When it comes to devices, Oak Hills provides recommendations and considerations. We actively try and create an environment that will work with any device. That said, we do post the following Device Consideration on our portal (Downloadable Here).
Device Consideration Letter
Over the past year, students, parents, community members, teachers and administrators have been working together to examine how technology is deployed at Oak Hills High School and challenged us to increase access to eLearning opportunities for students–anywhere, anytime.
With this in mind, we are excited to announce that at the beginning of second quarter–November 1st–students may bring their own personal electronic devices–including laptops and handheld technology (smart phones, iPod Touches, etc.)–with them to Oak Hills High School. This will enable students to use a combination of district technology and their own to facilitate their learning. No longer will our high school students be limited by the availability of district technology or access to software and applications.#
By connecting to www.ohlsd.org, students can access the web-based learning tools that are offered. Here, students will find instructions for our OHHS virtual desktop–where they can utilize classroom instructional software both on or off our campus–wherever they have Internet access.
While many of our students already own laptops and computing devices, some parents have contacted us to ask, “If I wanted to purchase a laptop or other device for my child, what would you recommend?” Because family and individual student needs differ, this can be a complex question to answer. However, there are some general specifications that can be considered by everyone, so we have created this document to give you some guidance.
The ideal computing device for school use:
- Is lightweight and sturdy;
- Is in a protective carrying case;
- Has several hours of battery power and easy options for recharging;
- Has wireless capabilities and appropriate software;
- Offers sufficient storage;
- Is flexible, with USB ports and other options for expansion.
Specifications for a Student ComputerIf you are considering purchasing a new computer, it’s important to keep in mind how the student is going to use the computer. For example, Juniors and Seniors who plan to pursue a college program may want to contact an advisor from that program to seek recommendations specific to that field. We recommend that you consider the following minimum specifications for any new purchases:
Component Specification CPU Dual Core Processor, 2GHz or higher Memory 4 GB Hard Drive 250 GB or more Optical Drive DVD Burner or CD-RW/DVD-R USB multiple USB 2.0 Ports Display 14” minimum; recommend 15 to 15.4 inches
1280×800 or 1366×768 resolutionVideo Video Card with 128 MB or more of memory Wireless 802.11g/n Operating System Windows 7 or Mac OS X Memory Card Reader Yes Battery Some computers come with larger batteries that allow longer uses between charges. A longer battery life means students can get through more class between charges. You may consider purchasing an extended battery if that option is available. Flash Technology Most online courses as well as many videos that are accessible via the Internet and used in our teachers’ Blackboard and Moodle classes are built with Flash technology.
Smart phones, handheld devices and other devices using a mobile operating system: While there are times that a handheld device is the most appropriate tool for a specific purpose, there are limitations that should be considered as well. Limitations to these devices are specific to model. Please discuss the following with your vendor:
- Does it support Flash technology?
- Speed of the Internet browser
- Responsiveness, size and readability of the screen
- Availability of Apps
- Battery life
- USB ports
