FAQ's
Digital Learning Plan
Which students will be given access to a district issued iPad?
Is the District issued iPad mandatory for students?
Will the wireless network handle all of these devices?
What filters are in place to ensure safety and security?
How is this Digital Learning Plan funded?
Will students keep their iPads over summer break?
The iPad
What should students do if their iPad needs repair?
What happens if my child misplaces his or her iPad?
What happens if my child damages his or her iPad?
Is there a fee?
Can students bring their own personal device to school?
Can students use their own protective case?
What can students do to protect and secure their iPad?
Can students decorate or personalize their case?
Can students charge their iPads at school?
What happens to the iPads at the end of the 4 year lease?
Apps
Will students be able to download any app they want?
What apps are available in the Pulaski Self Service Store?
Home Access
Will students be able to use their devices at home?
What if a family doesn't have wireless internet access at home?
Learning
Why is technology literacy important?
Will there still be classroom instruction and learning that doesn't involve technology?
Will all the content on the iPads be backed up daily?
What are the consequences for misuse or inappropriate use of the device?
Digital Learning Plan
Which students will be given access to a district issued iPad?
Students in grades K-12 will be provided an iPad. Students in K-5 will carry the iPad with them to each class but leave the iPad at school overnight. Students in 6th-12th grade will carry the iPad with them to each class as well as home. Students in grades 6-12 are expected to bring their iPad to school fully charged each day.
Is the District issued iPad mandatory for students?
Yes, students in grades K-12 will need the iPad during the school day just like they need other educational tools such as books, pens, etc. All students will need the iPads to access class materials, participate in learning activities, complete homework and access online content for learning. Students in grades 6-12 may opt out of taking the iPad home.
Will the wireless network handle all of these devices?
The schools' robust wireless network and bandwidth can support all of these devices in both speed and capacity.
What filters are in place to ensure safety and security?
The District has a multi-tiered filter in place that will block students from inappropriate web content when on school networks. While at school, student access to the Internet is managed by the Pulaski Community School District, using measure that comply with the Child Internet Protection Act. While at home, this responsibility, as well as the responsibility of monitoring access to other inappropriate content on the device, is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Filtering software is not built into the iPad. The District provides filters and blocks potentially harmful sites on the school's wireless network so students can't access them; children often have complete, unrestricted access to inappropriate sites at home. Experts strongly suggest installing software to filter and block inappropriate content on your wireless home network. One such solution that has a free version is OpenDNS. Some of these products also offer additional protection features such as cell phone filtering, text message, photo screening tools, and digital footprint/ reputation monitoring.
How is this Digital Learning Plan funded?
The Pulaski Community School District purchased the devices using multiple internal funds in support of devices for students. This type of funding is not new to the District and has previously been designated for building and department budgets.
Will students keep their iPads over summer break?
Yes, students in grades 6-12 will be able to keep their devices over the summer. If the devices is not needed in the summer, families are encouraged to find a location at home to store away for the summer until needed for return to school.
The iPad
What should students do if their iPad needs repair?
If the device is non-functioning students should go to the library for a replacement. The library staff will work with the student to ensure all content is backed up and the iPad will be repaired be our district repair service.
What happens if my child misplaces his or her iPad?
The student can either go to the library or call the Technology Helpdesk at (920) 822-6070 to enable "Lost Mode." This will allow us to utilize the District's Mobile Device Management solution to locate the iPad based on last logged location.
What happens if my child damages his or her iPad?
If your family has paid for the District insurance plan, the student will receive up to 2 paid service and repair instances. If the family has chosen to not participate in the insurance plan, the iPad will be repaired by our district repair service and the family will be invoiced for the repair/ replacement cost.
There is no required fee. The district does offer an optional iPad insurance plan for families to save on repairs. This is an annual insurance fee which covers up to 2 repairs and service on the device per year. The fee for students in grades 6-10 is $30/iPad. There is a a cap for families of $60.
There is no optional iPad insurance for students in grades K-5 as the iPads do not travel home.
