 Frequently Asked Questions

(questions relating to planning)

What are the short- and long-term goals of this program?
The short-term goals are to enter into a lease with Apple that will provide the needed hardware for staff and students, as well as staff development/training; ready our infrastructure; develop policies governing the 1:1 program; and in-service middle school parents and students on the 1:1 program. Our long-term goals remain rooted in our mission statement – to guide students in developing morally, thinking critically, acting respectfully, and preparing to lead and succeed in a 21st Century global community.
What studies show that children benefit from the use of technology in the classroom?
Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, and designer in the critical areas of education and learning. Two of his writings we recommend here are Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants -- A New Way to Look at Ourselves and Our Kids, and Do They REALLY Think Differently? -- Neuroscience Says Yes. Also, Apple's 1:1 Learning website helps explain the benefits of using technology in K-12 education.
Was testing of this program done in advance?
If this means researching other schools that have initiated 1:1 programs, then yes. Programs in schools in Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois were studied.
How do we measure effectiveness of the program over time?
Improvement in grades can be tracked. Improvement in quality and creativity of projects can be noted. Close communication with area high schools can provide feedback.
Was rolling the 1:1 initiative out in phases considered?
It will be rolled out in phases, but in weeks, rather than months or years.
Have you taken a poll of how many Saint Mark's families already have computers at home that their children can use for projects and assignments?
No. The success of this program is based, in part, on uniformity of hardware and software. When the school owns the hardware, it retains the right to set rules and expectations regarding acceptable use and applications. It is a way to ensure equal access.
Do the children really need their own laptop in order to be engaged?
Engagement is a bonus that comes with giving each student the means to learn at a new, deeper level.
How will the school encourage a balanced use of technology at school and home?
As we continue to work in partnership with parents in educating children, we trust that parents will appropriately oversee their child's use of technology at home, as we will do at school. I believe we all understand the need to balance the use of technology with physical exercise, social interaction, reading, fine arts, and hands-on experiments and projects.
Are the steps taken now adaptable and grow-able for the future?
Because we are now guided by a Technology Advisory Committee comprised of experts in the fields of networking and programming, we are confident that we are making the decisions that will provide adaptability and "grow-ability".
Do we have an overall plan and strategy that coordinates technology for church and school, or just the school?
Currently we are focusing on technology for the school, but coordinating parish and school functions will be possible in the future because Apple can now run the Microsoft programs used by the parish.
Is the Technology Advisory Committee ready for the 1:1 implementation?
Yes. It is in great part thanks to them that we will all be ready.
Has the decision to implement the 1:1 program been finalized?
Yes.
Have problems with the 1:1 initiative been anticipated?
Yes, but there are always surprises. We will have on-site staff to troubleshoot, and a Technology Advisory Committee with whom we can consult.
Will the responsibilities of students and parents be clearly defined and communicated?
Yes. In both written and oral form.
Has parent education for this been considered and will it be user-friendly?
Yes. Parents will be required to attend an orientation session with their child(ren), and computer classes are readily available and reasonably priced through community education programs. Parents will be apprised of any technology staff development opportunities, and are welcome to attend.
Will parents and teachers have access to student files?
Currently, parents and teachers have access to cumulative files and online attendance, grades and assignments. This will continue. Parents will not have access to teachers' assignment drop boxes, for reasons of (student) privacy. Parents and teachers will have access to online academic files pertaining to their child (parent) or classes (teacher).

(questions relating to teachers)

How do the middle school teachers feel about this initiative?
They all agree that we need to provide students with every tool possible to help them learn and succeed – in the classroom and in the workplace. Fluency in technology is mandatory for success in the 21st Century.
How prepared are the teachers?
Some have more experience and comfort with technology than others. All are willing to learn more, and have committed to attending all professional development around technology, which is scheduled throughout the winter, spring and summer of 2008.
Is there enough funding for training?
Yes. We have $20,000 in Title II-A federal funding for 2008-09.
Do the teachers have the resources they need for the 1:1 program (time, money, help, research, training, etc.)?
Yes. Three years ago, the teachers began working with Sheri Kreuser, the tech coordinator for the Education Department at the College of Saint Catherine. National standards for teacher proficiency in the use of technology were examined, and Saint Mark's set the expectation that all teachers would begin to integrate technology across the curriculum, using the mobile laptop carts. Ms. Kreuser gave each teacher a technology skills inventory test, and professional development centered around the areas most in need of improvement.
Would it be possible to postpone the project for another year so the teachers are confident in their choices for their classroom?
Staff members have been using the mobile laptops carts for three years already, and are excited about the transition to 1:1. Necessary time and training funding are available and being used to facilitate a successful launch of the 1:1 program in the fall of '08.

(questions relating to security)

Do you have plans to have a firewall, virus protection and SPAM filtering to protect against hackers, viruses and SPAM?
Parent and Technology Advisory Committee member, Tom Altenhofen, is a computer consultant, and recommended the SonicWALL PRO 1260 VPN/Firewall and a comprehensive gateway security suite to handle content filtering, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and support. We have purchased both.
Will the access to wireless networking lead to misuse of the Internet when a student is outside of the school's network and its content filtering?
That is an issue that falls under the domain of parent control. Information about home Internet safety will be discussed at the implementation meeting. Computers can be checked for Internet history. Students will be made quite clear about the consequences of misuse of the computers.

(questions relating to support)

Who made the decisions for the improvements of the school's technology?
The decision was reached as the result of a collaboration between the school principal, tech coordinator, and members of the School Advisory Committee. 18 months in advance of the pay-off of our latest lease with Apple computers, the principal outlined her vision for the integration of technology across the curriculum to the tech coordinator and the members of the School Advisory Committee. The principal requested the formation of a sub-committee, the Technology Advisory Committee, to assist with planning and implementation. With the consent of the pastor, parish administrator, and SAC (School Advisory Committee), the Technology Advisory Committee began the process of improving the infrastructure of the Saint Mark's campus to support a 1:1 laptop initiative.
How will our technology (i.e., network, hardware/software, end users - students, staff and parents) be supported in the future?
The Technology Advisory Committee is developing a job description to aid us in our search for the person(s) with the necessary skills set to successfully manage our network and hardware. The Technology Advisory Committee members have also offered their expertise and assistance on an as-needed basis. The cost for tech personnel will be commensurate with skills and experience.
Will additional tech support staff be needed?
Yes. The Technology Advisory Committee is designing a job description that will be used when hiring qualified staff.

(questions relating to cost)

What has the program cost so far (in actual dollars spent, staff time and volunteer hours donated)?
Staff time is considered inclusive to the job. Members of the Technology Advisory Committee have donated in excess of 500 hours of time and talent since the spring of 2007. Creating a wireless network, upgrading existing laptops/servers/DSL modem, purchasing a firewall and systems supporting software and materials has cost $20,000 to date. $8,000 was from the 2006-07 annual fund, and the remainder was from the technology line item in the 2007-08 school budget.
Does the proposed $200 technology fee cover accidental damage?
It covers any accidental damage that is covered under the Apple warranty that we are purchasing, as well as what is covered by our Catholic Mutual policy.