LAPTOP PROGRAM

Mission

To fulfill the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education and focus on the future, Duchesne Academy commits to the use of technology as an educational tool to prepare students to live cooperatively in a global and rapidly changing technological society.

Duchesne Academy commits to the use of technology in order to:

• Assist in the development of critical thinking and communication skills
• Open new avenues to intellectual growth
• Increase awareness of social issues and involvement in social justice.
• Broaden the communication base among the members of the Sacred Heart community.
• Live Goal Five: Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
• Encourage young women to consider careers in technology fields where they are under-represented, and to develop the skills that will keep them competitive in an increasingly technology-oriented work force.

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 use tablets rather than laptops? with a tablet students write their class notes just as they would with a pencil and notebook. Students are therefore able to electronically complete lecture guides and worksheets in math, science and language classes where a traditional keyboard is not adequate. Furthermore, the tablet lays flat on the desk, thus eliminating the barriers within the classroom created by open lids.

• What technology will my student learn? Computer applications are team-taught by the Technology Teacher and the core curriculum teachers. Classroom use 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? Freshmen will use a laptop cart as well as the desktops that are grouped in the library, journalism and art departments. Sophomores are required to have a standard pc selected by Duchesne for their classes. The current pc is an HP Elite Notebook. This computer comes with a four year warranty from the manufacturer as well as Accidental Damage Protection on all parts (excluding accessories) for four full years.

• 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. The current tablet purchase is $1820.

• Do we have to buy our daughter’s computer through Duchesne or can we provide our own? You must use the standard machine selected by Duchesne's technology committee. This ensures that all school-provided software works on the computer and allows the school to create and manage one image per year for all students. We are better able to serve our students' needs in the classroom and at the helpdesk by standardizing the equipment.

  Furthermore, all school equipment is serviced through one warranty provider, Riverside Technologies.

• 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 having problems can bring their computer to the student-run Help Desk supervised by the Technology Coordinator. Help Desk personnel will guide the student in troubleshooting the problem. The Help Desk personnel follow a protocol that helps them determine when to refer the problem to the Technology Coordinator.

• 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, all teachers have access to Angel LMS, 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.

• What is the function of the Technology Department at Duchesne? The department is comprised of a Technology Coordinator and an outside consultant companies, Egis Technologies and Riverside Technologies. Egis Technologies takes care of the network and server maintenance, while Riverside Technologies in conjunction with the Technology Coordinator works with the Help Desk and the end users – students, other instructors, and school personnel.