Laptop Computer Requirement FAQ

All students in a UT Austin teacher preparation program will be required to have a laptop computer meeting certain specifications as they enter designated professional development courses.

The minimum laptop specifications are as follows:

• Model: Apple iBook or PowerBook (MacBook or MacBook Pro preferred)
• Operating System: 10.4 (10.5 preferred)
• Processor: 1GHz G4 Power PC (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo preferred)
• RAM: 512 MB (1 or 2 GB preferred)
• Hard Drive: 40 GB (80 GB + preferred)
• DVD/CD-RW: Combo drive which plays DVDs & burns CDs
• Connectivity: 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, Apple Airport Card, USB, external monitor/projector port
• Technical Support: AppleCare Protection Plan
• Software: MS Office 2004 or 2008, iLife ’06, '08 or '09 and anti-virus software such has Norton. FirstClass (TeachNet) is also required for some programs. Office and iLife are included in the bundle and anti-virus and Teachnet software are free downloads from Bevoware

Note: Apple software must be run on Apple hardware. Section 2A of the OS X Leopard agreement states, "This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so." The same clause limitations exist for iLife. See all Apple license agreements.

Students who already have a laptop computer meeting or exceeding these specifications do not need to obtain additional items to meet the requirement. Students who can upgrade an existing laptop computer to meet or exceed these specifications may do so to meet the requirement. Other students must obtain a laptop computer meeting or exceeding these specifications to fulfil the requirement.

As part of an introductory package agreement which combines resources from UT and AISD with Apple, Apple is offering several iBook configurations that meet or exceed all minimum laptop specification requirements. Details of the special bundles can be viewed on the Campus CompUTer Store website. This plan will allow students to own a great laptop outright, to use in their classes and to take with them into their first classroom job.

The requirement began at the beginning of the Fall 2002 semester.

All students seeking teacher certification at UT Austin, at the time they enter the professional development sequence, beginning in Fall 2002. Students who enter the professional sequence in subsequent semesters will be required to have the specified laptop computer at the time their professional coursework begins. Each certification program defines the beginning of the professional sequence. For students seeking EC-4 certification, the professional sequence begins after a formal application and admission process. In some other programs the requirement begins in the semester before apprentice teaching or practicum. Students will be individually notified as the requirement applies to them.

No, students who already have a computer or who wish to purchase or borrow a used laptop computer may do so, as long as the computer meets or exceeds the specified hardware and operating characteristics. If a question arises about the suitability of a particular computer, a student should ask for clarification.

It is possible that you have a Macintosh laptop that can be upgraded in order to meet the College of Education’s laptop initiative requirements. To find out more information regarding your specific model, please contact the Campus CompUTer Store at utsales@campuscomputer.com.

Unfortunately, the laptop requirement is for a computer that will run Apple OS X; you will need to obtain a laptop that meets the requirements. Please check our Laptop Requirement page for details.

Computer hardware and software change over time, with a general trend of increasing power and decreasing prices. If you buy a laptop computer as an entering freshman, it will not be the same as the ones being sold when you enter the professional development sequence. However, if you buy a high quality computer as a freshman it will still be serviceable as you graduate (perhaps with some updates and maintenance). We do not intend to change requirements to invalidate a choice you make as an entering freshman, so your computer should suffice for the laptop requirement.

We have made determined efforts to reduce the costs for students. The Office of Student Financial Services will include the cost of the minimal system in the calculation of financial need for each student who is required to participate. This will allow grants, scholarships, and loans to help finance the cost. Students anticipating the need for financial assistance should be sure to apply for financial aid. Scholarships are also available from the College of Education. Scholarship information and applications are available at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/edapp/scholarship-app.html.

PLEASE NOTE that the College of Education on-line application link for the scholarship application will be accessible during the month of May. https://utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/edapp/scholarship-app.html.

During May students can access this website, complete the application, and submit it on-line. The College of Education will no longer accept paper-copy applications.

IMPORTANT: All students interested in applying for College of Education scholarships are asked to fill out this application, even if the general scholarship application through the Office of Student Financial Services has been submitted. If you have questions, please contact Beth Woods in the office of the Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Student Affairs, SZB 216, at (512) 471-3476.

