Leeming Primary School

Meharry Rd, Leeming, Western Australia, 6149
Ph: 08 9310 9133 Fax: 08 9310 8084

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The trend in education is no different to the community however we are behind this trend in ICT. Students generally are becoming disengaged from learning that is not motivating.  They are demanding more engaging learning.  Recognising schools today are a mismatch with the community and home in this area changes are needed. 
In May 2008, Education Ministers issued the third Joint Ministerial Statement on ICT in Australian education and training:2008-2011 acknowledging that information and communication technologies “are enabling the change of the curriculum and changing the way students and educators operate, learn and interact”. Ministers have agreed that:
“Australia will have technology enriched learning environments that enable students to achieve high quality learning outcomes and productively contribute to our society and economy.” Joint Ministerial Statement on ICT in Australian education and training: 2008-2011.

Realising the national vision
The national vision for ICT in education is school based and complements other initiatives that will prepare schools and the teaching work force for effective 21st Century learning. To help achieve the national vision, the Digital Education Revolution will require coordinated action, not only with regard to ICT, but also in respect of approaches to learning and relationships to the broader community.

The Federal Government has recognised the need and provided an Education Tax refund.  The State government provides schools with funding for their ICT infrastructure on a 1:4 ratio at school.  This funding is a good start but needs a top up from families.  This will be a direct contribution to their own child’s education. 

It might be a good idea to invite the local members – both Federal and State - to the P&C meeting and be there to participate in the discussion. Ask for the school to receive a dividend from the boom by way of a subsidy.

Remember that like the air conditioning of the school, if parents didn’t fund this over time – and there were many who disagreed with this - we would still not have this for our children like some other schools.  What is important now is to ensure funds you spend are for your child.

Choosing specialised equipment needs specialised expertise.  ICT equipment for most of us is specialised.  If you are an expert in this area, you can contribute to future plans
The school has an ICT committee consisting of parents and staff who have an ICT background or work in the area.  They have explored all the options with this initiative and have agreed this is the best option. 
The invitation to be on this committee is open to all.

We are currently running information sessions.  The first was at 7pm on Thursday October 22nd, then 7pm, Monday Nov 2nd and then Tuesday Nov 3rd at 2pm.  These last two sessions were in response to parents wanting to know more about what the computer can/will do and how it will be used to improve learning.

If you want more or have specific queries make contact with the school principal. 

What our children will have available in three years is exactly what the ICT committee has been looking at and discussing.  It was decided that we need to move our children into the technology so they are able to build on a knowledge platform.  We believe that in ten years time children will be using the iPhone concept rather than laptops.  We need to plan for not just the machine but the software capabilities.

Many homes have machines 3 to 5 years old that can still cope with their needs at home.  Our children may need to upgrade before this but the most fluid changes are in software.

Secondary schools all over are recognising the need for technology in learning.  There are moves now to have the final exams of Year 12 online just the same as driving tests are online.

The committee believe that with the investment that the Federal government is making in supplying computers to secondary students, more schools will take them on and the need for a personal computer will be as normal pens and pencils. 

The student’s individual need to access to a computer is imperative, especially if they are to achieve their potential.  As every home has a computer the competition from children and parents in the home will demand a second and eventually one each.  It is important that they all have the same one with the same software just like a textbook.

MC207X/A MacBook (new model) -parent funded bundle BE985X/A AppleCare 3 year warranty with the phone support iWorks and the Open Source will be pre-loaded Total $1438 inclusive of GST  
 

 

If you purchase via the school package this mean all the machines will have the same software and configuration, the warranty will be for 3 years including telephone support, it will include iWorks and the Open Source will be pre-loaded. 
Buying this off the shelf would cost $1299 + $419 + $129 = $1937.

$1438 school offer

Off-the-shelf: $1299

2.26GHz : 250GB, 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ‘ 2GB DDR3 memory, 250GB hard drive1 , 8 x double-layer SuperDrive , NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, Built-in 7-hour battery , Polycarbonate unibody enclosure
Included in every box:
MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord
Install/restore DVDs
Printed and electronic documentation
Airport +Bluetooth
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
+ iLife, iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and iWeb

Same

Same

Insurance is extra unless covered under Home contents

BE985X/A AppleCare 3 year warranty with the phone support in bundle.

12 months repair warranty 90days telephone support.
$419 for this extended 3 year care warranty

iWorks in bundle

Extra cost $129

Open Source, 3rd party software pre- loaded.  (Google Earth, Sketch Up, Scratch, Celestia, Phun, Celtx and others)

This a freeware product and you can pay to have it loaded to a purchase off the shelf

License ownership is with the owner.  Upgrades will need to be decided by the class as when they come up.

License ownership is with the owner and would need the same as the rest of the class.

The computer is linked to the child/student by name and the school so another purchase is not possible.

