The Driver’s Manual provides information and resources to help students and teachers understand how to be responsible and informed laptop users. Following the guidelines in this manual will help you more effectively use your laptop as a learning tool.
To navigate this site click on the links to the main topics above where you will find information related to that topic.
If you feel ready to take the “Driver’s Test” follow the link on the right side of the page.
The materials on this website were created and organized by members of MKA’s Student Laptop Leadership.
A responsible laptop user keeps software up to date in order to keep the machine bug free and stable. There are 4 major update caterogies: Operating System (Mountain Lion), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Adobe (Acrobat, Photoshop), and Other apps (App Store programs, non-app store programs).
Users are NOT allowed to upgrade to a new operating system (e.g., a new animal, 10.11 to 10.12).
The posts below provide information about updating each of these categories
Applications not downloaded or purchased via the App Store may also need to be updated.
Usually an option for updating appears in the application Main Menu or in the Help Menu. The video below gives an example of how to update an app (Evernote) outside of the App Store.
Applications such as Pages, Keynote, iPhoto, and Garageband are updated via the Mac App Store or by going to Apple Menu -> Software Update...
No Apple ID is required to update these programs since they came with the computer. However, if other applications have been personally downloaded or purchased, those will also appear in the update list.
Enter the Apple ID used to download or purchase the app to initiate the update.
Adobe Acrobat generally automatically looks for updates.
When an update is available a bouncing icon appears in the dock. It is good to do these updates when they appear.
When any Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) is open, go to Help -> Check for Updates to search for updates.
In the dialogue box that comes up there is an option to make checking for updates an automatic process.
Going to Apple Menu -> Software Update... will now launch the Mac App Store. Any updates will show up at the top of the list.
Other apps you own that have pending updates will show below, but you will need to enter the Apple ID associated with those apps in order to do the update.
The Time Machine Back Up is critical for your laptop use. It makes a copy of all of your applications, settings, and files (including music, photos, and movies) that can be used for recovery if your computer gets damaged or stolen. It is also used when doing major upgrades or transitioning to a new computer. You should back up your computer at least once a week but doing it more frequently is even better.
If you see a message that says Backup Delayed, it means that the most recent backup attempt did not complete successfully. If you plug in your drive and let it complete that message will go away. As long as you see a date or time when you click the Time Machine icon, you will know that you have at least one valid back up. If it says 'Back up device not configured' or you are having any other trouble with the back up process, bring your computer and back up drive to the Tech Center where someone will help you trouble shoot the problem.
If you cannot find your back up drive your family is responsible for purchasing a replacement through the school or on your own. The back up drive should be USB 3.0 and have at least 500 GB of storage space.
To properly eject and disconnect your backup drive from the computer after backing up, drag the drive from your desktop to the trash. Wait until the icon disappears before unplugging the drive from the computer. If you unplug the drive before properly ejecting it or while a backup is in progress, you may cause damage to the drive and to the computer.
To back up your computer, connect the external USB hard drive provided by the school. The back up process will begin automatically within a minute or two. You can also click on the Time Machine icon in the top left corner of the screen and choose 'Back up now.' This menu also provides the date or time of the most recent back up. It is best if you back up every 2-3 days to minimize the risk of lost information should your computer get damaged, lost, or stolen.
The security of the laptop and the information on it is your responsibility. Never leave your laptop unattended. MKA laptop users will have a password for accessing the laptop, a password for accessing Moodle, a password for Evernote, and perhaps several more depending on tools and services that one uses. MKA recommends that set your computer to prompt for a password when waking from sleep either immediately or after 1 minute. This will protect you and your computer should you have to leave it unattended for some short period of time.
Never share your passwords with your friends, and try to pick something that is memorable but not obvious.
A laptop might get misplaced, accidentally taken, or in some rare cases stolen. For this reason it is incredibly important to password-protect your information with a secure and private password.
If your computer is missing tell an adult as soon as possible. If at school, tell a member of the Tech Department and your advisor. If at home, tell your parents. If at school, check the Tech Center to see if anyone has returned it there. Retrace your steps and try to locate the computer.
If it has been missing for a long time, the school and your parents will help determine if it seems to have been stolen. In this case your parents will need to acquire a police report so that we can file an insurance claim for the replacement. Your family will be responsible for a $250 insurance deductible for the cost of the replacement computer.
If you find someone else's computer unattended, bring it to the Tech Center.
A good, strong, and secure password is at least 8 characters long and contains a mix of numbers, letters, lower case, and upper case characters. Even stronger and more secure is a passphrase - a combination of words that feature a mix of numbers, letters, lower case, and upper case characters. The strongest passphrases are 20-30 characters long. Your password or passphrase should be memorable to you, and not obvious to others.
