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Academics

Technology

We believe that technology provides us with tools to help us better understand our world and better communicate with our fellow humans. We recognize that access to technology gives students greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop 21st-Century digital life skills in order to create, collaborate, communicate and think critically while at the same time preserving our unique culture and maintaining a balance of screen time and face-to-face time with teachers and peers.  Technology use is embedded throughout the curriculum, including digital video editing units, learning to use spreadsheets in math and science classes, learning to use organizational apps, using presentation software, taking notes and recording data with hand-held devices.

List of 6 items.

  • Acceptable Use Agreement

    You can find our Acceptable Use Agreement here  which details internet and technology use at school.

  • Portal

    Teachers, students and parents use the community portal to customize their communications from the school.  Portal users can access customized calendars, news feeds, slideshows and athletics updates and receive alerts to their mobile phones.  Our parent and student portals offer access to virtual classroom spaces, assignment calendars, report cards, a searchable school directory and supplementary information available to portal users at any time from anywhere. Students depend on our classroom portal as an easy way to access their homework assignments, participate in a discussion board topic, contribute to a class blog, turn in work, and collaborate on projects, and it serves as a communication center for many student clubs and groups on campus.  

  • Classrooms

    All of our classrooms have at least one computer and some have several, allowing teachers to provide a variety of activities simultaneously in their classrooms, and nearly every teacher makes use of a digital projector to bring multimedia content, digital slide presentations, or the latest news and research from the Web into the classroom. Students and teachers also have wireless access to the Internet and the school network throughout the campus.

  • BYOD

    Bring Your Own Device Program: Tandem Friends has a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) program in grades 10-12.  While we don’t recommend a specific device, there are some points that should be taken into consideration, as listed below. Please note that in order to use the Adobe Creative Cloud software, or Microsoft Office Desktop software, we recommend that students use a more robust computer. There are some loaner laptops available with Microsoft Office if a student requires the device for a class activity, and the Art department has classroom laptops available for Creative Cloud. 

    The minimum device requirements:
    • be lightweight and sturdy;
    • include a keyboard;
    • have several hours of battery power and easy options for recharging;
    • have wireless capabilities;
    • have access to cloud storage;
    • be available to come to school each day with the student.
    Recommended minimum specifications:
    Processor
    Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support*; 2 GHz or faster processor
    RAM
    4 GB or more of RAM (8 GB recommended)
    Hard disk space
    3.1 GB or more of available hard-disk space for 64-bit installation.
    Monitor resolution
    1024 x 768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512 MB or more of dedicated VRAM; 2 GB is recommended***
    Graphics processor acceleration requirements
    OpenGL 2.0-capable system


    If your student is interested in the digital arts or graphic design, we recommend the following specifications:

    Processor
    Multicore Intel processor
    Operating system
    macOS version 10.13 (High Sierra) or macOS version 10.12 (Sierra) or Windows 10
    RAM
    8 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended)
    Hard disk space
    3.5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation
    Monitor resolution
    1024 x 768 display (1920 x 1080 recommended), Retina display support
    Video card
    32-bit video card

    NOTE:  We do not require a specific operating system (i.e., Mac versus Windows).  However, in order to take advantage of the software subscriptions we offer to students, we do not recommend purchasing a Chromebook for students in grades 10-12.  

    Basic student responsibilities with regard to the BYOD program: Students are expected to bring their devices to school each day fully charged and ready for use. As with any device on campus, students are expected to adhere to the school’s Acceptable Use Policy.

  • 1:1 Chromebook Program


    Our Chromebook Program stems from the school’s strategic plan’s 21st-Century School goal. We believe that devices such as Chromebooks allow students to explore and create, and reinforce a process of learning that allows innovation and problem solving. We support a 1:1 Chromebook program in grades 5 through 9, with students receiving school-provided Chromebooks to use. Teachers work closely with each other and with the Technology Director to develop a dynamic curriculum that integrates the devices in a thoughtful, deliberate way, consistent with the ethical and moral standards of the School and the larger community.

  • Chromebook Agreement

    You can find our Chromebook Agreement  here. 
Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
Copyright 2016 Tandem Friends School