Laptops for Students Program

For the 2010-11 school year Canadian Academy is beginning one to one laptop programs in Grade 5 and the High School.

Grade 5 Program

Grade 5 has been offered a unique opportunity to pilot a one to one laptop initiative for the 2010-2011 school year. Each student will receive a school laptop to use throughout the year both at school and eventually at home. This increases the potential for student learning.

High School Program

In the High School One to One Laptop program, parents of high school students have three options available to them:

• New - Rent to Own a computer from CA

  CA will retain ownership of this laptop for the three year span it will take to fully purchase the machine. Ownership of the laptop will be transferred to the student at the end of the three years.  Students will have full possession of the laptop for school and personal use.  A replacement computer would be loaned if a student has a computer breakdown.

  In this option, parents can buy a new Apple MacBook laptop from the school at approximately 10% less than the manufacturer's retail price, and it includes a 3-year warranty (breakage, battery), software, case and an external USB hard drive. The cost will be spread over three years by adding it as a line item on tuition and will be ¥50,000 per year (total cost ¥150,000).
  
  Download the Laptop Lease Agreement and the Payment Choice Form for the Rent to Own option

• Used - Rent to Own a computer from CA

  In this option, parents can buy a used Apple Macbook laptop from the school.  The cost will be spread over two years by adding it as a line item on tuition and will be ¥30,000 per year (total cost ¥60,000).  Ownership of the laptop will be transferred to the student at the end of the two years.  Students will have full possession of the laptop for school and personal use. Under this rent to own agreement, the school will bear all responsibility for repairs as a result of normal damage to hard drive and/or internal wear and tear for two years. A replacement computer would be loaned if a student has a computer breakdown.
  
  Download the Laptop Lease Agreement and the Payment Choice Form for the Rent to Own option

• Bring your own laptop

  Parents will provide a laptop capable of handling course requirements, to be carried to school by the Student.  Please note that under this option, software and maintenance needed will not be provided by CA. Students will need to provide the software suite identified by CA.

  Requirements for the bring your own option
  

  Hardware
  • MacBook or better/ OS X 10.5 or later
  • Netbook with Win XP or better, with integrated webcam and microphone
  • Wireless networking - 802.11g/n compatible
  If you are unsure if your own laptop is sufficient email Murray Smith for further advice.
  
  Software

• A better alternative to Windows Movie Maker is Adobe Premier Elements – a double pack with Photoshop Elements is the cheapest way to buy these together.
• All software is free except for Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements, and Quicktime Pro. Premier Elements is not available for Mac - iMovie is a good alternative.
• Any version of Microsoft Office or photoshop Elements is good.
• If you are taking courses such as Art or IB Film there may be specialized software and hardware requirements beyond the basic productivity suite.  Please consult with the teachers of these courses.

Mac	Windows
Microsoft Office	Microsoft Office
Picasa	Picasa
iMovie	Windows Movie Maker
VLC	VLC
QuickTime Pro or Handbrake	QuickTime Pro or Handbrake
Audacity	Audacity
iTunes	iTunes
GeoGebra	GeoGebra
Perian	Not needed
Flip4Mac WMV Player (free version)	Not needed
MuseScore	MuseScore
Adobe Reader 9	Adobe Reader 9
Adobe Photoshop Elements	Adobe Photoshop Elements
Google Earth	Google Earth
TI Connect	TI Connect