• When will the students receive their laptops?

    Students that have paid their $25 laptop usage fees and turned in a signed Laptop Agreement and Responsible Use of Technology (RUT) form will receive their laptops. Students will received the Laptop Agreement form on the first day of school or they can download it from the school website during the summer.

     

    Do we have enough bandwidth to handle Internet traffic, once students get their laptops?

    Yes, we have enough coverage to handle the traffic. 90% of our classrooms have a dedicated internet wifi connection point, called a Wireless Access Point (WAP) that can handle up to 30 laptops logging in and accessing the Internet resources. 

     

    Who is responsible for charging the laptops and other power issues?

    The students are responsible for making sure that their laptops are charged over-night and ready for school. Students should bring the laptop (in it's case) and their charger to school every day. 

     

    Do students need personal credentials to log on to the laptops?

    Yes, all YWCPA students will  have a unique username and password to log on to their student accounts. 

     

    Will students receive training about device care, digital citizenship, and Power Up?

    Students will receive extensive training related to device care and proper use of the laptops. During laptop deployment, teachers will conduct device orientation and digital citizenship with students. 

     

    How about web tools?

    HISD Educational Technology team has an extensive list of tools that students will learn about and use throughout the year. Teachers may also conduct in-class training for their students. https://www.houstonisd.org/Domain/16245

     

    What should I do, as a teacher, should the Internet connectivity go down and my lesson has been planned around being able to go online?

    Whether it's ongoing construction, or a sudden thunderstorm, there are rare occasions where technology, even electricity, can fail. Have non-digital options and backup plans. Teachers should be able to adapt and continue instruction when technology is not working. For example, have a digital copy of the essential elements of your lesson, activities, media files, and resources on your local machine or have the documents and files saved to an external device such as USB/Jump Drive. 

     

    I want to assign online related homework, but I am afraid my students may not have Internet access at home. What can I do to extend my classroom activities beyond my classroom walls?

    Please have physical copies of assignments available for students to copy to their laptops. You can either post the files on the HUB and have the students download them while in class, or use a USB drive to transfer the materials to their laptops before they go home. Students can also access free WIFI at various locations in Houston.

    Once students receive their laptops, will we get technical support during class periods?

    Yes, please visit the PowerUp/Technology office in room 146 or call extention 463234. 

     

    How about major technical issues with student laptops?

    Students can visit the PowerUp/Technology office  before school, at lunch, and during class if teacher permitsl. Once the student and laptop arrive at the PowerUp office,  we will troubleshoot the laptop and decide on a course of action. Allow students the flexibility to work with another student until they can visit PowerUp to address the issue.

     

    Do we have to use the laptops, in class, everyday?

    Laptops are taking the place of textbooks. Just as students previously used textbooks daily, students will use laptops everyday. This doesn't mean that teachers will utilize laptop technology exclusively, but students do need to bring their laptop to school everyday.

     

     

     

     

     

    Do students have access to printers? How will the setup work?

    Printers should not be necessary. Assignments will be shared with teachers and among students using Office 365, an
    HISD student and teacher email and collaboration system. 

     

    Are the laptops secure and safe at school and at home?

    The laptops are fitted with HISD installed filters to protect students. The filters work at school and at home. The laptops also have CompuTrace program installed, to deter theft and loss. The best deterrence is knowledge. We have to do a great job teaching our students about device care and digital citizenship.

     

    Are students allowed to download and install programs on the laptops?

    No, they are not allowed to install programs or games on the laptops. However, the laptops will come with a feature that has pre-loaded programs for students to use. Teachers can request for specific software to be added if necessary.

     

     

    Who deals with a reported lost or stolen laptops on or off campus?

    Any lost/stolen laptop needs to be reported immediately to the PowerUp office. Generally, for off-campus lost/stolen, the PowerUp team will help you complete a report for the appropriate agency, such as Houston Police Department. 

     

    Is it true that HISD IT can access and remotely monitor my computer?

    Yes, HISD IT department can access and remotely monitor Power Up Laptops. They are the property of HISD, after all. This is not common and is only implemented when a situation warrants it.

     

    $25 laptop usage fee, is this an insurance premium against damage, theft, or lost?

    The $25 is not an insurance premium. It is a technology usage fee for the duration of one academic year. HISD has a separate insurance policy that covers all laptops distributed to students and teachers. 

      

    I have more questions, who do I address them to?

    Please email Mr. Gigar or Dr. Williams with your questions.