Information Technology

The 21st Century Classroom
Students today have embraced technology in their personal lives and they crave that interaction with technology when they enter the classroom. When students bring their laptops to school, classrooms transform into high-tech, interactive learning centers in which students acquire the 21st century skills they will need to compete in the digital economy.

Darlington teachers make extensive use of technology both in and out of the classroom. Whether collaborating with peers at and away from Darlington, creating a project for their digital portfolios, or simply taking notes, reading, and doing research, a laptop is an essential tool for a Darlington student.

Personal Technology and Pilot Program
In past years Darlington has used Microsoft Windows computers and students used the device of their choice for schoolwork, with the option of purchasing a laptop directly from Darlington. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, Darlington is transitioning to the Apple Mac platform for academic computing, starting with pilots in the 4th and 8th grades. 8th grade students will be issued an Apple MacBook and will provide their own Apple iPod Touch as a companion device. 4th grade students will be issued an Apple iPad 2. Students in grades 7–12 may use personal technology devices in class at the direction and approval of the teacher. The school will not sell laptops this year and will announce plans for rolling out a full one-to-one technology program later this year. We recommend an Apple MacBook for students purchasing a new laptop in keeping with the school’s new platform direction. For more information, visit http://dar.sc/laptops. Note: Please address any special circumstances with the appropriate division director.

• Apple MacBook
• 13.1 WXGA TFT with CCFL Backlight
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
• 4 GB RAM
• 250 GB hard drive, 7200 RPM
• Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Lion
• 8x DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
• Wireless b/g/n and Bluetooth
• 3 years of AppleCare

• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Alice (3-D graphics)
• Audacity (audio recording/editing)
• Cute PDF Writer (PDF creator)
• GIMP (image editing)
• Google Earth
• Google Picasa (image management/editing)
• Google SketchUp (3D modeling)
• iLife (iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand)
• MathTrax (math graphing)
• Microsoft Office (productivity: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Scratch (programming)
• Smart Board
• Web browsers: Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome

• A protective laptop case. We recommend a laptop sleeve separate from a book bag to help protect your investment.
  We are using the 13" Higher Ground Flak Jacket for our 8th grade MacBooks.
• External hard drive for backups
  We recommend any of the personalized Store-It portable hard drives from Pexagon Technology. You should get a size equivalent to the hard drive in your laptop.
• Wireless mouse
• Coverage for theft, loss, or fire (check home owner’s insurance policy)
• Additional software that may be class-specific (i.e. Geometer's Sketchpad for Geometry or Inspiration)

Laptop Service Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to buy a laptop?

No, but you are encouraged to bring your own computer with you to school and to classes (in grades 7–12). If you choose not to, you can make use of one of our computers in the library or the computer kiosks around campus. Teachers will also have at their disposal a shared laptop cart which may be used for in-class activities.

Does the school sell laptops to parents?

Not for the 2011-2012 school year. In the past we have sold laptops to parents but due to our pilot program this year and the upcoming switch from Windows to Apple, we are not selling them this year. We will announce our plans for rolling out a school-wide laptop program later this year.

What if I have problems with my laptop that I have already purchased through the school?

If you previously purchased a laptop through the school, then while school is in session and your student is enrolled, bring the laptop to the I.T. Office, and they will arrange for the appropriate repairs, as well as provide a loaner until your laptop is working properly. Otherwise, Lenovo can be contacted for service as the coverage is provided by the manufacturer. NOTE: Students are responsible for backing up their personal data prior to bringing it to the I.T. Office.

What if I have problems with my personal laptop?

The Darlington I.T. Office can help with connection issues to the School's network, Internet, servers, and printers. We can also offer advise for other issues but cannot make general repairs or provide involved software assistance (i.e. virus removal, system recovery, corrupt files, etc.). If a repair is needed, we can recommend a local computer repair vendor.

How do I connect to the Internet with my laptop?

The school network has wireless access points in all buildings which provide network connections. The network is secured and requires a network key for access. If you bring your own computer to school, visit the I.T. Office for connection instructions.

Where is the I.T. Helpdesk located?

The I.T. Helpdesk is located on the second floor of the McCallie-Kennedy Library.

Where do I save my files, projects, and assignments?

Each student is provided with a network folder intended to hold their documents, any projects, and pending research (but not other personal files such as music or videos). We recommend USB flash drives or hard drives for storing or backing up personal files. Personal data should always be backed up in case the laptop needs some type of repair. The I.T. Office is not responsible for backing up student data.

Can I load other software on the laptop?

As a tool for your education, it is of the highest importance that you protect your laptop and maintain its stability. Adding anything to your laptop can affect its stability. We therefore suggest that you exercise careful judgment before installing software or hardware that may disrupt your computer use or violate the school's technology acceptable use policy. When a laptop purchased from the school is brought in for a service and the I.T. Office determines the problem is software-related, we will reimage the machine, restoring it to the point it was first received. In this case, any additional software loaded on the machine will have to be reinstalled by the student. Also any personal data will have to be restored by the student.

What operating systems does the school support?

We can support most operating systems on our network, with the most popular being Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X. Starting this year, Darlington is cross platform in the classroom as we transition to being an Apple school.

If I already have a laptop, how can I find out what software I need?

You'll find a sample list of software on the "Details" tab above. Microsoft Office is the standard productivity suite. We encourage teachers and students to use the right software for the project and often this involves options. Students should work with their teachers to make sure they are submitting their work in the proper format for the teacher. For example, alternative word processing programs like Apple Pages or Open Office can be used, but would need to be saved in Microsoft Word format.