Student Netbooks

Netbooks are small, portable laptop computers specifically designed for wireless communication and access to the internet. Students in grades 3-12 will have use of a netbook computer (also referred to as a Personal Learning Device, or PLD) that includes the following software:

• Windows 7 (operating system)
• Internet Explorer and Firefox (web browsers)
• Microsoft Office, Professional (business applications):
  • Word (word processing)
    
  • PowerPoint (presentation design)
    
  • Excel (spreadsheet)
    
  • Publisher (print layout)
  • OneNote (note taking)
    
  • Access (database)
• Microsoft Movie Maker (video editing)
  
• Picasa (image editing and management)
• Google Earth (maps and satellite images)
• Google Sketchup (3-D modeling)
• iTunes (media player)
  
• Comic Life (photo layout)
  
• ActivEngage (student response system)
• LanSchool (classroom management)
• Kurzweil 3000 (text-to-speech)
  

The netbook computers also connect to the district's network which provides access to an array of services intended to optimize student learning.

Non-3G Model

Students in grades 3-5 use netbook computers for daily learning activities across the curriculum while at school. Netbooks are stored in the classroom when students are not in class.

3G Model (wireless broadband access anywhere in San Diego)

Students in grades 6-12 will each be issued a 3G-networked netbook laptop they can take to and from school each day. The 3G model provides wireless broadband internet access anywhere in San Diego.