Avoid using your name, the town where you live, your birthday, or phone number. Don't use repeating numbers or letters or sequences like "abc" or "123." Also avoid using sequences of letters that are near each other on the keyboard such as "qwerty" or "asdfg."
MKA requires a password with at least 8 characters, including at least one capital and one numeric character.
Developing good habits with your Macbook Air will help you effectively continue to use your computer while at school and while at home. All students are expected to bring computers to school fully charged. Following good power management techniques should help your computer last an entire school day without needing to charge it. Students are NOT allowed to charge computers in classrooms.
When moving around with your laptop, it is essential to use the practices recommended in the video below to ensure the safety and integrity of the machine.
Always close your laptop when carrying and walking with it.
You shouldn't ever drop your computer, but accidents do happen. Dropping a computer while it is open has a much higher chance of catastrophic damage than dropping it when it is closed.
Avoid extreme temperatures (very hot or very cold) when transporting your laptop and do not squeeze it in between heavy objects such as books.
You can make your laptop battery last longer by practicing good power management techniques.
When not plugged into a wall, quit applications you are not currently using, lower the keyboard backlight, lower the display brightness, turn off Wifi (if not needing the internet), turn off Bluetooth (if not using it), and reduce the time until your computer goes to sleep.
Understanding how the laptop operating system has been configured and resolving issues quickly are key steps to maintaining your laptop, keeping it in good running shape. Whenever you have an issue fill out a Help Desk ticket so that your problem is logged and sent to the Tech Department. Once you have filled out the ticket, visit your campus tech center to get help. If you are not going to be able to come to the school within a day or two, you can take the laptop to an Apple Store for warranty repairs (this does not include cracked screens). If you visit an Apple Store please also let a member of the Tech Department know. Administrators of the laptop have access to System Preference settings, and it is important to know that changing certain settings could impact the ability to use the computer.
Three issues with your computer should be addressed immediately since they pose a safety risk to you and the MKA community:
For all other problems (loose display hinge, missing keys, strange noises), fill out a Help Desk ticket and then come to the Tech Center during an appropriate time (free period, recess, CWP, etc.).
There is no reason to leave class unless it is one of the problems above. It is important to get these issues addressed quickly as non fixing them can lead to larger and more expensive repairs.
Go to the Pencil menu and choose Help Desk which will direct you to http://helpdesk.mka.org.
Log in with your MKA username and password (same as Moodle & Google).
Use the dropdown menus to specify your problem, and then enter the details in text area.
Visit the Tech Center to follow up on your ticket or to check on the status.
The laptop has been set up in a way so that it functions correctly within the MKA Network.
There are settings in the System Preferences that you should not change. This includes settings in menus such as Sharing and Security & Privacy. You should also not change the contents of the System or Library folder on your hard drive.
Watch the video below to become more familiar with the System Preference you should not change.
Below are some steps you should follow for problems that commonly occur for MKA laptop users
If Evernote is not syncing or you are having other issues with Evernote, you might need to update your version of Evernote (Evernote -> Check for Updates). Also, try restarting your computer. If neither of these steps help, use the web-based version at www.evernote.com and then please visit the Tech Center to get help with the client version.
If your backup drive does not seem to be working you should bring it to the Tech Center along with your laptop so that we can help troubleshoot the problem.
Here are some common messages that you might see:
If your Spotlight search is not working correctly, it might be re-indexing the files on your laptop. If this is the case, you need to wait until it completes. For other Spotlight problems, the best thing you can do is properly restart your laptop (Apple Menu -> Restart) and see if that helps.
If you are missing any keyboard keys, visit the Tech Center to see if any replacements are available. If not, someone will provide instructions for ordering replacement keys, and a member of the Tech Department will install the replacement keys.
If you are having other keyboard issues, check your System Preferences to make sure that you don't have alternate settings enabled that may impact how your keyboard functions.
Never keep an open liquid container near your computer, but if an accident should happen there are some very important steps you must follow.
The three videos below demonstrate the importance of understanding these steps.
If your computer or an application is giving you trouble, the first thing you should do is restart your computer (Apple Menu -> Restart). The video below explains other things to be aware of.
If you're wireless internet is not working, first check to see if it is on in the top right of your computer.
Also, make sure you are connected to the correct network. Before filling out a Help Desk ticket or visiting the Tech Center, first try turning your WiFi off and on.
If that doesn't resolve the issue, restart your computer.
MKA has provided a plastic case with the MacBook. It is necessary to have this case or a comparable protective case on the TOP and BOTTOM of the computer at all times.
A crack in your display screen is very dangerous. Not only can the broken glass cut you, if not repaired quickly the glass can cause further damage to the LCD screen behind the glass.
Bring a laptop with a cracked screen to the Tech Center immediately. This is not a warranty repair, so your family will be responsible for the $250 insurance deductible towards the replacement screen.