Can students bring their own personal device to school?
A personal device can be brought to school, but, the District owned iPad is still necessary for students. Personal devices do not have the same functionality as a District issued iPad as they are not enrolled in our management suite, providing network access, apps and management settings. The District also cannot load licensed apps on personal equipment. In addition, the District is not able to provide technical support for personal devices
Can students use their own protective case?
No, the District has selected the cases based on durability and additional protection to minimize any potential damage.
What can students to do protect and secure their iPad?
Student iPads should not be left unattended. When not in their personal possession, the iPad should be in a secure, locked environment. Unattended iPads found in the building will be collected and turned into the school's office. Each iPad is assigned to an individual and the responsibility for the care of the iPad rests with that individual. iPads should not be lent to others. Students should add a passcode to their iPad to secure their personal information on the iPad.
Can students decorate or personalize their case?
Students should not write on, paint or color the cases as we do repurpose and reuse them. Students can personalize their device by adding stickers.
Can students charge their iPads at school?
Students in grades 6-12 are responsible for bringing their iPad to school each day fully charged. Charging lockers are available for recharge throughout the day at PHS and charging stations in the library at PCMS. Students are encouraged to use the charging lockers at times they are not in class such as lunch, PLT or team study, etc.
Student iPads in grades K-5 have charging stations within the classroom.
What happens to the iPads at the end of the 4 year lease?
After four years of usage, the iPads will be replaced with a new device. The District, at that time, will look into a couple options: a buying opportunity for students and a buyback program for a recycling company.
Apps
Will students be able to download any app they want?
No, educational apps are available in the Pulaski Self Service App Store which is an app on each student device. The Pulaski App Store houses apps that have been approved for appropriateness and alignment to curriculum. Any app can be requested by students or staff, but all will go through the same review process. Apps can be requested by completing this form.
Students are not able to access the Apple App or iTunes stores on the district issued iPads.
What apps are available in the Pulaski Self Service App Store?
To see the current list of apps available in the Pulaski App store, click here. Apps have been selected from their educational value as well as teacher and student request.
Home Access
Will students be able to use their devices at home?
Students in grades K-5 will only be using their iPads during the school day, so their iPads will stay in school. Students in grades 6-12 will be assigned an iPad and can take the iPad home to continue learning and complete homework. iPads can connect to home wifi networks and access all resources. Students without access to wifi at home, can use offline access of files available in many apps on the iPad.
What if a family doesn’t have wireless internet (wifi) access at home?
Data collected through the Bright Bytes survey shows 97% of our student body have Internet access at home of whom 96% is wireless internet access.
If a family does not have wifi at home, many of the apps have the ability to work with them offline. The iPad itself also has 64 GB of storage space to store project files to work on at home offline.
Learning
Why is technology literacy important?
Jobs today require technology skills such as using technology to find information, communicate locally and globally, create projects and present information. Students need to know how to navigate devices and use technology in ethical, appropriate ways. Also, the state’s standardized tests moved from a multiple choice paper and pencil test to a computer-based, problem-based exam, making technology literacy for students increasingly important.
Definitely! Teachers will still use traditional teaching methods and ask students to complete assignments or projects using tools other than an iPad when there is a subject-matter or developmental need. A balanced approach is best for learning: using digital tools, paper resources, talking with each other and more all are essential and encouraged for today's learners.
Will all the content on the iPads be backed up by the District?
No, it is the student's responsibility to back up content on the iPads. We encourage students to back them up daily or at least weekly. The Pulaski Community School District uses Google Apps for Education, so when a student does work in any Google apps their work is automatically stored in Google Drive. The Google Photos app automatically backs up any photos or videos located in the camera roll on the iPad. This app can be downloaded from the Self Service store. Instructions will be available for individual apps that do not automatically backup to iCloud or Google Apps.
What are the consequences for misuse or inappropriate use of the device?
The iPads are part of the District's overall Learning Services and Technology Plan. As a result, the District's Acceptable Use Policy and school discipline policies apply as they would for other technology and classroom resource use in the school.