Q. What does the Term 1:1 mean?
A. The term 1:1 refers to the ratio of computers to students. In a 1:1 classroom, each student has a computer or mobile device as a tool for learning.
Q. What does the Term BYOD mean?
A. The term BYOD is an acronym for “Bring Your Own Device”.
Q. Do the students buy their own device for the 1:1 rollout or does the school provide one?
A. Families don’t need to buy a device. The district provides each student with an Chromebook laptop. However, we also give families the option to decline the device provided by the district and opt to bring their own Chromebook laptop. Only Chromebook laptops are allowed at the moment. We ask that if you plan to purchase your own Chromebook you choose a model that has a battery life of at least 5 hours.
Q. What are the features of the Chromebook provided by the district?
A. This changes as technology evolves. At minimum, chromebooks provided by the District have these basic features: 14’’ screen; 2.42 pounds; at least 6.5 hours of battery (varies by model and usage); 16GB local storage, unlimited cloud storage (school provided); booting time less than 10 seconds. You can find additional information on the following Google site: https://www.google.com/chromebook/
Q. What other Chromebook models are available?
If you plan to get your own Chromebook, you can find a list of Chromebook models here: https://www.google.com/chromebook/
Q. Are students in the 1:1 program allowed to take their assigned device home?
A. Yes, students take their devices home. And they are expected to bring their devices fully charged to school every day.
Q. If a student already has a Windows/Apple/Linux laptop for their own use at home, isn’t the Chromebook redundant?
A. We understand several families in the community already have powerful technology tools at home. The device assigned is not meant to replace such personal tools. The assigned device acts as a second computer that complements your primary device at home. It will allow students to participate in the activities at the school that are designed specifically for the Chromebook. Also, because the Chromebook is cloud-based and has removable storage options, students will be able to continue the work they started at school on their own computers at home, or on the Chromebook. We believe, based on our initial pilot in 2012-2013 and the research we have conducted, that a single device (or type of device) in the classroom facilitates delivery of the curriculum and allows for better classroom management (e.g. during online testing). We hope that both, the available technology at home and the device provided by the district, will complement each other to the benefit of our student population.
Q. When do students get their devices or enroll their BYOD devices?
District issued devices:
For most students the device is provided during freshmen orientation when they start 9th grade. The device assigned should be used until graduation.
Incoming transfer students get a device assigned shortly after they enroll in the District.
BYOD devices:
Freshmen students bring their devices the first day of school or during freshmen orientation.
Any incoming transfer student that is bringing their own Chromebook can bring it at any time to the Technology Resource Center after enrollment.
Note: The above information is subject to change. Please check with your teachers regarding Chromebook distribution.
Q. A student has received a Chromebook from the North Hunterdon-Voorhees District. Who owns it?
A. Students are awarded the use of the Chromebook with the expectation that it will be used for academic work. The North Hunterdon-Voorhees District retains ownership rights over the device.
Q. Is there be training for students on how to use the device?
A. Yes. The classroom teacher introduce the device to the students within the classroom and students become accustomed to using the device throughout the school year.
Q. Does the device have Internet filtering?
A. Yes. All devices have filtering settings previously determined and set by the technology department. This filtering setting apply both at school and while the device is outside the school network (e.g. at home, or at a free hotspot). Parents can use one of the “Parental Control” options available in the Chrome Store, or configure an openDNS solution in your home router (see the Internet Safety page on the Technology website for more information) if they want to tailor their children web filtering experience on top of school provided settings.
Q. Do you have any information/recommendations for us regarding internet safety?
A. Yes. You can access the following links to retrieve tips and guidelines relating to internet safety:
http://www.pta.org/topic_internet_safety.asp
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html#cat20019
http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide
https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/blog/digital-safety-staying-safe-online.html
Q. Where can students use their devices on campus?
A. Students are able to use their devices while in their classroom. They are also be allowed to use it in other common areas such as the Media Center. The device can connect to the Internet wherever there is wireless coverage.
Q. Can students print from the device?
A. Yes. But not all printers in the school are available for mobile printing.
Q. Can students edit Microsoft Office files with the Chromebook (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)?
A. Yes. G-Suite for Education can open and edit those files and maintain the extension. Students can transform these files into Google documents to share them with teachers and other students.
Q. Can students access the North Hunterdon-Voorhees website from their device?
A. Yes. Students can also use the device to access Library Databases and class information.
Q. What if the device gets broken or lost?
A. Reckless or negligent treatment of any device will be considered a disciplinary issue, as would be the case with any school property. Families are responsible for the device assigned to the students. We provide free labor on any repair needed, but families are asked to cover the cost of any part needing replacement (if the damage/lost is determined to be due to negligence or recklessness). The District will cover all manufacture defects of the products issued to students.