The trackpad has a layer of glass on the surface that if cracked, can cut you or cause further damage to the components beneath it.
A cracked trackpad must be repaired immediately.
This is not a warranty repair and your family will be responsible for the repair cost. To avoid cracking your trackpad, don't put anything between the keyboard and the display when closing the laptop and don't bang on the trackpad or tap it too aggressively.
TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)
TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)
MKA recognizes how valuable the appropriate use of technology is to improving teaching and learning. Accordingly, MKA has made a significant commitment to integrating technological advances into the school program to enhance students’ learning experiences. MKA provides access to the school’s printers and internet services from every computer connected to MKA’s network. Understanding and following MKA’s Acceptable Use Policy allows MKA to maintain a respectful, effective, and safe learning environment. Issues such as fairness and network capacity limitations also require a policy concerning the appropriate use of all technology.
The school cannot be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or claims resulting from student violations of responsible use of technology as outlined herein.
School-issued devices and network resources are considered the property of MKA. Any actions performed or initiated through the network must reflect the integrity and honesty expected of an MKA student, as described in MKA’s Honor Code, and be compliant with MKA’s Code of Conduct, as set forth in the MKA Handbook & Family Directory. All network traffic is logged by MKA, and those logs may be monitored for inappropriate use. MKA also monitors laptops for the installation of applications that are in violation of this AUP.
MKA blocks websites and web-based services that the administration deem to pose a threat to the safety, security, and well-being of its community members, facilities, network, and resources. Categories that are blocked include:
MKA will also continue to take precautions against this type of material on all equipment that is part of the school’s network.
Students may be held responsible for actions initiated on their laptops, regardless of whether they were using their computer at the time of the infraction. Therefore, students may only use the laptop they have been issued or one provided in the event of repair.
Students are provided with an MKA-issued email account, which is the primary email account used by MKA faculty, staff, and coaches. This account is to be used for educational purposes; however, school email may be used for incidental or occasional personal use so long as it does not violate any terms defined in this AUP. Email is not to be used for group solicitations not directly related to school purposes.
As a rule, MKA will protect students’ privacy and will treat students’ electronic information as it treats any other student property. However, the school reserves the right to randomly search students’ personal belongings, laptops (personal and school–issued), and school-issued accounts in accordance with policies stated in the MKA Handbook & Family Directory and posted on MKA’s website.
Responsible Use of Technology
Students will:
Violations of the Acceptable Use Policy fall into two broad categories: "Minor Offenses" and "Major Offenses." A Major Offense of the AUP is also a Major Code of Conduct Violation.
Minor Offenses
A minor offense is an action or behavior that violates a rule that has been put in place to maintain the strength, integrity, and sustainability of our technology program. Students who demonstrate a pattern of minor offenses will be referred to the Middle or Upper School Dean of Students. Minor offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
Laptop Usage and Settings
Network Access (Minor)
Major Offenses
A major offense is a serious violation of the standards of the community and poses a threat to the safety and security of the school’s network, infrastructure, students, faculty, and greater community. Major Offenses to the AUP also count as Major Offenses to the Code of Conduct. Major Offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
Privacy, Property, and Community
Illegal Activity
Network Access (Major)
(8/23/2019)
MKA’s Mission challenges students to personally engage with the world, understand human complexity, and demonstrate responsibility as citizens and leaders. At a time when the country is confronted with the ongoing problem of racism, police brutality, and unequal justice, MKA can rely on the power and passion of its students to call the school community to action.
-Carlaina Bell Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Middle School Assistant Head
Excerpt from a letter written to MKA faculty by Kelsey Freeman, Student Body Vice President, class of 2021:
I hope you and your families are well. I know you have heard over the past few weeks about the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd that have sparked a social outcry from, not only the world, but members of this community. As I read of black deaths in the media over the last few weeks, I knew that each death would not be the last. Given that loss of life is the most brutal and inhumane form of violence, we should not treat these actions as habitual occurrences, and we are calling on you to speak out.
We stood outside alongside you on Van Brunt field to remember the victims of the Parkland school shooting. We sat united in silence to honor the memory of those killed in an act of antisemitism at the Tree of Life synagogue. We’ve heard you share your experiences with violence and injustice, and felt inspired. We are deeply grateful for these actions, and are hopeful that you will continue to speak out in our community.
We would not ask this of you if we didn’t have an immense appreciation for who you are and what you do. It is a love for our faculty and our school which has compelled us to write to you. We are in a new age. We can’t call an assembly. We can’t stop and chat in the hallways. What happens next is going to take effort. It is going to take energy. It is going to take compassion. We only have a few days of school left. In those few days: reach out to your students, have difficult conversations, and shed your silence.
