Chromebook

The Chromebook is a personal computer designed to work with Google Apps for Education (“GAFE”) web-based applications. GHC chose the Chromebook as the best fit for the needs of its students through a diligent assessment of ease of operation, productivity, safety, security, and cost-effectiveness. GHC will purchase and retain full ownership of the Chromebooks and will have in place measures to prevent the inappropriate use of the device and/or the internet on the device, in keeping with the GHC Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”). Students will retain their issued Chromebook for the duration of their enrollment at GHC, subject to new device adoption. Chromebooks are subject to periodic checks to determine device condition.

Google Accounts and Google Apps for Education

All students will receive a GHC-managed Google account; this account is necessary to login to any GHC-owned Chromebook. Only currently enrolled GHC students will have access to a GHC Google account, and GHC Chromebooks are only accessible with a GHC Google account.

Students are provided unlimited file storage through Google Drive. All files stored on Google Drive are managed by GHC and are subject to review, confiscation, and destruction by GHC administration. Students should refrain from storing inappropriate or personal material (such as personal photos, copyrighted material not used for educational purposes) on their Google Drive. Students are also provided with a Google email account (Gmail). This account is fully managed by GHC and emails are archived using Google Vault. When students leave GHC (through graduation or transfer), all files can be transferred to a student’s personal Google account.

Students also have access to a variety of Google Apps made available through GAFE. Students do not have the ability to install on their GHC Chromebooks Google Apps that are not approved by GHC. Google Apps should only be used for academic purposes; failure to use Apps or other resources responsibly or for their intended purpose may result in disciplinary action. See the GHC discipline policy for more information.

Distribution of Chromebooks

Distribution of the Chromebooks will take place during registration. Incoming grade nine students will receive their Chromebook during Summer Transition Academy. Students enrolling after registration will receive their Chromebook when enrolling. A student will be issued a Chromebook only if the student and a parent or guardian has signed the Acknowledgement of the GHC 1:1 Program Overview and Acceptable Use Policy. All students 55 will receive the device and a power cable. Earbuds or headphones will not be provided by GHC.

GHC Responsibilities for the use of the Chromebook

GHC will comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”) to prevent the inappropriate use of the Chromebook and/or the internet whether the device is being used at school or at home. Any malfunction of the Chromebook that is not the result of negligence or inappropriate use will be repaired at GHC’s expense. GHC will have devices available that can be checked out to students whose devices are being repaired or replaced, on a temporary basis.

Parent and Student Responsibilities

As with any GHC-owned property (for example, textbooks), parents and students will be responsible for returning the Chromebook to GHC in good working condition. The student and his or her parent or guardian will be responsible for replacing a lost Chromebook or making repairs that were the result of inappropriate use or neglect of the device. An optional Chromebook protection plan is offered at an annual cost of $20.

Internet Access

As the Chromebook is an internet-based device, students will need internet access in order to use the web-based applications. GHC provides internet access at the school site. Students will have the ability to use the Chromebook to connect to the internet while off campus. Students without reliable internet access off campus may check out internet Hotspots from the school. Students should not connect to unknown wireless networks.

At school or elsewhere, students are expected to observe all GHC technology policies as well as federal, state and local laws. Student accounts are configured to provide internet filtering and website monitoring for inappropriate content using CIPA compliant software and hardware on campus and off campus. Students are responsible for following the policies expressed in this overview and the GHC Acceptable Use Policy at all times when using their GHC account.

Students will be able to access all work and files when offline. Students are responsible for ensuring that files have synced once reconnected to the internet.

Monitoring and Scanning

As part of our AUP and within the provisions of CIPA, GHC has the right and duty to monitor and control access to the GHC network and connected devices. It is our intent to provide a safe and useful instructional resource for students. All files, messages, internet browsing history, and any other activity on a GHC owned Chromebook and GHC managed account may be monitored for appropriate content, student safety, and adherence to the GHC academic integrity policy.

Guidelines for Appropriate Use

With the opportunity afforded by using technology, comes the expectation to use that technology responsibly. Failure to use the Chromebook responsibly may result in disciplinary action.

Students will:

• Bring their Chromebook fully charged to campus each day.
• Use the Chromebook and other technology resources only for academic purposes and in accordance with the GHC academic integrity policy.
• Use appropriate language and graphics, whether posting and publishing from home or from school, when using blogs, podcasts, email or other communication tools.
• Use only assigned accounts.
• Maintain confidentiality about usernames and passwords.
• Communicate only in ways that are kind and respectful.
• Remember that making and sharing illegal copies of music, games, movies, and other copyrighted material is prohibited. Make sure that their account has synced before leaving campus each day.
• Give credit when using the words or works of others.
• Prevent damage to the Chromebook by following “General Care” guidelines provided in this guidebook.
• Report the loss or damage of the device immediately to the Student Technology and Textbook Center.
• Keep the sound muted or use headphones or earbuds when the noise might disturb others.
• Digitally publish work whenever possible, but students may print hardcopies in the library and other print centers on campus.

Students will NOT:

• Remove, damage, or deface any identifying stickers or labels placed in or on the device by GHC.
• Allow other people to use their assigned device.
• View, use or copy passwords, data, or networks to which they are not authorized.
• Reveal personal information (telephone numbers, addresses, passwords, etc.) about themselves or others.
• Leave computers unsupervised or while logged in to any GHC managed system.
• Harass, bully or threaten anyone.
• Use offensive or inflammatory language of any kind.
• Misrepresent themselves or others.
• Destroy or damage data, programs, networks or any other system or component of a system owned or managed by GHC.
• Attempt to override, bypass or otherwise change the internet filtering software, Google Management, or other network configurations.
• Reset or “wipe” their device without explicit, advance permission from GHC administration.

Damaged Chromebooks

Students with damaged or malfunctioning Chromebooks may take them to the Student Technology and Textbook Center and borrow a device while theirs is being repaired or replaced. Students will complete an incident report that details the damage and the cause and will then be responsible for the loaner Chromebook. Students will be notified when their Chromebook has been repaired or replaced and will return the loaner Chromebook.

General Care of the Chromebook

• Do not place food or drink near the device.
• Insert and remove cords, cables and removable storage devices carefully.
• Do not deface the device with writing, drawings, stickers, labels, substances, etc.
• Do not place heavy objects on the device.
• Always carry the device with care; the screen should not be open when being carried.
• Do not lift the device by the screen.
• Do not store the device where other items can place pressure on the screen (for example, a backpack).
• Do not store the device in student lockers overnight.
• Clean the screen only with a soft, dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth. Do not use cleaning solvents or other liquids on the screen.