Digital Learning

We chose the iPad for our Lower School and Middle School because it's a device that will help engage students in any time, any place learning, consolidates many educational tools including textbooks, science probes, calculators, calendars, cameras, video recorders, maps, dictionaries, and organizers, and finally, it's cost effective, has a long battery life, and is easy to use and support.

A few added benefits are that the iPad will help lighten the load of backpacks and assist in our goal to reduce the amount of printing and photocopying. We truly believe that it's a tool that fits the LS and MS curriculum.

No. Porter-Gaud provides each child with access to the necessary technology they need for their school work.

We do this for few reasons:

• Safety and Management - If the school owns the technology, we can better keep our students safe while online as well as disable apps that we feel inhibit learning.
• The Same Device – With all the students having the same tool in the class, teachers will be able to focus on the teaching and content.
• Break/Fix – Having all the devices covered by Porter-Gaud, we will be able to replace the broken iPads in an efficient manner.
• Pricing – When the school purchases the iPads, insurance, and cases in bulk, we get a better price. It will be the same as how we provide textbooks or another program.
• The next device – We want to be in position that when something better than the current iPad comes out, we’ll be able to switch to the new device whether it is a new iPad or a different device.
  It’s important to remember that to us the device is just an educational tool to be used in the service of teaching and learning. We are always looking for the best educational tool for our students — whether it is a ruler, a desk, a textbook, or a tablet.

First, we ensure we align our technology use with ISTE’s technology standards.

Please click on this link to find out more:
https://www.iste.org/standards

The iPad is not a replacement for a computer or laptop.

We will continue to provide access to computers and laptops on campus on carts or in labs to support specific projects and software. We may slowly eliminate laptops as students and teachers become more comfortable using the ipad for all projects.

Because of our commitment in computer science, we will continue to have computer labs to support high end and advanced software.

All school iPads have maintenance and insurance. This will cover any defects in the iPad for three-years including the iPad battery. Insurance will also cover accidental damage caused by misuse as well as theft or lost iPads.

If your child accidentally damages the iPad, we will get it fixed and provide a loaner iPad for your child while it's being repaired. We will also charge the family a deductible of $50 to fix the device.

Yes, it can be found here:
https://sites.google.com/portergaud.edu/pgstudenttechaup/home

The policy is also included in the student handbook.

First, we ensure we align our technology use with ISTE’s technology standards. Please click on this link to find out more:

https://www.iste.org/standards

Each class and grade will have specific uses for these devices. These devices will be utilized as a research tool, for creating projects, a communication hub, an organizer, a digital backpack and more. The teachers will be very clear in terms of how the device will be used in and out of the class.

The school has full ownership of the devices. This is for few reasons:

• Safety and Management - If the school owns the technology, we can better keep our students safe while online as well as disable apps that we feel inhibit learning.
• The Same Device – With all the students having the same tool in the class, teachers will be able to focus on the teaching and content.
• Break/Fix – Having all the devices covered by Porter-Gaud, we will be able to replace the broken laptops in an efficient manner.
• Pricing – When the school purchases the laptops, insurance, and cases in bulk, we get a better price. It will be the same as how we provide textbooks or another program.
• The next device – We want to be in the position that when something better than the current device comes out, we’ll be able to switch to the new device whether it is a new laptop or a different device. It’s important to remember that to us the device is just an educational tool to be used in the service of teaching and learning. We are always looking for the best educational tool for our students — whether it is a ruler, a desk, a textbook, or a tablet.

• MacBook Air 13-inch
• 1.4GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
• 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
• 128GB Flash Storage

All school laptops have maintenance and insurance. This will cover any defects in the laptop for four-years including the battery. Insurance will also cover accidental damage caused by misuse as well as theft or lost laptops.

If your child accidentally damages the laptop, we will get it fixed and provide a loaner laptop for your child while it's being repaired. We will also charge the family a deductible of $50 to fix the device.

We want spaces that allow students to focus on an idea, tackle a problem, or express themselves and collaborate on shared goals.

The design lab lets our students collaborate and see the design process from an idea all the way to a finished product. 

All media centers/libraries have digital resources available for students.

These resources are available on the libraries website and include digital media and catalogs for research and learning.