Technology

The Learning With Laptops Program
Learning With Laptops is a program that harnesses the power and mobility of the laptop computer to make students more productive learners. It currently operates in grades 7 through 10 at all four Clovis intermediate schools (Alta Sierra, Clark, Reyburn, and Kastner), and all four high schools (Buchanan, Clovis High, Clovis East, and Clovis West).

Learning With Laptops in Clovis relies on a partnership with parents to provide greater access to technology for students. We have learned that when students have access to a laptop computer Anytime Anywhere, powerful changes begin to occur in that student's school work, and in their learning. Those changes depend on the student having the computer 100% of the time. To achieve that Anytime Anywhere access, we offer a deal to parents: if they buy a laptop computer, we'll make sure that their student is placed in a classroom with a teacher who has been especially trained to integrate the use of that computer into everyday work. We call those immersion classes.

To ensure that every student has access to the power of the laptop computer, we take two additional steps. First, we have a loaner program for students who would like to be in an immersion class, but can't get a laptop. Much like our band program loans instruments to students, this program provides a laptop for a student to use at school and at home for the entire year. All that we ask is that the family pay for insurance for the computer for that year at a cost of $75. This program is open to any student. If more students apply for loaners than are available, a drawing is held to determine the assignment of the laptops.

Second, the District has equipped designated classes with laptops for students to use during class time. These standard classes are in subject areas that ensure every student has access (e.g. academic block at the intermediate schools). The District has spent $1.7 million over the last two years in this effort, as we move toward our long term goal of every student having full-time access to a laptop computer every day.

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How Would Laptops For Learners Help My Student?
Nationwide, as well as in Clovis, schools have discovered there are lots of benefits for students enrolled in Laptop programs:

Students are more motivated. Something about working with the computer is motivating to students. Students with laptops are more likely to do their homework.
Students are more engaged learners. Because working on the computer is more motivating, teachers find that students attend to learning tasks more thoroughly. Believe it or not, but they actually spend extra effort to make their assignments better.
Students write more and write better. Using a laptop to write has a tremendous impact on student writing. They write longer pieces, make greater effort to revise and edit, and are more likely to find and correct errors in their writing.
Students do neater work. When most assignments are printed out or turned in on a disk, they look better, are easier to read, and make a better impression on the teacher.
Students collaborate more with other students. Many people fear that having a computer will reduce the human interaction between students. Actually, the opposite is true. In laptop classes students teach each other, work together on projects, and constantly interact with each other about the work they are doing.
Students improve their critical thinking skills. Completing work on a laptop often requires students to "figure out" how to solve a problem. In addition, most laptop classes do more projects, which usually involve more critical thinking.
Students can learn anytime anywhere. Having a computer 24 hours a day, at home, at school, in the car on a family trip, means that students can complete assignments in ways and in places they've never been able to before.
Students are more productive learners. With the computer available to them, students get more work done and learn faster.
Students develop real world skills. With laptop computers and the same application software used in business, students complete projects that would be acceptable in boardrooms around the world.
Students learn the Information Age skills they will need to succeed in 21st century careers. Finding information, making sense of it, and communicating it are key Information Age skills that students master in laptop classes.
Students develop oral language prowess and skill in making presentations. Creating PowerPoint presentations and getting up in front of the class to present them orally give students confidence and skill in public speaking situations.

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"I'm Not Sure This Is For Me"
If that's what you're thinking, here are some ideas you should consider:

Even if you choose not to buy a laptop, your son or daughter will still benefit from increased exposure to technology. The District has committed to increasing the numbers of computers in targeted classrooms. If you don't feel comfortable with investing in a laptop right now, your student will still use a computer to complete assignments.
No doubt about it, buying a laptop is an expensive commitment. If this is not the time for you to make that kind of investment, apply to your school site for a loaner computer. Some laptops are available at each school to loan to students for the year, much as we already loan band instruments. Contact your school principal to see if your student will qualify to use a loaner laptop for next year.
Maybe next year. Perhaps this just isn't the right time, and that's OK too. The District is committed to Learning With Laptops as an ongoing program, and the opportunities will still be available next year.
If you have more questions, do a little investigation. The best place to get more information is to attend one of the Laptop Parent Information Nights. In addition, you might want to ask around and see what other parents are saying about the program. And don't hesitate to call. The principal at each site can answer your questions, or call Marshall Doris at 327-9606.