Q. Are the district provided devices insured, or does the District offers an insurance program for these district-provided device?
A. Not at this time. The devices will not be covered by accidental damage protection. We expect our students to be responsible pupils and that they take good care of the District property assigned to them (e.g. textbooks, chromebooks, etc). If you are not comfortable without insurance, you can elect to bring your own device. We have found that the cost of a new device is close to the cost of insurance for four years and that there are very limited programs that insure devices for up to four years.
Q. Will students get another device to use if theirs is broken or is somehow rendered unusable in the classroom?
A. We will have LIMITED loaners available until the device is fixed. The replacement grace period is 15 days.
Q. What are the expectations for use of the device?
A. The purpose of the device is to facilitate in-class instruction, out of class activities, and familiarize students with online testing. Therefore, students will be expected to bring their device to class every day, and to complete certain assignments with the device.
Q. Are textbooks available on the Chromebooks?
A. Most texts are now electronic. Paper texts are also available for all students.
Q. Do students need to create a new Gmail account to use with the device?
A. No. The North Hunterdon-Voorhees District provides Google Apps for Education accounts (which include Gmail) to students, and these accounts are pre-configured on the Chromebook assigned to the student. However, if a student has an existing Gmail account, they may also use this account as a second account on the device.
Q. Should the student sync the device to his or her personal computer?
A. This is not necessary.
Q. May additional apps/extensions other than the ones provided by the District be installed on the device?
A. Yes, students have the ability to install additional apps. Students are cautioned that the device is provided as an educational tool and therefore all apps installed in the device are expected to be for educational purposes. The primary goal of the 1:1 program is not to catch and punish people who deviate from this prescription, but to educate students. The District has the ability to see all installed apps in all devices, and might instruct a student to uninstall certain apps if deemed necessary. In addition, students are bound to the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and the teachers or the Technology Department will bring instances of AUP violations before the administration as appropriate.
Q. May games be installed on the device?
A. Students are discouraged from doing so, as the device is an educational tool. Students who play games on their devices in class are subject to discipline. In addition to disciplinary sanctions, students should be warned that they are also responsible for the costs associated with remedying or repairing devices that are harmed by unapproved downloads or usage.
Q. May a student buy their own apps or e-texts for their classes?
A. Yes. Students can buy their own apps, e-texts, or subscriptions, but that can only be done with a personal Gmail account, not with the Gmail account provided by the district. Students are cautioned that there may be differences between e-texts and print editions of texts, and should contact their teachers to be certain that they will be using the identical edition. Students should remember that the North Hunterdon-Voorhees District does not sanction or permit the illegal use of copy protected material, and that all texts (or applications) should come from legal sources.
Q. Do students have email access on the device?
A. Yes. The District issued email address is preconfigured in the device.
Q. Does the device come with accessories?
A. The device is provided with a protective case.
Q. How do I connect to the Internet?
A. You can connect to the Internet using WiFi from any open WiFi access point (e.g. your wireless router at home, or at any hot spot). The devices are preconfigured to connect to the school WiFi network.
Q. What if I do not have Wireless at my home?
A. This will be handled on a case by case basis. Any student in this situation should speak with his/her classroom instructor. The device provided can work in “offline” mode to function without an Internet connection.
Q. How will I download apps/extensions for class?
A. The teacher will provide instructions for students to download apps/extensions. Students and families should be aware that there are free and paid apps available for the platform provided. The school will not require families to purchase paid apps/extensions. All work in the device can be completed with either free apps or apps that the District has previously procured for use by our students.
Q. What are the responsibilities of the parents and/or guardians?
A. Parents and guardians are important partners with the district in ensuring that students use all technology in a responsible fashion. Parents should talk with their children about values and the standards that should be followed on the use of the Internet. Adults should also stress the fact that material put on the Internet or the network is almost always viewable by the public, even if privacy settings are activated, and that content is in essence permanently available on the web. Students should conduct themselves as if colleges, future employers, and friends and relations are viewing their postings.
Q. How will the devices be identified?
A. All devices will be identified by a user name, serial number, WIFI MAC address, and will be registered on the North Hunterdon-Voorhees network. All devices with geolocation capabilities will have geolocation services activated.
Q. Can the device be restored with apps and information if they need to be reset or if apps are accidentally deleted?
A. Yes, the devices can be locally backed up, and backed to the cloud via Google services. In addition, the Technology Department can remotely wipe or reset any of the devices if necessary.
Q. Are there any viruses that an assigned device model can get?
A. Not that we are aware of.
