HKIS is a 1:1 laptop program first-and-foremost to enhance student learning. The 1:1 laptop environment will help standardize the “learning environment” between home and school and make possible greater use of multimedia and interactive learning materials. It will also support independent learning, allowing our students to find audiences for their work, to solve problems together, and better prepare them for the challenges and opportunities presented in the 21st Century.
The one-to-one laptop program allows students to learn the skills they will require in the modern workplace; namely – innovation, adaptivity to change, and being technologically literate.
In addition, a 1:1 laptop environment will ensure HKIS is at the cutting-edge of educational philosophy, technology and delivery. It will support our school’s strategy to provide innovative and flexible educational technology solutions in the classroom and beyond.
Operating Platform
HKIS has looked extensively at the different operating platforms currently available and consulted widely with teachers and other stakeholders. After much deliberation, the clear front-runner, and choice of the HKIS Administration, is the Apple Mac platform.
Apple has more than 25 years of experience in education and has invested significantly to be “the best in teaching and learning.” The company is committed to serving the needs of students and making access to technology pervasive – a reality and expectation that our students grow up with today.
Apple goes beyond the normal vendor relationship by supporting schools with professional development and training networks. It also invests in digital tools to help educators in areas such as creating learning plans, managing educational content, tracking student progress, and providing on-site technical support.
Technology Fee
A technology fee is required from students in grades 5-12 once every three years to pay for their laptop, software, warranty, insurance and services. The fee for 2011-12 is HK$12,900. Students incoming to grades 5 through grade 12 will be billed alongside their tuition fee. This fee is significantly less than retail price for the Apple computer and software.
The technology fee covers a variety of site-licensed software specifically selected to support the HKIS educational program. Please note that it is illegal for HKIS to install school-licensed software onto student-owned machines. Therefore, only HKIS-issued laptops in the 1:1 program can be used in school.
When a student leaves HKIS, they will be entitled to take their laptop with them once the school-licensed software has been removed. However, the computer’s core software including the Mac OS Operating system, iLife, Microsoft Office 2008 and Adobe CS5 belong to the student.
All student-issued laptops will include configurations and software specifically designed to support student learning at HKIS. The technology fee covers the full cost of a Macbook Pro 2.3Ghz computer with 4GB of RAM and 320GB hard drive. This computer is suitable for activities as varied as note-taking to video editing.
All computers in the 1:1 laptop program are protected by a three-year Apple Care Protection Plan covering hardware damage. HKIS has three onsite service centers (HS, MS and UP) where students can take their laptops during school hours to be serviced by Apple technicians, free of charge.
For damage not covered by the warranty, or for lost or stolen laptops, HKIS has insurance that covers laptops while in Hong Kong. The specifics of coverage and claims procedures will be explained when the computers are distributed and are also contained on this website.
Students in grade 11 and 12 are entitled to a technology fee discount because they will not benefit from site license software and insurance cover for a full three-year contract period. A predetermined discount by grade level will appear with the tuition bill.
Learning with Your Laptop
When first went 1:1 in 2010-11 a booklet that contained all the program information was given to all families. This booklet is linked to below. Although some of the information is now out of date it is still good guide to laptops @ HKIS.
Current laptop and technology information is avaliable on the DragonNet the HKIS community webiste that families are given access to when they accept a place at HKIS.
| 
