GLADSTONE STATE HIGH SCHOOL 

LAPTOP PROGRAM 2010 

Gladstone State High School has successfully operated a laptop program since 2000. It is the intention of the school to run two classes in Year 8 in 2010. We only have the infrastructure and resources to operate a total of five classes across Years 8 and 9 and there are three Year 8 classes this year.

The philosophy behind the class is to integrate the use of Information and Communication Technologies, through the student laptops, into all areas of learning.

The use of the laptops as tools in the classroom is mainly in the areas of:

•  Research – using the school network and the internet to locate and use resources in all subject areas

•  Communication – to use the laptop, in conjunction with the school network and internet, to communicate with other students, teachers and experts in various locations

•  Presentation – to present information in various formats according to the particular task being undertaken.

The laptops are used in class activities in core subjects and some electives. It is important to remember that the laptop is a tool in the education of young people. The students in the laptop program complete the same curriculum and study the same subjects as all students at GSHS. Some assessment items may be presented differently in order to use the technology available to them.

In terms of the laptops there is no prescribed brand or model but the following points need to be kept in mind:

•  Operating system – Vista

•  10/100 network card

•  Wireless network card

•  Minimum 2GB RAM to run Vista properly

•  Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon X2 processor

•  Minimum 80GB HDD

•  3 metre CAT5E network cable

•  USB flash drive – 1GB minimum

•  Check that household insurance covers transit to and from school and at school

•  The school cannot carry out any repairs to hardware

•  School will set up laptop to communicate with network and internet at school

The enrolment process for the Laptop Program has been modified this year to ensure that all parents/carers can see that it is open, transparent and fair to all. Information will be going out to primary schools regarding this process. Application forms will be posted on the Gladstone State High School website ( www.gladstonshs.eq.edu.au ) on Monday 20 th July, 2009. The completed forms must be emailed to the address indicated or submitted at the GSHS office. Entry to the class will be strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. Enrolments will close on Friday 31 st July, 2009 at 4.00pm. If there are excess applications a reserve list will be created for any vacancies that may occur.

For more curriculum information contact Jo Dahl (HOD Middel Schooling) on 49766179 or email jdahl14@eq.edu.au.

For more technical information contact Danie Player (HOD - IT/Business) on 49766123 or email dplay1@eq.edu.au.