The financial aid office has made adjustments to their calculations for students who are required to have a laptop beginning in the Fall. Although many students want to order their laptops early, no one is required to have them before they enter the Professional Development Sequence. For this reason, there will be no financial adjustment in advance. Students needing special financial arrangements should contact the Office of Student Financial Services directly.

A list of students entering the professional development sequence is given to the financial aid office each semester. The list is used by the Financial Aid office to calculate (or recalculate) your financial need. That result will then be figured into the financial aid package you are offered. You will not be billed for this expense. To order a laptop computer you should contact the Campus CompUTer Store.

The special bundle offer, including an iBook that meets the minimum requirements, airport card, Microsoft Office, Bevoware and the AppleCare Protection Plan are available online. See the Campus CompUTer store website for more details. Other laptop configurations meeting the requirements are also available.

Purchase of the laptop must be made at the Campus CompUTer Store to receive the special COE pricing. They will accept your order:

1. In person Monday-Friday 8:00AM-6:00PM in  FAC 109 Home of the UGL
2. By FAX (512) 232-9254
3. By mail at Campus CompUTer Store CoE Laptop Initiative PO Box 8056 Austin, TX 78713

Orders generally take two to three weeks to process. If you order by FAX, or mail, you must download a printable order form from the store’s web site.

Pricing information can be found on the Campus CompUTer Store Laptop Initiative webpage.

At this point delivery takes about two weeks from date of order.

No, there are several prior and current models of laptops which meet the specified operating characteristics. In conjunction with the teacher preparation program at The University of Texas at Austin, Apple has offered an iBook laptop which meets the requirement at a very low cost to students. Upgrades and other, enhanced or more powerful, laptops are also available for purchase at an educational discount. See the Campus CompUTer Store Laptop Initiative webpage.

Yes, BevoWare, which replaces the UT Connect Program, will be included in the laptop bundle and comes pre-installed. Those who already own a laptop meeting our requirements are also eligible for a copy of BevoWare.

Current UT students can download BevoWare components, updates and upgrades online for free at the BevoWare Download Page.

"BevoWare provides the software you need to protect your computer from viruses, improve the security of your connections, browse the Web, read and send e-mail, use the campus printing system and more." An overview can be found at www.utexas.edu/its/bevoware.

The COE bundles have been adjusted to include Apple's new offering. Full details are available on the Campus CompUTer store website.

Apple will offer a full line of upgrades, accessories, and support items at a standard educational discount. Students are encouraged to customize their laptops for their own intended patterns and level of use. For instance, heavy use of multimedia would benefit from additional RAM and hard disk space.

In addition to the students required to participate, other undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education are eligible for this discounted price, as are other students in teacher certification programs at UT Austin, faculty and staff in teacher preparation programs, and public school teachers who mentor UT Austin students in field experiences. The offer has been extended to include all College of Education staff who are employed for 20 hours or more per week and all undergraduate students in the College of Education. Individuals who are uncertain about their eligibility should check with the Office of Teacher Education in SZB 216.

The directors of the UTeach Liberal Arts program have decided that students in this program will be required to have Apple laptops as they enter UTL 303.

Students who declare a major that makes them eligible (either when entering UT or when changing majors) do not gain eligibility until the 12^th class day of the next semester. This rule is designed to prevent ineligible students from declaring an intention and getting the special price, but not following through and thus taking up spaces that would otherwise go to well-intentioned students. Incoming freshmen in the College of Education will become eligible on the 12^th class day of their initial semester.

No, the requirement is for students in other colleges who are seeking teacher certification, as well as those students in the College of Education who are seeking teacher certification, but again only beginning at the time of entry into the professional sequence.

Yes!  This offer has been extended to include undergraduate and postbacalaureate students in the College of Education and teacher preparation programs in other UT colleges, to UT teacher preparation faculty and staff, and to selected public school teachers who have agreed to work in the UT teacher preparation program.

Yes, faculty and staff who are specifically involved in teacher preparation are eligible to purchase at the indicated discounts. Some restrictions apply:

1. One per person
2. Must not be for immediate resale

Either personal or institutional funds may be used for these orders, according to departmental policy and funding availability.

