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Frequently Asked Questions
What type of devices will students receive? Dell Chromebook 11
Can any family member use the device? Each student will be assigned an individual username and password. Parents are encouraged to access their child’s account and monitor their child’s usage and progress.
What filter(s) are in place to protect student from visiting harmful websites? Connecticut Technical High Schools utilize the iBoss filter which is updated daily; however, the most important filter is parental supervision. Parents are offered training on internet safety and are shown how to check a student’s history on the device.
Will students keep the devices over summer break? No, devices will be taken up near the end of the school year.
Why Chromebooks?
The CTHSS has been a Google district for a number of years. The Google ecosystem provides a robust, low cost (actually free), cloud-based platform that is a good fit for achieving Common Core and other curriculum goals. Chromebooks are an affordable Internet appliance that will get students onto the Internet and to utilize the Google Apps suite. Because of their tremendous adoption rates in K12, we can be assured that Chromebooks will be compatible with major web-based applications moving forward such as the Smarter Balanced Assessments. At the same time, teachers and students are not locked into the device per se, as Google Apps can be accessed from PCs, Macs, iPads, Androids, etc.
What training is available for parents who are unfamiliar with the software? Parent training will be offered throughout the year and Google offers many online tutorials that will have links on our 1:1 website. Additional Resources will be available through our family engagement centers.
Will parents need to purchase additional items for the device? Each student will be responsible for purchasing their own ear buds (or head phones).
What will be the consequences for misuse or inappropriate use of the device? Details are provided in our Technology and Acceptable Use Policy and the Student handbook.
How are issues of inappropriate usage being handled? In the same way they are now. Infractions of the AUP are considered disciplinary issues and are handled accordingly on a case by case basis.
Will students carry fewer textbooks once they have devices? Yes. Teachers will increasingly begin to use digital content for instruction and assignments. This will be a transition over time.
How will students or staff store and share their digital work? Students and staff will have access to cloud-based storage services such as Dropbox, SkyDrive and Google Apps for saving and sharing documents. These services are available from any device with an Internet connection and have dedicated apps for Android and Apple iOS devices in addition to Mac and PC application software.
What if a student loses or breaks the device? At this time (fall of 2015) the devices have been acquired with 1 year accidental damage. In the fall of 2016 there may be a smallSelf-insurance fee (small fee) that may need to be acquired by the parents and guardians for those devices that are taken off of campus. For devices that are lost parents/guardians are responsible for the replacement fee for the device.
What is a student forgets their device? Another device will not be issued to a student who forgets their device. They will have to use pen and paper all day or the teacher might allow them to use the desktop computer located in the room.
What if a student forgets to charge their computer? Students charging their computer each night is as important turning in homework. It is an expectation that the student will have a charged device with them for class work. Schools will have charging stations (power strips) in the media center and cafeteria for those who need a quick charge but charging a computer takes time and this will only be a band aide to the problem.
Moving between district schools during the school year - will this show up on some form of documentation? The device will be tracked through the library software (Destiny). Device should be returned to the school the student is leaving and then issued at the new school the same as if the student were coming from out of district.
What about special education students who need devices other than a Chromebook? Based on the students IEP and individual needs, the SPED staff will identify the most appropriate device for the student, which may or may not be a Chromebook.
How do students keep Chromebooks charged all day? Need extra power strips for classrooms? The battery has 10 hour battery life. Faculty and students will be educated on how to treat the battery to get the best battery life.
May students bring their own personal device to school, rather than the school-issued computer? Students are encouraged to bring in their own device to use in place of the district issued device. However, there is no support of the student owned device.
What if a parent refuses a device for their student? The CTHSS will be using devices each day in all classes. Students who are not allowed to take their computer home will have to pick up the device each morning at an assigned destination and return it at the end of the day.
What about students without Internet access at home? What they need to complete their homework will be downloaded to the device. We will also list all “hotspots” around the school region for student’s use. Information will be available through the school’s family engagement center.
Will students be able to put stickers or covers on the devices? Students may only use stickers or covers that will not leave any residue on the device. (Those without glue.)
Our wireless system now - will it be able to handle everyone on a hall having access at the same time and fast access? It will need to be upgraded. A wireless evaluation by Cisco has been conducted in beginning of spring of 2015. Wireless at the secondary schools is being updated to increase the traffic allowed. Items of concern were identified and are being addressed. As the 1;1 initiative rolls out we may encounter additional wireless trouble area, but will address quickly.
Some classes do a lot of hands-on activities with materials that could ruin a device (art and science)....where will the devices go during that class period where they will be safe? Students should then put their device back in their backpack/sleeve.
What copyright or fair use restrictions apply to linking and accessing materials in this setting? Is there anything that is off-limits per these rules? Yes, anything that we did not purchase, is not a free resource or does not meet the “fair use” standards.
Can I use the Chromebook if I don't have WiFi access?
There are ways to use the Chromebook, even if you don't have WiFi (online) access.
Chrome apps. Apps are free-standing "programs" that you can install from the Chrome Web Store. Many apps operate offline.
Drive Offline. Google Drive is the folder organization of Google Docs. While Google Docs are online, you can activate Drive Offline, download Docs to you Chromebooks file storage, and work on them offline. This includes editing existing Docs as well as creating new Docs. Then, when you have WiFi access and are back online, Google Drive syncs your files, updating changes and additions you made offline. Click for more information on Drive Offline, check out this help file and video.
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