Oskaloosa 1:1 Laptop Program Nears The End Of It’s First Year

Oskaloosa Indians

1:1 Laptop Program Best Practices

Oskaloosa Community School District has always strived to offer a variety of technology resources for staff, student, and parent use. This year with the advent of the 1:1 Laptop program at the high school, a new MacBook laptop has been placed in nearly every student’s hands in order to expand familiarity with technology but also to expand the basics of responsibility and independence. This tool allows all students a level playing field to explore technology and has eliminated the need to schedule laptop use from limited resources. What an amazing opportunity!

The most important bottom line remains our commitment to encourage all students to develop their sense of character and ensure that they understand the safe, efficient, and ethical operation of their computers. During the roll out of computers last August, parents and students who received a laptop also signed an Acceptable Use policy. Under the heading of Internet & Network use, the district pledges to “block access to a large percentage of inappropriate sites. However, it should not be assumed that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications.” In addition, during school hours, teachers have the capability of monitoring individual student activity in attempts to prevent students from encountering information devoid of educational value.

Unfortunately, one only has to listen briefly to national news to know there is an ugly side to information technology. For all our safe guards and monitoring systems, what do we do when no one is watching? Who is ultimately responsible?

The OCSD Computer Loan Agreement outlines responsibilities for both parents and students. Students must adhere to the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy to avoid consequences. Holding students accountable ultimately helps them learn to make the right choices, but parents are also asked to supervise their child’s use of the MacBook at home. We encourage parents to assist us at home by encouraging a safe environment for learning.

Parent responsibilities include helping their students learn to budget time. Parents can and should set limitations on computer usage while at home, the same as they would monitor television, gaming consoles, or any hand held electronics. While students do have a legitimate need to use computers for academic homework, those demands follow an ebb and flow, according to their individual course load.

Many families do not allow their students to take their MacBooks to their bedrooms with them at night; others shut the Internet off after a certain time of day. Keeping students accountable and responsible discourages them from taking unnecessary risks and keeps them safe. Parents, have them show you their music collection, and take a look at their pictures. Look over the miscellaneous files and folders on the desktop. Take note of their Internet bookmarks and make sure you like what you see. Parents should look over the physical condition of laptops as well as the content. Do your students charge their laptops every night? That’s an expectation we have of students. In addition, placing the laptop in the protective computer bag with the charging side up will provide more cushion to sensitive parts.

As we approach the end of our first year of laptop use, we welcome feedback from students and staff, along with parents and other community members. Even though we have experienced growing pains, the vast majority of our students have learned how to behave in regard to technology and its daily use. If the partnership is to be successful, all stakeholders (parents, staff, students, and the wider community) must work together to help our young people grow and mature into digitally experienced yet ethically responsible adults.

To access the full text of the Acceptable Use Policy, visit the Oskaloosa home page at www.oskaloosa.k12.ia.us, click on the High School 1:1 Laptop Program Documentation link to access Policy 605.6. We would also like to thank Kirk Magill, the Sigourney and Tri-County School District Technology Coordinator for his help in putting together this article. Please feel free to contact any of the following 1:1 Communications Committee members at the high school (641)-673-3407 with further questions or concerns.

Kris Butler (butlerk@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us)
Amy Simmons (simmonsa@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us)
Kim Gile (gilek@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us)
Stephanie Campbell (campbellsr@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us)
Cynthia Van Zetten (vanzettenc@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us)
Anna Hellenga (hellengaa@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us)