Technology

Equipping Students in a Digital Age

Dalat campus is well equipped to meet the technological demands of today’s students. All classrooms have high-speed internet access via WiFi and also either a large-screen TV or projector for displaying content.

The school also has three up-to-date computer labs, as well as two creative zones, which have various devices like 3D printers, robotics kits, and a laser engraver. All teachers use PowerSchool to record student grades and take daily attendance. Students at DIS have access to eLearning technologies and other online courses. DIS also uses an online course management system in many of its courses. This is available through DISCourse.

Elementary and Middle School students have a 1 to 1 iPad program and use the tablets regularly for class work and research. High School students have a 1 to 1, Bring-Your-Own-Device program that is well integrated into the curriculum. Instruction highlights to students the benefits and challenges of the current digital age.

Technology Vision Statement

Technology at Dalat International School enables and enhances our mission – Education For Life.

High School Technology

Dalat students in the High School division will regularly use their personal computers to help them connect, share ideas, research and innovate in the classroom. Teachers make creative use of the devices to make learning engaging and fun. Students have the option to bring a device of their choosing as long as it meets the minimum requirements spelled out below.

1:1 Student Program

Students at Dalat use a personally owned computer in the classroom and at home to have access to digital resources, to submit work, to access online class portals and to communicate and collaborate. They are a valuable tool with lots of potential but also have the potential for misuse. This document is intended to help both parents and students understand the expectations for tech use both on and off campus while a student at Dalat. More guidelines and expectations are included in the Digital Citizenship Policy.

Students will not be allowed to use their computer on campus until both the student and their parent has attended an informational meeting (this happens during the 8th grade transition night for students in attendance or at orientation for new students). Both student and parent signatures are required on the Digital Policy Agreement form before we will allow the device to be used on campus.

Minimum Device Specifications

In order to provide a consistent experience for students, it is important the device meets the minimum standards outlined below. This will ensure the device is able to connect to the school network and ensure that digital content used in the classroom is compatible with the chosen device. Please do not purchase a device unless you are sure the device meets the following specifications.

Platform: PC, Apple MacBook, or iPad
NOT ALLOWED: iPad Mini

Screen Size: 10” screen or higher (measured diagonally) – consider portability and weight

RAM: 4GB or higher

Storage: 64GB (128GB or higher recommended) (also recommended is SSD hard drive to improve performance)

Operating System: Windows 10 or 11, MacOS Mojave 10.14 or newer, iOS 15 or newer.
NOT ALLOWED: Android, Chromebook, and distributions of Linux (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)

Required Features: Keyboard (needs to be purchased additionally for iPad), USB port(s), headphone port, built-in microphone, webcam

Battery: 9+ hours battery as per manufacturer * See notes below

Connection: WiFi required. No 4G/3G/Mobile Network connectivity. IF the computer has a slot for this, no card should be in the computer for school use.

*Battery Life Notes: This is the single most important requirement. You must insure that you find out the battery life for the model with your specifications. For example, changing the screen to a touch screen or 4K screen can drastically reduce battery life on certain models, but this might not be explained in the manufacturers sales materials. Looking up independent reviews is recommended.

Software Requirements

Software installation, with the exception of software packages distributed by Dalat International School, is the responsibility of the student/parents/caregivers. Valid licenses are required for all software present on your device. It is required that every device brought into the school has the following software installed:

School Provided and Installed Software

Device management software may need to be installed on your device in order to facilitate a connection to the network and local resources. Removing or tampering with this software will render the device inoperable on the school network and is a breach of the school’s computer policy.

Microsoft Office Suite

All Dalat students can get multiple free copies of the Microsoft office suite for school use.

In order for students to get the suite for free they will require an active Dalat login and school email account. The student will need to logon to https://login.microsoftonline.com/ with their student username (username@dalat.org) and password. Once logged in there will be an option to “Install Office”. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Protective Casing

It is strongly encouraged that all student devices have some form of protective casing/sleeve.

Warranty and Accidental Protection

Laptops are expensive technical devices and they do break down and can be damaged. It is vital to ensure a fast turnaround for repairs when the need arises. We recommend that parents purchase Accidental Damage Protection insurance with Next Business Day onsite warranty if possible.

School Technical Support

All maintenance for the device, operating system, software and/or apps purchased by the family are the responsibility of the family. DIS will provide basic support to students on the BYOD program. This includes helping students connect to the school network and helping with apps required by the school.

Computer Protection

Content Restrictions

Parents are responsible for the safeguarding of their children’s access to the internet away from school and are encouraged to teach their children responsible behavior in this regard. Parents are asked to set content restrictions that are appropriate on the computer. Our school tech staff are available to help work with parents who need help with this.

During the school day, teachers are encouraged to monitor student’s activity on the computers and Dalat takes reasonable precautions to restrict content that is inappropriate for youth. We use filtering software on our network to limit access to inappropriate web pages. Dalat may electronically monitor student behavior.

Computer Usage Guidelines

Using your computer during the school day:
Students are expected to arrive at school each day with a fully charged battery and manage their device (dimming screen, closing certain apps when not in use, etc.) so that the battery lasts throughout the day.

Lighting System

(see the Digital Citizenship policy for more details)

Teachers use a “lighting system” to communicate what computer usage is acceptable.

