Student Life
Technology

One-to-One Computing Initiative

Mount Saint Mary Academy began its one-to-one computing initiative in 2007 and has continued to grow and adapt the program since. Educators at the Mount believe that this technology best prepares students for today's high-tech world while also enhancing their educational experience. The classroom environment created by the initiative ensures that students with different learning styles are provided with the resources they need to most fully experience the subject matter.

All Mount students are required to use their school issued laptop and Microsoft 365 accounts for any school related work. The laptops supplied are called a “2 in 1 laptop” and combine the convenience of a laptop with the ability to fold the laptop into a high-tech tablet with full touch and digital ink capabilities. Students can choose between conventional typing, handwriting with the digitized stylus, or using the touch screen option. The laptops are lightweight and connect wirelessly to the school’s network and the Internet.

The curriculum at the Mount allows for the seamless integration of hardware and software functions, making it convenient and effective for students to utilize the technology in the classroom, during study periods, and at home. All students use OneNote notebook software as their electronic notebook. Most classroom handouts are digital so that students may import them directly into their electronic notebooks.

Many textbooks are available online, so students do not have to carry heavy, paper versions in their backpacks. The laptops are loaded with a variety of academic software that is licensed by the school for student use. Additionally, all machines have anti-malware, anti-virus and other security-related software and protocols in place.

To compliment the student laptop program, the Mount runs a full-service technology help desk. All laptop repairs are done onsite at the help desk by certified repair personnel, free of charge. Many common parts are kept in stock onsite and any specialty items are ordered and arrive within a few days. Students are provided with a loaner laptop while their machine is in for repairs, so they are never without a school-issued computer.   Annually, all laptops are collected, their hard drives wiped, and the machines re-imaged with the latest versions of all software programs in preparation for the next school year. 
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