 |
The Technology Department at
Roland Park Country School provides vision
and leadership for the integration of technology
throughout the entire K-12 curriculum on
a wireless campus. We were one of the first
independent schools in the nation to establish
a laptop program for girls in Grades 7 -
12. The RPCS faculty laptop program, piloted
in the 1999-2000 academic year, provided
laptops and extensive training that allowed
reexamination of curriculum and for the successful
integration of technology in appropriate
ways. |
In the 2000-2001 academic year the student laptop
program was successfully launched. In keeping
with our school’s philosophy “…while
maintaining high academic standards, the school
upholds tradition and promotes innovation…”,
the Technology Department works closely with
the faculty to select technologies that provide
the greatest academic benefits and broaden the
overall learning experience for students and
faculty.
In the 2003-2004 academic year, RPCS announced
the next phase of our laptop program with the
introduction of the Tablet PC. We chose the Tablet
PC because it is the most natural extension of
the individual in that one can write, draw and
annotate by hand as well as type. The ease and
flexibility of the use of technology has increased
exponentially with the Tablet PC.
The Technology Department strives to provide
a well-structured program for basic skill acquisition,
an on-going development of skills pertinent to
specific curricular needs, and an understanding
of integrity and safety in a technological world.
Understanding the value of problem-solving as
a basic building block for decision making and
troubleshooting, the department works to integrate
programming concepts into the K-12 curriculum
so that students will graduate with a rich skill
set, enabling them to meet the increasingly complex
academic, social, and professional challenges
of the future.
History
Educational computing has been part of the RPCS
program since 1971, well before the days of
the personal computer and the World Wide Web.
Being committed to keeping current with and
at the leading edge of technology, the school
has made quantum leaps each year in its technology
perspective. The first Upper School programming
classes were taught on a PDP-8F minicomputer
tower (which required punched paper tape).
This monolith was soon replaced by a lab of
TRS-80 desktops (which stored programs on audiotape
cassettes). It wasn't long before the lab was
equipped with Apple IIe computers (finally
using floppy disks and a practical application
program, AppleWorks) and classes from all three
divisions were using computer labs. The labs
soon saw several generations of Macintosh computers,
the shift of educational computing from programming
to using application software, and the beginning
of networking. With networking came the shift
to Windows based computers.
The push to use computer technology across the
curriculum came early at RPCS. Students originally
came to separate computer classes, but the computer
teachers soon became resource teachers for their
classroom colleagues, showing them how computers
could enhance their classroom work. Starting
in Lower School, instruction incorporating technology
has developed and grown. Classes reserve the
lab facilities and come as often as they can.
With the arrival of the student laptop
program in 2000, the greatest quantum leap
in educational technology occurred. Teachers
no longer need to "take a field trip to
the lab," but rather they can take advantage
of technology resources right in their classroom
anytime. RPCS students with 24 / 7 access to
technology have come to recognize it as the rich
learning tool that it is.
(top)
Facilities
In addition to the laptops provided for faculty
and required for student in grades 7 – 12,
the campus also has two desktop computer labs,
which are open to students from 7:30am to 6:00
pm on school days. Each lab is equipped with
at least 15 computers. In addition to the desktop
labs, there are two Tablet PC carts that provide
for mobile classroom instruction for students
in grades K - 6. Both libraries are
fully equipped with public computerized catalog
computer workstations and have desktops available
for student use. All computers on the campus
are connected to the school network and have
access to the Internet either wired or wirelessly.
All of our computers are equipped with Microsoft
Office, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft
Outlook along. Depending on the grade level and/or
subject matter, each student-use computer may
also include additional educational curriculum
specific software, such as KidPix, Geometer's
Sketchpad, Fathom, and Adobe Photoshop Elements.
Our students, faculty, administrators and staff
have individual network accounts with file storage
and an email account which they can access from
any computer on campus or via the Internet.
