For additional information you can contact the following TIS staff: Louise Phinney, Technology Coordinator:

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1 Dear Parent(s), TIS is excited to be starting its Think Digital Laptop Program in September This program will require each student in grade 7 & 10 to bring an approved laptop to school each day. The Macbook and the Chromebook are the two approved devices for this program. If you already own such a device, your son/daughter can certainly use it. If you do not currently have an approved device, you can purchase one from the school or buy one yourself. We are excited about how this program will improve teaching and learning and we have made significant preparations for its success. These preparations include: Upgrades to the servers and Wi-Fi infrastructure An emphasis on teacher training in technology integration including Google Apps and other educational apps & programs Implementation of internet monitoring and security software All new staff and current grade 7 & 10 teachers will participate in a Google Apps training program in August 2015 As a parent you may have questions or concerns about this program. TIS is committed to providing support and training to teachers, students and parents. Parent workshops will be offered early in the new school year and staff at the school can be contacted at any time if you have questions or concerns. Many parents have already taken part in the preparation process by completing an online survey and/or attending the parent presentation that was held May 19. A summary of their questions & concerns is included in this package. Between now and September 1 st, you will need to purchase an approved device if you do not have one. You can do this on your own or purchase one at TIS. If you would like, you can receive an official invoice from the school for the cost of the device. Ordering information is attached with this letter. Laptop orders are due by June 29. For additional information you can contact the following TIS staff: Louise Phinney, Technology Coordinator: louise.phinney@tis.edu.mo Mel Varga, High School Division Coordinator: mel.varga@tis.edu.mo

2 TIS Laptop Program Frequently Asked Questions Why is TIS starting a laptop program? Increased access to technology will directly benefit students learning by allowing for more engaging and diverse teaching to occur. Students who use laptops will be able to access multiple sources of information and be able to share & collaborate with others in a variety of ways. Parents who completed the Alberta Education Parent Survey this past spring expressed a desire to see technology used more often at TIS. Secondary teachers were surveyed about technology use and 72% of them felt that a laptop program would greatly or significantly improve learning at TIS. This learning includes the development of the technology & collaboration skills that students will require to be successful later in life. As well, it is the norm for international schools to have some type of laptop program Why is the program being started now? TIS has been considering and preparing for this program for the last three years. Infrastructure has been upgraded and technology skills of our staff have improved. We have studied other laptop initiatives and we believe we are ready to implement this program. Two full-time technology integration staff will be available next year to help teachers, students and parents with the transition. Why do parents have to buy the device? Shouldn t TIS buy the devices and then lease them to parents? TIS is not purchasing the devices for this program because the school wants to give parents a choice in regard to the laptop they purchase. A number of parents are concerned about rising costs which is why the Chromebook is one of the options to choose from. A traditional 1:1 program requires significant investments in staff, storage and capital that would ultimately lead to an increase in school fees. Many families already own a MacBook and this allows them to utilize this device without incurring any additional cost. What are some concerns shared by parents and how will TIS address them? Over 100 parents provided feedback through the Parent Survey or by attending the Parent Presentation. Concerns included cost; extra weight in the backpack; loss of or damage to the device, and student distraction. The Chromebook offers an inexpensive alternative to the MacBook and a typical device will cost between MOP. Both the MacBook and the Chromebook are light, weighing only 2.4 lbs. (1.1 kg). The school is committed to making digital copies of all textbooks available online, eliminating the need for students to transport textbooks home. Students will

3 be encouraged to purchase a backpack that contains a laptop compartment; this will help protect the device while being transported. Distraction is a concern for any type of technology. Both teachers and parents will be taught practical ways to manage screen time and be given tips to promote responsible use of the laptop. What if I choose not to have my son/daughter take part in the laptop program? If your son/daughter does not participate in the program, he/she will not have the same advantages in the classroom as the other students. Students without a device will be able to access devices in the library at lunch or after school. The school will not provide a device for those students who do not take part in the program. What happens if a laptop is damaged and needs service or repair? Parents will be responsible for the cost of repair. The school will provide a loaner device that the student can use during the day. What if a laptop runs out of battery during the day? A fully charged MacBook or Chromebook should have enough power to make it though an entire day. Charging stations will also be made available in classrooms and in the library. What about viruses? Chromebooks are unaffected by viruses. There are very few viruses that affect MacBooks. If a MacBook does encounter a virus, IT staff at TIS will assist the student. Why are PC s not one of the approved devices? PC s are not approved for a number of reasons. First, after numerous trials, we have found that they cannot be supported on our network. Most PC s cannot connect to the school Wi-Fi and they are unable to access the school printers. PC s require frequent updating and are prone to many viruses as well.

4 Think Digital Laptop Program - Enrollment Form Please complete and return this form to your child s homeroom teacher by June 29, 2015 Section 1 General Information Name of Student: Current Homeroom: Name of Parent: Parent Section 2 Device Information (select only one) - We already own a MacBook/Chromebook and my son/daughter will use this device at school. Please list type of device below: - We will purchase an approved device on our own. Please list the type of device below: - We wish to purchase a device from the school. I have completed the order form and am attaching it with this letter. Please list the device below: Section 3 Parent Declaration (please sign & return this form) - I understand that my son/daughter will be required to bring a device to school each day starting 1 September 2015 Parent Signature: Date:

5 Chromebook Order Form Samsung Chromebook: 1) Samsung Chromebook 2 (11.6, 2GB RAM-1366 x 768 Display-16GB) MOP$ 2,500 (TIS currently uses this device) Acer Chromebook: 2) Acer Chromebook 13 (4G RAM / FHD Display / 16GB) MOP$ 3,550 3) Acer Chromebook 13 (2G RAM Display-16GB) MOP$ 2,650 4) Acer Chromebook 11 (4G RAM / 1366 x 768 Display / 32GB) MOP$ 2,750 5) Acer Chromebook 11 (2G RAM Display-16GB) MOP$ 2,400 Google Chromebook Management Console License MOP$ 310 Device Quantity Cost Total Samsung GB 2500 Ram, 1366 x 768 Display Acer GB Ram, FHD 3550 Display Acer GB Ram, x 768 Display Acer GB Ram, x 768 Display Acer GB Ram, x 768 Display Management License 310 Grand Total - I require an invoice from TIS for the cost of this device

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7 - I require an invoice from TIS for the cost of this device

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