Netbook Trial

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Comment by Adrian Camm on August 29, 2009 at 2:12pm

Thanks for sharing Julie & Anne.
I will check out this resource Anne and I will let you know if I have any further questions.

Cheers!

Comment by Anne Baird on August 19, 2009 at 4:02pm

Hi Adrian, I do have lots of replies to your questions.
-What netbooks are schools using? Model, Specifications, Unit cost?
The model of netbook was the Lenovo S9. (4,300 of them in our region). S9s are now superceded by S10s. Overall the product has been fine although we have had a few issues with screens being damaged. That may be to do with the soft cover that they were provided with. We have now looked into encouraging schools/parents to purchase a hard plastic cover for an extra $12. -
Are schools using any insurance? If so, at what price and through whom?
A lot of our schools chose to buy netbooks for their Grade 5 students following the same co-contribution model that was used for the Netbook trial. Some schools have leased them to parents so that students can take them home. Others have kept them as school housed devices that students have access to only when they are at school. Insurance was an individual choice and really depended on whether the netbooks were taken home. -How have schools worked around the issue of students not buying into the program?
All students in Grade 6 in our region had to be part of the trial. We had a very few number of parents who objected. each school dealt with that separately but overall it really wasn't a problem. If there was a philosophical objection then the student was still provided with a netbook at school.
-Have schools updated their wireless infrastructure? Xirrus? (I have done some initial research into this and it appears that it will cost in the vicinity of $100 000)
Wireless access was and continues to be a challenge in many schools although isn't as bad as first anticipated. We had to do some planning and thinking around the best way to roll out and set up the netbooks. We have created a number of self help documents to ensure that teachers and students can do a lot of the problem solving themselves. As part of the trial, schools were given a WAP for every 20 students in the trial. But that wasn't enough clearly. There needed to be alot of consideration about the increase in internet use and wireless access.
re, leasing, acceptable use policies etc. alot of that has already been created by the netbook trial team in Melbourne and is designed for schools to use and adapt to their needs. If you go to this wiki, you will find lots of the documentation that you are looking for.
Netbook Wiki Look in the Key Documents section.
There is so much more that I could add but don't have time at the moment. I'd be very happy to share more with you over the phone. You can find me on the global address list.

Comment by Julie Pavletich on August 19, 2009 at 1:34pm

Hi Adrian,
I suggest you talk to someone in the region about these questions. I believe each region has a netbook coordinator and i'm not sure who it is in Hume. Marg Jackman is the Regional Innovation Liaison Officer in Hume and she might be able to put you onto the right person. Kristy Alleaume may also be able to help. You should find some advice on acceptable use policies on the DEECD site. Try http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/elearningsupportservices/www/classroom/default.htm
Anne Baird is working on the rollout for Year 7s in her region (LMR). she might also be a good contact.

Comment by Adrian Camm on August 19, 2009 at 1:01pm

I am looking for some examples of policy/implementation documentation in regards to the rollout of netbooks. McGuire College is introducing netbooks in 2010 for every Year 7 student. In particular, I am looking for things like:

-What netbooks are schools using? Model, Specifications, Unit cost?
-Are schools using any insurance? If so, at what price and through whom?
-How have schools worked around the issue of students not buying into the program? Have you supplied a netbook for them to use whilst at school?
-Have schools updated their wireless infrastructure? Xirrus? (I have done some initial research into this and it appears that it will cost in the vicinity of $100 000)
-Acceptable Use Policies
-Leasing guidelines and implementation

Anything that you could send my way would be greatly appreciated.