School-provided laptops offer 'access to the world outside Crescent'
Tuesday Sept 2, 2008
By Dawn Marks, Staff Writer, The Oklahoman

FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the laptop project?

  The laptop project is for students in grades 9th through the 12th grade. Each student has a laptop checked out to him or her for the entire school year.

• Why is there a laptop project?

  Crescent Public Schools wants to provide our students with an opportunity to move beyond the norm. Our goal is to develop 21st century skills. Those skills include becoming a self-directed learner that relies on critical thinking, communication, and problem solving as opposed to the standard of recalling facts. Laptops in education are not something one can measure in traditional education. Laptops for each student provides a strong degree of equity providing each student an opportunity to participate on a level playing field. This powerful tool has students more excited, more engaged, and students prefer the opportunity. The laptop provides a 24/7 learning environment. There is an opportunity to work at home, after hours, and it is self paced. Finally, the laptop project is an exercise in collaboration. Collaboration with others next door or around the world is yet another opportunity to discover more, learn more, and reach that goal as a 21st century skilled individual.

• What does each student receive?

  Each student receives a Macbook laptop, a charger with an extension cable, and a bag to protect and carry the laptop.

• How much does it cost?

  There is not cost to the student. The laptop is a resource made available to each high school student to use through out the school day. There is an insurance fee for those students wanting to take the laptop home.

• Can the student take the laptop home?

  The student may take the laptop home only after the purchase of a laptop insurance policy. This policy is a yearly fee of $70.00. There is no deductible and it is a comprehensive plan that covers accidents to theft.

• Does the student have to have Internet access at home?

  The student does not have to have Internet access at home. This is entirely optional and that decision is to be made by each home. However, the school district believes that having Internet access at home does provide a valuable and educational opportunity for the home.

• How will students get their work done if they do not have Internet access at home?

Students are given the traditional amount of time to do required work in class. In the situation to where a student needs Internet resources in order to complete an assignment, it will be the responsibility of the student to work with the instructor to gather those resources and download them to the students laptop before leaving campus for the day. Students may access the school wireless network from the parking lot after school hours in those situations when Internet connection is urgent.

• Do I have to have wireless Internet?

  Wireless Internet is not a must. However, wireless Internet provides a greater freedom at school and at home. Wireless connectivity allows individuals to share the same connection from any location within range of the wireless access point.

• How do I get Internet access?

  Internet access is all about availability in your area. The school district would highly recommend high speed access over dial-up. Dial-up is adequate for basic functions like checking email, but in order to access the interactivity of the Internet and media resources, high speed or broad band connection is recommended. Pioneer Telephone Cooperative offers a variety of packages to chose from.

• Can parents access the laptop?

  Yes. We want the laptop experience to include parents and guardians of our students. The laptop is an opportunity for all to get involved and to be apart of the education experience. We want everyone to benefit. If you are experiencing difficulty acquiring a login from your student please contact the technology director, Michael Wininger at the school and he will assist you with the information you need.

• Can we install our own applications?

  In order to protect the districts investment in the laptop project there are no unauthorized installations of applications. However, you may request an installation. Each request will be evaluated individually. Make your request to the technology director, Michael Wininger at the school.