- What measures exist to keep my student off inappropriate websites?
- Are the students allowed to use email services?
- Are the students allowed to bring floppy disks to school?
- How often will my student use the computer lab?
- What happened to our dual operating systems?
- Does Saint Ambrose accept computer donations?
- At what age do the students begin formal keyboarding?
- How aggressively do you teach keyboarding?
- What does kindergarten do in computer class?
- Can I donate software to my student's class?
- Why do certain rooms have minilabs while others do not?
- Will every classroom eventually have multiple computers?
What measures exist to keep my student off inappropriate websites?
In addition to constant adult supervision, our students are
shielded from nasty websites by the presence of a hardware and
software 'firewall'. The system effectively isolates our users from
unwanted websites and prevents unauthorized access to our
system from outside.
Are the students allowed to use email services?
Absolutely not. We do not allow our students to use our network
to access any public email service. Allowing the public at large access to
our students via email could jeopardize student safety and undermine the
overall security we provide at school.
Are the students allowed to bring floppy disks to school?
Generally speaking, we discourage students from bringing their
work to school on floppies since we cannot guarentee student
floppies will be virus free. We prefer that students send their work to
school via email. File attachments can be emailed directly to your student's
teacher or to me at TIM.DEMCO@SAINTAMBROSEOFWOODBURY.ORG. File attachments
are scanned for virus infections; floppy disks are not.
How often will my student use the computer lab?
Kindegartens visit the lab every two weeks. First grade through
eighth grade visit the lab once a week. All our teachers are welcome
to schedule additional visits as needed.
What happened to our dual operating systems?
During an emergency reconfiguration of the network in April, 2004, the
decision was made to discontinue the practice of installing redundant
operating systems on our computers. The decision was made to expedite
reinstallation of business, school, and student software; to simplify the
process of deploying software; and to conserve storage space on workstations
and servers.
Does Saint Ambrose accept computer donations?
On a case-by-case basis we determine the usefulness of the hardware.
Sometimes we take it; sometimes we decline it. We accept hardware donations
to enhance our resources. Donations that create special setup or
troubleshooting challenges are refused, as are donations that would change
our essentially uniform environment. We tend to be pretty selective.
At what age do the students begin formal keyboarding?
We originally intended to begin in fourth grade, but the software we chose
worked so well and the students used it so easily, we decided to launch the
program in third grade, too. Our third through eighth graders now spend a
portion of their time practicing keyboard skills.
How aggressively do you teach keyboarding?
We teach keyboarding as a skill that comprises just a small part
of technology training. We try not to hammer keyboarding to the
point of discouraging student enjoyment of computers.
What does kindergarten do in computer class?
The kindergarteners are taught to log into the network, log out of the
network, use the mouse and keyboard to navigate the operating system, and
learn basic reading and math skills in Bailey's Book House and Millie's Math
House software. We allow them, essentially, to have fun with the software
while learning to manipulate the programs and develop hand/eye coordination
necessary to use the mouse.
Can I donate software to my student's class?
You are free to donate software to classes, but we cannot install the
software on more than a single machine since doing so would violate software
licensing practices. Saint Ambrose can not use unlicensed software under any
circumstances.
Why do certain rooms have minilabs while others do not?
The decision was made to deploy our minilab computers in groups of four to
provide a viable number of machines for independent work, project work, and
enrichment at every grade level. Fewer machines would be less useful, and
more machines would occupy too much space. Staff members with computers in
their rooms agree to accept students from other classrooms to use the
computers. This policy guarantees every student equal access to our
technology regardless of their homeroom assignment.
Will every classroom eventually have multiple computers?
During the summer of 2003 most remaining classrooms had minilabs installed in
them. Only one classroom, Mrs. Maresch's fifth grade, still lacks a
minilab. That classroom will be outfitted with computers in the spring of
2004 when additional hardware becomes available. The possibility exists that
specialist's classrooms might be equipped with minlabs when the hardware
becomes available.
