Do I need a home computer for my student?
Starting in the 2011-2012 school year, LFCDS will provide all Upper School students (grades 5-8) with a tablet PC computer as part of our ePAL learning initiative. LFCDS recommends but does not require that its lower school students have a home computer with Internet access. At school, student computer use is integrated in a developmentally appropriate manner into our curriculum. Teachers provide time during the school day for students to complete computer-based activities & assignments using our carts of laptop & Tablet PCs computers or desktop computer labs. Students in grades 3 and 4 may have homework that requires the use of computer outside of the school day, but publicly available computers such as those provided at public libraries provide the software tools students will need. However, given the prevalence of electronic communication from the school to families & the increasing ubiquitous of computers in general, families of these students may find it convenient to have a home computer.
Should I get a Mac or a PC?
LFCDS uses Microsoft Windows 7 on all of its student computers. However, the primary applications students need to access for homework are Web browsers & Microsoft Office, both of which are available cross-platform on both Mac OS & Windows operating systems. (OpenOffice, a free Microsoft Office-compatible productivity suite is available on all major operating systems, including GNU/Linux, making that free operating system an option as well.) While having Windows 7 on your home computer would maximize compatibility with LFCDS, some find MacOS more intuitive & Apple hardware easier to manage for home network setups. Given the availability of Microsoft Office:Mac, students with Macintosh computers at home will have few, if any, compatibility problems with LFCDS computers.
Should I get a laptop or a desktop computer?
Laptop computers provide tremendous advantages in portability, especially when coupled with a home wireless network, allowing students to work on computer-based homework anywhere in the home without being tied to a single location. However, in general, laptop computers cost more than desktop computers, are more prone to damage, & have an additional more subtle disadvantage: Their mobility offers greater potential for unsupervised Internet access & the possible threats that represents. Restricting your child to accessing the Internet only from a regularly monitored public space in the house such as a family room is the best way to avoid your child exposing him- or her-self to inappropriate material on the Web or disclosing too much personal information on social networking Websites like Facebook or through instant messaging, chatroom, or e-mail communications.
May my student bring a laptop computer to school at LFCDS?
Both to ensure the integrity and reliability of the school’s network and to protect student equipment, students are not permitted to bring their own computers, computer peripherals (such as printers, Web cameras, scanners, and similar), or network equipment to school unless use of such equipment has been recommended by an LFCDS Learning Development Teacher in coordination with the student and his or her parents as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Please see the Student Responsible Use Policy for full details.
Do I need an Internet filter?
The most effective Internet filters are involved parents & educated children. While software filters are available (see <http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/> for comparisons), none are foolproof. We follow iSafe in recommending the following parenting practices for the Internet age:
- Place the family computer in a central location
- Caution against revealing personal information
- Learn who your kids are chatting with online
- Monitor your child’s Internet habits
- Set up a computer use agreement
- Establish “safe reporting” with your child
What specifications should my computer meet?
Given the rapidly changing nature of the personal computer market and the diverse needs of families, it’s impractical for us to offer specific recommendations. However, we can offer some general advice. Before you choose a computer, consider how it will be used. If you plan to use it only for browsing the World Wide Web and writing e-mail messages, you may be well served by a low-end computer. If you plan to engage in digital photography, digital video editing, or computer gaming, however, you will want to find a computer with a processor, memory, hard drive space, and video card on the high end. For more information, look at the comprehensive buying guide, computer reviews, and price comparisons at <http://reviews.cnet.com/> and check out current bargains at <http://grupare.com/>.
What software do I need for my student?
Students need access to a Web browser (such as Mozilla FireFox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome etc.) to access the LFCDS Panther Portal and Web-based resources and a Microsoft Office 2007 compatible office suite to create word processing documents, slide-show presentations, and spreadsheets.
What else do I need?
Since LFCDS does not currently provide students with e-mail access nor allow access to outside e-mail accounts, students should have a USB flash drive with 128MB or more of storage to transfer files between LFCDS computers and their home computers. USB flash drives (also known as USB ThumbDrives, JumpDrives, PocketDrives, PenDrives) are widely available at online and retail electronics vendors.
Where can I get additional computer questions answered?
Please e-mail for questions related to the LFCDS Panther Portal Online Community. Please e-mail @IT Support for other information technology-related questions.