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Original poster

Using a laptop at school?

18 replies

Katymac · 25/04/2010 22:38

I am meeting with the IT team tomorrow morning to discuss DD using a laptop at school

Apparently she can't use her laptop because of security issues (which I guess I understand)

But they won't provide her with one (at least not until xyz, abc & whatever has been done)

So is there a way round this?

OP posts:

mummytime · 26/04/2010 06:34

What stage of school is she at? Does she hae a specific learning disability, other special need? Is she on the special needs register, if so at what stage? What reports do you have? Has an outside agency e.g. Educational Psychologist, or Occupational Therapist recommended that she uses one?

I can see no reason not to be allowed to use her own laptop, provided you are willing to take responsibility. She should be provided with the same kind of secure storage that the school would give music instruments. A Cello is much harder to store, can cost as much, and is quite easily broken etc.

Good luck!

LIZS · 26/04/2010 07:28

dc school have ones dotted around that those kids who have been advised to use one and have reached a certain touch typing speed can access for specifically agreed lessons. ds has a memory stick to store his work on which he brings home or he emails his work home from his school email account.

MmeBlueberry · 26/04/2010 07:35

Why does she need a laptop?

If she has a learning difficulty that is helped by the use of a laptop, this needs to go through the SEN dept. It is important that the reasons are well documented over a long period of time if she is to use a laptop in exams.

cory · 26/04/2010 07:56

(For those of you not in the know: Katymac's dd lost her sight some time ago, probably due to conversion disorder.)

Is it about laptop in lessons, or laptop in exams, Katymac?

Ds's (primary) school has laptops that we have been told he can use, and the school are even going to provide some typing training for him (hooray!). Yes, it has taken time, but we have got there.

If it's jumping through hoops that is needed- then get jumping now!

I would first contact SENCO and ask for a meeting involving him/her, your dd's tutor and anyone who is involved in a medical capacity (CAHMS?). If you can't get the multi-agency meeting, then see the SENCO on her own. Then if not getting anywhere see the head. Be specific about your dd's needs, explain the uncertainties of the situation and concentrate on a worst case scenario. Do not say "of course she may recover any day"; assume when speaking to school that she will not recover within the immediate future; otherwise they will not think it worth starting up the whole cumbersome machinery of SN provision.

Original poster

Katymac · 26/04/2010 07:56

She is 'not seeing' atm it is a psychlogical issue and thought to be temporary (she is 12)

We are going through assessment (big appointment today)

Her laptop has a screen reader (a very basic one) & I wanted her to access some more of the classes than she is, while we wait for more formal decision on software/hardware

OP posts:

Original poster

Katymac · 26/04/2010 07:57

Thanks Cory - sorry I didn't give all the info straight away (I don't think I am thinking straight today)

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cory · 26/04/2010 07:59

Your dd is not covered by the Disability Discrimination Act until her condition has lasted a certain length of time, or can reasonably be supposed to be going to last a certain length of time (can't remember the parameters now), but it is still in the school's interests not to let her slip too far behind now.

At university level, we would be bending over backwards to be providing laptops for exams etc even for a temporary condition, but schools are different.

Original poster

Katymac · 26/04/2010 08:43

Oh I'm not going to make a fuss or have a strop

I just feel she is losing out on so much

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mummytime · 26/04/2010 08:50

Don't not make a fuss. I would in your situation. My son is 13 and actually gets nagged all the time to use his (home bought) laptop more. The school provided him with an alpha smart, and in your daughter's case would have provided a laptop. But it does have a visually impaired unit.
My son has even been given permission to store his lap top in 3 different teachers offices, so that he can dump it as he goes to break or PE.
So a lot can be done even in a "bog standard" comp, if the will is there to truly meet the needs of all pupils.

Good luck!

cory · 26/04/2010 08:53

Don't have a strop- but do make a fuss! My experience is that you have to keep nagging and be very firm with schools. And best of luck with the appointment!

Original poster

Katymac · 26/04/2010 12:51

Hmm, a very mixed meeting

She can have her laptop in school but she can't have any programmes on it

She may be able to borrow one from sensory support but we would need to buy the software so that it mirrors the one at school

& she is to be taught touch typing at school but taken out of lessons to learn

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teamcullen · 26/04/2010 18:19

DDs school has given every child in her school a laptop or netbook to use during lessons. They have programmes on which they can use to help their studies.

The also have blockers on (or whatever they are called) to stop them accessing websites such as facebook or sites of adult nature. WiFi is accessible anywhere in the school.

Maybe the school want to make sure your DD is safeguarded using the laptop in school before they allow it.

Original poster

Katymac · 26/04/2010 22:14

Goodness - I can't imagine the electricity over 1000 laptops would use, never mind buying them

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teamcullen · 27/04/2010 18:43

Ha ha, well they are supposed to charge them at home each night, so the school doesnt foot the bill for the electricity at least!

maddy68 · 27/04/2010 22:30

I am an ICT teacher so might be able to shed some light.
I dont think they are being deliberatly diffickt, but kids download music, play on games etc on their laptops which are riddled with viruses.

the reason they are being uber cautious with the programs etc are that when a home laptop is connected to the school network they can brng the whole network down if they have a nasty virus.

We had a yr 11 bring in a virus on a memory stick which closed down the whole network in the whole county!
(she was popular!! lol)

Original poster

Katymac · 29/04/2010 15:58

Thanks - I was guessing that was the reason; but it doesn't help much

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Starmummy · 03/05/2010 16:24

We are not in the UK but DS is following the UK curriculum. Currently in year 9, at our expense he has seen on OT, an Ed Psych and now he needs to see a behavioural optomotrist. He has visual processing issues, although his normal sight is 20/20. The Ed psych is drawning up a programme for use in school with the support of SFL dept. In addition she has begun the process of setting out his need for extra time, laptop and possibly a scribe. The results are still being compiled.

However the school have allowed him to use a school laptop subject to a hefty deposit from me until such time as the completed report plus programme is in school hands.

We are both learning touch typing, Ds is also using the training towards his DofE sustained development. The school have provided a link to a website for this.

Finally we have forked out for Dragon speech recognition software which helps him to get his thoughts down in a cohesive manner.

Good luck katymac, be persistent, it will pay off in the end.

Original poster

Katymac · 09/05/2010 17:52

Sorry I missed your post

DD started typing on Friday

She has tried dragon but her voice is (apparently) too young

Thanks

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