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Buying a Laptop

1. You may buy your laptop anywhere. But there are two requirements:

Your student must be able to bring their laptop to school every day.
The laptop must meet the following minimum requirements. If you are purchasing a new laptop, you should consider using the specifications marked as "preferable" within each set of parentheses.
Pentium 75 mhz (300+ mhz is preferable)
8 MB RAM (64 MB preferable)
500 MB Hard Disk (3.5+ GB is preferable)
Color Display
Windows 95 (Windows 98 or Windows 2000 is preferable)
SoundBlaster Pro--or equivalent--card installed
Microsoft Office 97 Pro software including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access (Microsoft Office 2000 Pro is preferable )
Ethernet Card
2. While you can buy any laptop that meets the above requirements, you might want to consider buying an Anytime Anywhere Laptop Bundle. There are several advantages:

The price includes more than just the computer. The following are included in the price of the computer you purchase through the AAL program: The Microsoft Office 2000 Pro software (a $529 value); a modem ($80-$120), an ethernet card ($110-$130); Carrying case ($35); a 3 year parts & labor warranty (versus 1 yr).
You have the option to purchase insurance for your laptop.
District technicians can reinstall software for you if your have any problems.
Our local vendor will pick up and deliver your computer at the school if there are any hardware problems that

Require Repair.

3. The Clovis Unified School District does not sell computers. Our local reseller partner, through whom you would order your computer, is CompuWave. You can contact them at (559) 437-1250. You are encouraged to visit local retail stores to try out the laptop models and compare prices and features. This is important for two

Reasons:

Because CompuWave mainly sells to businesses and government offices, they do not have a showroom, and do not have stock on hand as demonstration models for you to look at.
We want you to be an informed shopper.

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Laptop Parent Information Nights
If you want to find out if Learning With Laptops is right for your student, you will want to attend one of the Laptop Parent Information Nights Scheduled at your school during April this spring.

Since each school organizes some elements of the program in a way that is unique to that school, your best choice will be to attend the meeting at the school your son or daughter will be attending next fall. If you can't make the meeting scheduled at your school, there are enough elements of the program that are the same at all the schools to make it worthwhile to attend a meeting at another school.

The 2001 Parent Night Schedule will be updated as other information becomes available--please check back
School Date Location Time
Elementary
Liberty
Thursday, April 5
Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 - 8:00

Intermediate Schools
Alta Sierra
Monday, April 2
Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 - 8:00

Clark
Thursday, April 19
Multi-Purpose Room
6:00 - 7:30

Kastner
Wednesday, April 4
Multi-Purpose Room
6:00 - 8:00

Reyburn
Monday, April 30
Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 - 8:00

High Schools
Buchanan Wednesday, April 18 LLH 6:30 - 8:00

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Getting More Information
To get more information about the Learning With Laptops program at your school site, contact:

Alta Sierra - 327-3500 - Don Ulrich, Principal; Jon Yost, Learning Director
Clark - 327-1500 - Carl Tomlinson, Principal
Kastner - 327-2500 - Rick Gold, Principal
Reyburn Intermediate School - 327-4500 - Stacy Dunnicliff, Principal
Buchanan- 327-3000 - Cheryl McKinney, Principal; Rosalie Baker, Deputy Principal
Clovis East High School - 327-4000 - Jeff Eben, Principal; Melissa Macon, Deputy Principal
Clovis High - 327-1000 - Walt Byrd, Principal
Clovis West- 327-2000 - Carlo Prandini, Principal; Connie Naegle, Learning Director
To get more information about the Learning With Laptops program in the District, contact:

Chuck Philips, Director, Information Technology
Voice: 327-9607
Email: ChuckPhilips@clovisusd.k12.ca.us