It will not be unusual for a home to have a Windows and Apple/Mac mix.  It doesn’t matter.  Children are adaptable and need to be. They need to be able to generalise knowledge and understandings across different areas not only computer systems.  It is very easy and the Mac accommodates Windows far easier than vice versa.

The Apple/Mac is not worried by viruses however under the Memorandum of Understanding we are required to sign with the Department (DET), McAfee will be provided free.  This ensures protection of the DET system.

This is unforeseeable however the only one that may be a consideration is software upgrades.  This may amount to $100 a year but would be something decided on a class basis to ensure everyone was operating in the same manner.  It is not a certain must do.

Some marketing will suggest you can pick up a laptop for under this however most find that by the time they purchase software and technical support the cost has blown out.
Parents can be given a choice of:
1. Purchase outright (insurance cover by parents home content policy)
2. Consumer Loan / Rental (insurance cover by parents home content policy)
3. Consumer Loan / Rental with insurance bundled in

The cost of leasing will be explored on a tender basis once we know if we will go ahead and how many we will lease.  Obviously a bulk lease gives more negotiating power.  (The Apple financing option comes in at $56.42 per month over 3 years or $2200 approx total)

The expense of $1438 is a great price ($9.22/week over 3 years). Taken over three years this works to $480 a year and if you expect to have the machine longer it will be an even cheaper.
investment.
The Wii, games box, TiVo, blue ray, DVD recorders, video cameras, stereos, mobile phone, etc are all new and individually expensive but talking around many have made this investment – for fun/recreation.  What else does this equate with?  2/3 beers a week, 2/3 coffees a week, couldn’t buy spectacle for this, petrol for 4000km in the car, etc.

The MacBook will be an educational investment and one that can be used by the family as well as the student. 

The Family tax benefit is provided to families on a means test basis and those who don’t earn as much can access a rebate of 50% of $750 (primary) expenses.  Most families at Leeming would be hard pressed to claim this from what is allowable and what the school requests.

The care that students take for the computer is of course a family/personal issue however, I believe that from the schools that have participated in this programme it is not something that they have had problems with.  The students seem to care for the personal computer probably because they own it, use it in class and parents are very insistent on the care.  The back pack is something to carry things in which protects what’s in it.

The care that students take for the computer is of course a family/personal issue however, I believe that from the schools that have participated in this programme it is not something that they have had problems with.  The students seem to care for the personal computer probably because they own it, use it in class and parents are very insistent on the care.  The back pack is something to carry things in which protects what’s in it.

 

As a parent you would need to ask your tax accountant as each families finances vary however it has been found that if you are outside Family Tax Benefit A the it purchase outright and offset in your tax.  If you qualify for Family Tax Benefit A lease and spread payments over 3 years so you can get the full 50% refund annually.  As a parent you would need to ask your tax accountant as each families finances vary however it has been found that if you are outside Family Tax Benefit A the it purchase outright and offset in your tax.  If you qualify for Family Tax Benefit A lease and spread payments over 3 years so you can get the full 50% refund annually. (If you spend the maximum allowable amount in one financial year you can claim the excess eligible educational expenses in the following year.)
 

 

We would need $42,240 to purchase a class set of MacBooks. 
This does only one class and it would not allow for a student to take the machine home and compete work or practise.  We would need to choose which class would have these and who would miss out.
Currently we have a lab and could have a set of mobile laptops but the demand across the school for their use makes it very difficult for teachers to access them when they need them. 

Most of the time teachers would like to have access at skills time – mornings – because the children are fresh. This would not be available to all and with everyone using them, not being their own, not having constant touch to practise skills, etc the issues far outweigh any benefit.

Currently 25% of Yr1-7 families do not pay their voluntary contribution of $60 per child and 35 % do not pay their P&C levy of $50 per family even though everyone benefits and has a say in how it is spent.  This makes equitable funding impossible.

A levy to buy the number of MacBooks for a class would be $204 per family across the school and this would only enable a class set which would need to be used on a roster system with each class having 3 x 1 hour sessions per week.  This would mean, like the lab, classes would have sessions spread across the days not when they want/need it.
Leasing is no cheaper.

Businesses get rid of desktops that are out-dated.  Desktops take so much room.  We couldn’t have a desktop per child and this is the most beneficial.  The odd laptops are usually grabbed by the employees if they are of use therefore the ones a school would get would be less than useful.  The issues of having many different brands etc would be a nightmare.

Training will be provided for staff however we will start with ICT savvy staff teaching in these classes.  They know that the programmes and operation will be similar to what we already have with our Windows system.  We will be using both and they are excited about using it. 