Using your computer in the classroom (Yellow Light through Lights Out)

Students should assume “lights out” conditions until a teacher communicates otherwise. Teachers will designate what is appropriate in the classroom ranging from Yellow to Lights Out conditions. Gaming, social networks, and instant messaging are not allowed at any time. In a classroom (library and computer labs included), computers should not be used on laps or hidden by the desk. With teacher permission, the devices may be propped up on stands for easier viewing.

Using your computer during study hall and in the library (Yellow Light)

Unless designated otherwise by a study hall supervisor or teacher, study halls will be considered yellow light conditions. Students on academic probation may be assigned different light status as deemed appropriate.

Using your computer during before and after school (Green Light)

This is considered Green Light time as long as it does not interfere with getting to class on time and students are careful to keep food and drink safely away from the devices.

Using your computer during lunch in the student center (Green Light)

Students are allowed to use their computers for games and socializing during lunch time as long as they are in the student center. All other locations on campus are considered “yellow light” areas.

Students who lose open campus privileges because of either academic probation or disciplinary measures will be given Lights Out status between classes and during lunch.

Between Class Use (Lights Out)

Students are strongly encouraged not to use their computers while traveling between classes as the distraction can be a detriment to other pedestrians, and they run the risk of dropping and damaging the device itself. Students must have their computers in sleep mode and put away when entering a classroom and should leave them in sleep mode until the instructor allows them to turn them on. It is understood that a student may need to check their calendar or agenda app while at their lockers but this should not happen while moving around campus.

Gaming or using social networks or instant messaging services at inappropriate times or places are assigned a detention immediately. No warnings are given. Students who quickly switch tasks when a teacher approaches should expect to have recent open programs inspected and if games are open they will be assigned detention.

Cameras

Use of the camera and microphone is strictly prohibited during the school day both in and out of the classroom unless permission is granted explicitly by a teacher. When in doubt, ask for permission from a staff member. A teacher may give blanket permission for students to take a picture of the notes on the board at the end of class for all of the classes throughout the year if they choose to do so.

When permission to use the camera is given, students must use good judgment and follow DIS conduct policies. The camera may not be used to take inappropriate, illicit, or sexually explicit photographs or videos; it cannot be used to embarrass anyone in any way. Any use of cameras in restrooms or the locker room, regardless of intent, will be treated as a serious violation.

Installing Software/Apps (classroom required)

Teachers may require some apps or software and textbooks specifically for their class.

Email

Students should read their email daily as this is an important way that teachers and administrators communicate with them.

Installing personal apps/software

Students are allowed to install personal apps for both academic and entertainment purposes. If a student has installed apps that are not in keeping with the school Digital Citizenship policy, the device will be re-imaged by Ed Tech Services.

Repairs

In the event that the repairs will take time, the tech department may have loaner devices that can be used while the device is serviced. If the loaner is broken during student use the student’s family will be liable for repair or replacement costs.

Consequences Of Misuse Of The Digital Citizenship Policy

Students who are gaming or inappropriately using social media/instant messaging during the school day or misuse the camera will immediately be assigned a detention. For other minor infractions, staff will enter “C” in the PowerSchool attendance field. This may be entered in their classroom or in the homeroom classroom attendance field. These discipline entries will be tallied with tardies and dress-codes and apply towards the established Saturday detention policy. Examples include not following the correct “lighting” designation (first-time offenses), not having a cover, not using a pass code, not having a charged device, etc.

In order to safeguard other users and our Ed Tech resources, students who willfully choose not to abide by the expectations listed above will face any or a combination of the following consequences.

Student Windows Device Setup Guide

Virus Protection: Windows 11 comes with Windows Defender built in and it is free. There is no need to purchase other software and in fact we strongly recommend that you do not purchase other virus protection software and use Windows Defender. This is what Dalat uses on all of our school computers.

Windows Updates: Updates are configured by default to automatically download and install. We highly recommend that you do not change this setting.

Family Safety (Optional): Windows 11 devices have industry leading Family Safety settings that can be set up by a parent. If you would like to setup Family Safety on this new device for your student, here is a link to instructions: 
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/family-safety

Microsoft Account: Parents should create a free Microsoft Account for purchasing any required Windows Store Apps. The apps can be installed using the parent’s Microsoft Account and then signed out so that students cannot purchase additional apps without their approval. Instructions for creating the account can be found here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/sign-up-create-account-how In addition, we recommend that the student create a free Microsoft Account using a personal email address other than their Dalat Email, and use this to sign into their device.

Microsoft Office: Dalat Students can download and install the latest version of Microsoft Office for free. The student will need to logon to https://login.microsoftonline.com/ with their student username (username@dalat.org) and password. Once logged in there will be an option to “Install Office”. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Ninite Apps: The following free applications need to be installed on the device and we recommend that you install them using https://ninite.com/. Ninite is a free website that installs all of the applications in one easy step, and removes any annoying adware from the products.

Required Apps

OneNote: Should be configured by default with the student Microsoft Account that was previously setup.

Google Chrome: Chrome will need to be run the first time and the student should sign in with their Dalat Credentials (username@student.dalat.org). In addition, it is advisable that you enable offline files access using these instructions: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375012?hl=en

Google Drive: The Google Drive Application will need to be run the first time and the student should sign in with their Dalat Credentials (username@student.dalat.org). This will sync all Google Drive contents onto the device. This will be the primary location that students should store files on the device since it will be backed up to the cloud.