The following questions and concerns are ones that we faced as we moved forward with our "Laptop Initiative."  We can't provide you with all the answers.  You need to talk about these with your administration, media coordinator, and central office staff.

1.  Acceptable Use Policy - Does your school system have an agreement between students, parents, and the system about using computer resources at school?  Even though they are using their personal computers, students are still responsible for what they do using school resources.

2.  Internet Access Request forms - Parent and students need to realize that they will still be accessing the internet through the school's wi-fi system.  There are still guidelines that need to be followed.

3.  Team Policies for classroom uses - Since there was no such policy available to use, the students and teachers created their own.  We researched many policies from colleges and universities before developing our own.

4.  Firewalls - Students in Catawba County Schools are still behind our system's firewall.  Certain websites and downloads will not be accessible.

5.  Virus Protection - Again, school system and student resources must be protected.  Up-to-date virus protection is a must for all machines accessing the school's wi-fi system.

6.  Power Issues - Instead of pencils, students are now looking for an outlet to recharge.  There probably not enough for every student to have access.  Do you have access to power bars?

7.  Network Capabilities - This is one for the system engineers.  Is your school prepared for all of those extra laptops hitting the wireless router at one time?  Is it time for an upgrade?

8.  No Printing - Our students are not able to access the printers in the building from their laptops.  They must use a "wired" connection on a school machine to be able to get a hardcopy of an assignment.

9.  Security/Storage - What happens with the laptops when the students go to PE?  Do you lock their laptops in their in a closet?  Are their lockers safe enough?

10.  Different Software - What do you do when not everyone is using the same word processing software?  Word, Works, OpenOffice?  Mac or PC?

11.  How do I do that? - Students do not have the same skills when it comes to typing or even using their laptops.  You might not have the right skills for a certain task.  What then?

12.  Alternate Plans - Not every student will bring a laptop.  Somedays, the network is down.  What do you do know?