FAQs for Teachers
At the end of June 2009, the rollout phase was completed and all CBE teachers had been provided with laptops for professional and personal use. The following information concerns the process for fall 2009:
- Reclamations and redeployments will commence after September 30 staffing numbers have been verified. We will arrange to pick up extra laptops if staff numbers have decreased and provide additional laptops if staff numbers have increased
- Every attempt will be made to provide laptops in the requested platform (Mac or Windows)
- If teachers have taken their laptops during the summer and will not be returning in September, their laptops must be returned to the school and either reclaimed or redistributed to other teaching staff
- When providing a laptop to a new teacher, a new Staff Use Form must be completed
- All staff should be reminded of the Admin Regulations listed below.
- In September, teachers will be required to bring laptops to your Technical Support Specialist for a visual check to confirm that all required software updates have been applied and to confirm that inventories are up-to-date and accurate
- Please email bfleece@cbe.ab.ca if you have questions.
FAQs will be updated regularly as information is requested:
Risk Management
Where can I find information on Administrative Regulations as they pertain to this project? [Click Here]
All ARs are found on the CBE corporate website under policies. Links to AR 1061, 1062 and 4027 are also found below.
Agreement for Staff Use of CBE Computers Off Board Premises (pdf)
This form needs to be signed by any staff member taking a computer off board premises. The form is kept at the school by the principal or designate.
AR 1061 - Security of Information Resources
Each person using CBE information is responsible for the management and safekeeping of information under their control by ensuring that there is adequate security to prevent unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure or disposal of information.
AR 1062 - Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources
The purpose of this regulation is to ensure responsible and appropriate use of CBE electronic information resources. Employees should be aware of what is appropriate use of the information they have access to.
AR 4027 - Code of Conduct for Employees - specifically E.5 and G
Employees are held responsible for exercising all reasonable care to prevent abuse to, excessive wear of, or loss of Board-owned equipment or material entrusted to their care.
What security am I responsible for? [Click Here]
It will be the responsibility of the staff member to ensure all security concerns are addressed as per Administrative Regulations 1061 and 1062. These deal with appropriate content, use and data security. Setting screen passwords, being careful not to give students’ access to your password would be important security measures to take.
Please ensure that you secure your laptop at all times. You may need to use a security lock to fasten your laptop to your desk or lock it up when you leave your classroom.
Log on Requirement? [Click Here]
Laptops in the One-to-One Project are issued to teachers as classroom instructional computers first, secondly for personal use. This being said it is critical that laptops log into the CBE network on a regular basis to ensure updates of software including the operating system updates and anti-virus updates are performed.
Logging in to the CBE network once a day is our preference and our recommendation. CLT Specialists are available to assist with professional development and any questions arising from updates that are issued.
General Questions
Does a laptop move with a Teacher? [Click Here]
No. The inventory system assigns these laptops to the school. When a teacher moves from one school to another, they return their One to One Laptop to the school they are leaving, and would receive a new One to One laptop at the new school. School Principals are responsible for their school's technology inventory - this includes One to One Teacher Laptops. Tied to this is the need for schools to contact their Technology Support Specialist when they have excess or shortages of One to One laptops so that the system needs can be met. This precludes 'trading' laptops without involving the One to One Teacher Laptop program. Inaccurate school inventories will generate errors that impact the Evergreening program and may disrupt the availability of One to One Laptops to teachers.
What if a Teacher teaches at multiple sites? [Click Here]
In this case, a teacher would be assigned a Laptop as part of the Program at their Primary school. They would not receive multiple laptops.
Can I choose between a Mac or PC laptop? [Click Here]
Teacher laptops are provided to support the learning approach and platform choice prevalent in the school, so the laptop choice should reflect the choices made by the principal and staff of that school. Choices are not available to individual teachers but should be made at the school level.
Can I keep my laptop over the Winter Break, Easter Break and Summer Break? [Click Here]
Since laptops are deployed to specific schools or area offices this question is dependent upon the Principal or Director’s decision. Working with staff on a one by one basis this will be determined.
