One to One Devices Frequently Asked Questions
In an effort to alleviate concerns from this rollout, we have touched base with other districts and talked to them about questions and concerns that they received while performing their 1:1 initiative. These FAQ’s were some given to us by other TN districts and we have formulated a response specific to our rollout.
FAQ’s:
1. What is the purpose of 1:1?
The district’s vision is to prepare our students for college and careers. Most careers require an understanding of basic technology usage. Increasingly, college students are expected to utilize technology for classwork and homework, including the submitting of assignments. Providing students in grades 7-11, along with additional grades in the future, with early opportunities to participate in digital experiences will teach them the skills associated with using devices for educational and workforce purposes.
2. Why 1:1 devices instead of classroom sets of computers?
There are multiple reasons that 1:1 devices were chosen in place of classroom sets. Some of those reasons are bulleted below:
○ Students are automatically logged into the school networks when their devices are turned on in a CCSD building. This allows for tracking of student usage while in our schools. The time it takes for students to be logged-in to network servers is less when students are using the same device repeatedly.
○ It would actually have been more expensive to purchase classroom sets of computers than it was to purchase 1:1 devices. Each teacher would need to have the number of devices for their largest class size, meaning that smaller classes would have multiple devices not used during the day. Classroom sets of devices would also not be utilized while teachers were on planning periods, without students in their classrooms.
3. Where did the money come from to purchase 1:1 devices?
Various places: eRate reimbursements, CARES Act money, recurring EdDebt funds from the County Commission.
4. Why shouldn’t my child bring his/her own laptop to use during the school day?
Student safety is our first priority. For security purposes, using district devices allows the Technology Department to monitor student use of devices and implement systems and safeguards that will help to block inappropriate behavior while on school grounds, as well as minimize the risk of computer viruses. Additionally, when all devices used by students are the same, teachers and support staff can be continuously trained in how to help students troubleshoot problems that arise from the use of the devices. Also, when all devices are uniform we will further eliminate unnecessary comparisons amongst students in relation to their peers, and allow for all students to operate on a level plain.
5. What will be the expectations for use of laptops at home? What if a student does not have WiFi at home and cannot complete their work?
The expectations of the CCSD in relation to recently leveraging Office 365 as our district-wide learning platform, allows for great utilization of the device at home, whether WiFi accessible or not. Even when at home they can still work through their O365 Suite and as soon as they hit an operational network connection it will back up their content to their OneDrive and allow for sharing through other 365 tools. The CCSD will also be placing mobile hotspot equipped buses throughout the county, in an attempt to support those areas that have cellular coverage but cannot receive broadband connectivity. Individual (data limited) hotspots will be available at each school to check out for student use while off-site.
6. Why is the $30 annual deposit non-refundable if a student doesn’t damage the laptop?
This is a protection plan and also that of a lease-to-own option. The $30 covers the risk of damaged devices while also challenging the students to take responsible ownership of the device since they are personally invested. The deposit will be used to purchase replacement devices as well as further accessories (power adapter and case).
7. What about theft?
Because theft is not covered in the protection plan, students should be intentional about where laptops are left both in school and outside of school. If a device goes missing inside the school, students should immediately report missing devices to teachers, administrators, or the SRO to begin the tracking/retrieval process. Devices stolen outside of the school should be reported to law enforcement officers and the police report should be shared with the school.
8. What if a parent/guardian cannot afford the protection plan?
The protection plan can be paid over a period of time, should it be necessary, however the $30 annual payment must be made in full within that school year. If the annual payment of $30 is not made, then full responsibility for device repairs/replacement will fall on the student/family and not the district.
9. How will students be monitored? How will we prevent cyberbullying from increasing?
All computers used within the CCSD network are monitored for appropriate usage including content, sites, and keywords. This must be done to maintain CIPA compliance and not compromise our federal eRate funding. Our content filter also allows for pushing our filtering to the devices off campus, which means that each student will also be operating under a safe and functional content filter on these devices, regardless of location. Consequences for both use of devices and bullying are also addressed in the Student Handbook. All data that is accessible under the devices are subject to search at any point, however no data will be shared outside of the CCSD, apart from Law Enforcement as necessary.
10. Are parents/guardians responsible for damage to student devices?
If intentional damage is determined to be the cause then this is to be addressed by the Student Handbook and may result in disciplinary action, per CCSD Board Policy 6.311 (Care of School Property). If the protection plan is purchased, then each calendar year will result in an allotment of 1 replacement device for accidental damages, as needed.
11. How will students safely carry devices between classes during school?
In addition to receiving the Dell Latitude 3190/ Lenovo 300e the students will also be receiving a Targus Work-in Case/ Brenthaven Tred Zip Folio with Accessory Pouch that is designed specifically for use with these laptops. The cases will allow for easy and safe transport of the device, as well as allow for access to utilize the laptop while still safely protected within the case.
12. How will the technology stay updated?
The Technology Department can push updates out to student computers as needed through the CCSD network. Students will be required to turn in laptops at the end of every school year to allow for updates.
13. What is the size and type of laptop?
The Dell Latitude 3190 (5th - 8th), 11.93” x 8.11” x 0.82”; the device has an 11.6” screen size and it device weighs 2.8 lbs. The Lenovo 300e (9th & 12th) option is 11.83” x 8.36” x 0.92”; it has an 11.6” screen size and the device weighs 3.19 lbs.
14. Will the same device be re-issued to my child once they return from summer break?
Yes, we will be tracking which device is assigned to each child by tagging the devices with unique CCSD barcode labels; so the device will be returned to the previous child occupant at the beginning of the school year.
15. How will necessary device repairs be communicated to the IT Department?
Communication needs to be made through the Library/Media Specialist about the need for work to be done, so that they can notate that. After that requests can be emailed directly to our IT Help Desk, [email protected], with the Subject line reading School Abbreviation, Homeroom Teacher, and Student Name (i.e. HMS, Garrison, John Doe). Then please describe the issue/problem in the body of the email.
16. If there is a hardware failure on the device, and it needs to be replaced, will that count against the 1 replacement device/year?
No, hardware and software issues will be addressed via the IT staff, as mentioned above, and do not count against the replacement device when the deposit is paid.
17. What happens if my child transfers schools within the county? What happens if he/she leave the Cheatham County School System?
The device is assigned to the specific child and associated with the school’s inventory to which they are located. However, if they move schools (via transfer or promotion) then that device will move with them and be re-assigned to the new school’s inventory and database. If the child leaves the school district before their complete deposit (3-years @ $30/each) is paid then they are required to turn back in that device/case and power adapter or it will be deemed lost/stolen, and the family/individual will be responsible for the replacement costs.
18. When can we pay? How do we pay?
You can pay as soon as you turn in the signed Equipment Agreement form. Pay the schools directly, through check or cash; if paying with check please make the check out to Cheatham County Schools, and put laptop payment/student name/school abbreviation in the memo line (i.e. laptop/Liam Lockert/CMS). You can also pay directly through our online store, https://cheathamcountyschools.revtrak.net, select the appropriate school site, grade, and then enter the following in the comment box: Last Name, First Name, Homeroom Teacher. You can then pay from there. A small service fee is associated with the online payment (3.61%).