The special pricing is available to teachers collaborating with our teacher preparation program by mentoring/supervising our students. Check with your university student's cohort coordinator for details.

Texas teachers are required to be proficient in the use of technology for instruction, and special emphasis is placed on the use of computers. Through pilot programs, the use of laptop computers has been found to make future teachers much better prepared for integrating technology into instructional practice. Laptop computers are also great tools for teaching and learning. For example, these laptops will enable teachers to collect student data, capture and display multimedia images, communicate electronically with others, capitalize on the rich resources available on the internet, build electronic portfolios, do web and desktop publishing, and teach students to use technology as they learn.

Faculty and administrators in the UT Austin teacher preparation program made the recommendation to establish this requirement, and it was approved by the UT Austin central administration.

Negotiations were conducted with several computer manufacturers, and Apple offered a very good computer, excellent technical support and training, and the lowest price by a sizeable margin. Apple has a history of a strong presence in schools and has excellent experience in working with teachers and in curriculum development. The Apple iBook and OS X operating system suite of applications offer a particularly rich environment for multimedia applications and instruction in an easy-to-learn format.

The faculty and administration of the teacher preparation program have decided that the only feasible way to implement this requirement is to start with a single platform. This will greatly facilitate the ongoing faculty development and curriculum modification required (which must happen efficiently and rapidly to make this exciting new development successful). This decision will also facilitate technical support for students and faculty. This decision is similar to that of instructors who specify a single textbook, a certain calculator, or a specific set of drafting tools for a class. Teaching and learning is more successful if all students have comparable resources.

Different schools and districts use different kinds of computers, but most schools use some Apple computers and some Windows-based computers. The Austin Independent School District, with which our teacher preparation program partners to provide field experiences, has a significant number of Apple computers and continues to purchase more each year.

Faculty members plan their curriculum to incorporate computer usage taking advantage of this new requirement. Students can expect to be required to conduct extensive use of internet instructional resources, to use electronic publishing and data management, to develop and use multimedia materials, and to work with interactive video clips of classroom activity. The laptop computers will also be used for communication with faculty, peers, and school teachers from home, campus classrooms, and field sites in the public schools.

ITS has an excellent web page detailing the Telesys Dial-Up setup. Make sure that you already have an IF number with Telesys Dial-Up service. For information on using Resnet (the network in campus Residence Halls), see Configuring a Macintosh for Resnet. For any further questions regarding campus computing contact the ITS Help Desk.

Increasing portions of the UT Austin campus have wireless internet access. The entire Sanchez building and the lawn east of the building have wireless internet access. More information on wireless internet access at UT can be found on the ITS Wireless Public Access web pages. ITS web site also lists the publicly accessible Wireless Coverage Areas throughout the UT Austin Campus.

Yes, laptop-enabled students may go to the Laptop Help Desk:

5th Floor Sánchez Building SZB 536N (West)
Phone: 471-6072
Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-6:00PM
Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM

www.edb.utexas.edu/ibookweb/aboutus.html

Come here first if you have questions or problems. Drop-in for assistance with Internet connections, error messages, questions about applications, or if you think your laptop is broken.

Use the ITS Help Desk:

UT Instructional Technology Services
Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-9:00PM
Friday 8:00AM-6:00PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday 2:00PM-6:00PM
475-9400

The UT ITS Help Desk is located in the Varsity Center on 21st Street behind Gregory Gym. Use the ITS Help Desk for assistance with Telesys, Bevoware applications, Microsoft Office, OS X, and more.

Yes! The College of Education's Media Lab has a few external hard drives available for short-term checkout.

Yes! Students, faculty, and staff in the teacher preparation program will be offered training sessions throughout the semester. The emphasis will be on maximizing the use of the laptop computers in teaching and learning, at all grade levels and subject areas.

This requirement does not have a time limit. At some point in the future it will be modified to adapt to new technology developments and opportunities. The initial commitment to the specified configuration is for students entering the professional coursework over at least the next two years.

Additional questions should be sent to chad_fulton@teachnet.edb.utexas.edu.