(top)
Services
The RPCS Tech Team provides a full range of technical support services to
members of the RPCS community. Beyond the day to day technical support it
provides, the team works to keep RPCS on the leading edge of technological
educational innovations. The team works to keep all computers functioning
at optimum performance levels and to keep software current with the curricular
and administrative needs of the community. The team works closely with faculty
to develop relevant and appropriate integration of technology into their
courses. The team currently serves as the first line of assistance for users'
questions and troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
(top)
Student Laptop Program
Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, RPCS
implemented a Student Laptop Program in the 7th
and 9th grades. Now all students in grades seven
through twelve use laptops as in integral part
of their learning experience. For more in-depth
information on how the program functions, please
view the Frequently
Asked Questions section below. In keeping
with our vision, technology will be implemented,
utilized, upgraded and appropriately integrated
as part of instruction so that our students,
upon graduation, are technically proficient,
confident in their ability to use technology
and capable of successfully competing in a higher
learning institution and the professional and
business world of the 21st century.
Why the Tablet PC @ RPCS?
Eight years ago, Roland Park Country School made a commitment to integrate personal technology into the curriculum. Our vision of technology was, and continues to be, that technology should be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum appropriately. Beginning in 7th grade and continuing into Upper School, all RPCS students are required to have a laptop computer for their classes. Our Strategic Plan, adopted in March 2003, mandates our continued integration of current technology into the curriculum. Four years ago we announced the next phase of our technology program: Tablet PC. We have chosen the Tablet PC for several reasons:
-
When used in tablet mode, with the screen flat against the chassis, the barrier created between the student/teacher with standard laptops is removed. Electronic resources are still readily available without the barrier of a screen extending from a keyboard.
-
The software developed specifically for Tablets that allows students to use the stylus to annotate, draw and brainstorm, has created an environment of collaboration within the classroom that is educationally desirable. Some RPCS faculty use Windows Journal and OneNote as digital notebooks within their curriculum, allowing students to organize all their class assignments and notes in one place.
-
The stylus gives students and faculty the ability to “ink” in standard Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Faculty thus have the ability to grade assignments in a digital format, return the corrected assignment to students, and maintain a digital copy for themselves.
Tech Team
Director of Information Technology
Phyllis Tripp
Network Administrator
Brian Hoyt
Laptop Support Specialist
Julie Kuerner
Technology Admin. Coordinator/Support
Specialist
Tori Murrill
Assistant Technology Director of
Academic Support
Keith Posey
Lower School Technology
Wendolyn Torres
US/MS Technology
Jenn Scandora
Webmaster
Joyce Williams
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Laptop Program
WHAT IS THE VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY AT ROLAND
PARK COUNTRY SCHOOL?
Our vision for technology is to integrate the
use of technology appropriately into the curriculum
as a tool to prepare our students for the challenges
of college and career. Our goal is to provide
a curriculum that balances teaching of content
with teaching students how to think logically
and creatively using all of the resources available.
Access to technology "anytime, anywhere" is an
important component of this goal.
WHY LAPTOPS?
In striving to improve the quality of education
we provide, we believe that each student needs
equal access to technology. For technology to
be an effective tool, a computer must be available
when and where a student needs it-in class, in
the science lab, in the library and at home.
Laptops give students the flexible resources
they need, when they need them, empowering them
to become active participants in their learning.
Although computer labs and home computers provide
the same resources as laptops, they do not allow
the flexibility and immediate access needed in
the technological world in which we live today.
WHAT TYPE OF LAPTOP WILL BE USED AT
ROLAND PARK COUNTRY SCHOOL?
Technology changes rapidly. In order to ensure
the best price and service packages, the School
will select a specific computer manufacturer
and model and notify parents in late March, 2006.
At that time, parents may decide to purchase
a laptop through the School's plan or through
an independent vendor.
(top)
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ALL STUDENTS
TO USE THE SAME COMPUTER?
