Technology

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• Do I need a computer in order to do my school work?

  Yes. Students in grades 6-8 are required to purchase a standardized laptop through Hockaday. Upper School students have the option of either purchasing the standardized laptop or bringing their own device, provided it meets the following specifications:

   

  PC:

  • Windows 7 or higher
  • 128 GB hard drive or higher
  • 8 GB or more of RAM
  • Minimum battery life of 6 hours

   

  Mac:

  • OS X 10.8 or higher
  • 128 GB hard drive or higher
  • 8 GB or more of RAM
  • Minimum battery life of 6 hours

• Can I bring my own laptop to school?

  Hockaday requires the same laptops and software package for all students in grades six through eight. Standardization of hardware and software is crucial if laptops are used as an integrated part of classroom instruction. Using a standard laptop in the Middle School allows students to learn about device ownership and receive a greater level of support by the School as they become more comfortable with the responsibilities of having a laptop. Middle School students have access to on-campus repair, loaner laptops, and a comprehensive no-fault warranty available through the School.
  
  

  Hockaday will automatically order laptops for all Middle School (fifth-eighth grade) students. 
  
  The Upper School has a “bring your own device” program; however, Upper school students may order the standard Hockaday laptop through the school.  The 2018-2019 laptop will be the Microsoft Surface Pro.
  
  The (BYOD) laptop has to meet the specifications below:

   

  PC:

  • Windows 7 or higher
  • 128 GB hard drive or higher
  • 8 GB or more of RAM
  • Minimum battery life of 6 hours

   

  Mac:

  • OS X 10.8 or higher
  • 128 GB hard drive or higher
  • 8 GB or more of RAM
  • Minimum battery life of 6 hours

  BYOD students are welcome to visit the Helpdesk for advice, instruction and help connecting to Hockaday systems. Our Helpdesk cannot repair or facilitate the repair of BYOD laptops.

  
  

  If you are an Upper School student and would like to purchase the Microsoft Surface Pro through Hockaday, please click the link or paste it in your browser to order the laptop. http://bit.ly/2FeAzHT

   

  The bundle includes the Microsoft Surface Pro with:

  • i5 processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 256GB of storage
  • Brenthaven BX2 Edge case
  • Microsoft Pro Type Cover (detachable keyboard)
  • Three year accidental damage coverage
  • Three year warranty coverage
  • Microsoft Office Professional Plus
  • Adobe Creative Cloud suite
  • On-campus support
  • Local support through the Microsoft Store at Northpark Center

  
  The cost for the package is $1,550. Students receiving financial aid should contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid to request assistance.  
  
  

• Is there special software I need to use at school?

  Yes, we use Microsoft Office, Outlook, Photoshop, and several subject specific software programs like Logger Pro, Life Forms, etc. For standardized laptops purchased through Hockaday, all software is provided and comes preinstalled. For students in the BYOD program, Hockaday is able to provide Microsoft Office and Logger Pro at no additional cost. BYOD students will be responsible for obtaining and installing any required software. BYOD students should check with their teachers to find out if any specific software is required for their classes and if discounts are available.

• Do I need to know how to keyboard?

  Yes. We require the following keyboarding times in Middle School.
  
  5th grade – 30 words per minute
  6th grade – 35 words per minute
  7th grade – 40 words per minute
  8th grade – 45 words per minute
  
  Keyboarding practice is offered at the beginning of 5th and 6th grade and we offer keyboarding in summer school.

• Does schoolwork have to be done on the computer?

  As technology becomes more ubiquitous, students will find that more and more of their work will be completed on the computer. That being said, students will also have times where their work will not be done using the computer or any technology at all. Our goal is to use technology appropriately, not exclusively.

• Do I have a Hockaday email address?

  All faculty have Hockaday email accounts, and beginning in Middle School, students receive their own Hockaday email accounts.

• Can I access my Hockaday email from home?

  Yes, your Hockaday email account can be accessed by visiting:
  
  http://login.microsoftonline.com
  
  Log in using your Hockaday email address and password.

• How early does technology training begin?

  Our technology education curriculum begins in pre-kindergarten.

• Are there restrictions on what websites I can visit?

  Yes. Hockaday has a content filtering appliance in place to prevent students from inadvertently visiting sites that are inappropriate. All internet traffic that flows through the Hockaday network is filtered. Because filtering happens within the infrastructure of the Hockaday network and not on the student laptops, families are advised to install a content filtering solution either on their daughter’s laptop or on their home network. You may learn more about parental control options here.

• If I have problems with my computer, is there someone who can help me?

  Yes. You can bring your computer to the Helpdesk (3rd Floor of the Liza Lee Academic Research Center) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to get help from a technology professional. Your teachers and other members of the Technology staff are also available throughout the day, and are happy to help with software questions.
  
  BYOD students are welcome to visit the Helpdesk for advice, instruction and help connecting to Hockaday systems. Our Helpdesk cannot repair or facilitate the repair of BYOD laptops.