If a teacher is leaving a school or position within an area then the laptop must be returned so that it can be reimaged and redeployed to the new teacher coming on board.
What if a Teacher is on an extended leave – do they get to keep their laptop? [Click Here]
No. If a teacher is taking an extended leave then their laptop needs to be returned to their school so that the temporary teacher can use this laptop while they are filling in for the leave. Again because there is no endless inventory of laptops available if the Principal approves a teacher keeping their laptop during their leave then the temporary teacher filling in for that position will not have access to a laptop unless the school wants to purchase extras for this specific reason.
Laptop Care and Tips
Employees are held responsible for exercising all reasonable care to prevent damage, excess wear or loss of the laptop as per Administrative Regulation 4027 part E and G. Further helpful hints. (for CBE Staff - Log-in required)
What is due care? [Click Here]
Due care refers to keeping your laptop and the information contained in it secure at all times. Using screen savers and screen passwords are good habits to form. Locking your laptop and fastening it to your desk or locking it up in a filing cabinet when you are not using it are also good practices. You should handle it carefully making sure not to drop it or knock it off tables.
You should store it out of site whether in your locked vehicle or in your home. When travelling with your laptop remember that extreme cold or heat is not good for your LCD screen.
Using my computer at Home.
This laptop is being issued to you as a staff member of the Calgary Board of Education, with the full understanding that you will be using this laptop off Board premises. Thus you have signed an agreement to this effect.
Using your computer at home means that it does not need to be connected to a network to be operational, if you wish to access the Internet you can simply plug your laptop into your home network. If you plan to connect it to your home wireless network, certain security concerns must be addressed with respect to SSID names and WEP encryption. You will need to rename your wireless network from the default name supplied by the manufacturer (eg. default, linksys etc) and you will need to encrypt (password protect) your network according to the directions supplied with your system.
Will I need to have my household/car insurance updated now I have a laptop and am transporting it in my car and using it at home? [Click Here]
While you probably won't need it, unless you have not taken due care with your laptop and it was stolen or destroyed as a result of this, it is probably a good idea to let your insurance provider know you have one, just as you would if you had purchased it yourself.
Internet Connectivity
Will the CBE provide me with internet access at home? [Click Here]
No, if you would like to have Internet access at home, you will need to set up a contract with a service provider such as SHAW or TELUS. Once you have Internet access, you can plug in your laptop to the modem provided.
What is the difference between wireless and “blue cable technology”? [Click Here]
Blue cables run throughout the school – better known as Ethernet cables. Workstations, printers, servers, etc. all connect to blue cables. Switch equipment connects network devices to: the school network, the CBE network and the Internet. These blue cables create a secure network. Ethernet cables provide dedicated connections so that the performance of your laptop is not affected by the number of computers accessing the network nor does it depend on the location of computers. The speed your data travels on an Ethernet connection is much higher (faster) than on wireless connections.
Wireless connections work with antennas that broadcast a signal. This signal is shared between the devices and the connection speed depends on the proximity of the device to the antenna and the number of people accessing the wireless network at any given time. Therefore performance will fluctuate and is much lower (slower) than on a dedicated Ethernet cable.
Wireless technology is an enhancement (not replacement) to wired technology and is much less robust than wired technology. Wireless connections are not appropriate for use with bandwidth intensive applications that are graphic and audio intensive such as: movies, video streaming, CAD, etc.
Wireless access is insecure and is susceptible to eaves dropping even with WEP encryption it takes about one minute to crack encryption keys and gain access to information being transmitted. It is therefore not recommended to use administrative applications such as SIRS, e-mail, etc, over wireless.
What if I want wireless in my home? [Click Here]
If you would like wireless access in your home you will need to purchase a wireless router. Many different types are available and can be purchased from your service provider or from various retailers such as Future Shop. Please see the ITS support page for information regarding security on a wireless network. Your technician will not be available to assist you in setting up your wireless network.
