Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am concerned that my child will abuse the Internet and/or be targeted by a predator.

A: While connected to the Internet from School your student must pass through our Firewall which includes Barracuda Internet Filtering, Monitoring and Site Blocking, although it is not 100% fool-proof it does an excellent job of keeping the internet safe for the majority of students. CUSD can NOT Monitor, Filter or Block Internet sites when the computer is connected to the Internet at home. CUSD can NOT monitor and review each student’s activity, nor can it block every loop-hole that a creative and tech-savvy student might be able to find. IF you are concerned about your child’s activity on the Internet at Home and/or at School, you can purchase "eBlaster" from www.laptopschools.com. eBlaster sends a daily e-mail of your child’s activity on the Internet, included Time Spent at each site, E-mail, Instant Messaging, Words Typed, Sites Visited and more.

Q: Is AAAL about learning computer skills?

A: While learning to use their laptop efficiently is an important part of AAAL, it is not the primary reason for the laptop program. The computer is simply a tool for learning the content of the class. In fact, there is surprisingly little time devoted to learning computer skills in an AAAL class. As students master the skills very quickly and learn from each other, the teacher does not need to spend a great deal of time on direct instruction of computer skills.  A Laptop Camp for Beginners is offered each summer for students wanting to get a jump on learning about their new laptops. This year, the Camp will be held at Alta Sierra Intermediate—August 11-14 with a morning session and an afternoon session to choose from.  There is a link to the flyer on this AAAL website.

Q: How important is it that my child learns to keyboard efficiently?

A: While efficiency at using the keyboard is an important skill, the sort of blind-typing that is taught in keyboarding is not critical. Keyboarding is focused on working from a separate text. To be efficient, the typist can not afford to view the keys while typing. Laptop students almost never enter from a separate text, but usually are composing directly on the laptop. Even with no direct instruction in traditional keyboarding skills, laptop students become very efficient at entering text into their laptop, although sometimes in an unorthodox fashion. Learning to keyboard using the old rules can be a useful skill, but there is no need to get worried if students aren’t keyboarding "properly."

Q: Will a laptop make my child a better student?

A: The AAAL program is very effective at engaging students in the learning process, and has a large number of success stories to report. It is, however, not a cure-all, and there is no guarantee that every child will become a better student just by using a laptop.

Q: Do we have to have Internet access at home?

A: Over the years that the AAAL program has been in existence, the Web has become an increasingly important part of the program’s success. Web-based instruction is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of most AAAL teachers. While not absolutely necessary, Internet access at home can be a tremendous asset to the student.   

Q:  We have a wireless network set up at home, how do we get our AAAL ThinkPad bundle to work
on our home network?

A:  The District will make sure your student’s laptop is configured for the District’s wireless network.  It is the family’s responsibility to connect their student’s laptop to their own home network as the settings for each home wireless network vary and are often unique to the manufacturer.  If you purchase a ThinkPad, your laptop will come pre-set for accessing the District’s wireless network.  If you purchase a machine other than a ThinkPad, there will be a “configuration night” at your school where one of the District Techs will configure your laptop to work on the District’s wireless network.  This service is part of the “configuration fee” of $75 which is addressed above.

Q: We have a desktop computer at home. Isn’t that just as good?

A: While a desktop computer at home can certainly be an asset, the AAAL program is focused on the benefits students receive from having a personal information access tool which enables anytime anywhere learning. It’s not just about having access to a computer; it’s about having a computer available whenever you need it to assist your learning. AAAL parents frequently report that even in situations where there is a desktop computer at home, students use their laptop more and in different ways than they used the desktop computer before.

Q: Why should I purchase an AAAL ThinkPad bundle?

A: All ThinkPad bundles this year, like last year will come with a three-year “physical damage insurance” policy included called “ThinkPad Protection” from Lenovo and a three-year manufacturer’s parts and labor warranty. With these two programs, there will be no additional costs for repairs, no matter what the cause, for three full years unless your machine is lost or stolen. Additionally, the new ThinkPads will come with the following pieces of software pre-installed at no extra charge: Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise (including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, One Note & Publisher); Adobe Premiere Elements; Adobe Photoshop Elements; Adobe Contribute; Adobe Acrobat Professional; VitalSource Digital Text; and Rapid Restore--the “one-button ” recovery tool to restore your ThinkPad to the original Clovis custom image including all network connections and software applications; and Sophos Anti-Virus configured for automatic updates. For details and specific models and prices go to: http://www.laptopschools.com/

Q:  What do I need to do if my student’s machine isn’t working properly?

A:  If you have purchased a ThinkPad bundle from http://www.laptopschools.com/ ,you merely have your student take it to their school site where one of the District Techs will take a look at the machine and determine whether the machine has software or hardware needs.  If it is only a software problem, the Site Tech will work with your student to get the problem solved at school.  Often this “fix” is as easy as pressing the “One-button” recovery key on the keyboard which will reload the original software so the machine will be just like it was the first day you picked it up.  If it is determined to be a hardware problem, you simply take the machine to the District’s “Computer Service Center” located behind the District Office at 1542 David E. Cook Way.  Your machine will be fixed as quickly as possible and you will receive a “loaner ThinkPad” for your student to use during the repair period. 

