Rationale+and+Benefits

Tech Fest 2010

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The 1:1 Laptop Initiative presents an ideal opportunity to equip all CA High School students with a common set of technology skills. Teachers can then select a particular software programs or web application that best suits their objectives in the knowledge that students have had at least some practice in its use.======

__Benefits__
__Concept__
 * 1) The Tech Fest will provide an opportunity to test the network and deal with any tech problems encountered by students. Dealing with these issues at the very beginning of the school year should lessen disruptions once lessons start.
 * 2) The Tech Fest will ensure that all students will have basic working knowledge of the most important software and web applications that can be used by teachers at CA. Providing this training at the very beginning of the school year will mean that teachers will not have to sacrifice class time to teach these skills.

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One or two day Tech Fest held on the first days of the new academic year. The Tech Fest could take the form of a conference with keynote addresses attended by all students or particular grade levels and additional signup workshop sessions. Teachers and parents would be welcome to attend any session. All classes would still meet on a shortened schedule on Friday giving teachers the opportunity to discuss course outlines and classroom expectations. There would also be time to address Grade 9 transition issues.======