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®.
Personal Computers:
Students enrolled in PA Cyber receive a laptop computer. We partner with NCS Technologies, Inc. (www.ncst.com) in order to provide best-in-class laptops with the following technology:
- NCS Maestro 530A Notebook
- Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional
- Intel Core i3-330M 2.13 GHz dual core processor with 2MB cache memory
- 3GB DDR3-1066 SDRAM
- 15.6” WXGA LED display
- 160GB Hard drive or better
- DVD/RW/CDRW (fixed)
- 10/100/1000 NIC
- 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless
- 3 USB 2.0 ports
- Internal microphone
- Headphone/line out
- Microsoft Office®
- Antivirus Protection
- Headset/Microphone combo
- Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch Digital Tablet
- Internet Content filtering
- 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.
Internet Access:
PA Cyber offers Internet service reimbursement. Families may apply for Internet service reimbursement up to, but not greater than $50.00 per month of service unless proof can be shown that the only available service in your area necessitates higher monthly billing. Reimbursement is permitted for one Internet connection per family.
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 802.11 b/g/n 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.