The health issue is a not a concern.  In the primary classes we already move around and change lessons frequently.  Nevertheless we will have a 50% ruling so students are not engaged in viewing for more than 50 % of daily class work.  This of course is spread over the day not all at one time and they will still have their normal break times.
The other factor is that we will never be able to get away from explicit teaching when we will be holding whole class instruction however what will change is that those able and ready can get on quicker giving the teacher more time to spend with those who don’t grasp it at first and allow those very fast to move ahead.
Another important aspect is that the computer programmes will give immediate feedback.  Instead of a student having to wait to have their spelling or maths marked – lined up at the desk or hands up – they can move on or back.

The back-up is a major reason for moving to Mac.  The time spent on the issues around the Mac is dramatically less than a PC.  The ICT teacher at Orange Grove spends 1 hour per week with their 40 Macs.  He would need much more for the other system.  A further advantage is that Mac users do not have a need for anti virus (although ours will have McAfee as a Department requirement.)
We already have a technician for half a day and Ms Piercey for half a day for our school based PCs.
The back up offered under this initiative is on-phone support from 7am to 7pm and weekends.
School support will be from Ms Piercey.

The damage possibility, will be handled through your contents policy – just specifying the MacBook and adding it to your policy or covered under the lease agreement if you go that way. 

The school plans to purchase a few spare MacBooks to ensure back-up for these problem times.

We will all have interactive whiteboards installed in our classes in the next few weeks.  This is courtesy of the Federal Govt grant for schools and will be a great innovation.  We will be engaged in learning about this and this will help to integrate the MacBook instruction and general technology approach.

No.  I am hopeful that we can get at least one class with MacBooks so we can start.  Not every class has to have it but every child in the class needs one. 

We think it is important that we can offer this where possible and not stop the initiative because a few can’t participate.

We will try to find ways to help those who need it, especially those who qualify for the Family Tax Benefit A and still have problems.  Come and speak with the school principal and see what can be done.

The nature of the 1:1 laptop environment is that students will have their MacBooks with them and available for use throughout the school day. This does not mean though that they will be used in every lesson. Like other learning tools, the use of MacBooks will depend on the particular learning activity and this is at the discretion of the teacher. MacBook activities will blend with others such as writing, reading, discussion, debate and testing and students will find that their use of MacBooks will vary from day to day.

The nature of school and state wide testing continues to dictate that students are required to take the bulk of tests by hand rather than with their MacBook. With this in mind, it is school direction that handwriting skills and handwriting activities will remain as regular activities across the curriculum.
However, this is not to say that the use of laptops for writing tasks causes a deterioration of handwriting skills. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, research from a very large scale study (Silvernail and Gritter, University of Southern Maine, 2007) of the impact of 1:1 laptop use on writing skills in the US state of Maine over a five year period has found that laptop use has a positive impact on writing skills. It is argued that as students learn to take advantage of computers for writing, their writing strategies change.
Revisions of drafts become easier and accepted as a normal part of the process, improving the overall quality of writing. The study concludes that using laptops for developing and producing writing helps students to become better writers both when using a laptop and when writing in longhand.  The research report may be found at: http://www.usm.maine.edu/cepare/Impact_on_Student_Writing_Brief.pdf

We believe that it is important for parents to be as involved in as many aspects of their child’s work as possible and parents are encouraged to regularly spend time with their child asking them to explain the work on the MacBook. This is likely to include movies, podcasts, web pages, simulations, cartoons, drawings, photo essays, artworks, musical compositions and animations. The creativity expressed in this work will be supported by the interest of parents as well as teachers and looking through it on the MacBook should be as regular as looking through workbooks.

Instruction on use of MacBooks in a good ergonomic environment will be presented to students new to the School or to the 1:1 MacBook environment at the start of each year. This will focus on good posture with attention to the position of the chair, desk and MacBook as well as demonstration of stretches and other exercises. Additionally, we advise students to avoid looking at any screen (including television) for extended periods of time. It is for this reason that access limits to both the internet and any laptop use have been put in place.

In applying best practice, we are mindful of the fact that students differ in their usage from other MacBook users, eg in the workplace. Generally, they are not seated in the same place for long periods of time whilst using the MacBook and take frequent breaks from the keyboard and screen, even in the same class.

Evidence from other schools with long experience of laptop use is that the combination of educating students about good ergonomic practice and young people’s natural habit of changing posture frequently addresses the issue of physically safe use successfully. The MacBook has been selected with weight in mind.

The new operating system ‘Snow Leopard’, now installed on all Macs, includes content filtering which gives the machines built in protection anywhere, anytime. This breakthrough means that for the first time, schools which adopt this particular technology can extend the protection offered by the school to the home. Prior to this, schools have not been able to offer any effective filtering solution beyond the school network. This filtering extends also to social networking sites so that pages which contain offensive language or other content will not be able to be seen on the MacBook.  It is recommended parents still adopt a 'safe internet' strategy at home using some of the government recommended systems: http://netalert.gov.au/
This also makes it possible to limit the time that the machine itself will operate. Limits will be determined in consultation with students, parents and staff and will vary between year groups, though the time limits for younger students will be more stringent.