By having all students use the same hardware,
each student will have equal access to technology
resources. Classroom instruction using technology
is more effective when all students work with
the same tools. Although most IBM-compatible
computers use the same operating system, the
combination of parts used to manufacture given
machines can sometimes affect the software. Not
all machines function in exactly the same way.
HOW MUCH WILL THE LAPTOP COST?
Once the manufacturer is selected, several
different models of laptops will be offered.
The total laptop cost will vary depending on
the model selected. We anticipate that the
basic model will not exceed $2000. The School
laptop package will consist of the following:
Tablet PC
Wireless Network card
Modem
Windows operating system
Microsoft Office
3 year on-site warranty (parts and labor)
Custom-designed carrying case
Optional Laptop-specific insurance
WHAT PURCHASE OPTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE?
Laptops may be purchased outright through RPCS
or through an independent lease plan. Payment
and lease plans will be available through the
manufacturer or local lenders. Our research shows
that purchasing is usually the best option, as
the cost of leasing can equal or exceed the purchase
price.
WHAT IF I WISH TO PURCHASE THE LAPTOP FROM
ANOTHER SOURCE? Parents may
elect to purchase a laptop from a source
other than RPCS as long as the model meets
minimum hardware and software specifications.
However, repairs and support will not be
available for models purchased outside RPCS.
Therefore, parents would have to assume total
responsibility for all repairs and maintenance
on machines not purchased through RPCS. Laptops
acquired through other sources will be eligible
for basic software assistance only, provided
they conform to software standards established
by the RPCS Technology Department.
WHAT IF MY CHILD RECEIVES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
Financial assistance is available for families
demonstrating financial need. For more information,
contact the Director of Admissions & Financial
Assistance, Peggy Wolf.
WHY DOESN'T THE SCHOOL PROVIDE STUDENTS
WITH LAPTOPS THROUGH TUITION?
If the School were to provide laptops, there
would be a significant increase in tuition for
all students, every year, over and above normal
tuition increases. The laptops would be the property
of the school and, consistent with School policy,
could not leave the campus, thus defeating the
goal of access anywhere, anytime.
WHAT TYPE OF ON-SITE SUPPORT WILL BE
AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL?
A special Help Desk is the initial point of
contact to assist students with technology
questions during the school day. A 3-year service
warranty will cover all laptop units acquired
through RPCS. The Technology Department will
coordinate the hardware repairs of these machines
with the manufacturer, with an estimated 48-hour
turnaround for all repairs involving parts
in stock. In addition, loaner laptops will
be available while machines are being repaired.
WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE
RPCS NETWORK FROM HOME? Students who
currently have an Internet Service Provider
(ISP) at home will be able to access their
e-mail and public folders via the Internet.
(top)
HOW DO WE PROTECT AGAINST ACCIDENTAL
BREAKAGE OR THEFT OF LAPTOPS?
Independent schools and public school districts
that have been using laptops report few incidents
of breakage or theft. While at school, when the
laptop is not in use, students are required to
keep their laptops in their locked lockers. We
strongly encourage families who purchase a laptop
from RPCS or other sources to insure it by adding
it to a homeowner's/renter's policy or by obtaining
a separate policy from a company that offers
comprehensive coverage specifically for laptops.
Leased laptops include comprehensive insurance
coverage.
WILL LAPTOP TRAINING BE PROVIDED?
Students who purchase through RPCS's plan will
be required to attend an orientation session
on the "Care and Feeding of Laptops" probably
prior to the opening of school. Additional technology
skills will be taught as necessary through the
curriculum.
HOW WILL WE PROTECT OUR STUDENTS FROM
INAPPROPRIATE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET?
Currently RPCS requires all students, faculty
and staff to sign an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
prior to gaining access to the network. The implications
of the AUP are explained as well as student responsibility
for the proper use of the network. Ultimately,
the best protection we can give is supervision
by teachers at school and parents at home.
(top)
|
