LAPTOP PROGRAM

The mission of the Duchesne Technology is to develop technologically literate students that display the following characteristics:

• exhibit ethical and responsible behavior when using technology;
• acquire knowledge in the use of technological resources, processes and applications;
• access, organize, analyze, synthesize, and present information;
• enhance the effectiveness of a broad range of communication skills;
• develop problem solving strategies to accomplish tasks while expressing individual creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions                  

• How long has the program been in place? Our 1-1 Technology Program began in the 2001-2002 school year.

• What type of technology does Duchesne use? Duchesne’s campus features a wireless tablet pc network.

• Why does Duchesne use a 1-1 program? Duchesne Academy believes students gain knowledge and critical thinking skills using technology. Students must be prepared for technological advancements in life. A computer skills curriculum prepares students in the use of computers to access and apply data necessary to solve problems in a technology-based society.

• Why use tablets rather than laptops? We use tablets because, with a tablet, students write their class notes just as they would with a pencil and notebook. Studies have shown that the brain processes are different for typing than they are for writing. Therefore students remember better what they write rather than what they type. The tablet functions in the same manner as a laptop in all other ways.
• What technology will my student learn? Computer applications are team-taught by the Technology Teacher and the core curriculum teachers. Classroom usage of technology includes reports and presentations, simulations, research, management of science experiments and data, communication, exploration and data analysis.
• Does Duchesne have a separate Technology Curriculum? In addition to computer skills that are integrated within the core curriculum, three additional computer courses are provided: Computer Essentials, Help Desk, and Intro to Web Design.
• What computer will my daughter use during her four years at Duchesne? Individually owned or leased Tablet PCs are required for grades 10, 11 and 12. Freshmen will use a laptop cart as well as the desktops that are grouped in the library, journalism and art departments.
• How do we obtain a computer for our 10th grade daughter? In the spring of your daughter’s freshman year, a letter will be sent to your home explaining the Tablet PC Program Purchase for that year. Payments can be made in one payment or three payments over the summer. Leasing a computer from Duchesne is also an option. The technology department then prepares your daughter’s new computer for her and arranges for her to pick it up on Out-of-Box day before school starts.
• Do we have to buy our daughter’s computer through Duchesne or can we provide our own? You may provide your own PC (not Mac) as long as it meets or exceeds the specifications for our program. There is an additional technology fee for the Duchesne Technology department to load all the software and join the computer to our network.
• What are the advantages of buying the computer through Duchesne? When purchasing through the Duchesne program, you receive a discount of approximately 15% off retail. When the computer needs service or maintenance, our Technology Department can normally take care of it on campus. On the rare occasion that further service or a part is needed, Duchesne’s contract with Riverside Technologies in Omaha handles it. If the repair goes through Riverside Technologies, average repair time is 1 day. All parts and labor are covered for the three remaining years of your daughter’s high school career.
• What model is currently being used? The model purchased through the school program for the 2007-2008 school year was Gateway’s E-155C. For more details on this model go to MPC’s website at http://pro.mpccorp.com/education/notebooks/e155c.html
• What are my daughter’s responsibilities concerning her computer? Your daughter is responsible for backing up her computer regularly, being a responsible, ethical user, and reporting any problems she may have to the Technology department promptly.
• Does the school provide a way for my student to backup her data? All students are provided with space on the server in which to back up their schoolwork. This skill is introduced during your daughter’s freshman year. In addition your daughter will learn other methods of backup during her sophomore year in the Computer Essentials course.
• What happens when my daughter has a problem with her computer? Students that are having problems can bring their computer to the student-run Help Desk supervised by the Technology Teacher. A trained aide will guide the student in troubleshooting the problem. With this method of support, the student learns how to manage and maintain her computer. The Help Desk personnel follow a protocol that helps them determine when to refer the problem to the Technology Teacher or Riverside Technologies.
• Does the school block certain websites? A filter is used to block inappropriate sites. In addition to blocking these sites, students are educated in internet safety as well as computer ethics to encourage our student to be responsible, ethical users.
• Do the students and teachers use technology to communicate? All students have school email accounts, which can be accessed from either home or school. In addition to Duchesne’s website and internal communication system, many teachers have their own websites on which they post assignments, upcoming projects, and tests. Please visit the Duchesne website under Departments in the Academics sections for examples of these sites. http://www.duchesneacademy.org/academics/departments.php

• What is the function of the Technology Department at Duchesne? The department is comprised of a Technology Teacher/Coordinator and an outside consultant company, Egis Technologies. Egis Technologies takes care of the network and server maintenance, while the Technology Teacher/Coordinator works with the Help Desk and the end users – students, other instructors, and school personnel.
• Do parents have access to student grades online? While the grading program used by Duchesne does allow for this option, the adult community is currently debating how this option fits with Goal 5: Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom. Duchesne wants to continue to encourage our students to take responsibility for their grades and for their learning.
• Does Duchesne use Vista? Our Technology department is exploring the use of Vista in other educational environments at this time. Reports from other wireless Laptop Schools have not been encouraging. The department will continue to study the situation to determine whether or not Duchesne will move to Vista for the 2008-2009 school year. Please note that although Duchesne does not currently using Vista our Fall 2006 and Fall 2007 units meet all the hard-ware requirements necessary to run Vista.

For additional questions concerning the Technology Program at Duchesne, please contact our Technology Teacher, Mrs. Melanie Nuffer.