If you did not purchase your machine through http://www.laptopschools.com/ you will need to diagnose the problem yourself or take it back to your reseller where they will perform the service for a fee.  The District Site Techs are not authorized to reload your software nor repair any hardware problems on machines other than ThinkPads purchased through the program. If your non-bundle machine needs to be re-configured for the CUSD network there will be a $75 fee. Also, if you need a loaner machine during the repair period, you will need to make those arrangements with your reseller, as well.

Q: What if I don’t want to purchase an AAAL bundle?

A: Participation in the program is not dependent on purchasing the AAAL Bundle from LaptopSchools.com. There are minimum requirements posted at http://www.cusd.com/aaal that must be met. In addition a $75 per hour (minimum of $75) configuration fee will be charged to configure the laptop for the District’s network. This cost is included in the AAAL bundle. If, for any reason, the laptop needs to reconfigured, an additional charge will be assessed. In addition, the District technicians will assist with virtually any repair or software issues arising with AAAL bundles. For non-AAAL laptops, however, the technician is not allowed to reinstall any software.

Q:  Should I purchase or upgrade to Windows VISTA?

A:  The real key to this answer is to make sure whatever operating system is being loaded on your student’s laptop is that it is the “Pro” (with XP) or “Business” or “Ultimate” (with Vista).  What will not work is any operating system that has the word “Home” included in its title—XP Home or Vista Home.  If your student comes to get their machine configured and has either of the “Home” versions installed—either “XP Home” or “Vista Home”, they will be disappointed as they will be told to bring their machine back once they have upgraded to either the Pro version for XP or the Business or Ultimate versions for Vista.  This Operating System upgrade will be a cost that you need to consider when purchasing a machine that is not one of the “Recommended Bundles” from LaptopSchools.com.  XP Pro and Vista Business and Vista Ultimate will all be supported at school next year.  Vista Business will be the operating system loaded on all ThinkPads purchased from LaptopSchools.com for this next summer.

Q: Why can’t I use a MAC or PC with a “Home” version of Windows?

A: The technology staff at the Clovis Unified School District supports a metropolitan area network that spans over 40 sites, supports thousands of computers and tens of thousands of users. In order to provide connectivity, support and safe internet access to such a large community of users, the District must implement levels of access and security that are only available in Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate.

Q: Isn’t the cost pretty high to get into the program?

A: While it certainly is a serious financial commitment, a case can be made that, given the benefits for the students, that a laptop is pretty affordable. For example, using a purchase price of $1400 with a $200 down payment and 48 month financing at 6%, works out to $28.18 per month, less than the cost of taking a family of four to the movie on Saturday night and buying popcorn.

Q: Can we have our young daughter use her older brother’s laptop?

A: Yes. Laptops are frequently passed down to younger siblings in this way. It is recommended that you use laptops that are no more than 4 or 5 years old and, if available, have an extended warranty from the manufacturer.  The computer will need to be recertified for our District’s network.

Q: How long will the laptop that we buy last?

A: A laptop, if properly cared for will probably continue to run the software it came with just as well in 5, 10, or even 15 years as it does today. So as long as your needs don’t change, the laptop you purchase today will be fine well into the future. Many of us, however, find that as new software and equipment become available, we become convinced that our needs have changed. If your needs change you may want to look at buying a newer computer, but if not, the laptop you buy now will work great for a long while.  Realistically, a laptop should easily last 3-5 years.

Q: I have a copy of Microsoft Office at work. Can I install that on my child’s computer and save a little money?

A: No, that is a violation of the copyright agreement that you (or your company) agreed to when the copy of Office was purchased. Those licensing agreements typically give you permission to install the software on just one computer. The Clovis Unified School District believes that it is important to abide by all copyright laws, and discourages students and parents from illegally pirating software.

Q: Should I purchase an extended warranty?

A: The AAAL Bundles for 2007 include a 3-Year Parts and Labor Warranty and 3 Years of ThinkPad Protection for damage.  Laptopschools.com offers an optional 4th year extension of both the Warranty and the damage protection programs. If you purchase a machine other than a “CUSD AAAL Bundle” it is recommended that you purchase a 3-year or 4-year warranty from the manufacturer as well as damage insurance coverage. An option that you might want to check into is from www.safeware.com--800.800.1492.

Q: Our family cannot afford to purchase a new laptop, what are our options?

A: To make the laptops more affordable we have partnered with the Central Valley Community Bank for 2 year loans and the Educational Employees Credit Union for 3 year loans. If you purchase the "Value" Bundle with a case and theft insurance via a 3 year loan, the payments are estimated at about $55 per month. If you don't qualify for a loan, you can apply for the In-School Loaner Program. There are a limited number of in-class loaner computers available at each middle school site but you must have access to a computer at home with Internet Access, Microsoft Office and a Memory Key to transfer files between home and school. The application for the Loaner Program is on Page 2 of the Registration Form.

Q: What about insurance?

A: The CUSD AAAL Bundles include 3 years of ThinkPad Protection accidental damage insurance – this does NOT cover Theft or Loss of the ThinkPad. LaptopSchools.com offers theft insurance for $35 per year with a $100 deductible. Most homeowner’s insurance covers theft from the home, and most auto insurance covers theft from the car. It is recommended that you check with your homeowner’s insurance company to verify that Theft or Loss will be covered if it occurs outside of the home and check your current deductible. If you purchase a machine other than a “CUSD AAAL Bundle” it is recommended that you check with your insurance company and/or purchase a policy from www.safeware.com or call 800.800.1492.