In the meantime and as a general rule, it is recommended that parents include the MacBook in any limits on ‘screen time’ which includes television and video games.

The school shares responsibility with parents, government and the community to protect our children from the impact of inappropriate material on the internet. This protection comes in the form of a number of mechanisms to block inappropriate content.

Every internet request and download is recorded, logging user ID, time, page element accessed, size of element, method of access and the machine from which the request was made. No internet filtering mechanism will be perfect and for this reason the staff and DET regularly inspects these logs for breaches to this protocol. Students found to be accessing inappropriate material will be referred to the School discipline system. The action taken will vary depending on student age and may include notification to parents and limitation to internet access.

  • If MacBook is used as a standalone computer, no additional requirements are needed from home.
  • If parents already possess either dialup Modem or ADSL, then MacBooks can be connected to a spare port on the modem, or remove the modem cable from the Home PC and attach to the notebook
  • If the home environment is on a Network setup then only a spare access port is required.
  • Backup portable drives would be an advisable extra
  • If separate access to the internet is required, then a wireless connection can be purchased and plugged into a wall socket anywhere in the house that is deemed appropriate by parents.
  • Financial Assistance

The Federal Government provides a new Education Tax Refund to help families of around 2.3 million school-age children meet the costs of education.  http://www.educationtaxrefund.gov.au/what-can-i-claim/
Under the policy Education Tax Refund, eligible parents will be able to claim:

  • A 50 per cent refund every year for up to $750 of education expenses for each child attending primary school (maximum $375 per child, per year).
  • A 50 per cent refund every year for up to $1,500 of education expenses for each child attending secondary school (maximum $750 per child, per year).
  • Therefore a typical family with a primary school aged child and a secondary school aged child would receive a tax refund of up to $1,125 per year.

All families who receive Family Tax Benefit (Part A) will be eligible for the 50% tax refund for eligible education expenses.

    • Eligible expenses include the cost of buying, establishing, repairing and maintaining any of the following items:
    • laptop computers and home computers
    • computer-related equipment such as printers, USB flash drives, as well as disability aids to assist in the use of computer equipment for students with special needs
    • computer repairs
    • home internet connections
    • computer software for educational use
    • school textbooks and other printed learning material, including prescribed textbooks, associated learning materials, study guides and stationery.

If you have concerns for finances but are keen for your child to be part of this initiative, please contact the school principal.

Research considered by the School has come from academic journals such as the ‘International Society for Technology in Education’ and the ‘Journal of Research on Technology in Education’ as well as conferences in Australia and overseas, the experience of teachers who have been involved in information technology and discipline specific associations such as regional, state and national teachers’ associations.

Other useful research links are:
Maine (USA) gives a recipe for success
http://mcmel-resources.wikispaces.com/Doing+1to1+Right
One to One laptop resource (USA)
http://www.k12one2one.org/lit_review.cfm
Seeing No Progress, Some Schools Drop Laptops
http://www.nytimes.com
Teachers respond to the New York Times article
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/
Anytime, Anywhere Learning Foundation
http://aalf.org/
The Metiri Group: Technology in Schools: What Does the Research Say?
http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/docs/education/TechnologyinSchoolsReport.pdf
The Florida “Laptops for Learning” report
http://etc.usf.edu/L4L/Index.html
Department of Education, Western Australia, collection of research
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/notebooks/
A search of Edna (Australian Education network) for articles relating to laptops in schools
http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/
Seymour Papert, the seminal voice on computers and learning
http://www.stager.org/
Keefe,Dave and Andy Zucker. “Ubiquitous Computing Projects: A Brief History.” SRI International,2003.
http://www.ubiqcomputing.org
Maine Learns.The Maine Learning Technology Initiative.
http://www.mainelearns.org
Rockman et al is an innovative research, evaluation, and consulting company that specializes in examining critical issues in formal and informal education
http://rockman.com/publications/index.php

 

Reports: Evaluation information on the evolution, use, and impact of laptop programs, including the following reports, which are also available directly from Microsoft.
“Report of a Laptop Program Pilot,” June 1997.
http://www.microsoft.com/education/download/aal/resrch_1.rtf
“Powerful Tools for Schooling: Second Year Study of the Laptop Program,”1998.
http://www.microsoft.com/education/download/aal/research2.rtf
“A More Complex Picture: Laptop Use and Impact in the Context of Changing Home and School Access,”1999.
http://www.microsoft.com/education/download/aal/research3report.doc
State of Maine. Maine Learning Technology Initiative.
http://www.state.me.us/mlte