1	eLearning Teacher’s FAQ
2	Why are we leasing laptops for students? Our district is a high performing district that is looking for ways to increase student achievement. Laptops have been successful in this effort in other districts. We want to increase student engagement in the learning process. We believe it will prepare our high school students for careers and college.
3	What staff is receiving laptops? All certified staff.
4	What software will be installed on teacher machines? SUBSCRIPTION WEB SITES Nettrekker, Curriculum Pathways,,Kentucky VirtualLibrary, Bridges.com's eGuidance Center, Turnitin, Atomic Learning, SOFTWARE Spectrum client "Geometer's sketchpad" Software that accompanies the textbooks IBM Vital Source software PRODUCTIVITY RELATED- STUDENT & TEACHER Microsoft Office version 2003-Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Microsoft Photo Editor, Equation Editor, Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Coldfusion and Freehand, Windows Media Player (music, sounds, DVD) , Windows Movie Maker 2, GraphCalc (free download) http://www.graphcalc.com/download.shtml PRODUCTIVITY RELATED- TEACHER STI Office,STI Classroom,SETS Classroom,CPS software YOUR CLASSROOM SOFTWARE Since teachers will be the “Administrators” of their own machines, they may install the classroom software for which they have licenses at any time.
5	Do these machines only connect to the network wirelessly? No, they have ethernet jacks too. The jacks that your current desktops are hooked to will remain “hot” so you can be wired to the network when necessary
6	Which class is receiving laptops this year? Freshmen. We will continue adding laptops each year. expect to use laptops the rest of your career with the Daviess County Public School system.
7	What kind of training will I receive? Training will be on-going: Teachers at your school are members of the “eTeam”, a technology support cadre. These teachers are available throughout the school day to help you. Every summer, there will be technology workshops offered for your flexible in-service. Your school technology coordinator and the district technology coordinator are at your service on an appointment basis.
8	I’m not comfortable with technology and 2 days of flexible in-service training won’t help! Throughout out the year, training will be provided during faculty meetings, planning periods and informal training from peers. The curriculum team has recommended the hiring of a Technology Mentor on-site to help teachers integrate technology into instruction.
9	How will I be using laptop in my classes? Students will be doing assignments on the laptop using Word, Graphing Calculator, Powerpoint, etc. The Internet will be used to find information and do simulations. E-mail, network folders and Moodle will be used to transfer assignments to and from students. You can put your entire year’s assignments on our Moodle site. Students will make webquests, web pages, photo albums and movies for class projects. Use will be limited only by your imagination and creativity!
10	Are textbooks going to be replaced by the laptop? It will depend on needs Most textbooks that we have adopted recently CAN be installed on the laptops The DCPS textbook adoption committees will be exploring the possibilities each adoption year. IBM is providing hundreds of public domain resources on the hard drives of the laptops
11	Will I use the laptop in my classes every day? For attendance and grading, the laptop will be used every day. Because of the opportunities that it provides for student learning, it will be used more each year. "Keep this movement going. Keep this movement rocking in spite of the difficulties, and yes, there will be more difficulties. If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving." Dr. Martin Luther King
12	Can I load my own software on these machines? Yes, you have the legal right to do so if you purchased the software for your laptop if it is public domain and offered for download or if you created it. If technical problems occur, IBM has a utility that restores your machine to the “last known good”.
13	May my family use the laptop? Only under your supervision. If your family violates the laptop AUP (Acceptable Use Policy), YOU will be held responsible.
14	Am I liable if my laptop is stolen? If it is stolen at school, the district insurance will pay. If it is stolen at your home or in your car, your homeowner’s insurance is responsible. The deductible is your responsibility.
15	Do I have to have Internet service at home as part of this project? No, but it would be advantageous if you did. If you wish to get e-mail and enter grades outside of school hours, Internet access is necessary.