Technology for Learning
PA Cyber is committed to providing the resources that each student will need in order to reach his or her full potential educationally, creatively, and personally.
Virtual Classroom
The PA Cyber offers online instruction through Virtual Classroom (VC), a cutting edge learning tool that enables real-time voice interaction, whiteboard sharing and even breakout sessions to enhance a students learning experience.
Through VC, PA Cyber students attend real-time classes online with live instructors. Classes meet several hours a week for instruction and have independent assignments, tests and quizzes to complete on non-instructional days.
The benefits of VC include:
- Flexibility in scheduling, live teacher instruction and feedback, as well as the opportunity to work independently.
- The opportunity for students to interact with the teacher as well as classmates by oral and written communication.
- The ability to record all classes are recorded and archived for reviewing purposes.
- The ability to offer variety, the latest technology, classroom and teacher support, and guidance for student success.
PA Cyber students receive the following:
Learning Management:
The PA Cyber Learning Management System is at the core of a student’s overall educational experience. When combined with the experienced PA Cyber educational staff, it is a very powerful tool that is used for tracking the progress of student achievement, managing the instructional process, as well as providing enhanced communication, so that students, parents and PA Cyber staff can work together to produce an overall educational experience that meets the highest standards. The PA Cyber Learning Management System is hosted at our internal secure facility in order to maximize uptime and assure that our students have access to the resources that they need, when they need them. The infrastructure is built upon and utilizes the Blackboard Learning System®.
For a preview, please visit: http://blackboard.wpccs.com
Personal Computers:
Grades K-4
Students in grades K-4 receive their own desktop personal computer (PC). PA Cyber partners with NCS Technologies (www.ncst.com) for all of our personal computer needs.
*Laptop computers are provided only with proper authorization and only in rare circumstances, such as for health reasons that require hospital stays. Please see your Instructional Supervisor for the appropriate request form.
Our current PC standards include the following:
- Intel Celeron or AMD Processor @2.4GHz or better
- 256MB PC2700 DDR RAM
- 80GB ultra ATA Hard Drive
- Integrated Graphics and Sound
- 1.44mb Floppy Disk Drive
- 48X CD-ROM or better
- Integrated 10/100 Networking
- 4 USB Interfaces
- 56k v.9x Modem
- Standard PS/2 Keyboard
- 2-button PS/2 or USB Scroll Mouse
- 17” Color Monitor
- Microsoft Windows XP®
- Microsoft Office®
- BitDefender Antivirus - # 1 rated
- Headset/Microphone combo
- Bamboo Fun Digital Tablet
- Surge Protection
- Unlimited Technical Support
- Net Nanny Internet Content Filtering - # 1 rated
Grades 5-12
Students in grades 5-12 receive their own laptop computer. PA Cyber partners with the Hewlett-Packard Company (www.hp.com) and CDW’s Government Division (www.cdwg.com) in order to provide best-in-class laptops with the following technology:
- HP Compaq Business Notebook 6715b
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
- AMD TurionTM 64 1.6GHz X2 dual core processor
- 1GB 333MHz DDR SDRAM
- 15 1/4-inch TFT XGA display
- 40GB Hard drive or better
- 24X DVD/CDRW (fixed)
- 56K modem
- 10/100/1000 NIC
- Broadcom 802.11a/b/g Wireless
- 4 USB 2.0 ports
- External microphone
- Headphone/line out
- S-video TV out
- Microsoft Office®
- BitDefender Antivirus - # 1 rated
- Headset/Microphone combo
- Bamboo Fun Digital Tablet
- Surge Protection
- Net Nanny Internet Content Filtering - # 1 rated
- PA Cyber Branded Carrying Case
- Unlimited Technical Support
Equipment policy
Currently, we observe a 4-year technology refresh period, which is a year longer than our standard warranty period. For example, a student entering ninth grade would use that laptop through their senior year.
PA Cyber reserves the right to substitute other PC or laptop equipment at its sole discretion. The result may be that your student receives a PC or laptop that is not new, yet still within the warranty period and able to handle the requirements of the student’s chosen curriculum. In cases such as this, new computers will be offered at the end of the standard technology refresh period.
Printing and Imaging:
PA Cyber will supply the latest model HP all-in-one to accommodate the printing and imaging needs of our students. Each unit includes one black and one tri-color ink cartridge.
Internet Access:
Due to the vast geographical area that is covered by our services, as well as the various needs of our students, it has been difficult for us to find a “one size fits all” solution when it comes to Internet accessibility. As a result, our service offerings are as follows:
- If a family or student elects to receive Internet Access Services from PA Cyber, they must accept service from our pre-selected vendors for billing purposes. Moreover, PA Cyber reserves the right to offer or change services at its sole discretion.
- More often than not, the students’ curriculum choice will dictate the Internet service that PA Cyber will offer. For example, those students who choose to participate in the PA Cyber Virtual Classroom will be provided some flavor of broadband access, due to the bandwidth requirements of the program, via either Cable or DSL depending upon geographic location. On the other hand, students who have chosen curriculum that do not require broadband access, such as many Keystone National High School or Missouri courses, will be provided dial-up access.
- More often than not, the students’ curriculum choice will dictate the Internet service that PA Cyber will offer. For example, those students who choose to participate in the PA Cyber Virtual Classroom will be provided some form of broadband access, due to the bandwidth requirements of the program, via either Cable or DSL depending upon geographic location. On the other hand, students who have chosen curriculum that do not require broadband access, such as many Keystone National High School or Missouri courses, will be provided dial-up access.
- If, and only if, our pre-selected vendors do not offer services in your area, we will reimburse the following amounts:
- One Student (not Virtual Classroom) = $20.00 per month for 56k dial-up access.
- One Student (Virtual Classroom) = $40.00 per month for broadband.
- Two (or more) Students = $40.00 per month for broadband
PA Cyber will not reimburse families for any telecommunications charges or fees resulting from the addition of telecommunications services, such as additional phone lines, cable installation, or similar services.
Home Networking:
In cases where multiple students reside in a single household, accommodations can be made so that each student can access his or her chosen curriculum and web-based resources simultaneously. In these cases, we may elect to provide your family with in-home wireless 802.11b/g networking equipment, in order to support the learning process, and to enable students to work independently and at their own pace. This service is free of charge with installation assistance, via telephone, from our Helpdesk team as needed.
Technical Support:
Technical support is provided to PA Cyber students between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM (support after 4:00 PM must be pre-arranged) Monday through Friday through the Helpdesk. Our in-house Helpdesk team is dedicated to solving technology related issues quickly and will employ a wide array of tools, such as remote control via a secure web server, to see that this goal is accomplished.
