Driver's Manual

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Below are some steps you should follow for problems that commonly occur for MKA laptop users

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: 

• pornography and sexually explicit material
• criminal and illegal activities
• weapons and extreme violence
• computer hacking
• spyware and malicious software
• certain video streaming sites

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:

• Use technology in ways that reflect MKA’s Character Standards and uphold MKA’s Code of Conduct and Honor Code.
• Use technology during class time only for approved academic purposes
  • Software and services whose use may be deemed inappropriate for the teaching and learning approach of a specific course or subject (e.g., language translation services, literature summary sites, calculators, and equation solvers) should not be used unless instructed to do so by a teacher
• Protect passwords
  • Do not give out passwords or accept another’s password
  • Have a plan to remember passwords
  • Do not allow anyone to add their fingerprint for Touch ID
• Keep a hard, protective case on their laptops (similar to the ones originally issued with their laptops)
  • Students are encouraged to place stickers on this protective case to personalize their laptops; students may not place stickers directly on or otherwise mark their laptops
  • Backpacks with a separate, padded, laptop section are recommended
• Carry laptops with lids closed
• Come to school with their laptops fully charged and charge only in these areas while at school:
  • Middle School: Library, Dining Hall, and Tech Center Charging Carts
  • Upper School: Commons, Academic Center, and Dining Hall
• Visit the Tech Center any needed repairs (e.g., cracked screen, missing keys)

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

• Creating secondary accounts for the laptop. (e.g., for a friend or parent or to enable parental controls).
• Installing operating systems other than those installed by the MKA Tech Department. (e.g., Boot Camp, Virtual Machines).
• Upgrading the Mac Operating System beyond MKA’s currently supported version. (e.g., upgrading to 10.15.x). 
• Changing the following settings in the System Preferences:
  • Sharing → Disabling or changing settings for Remote Login
  • Sharing → Disabling or changing settings for Remote Management
  • Security → Turning on FileVault 
  • Security → Enabling the Firewall
  • Parental Controls → Converting this account to a parental controls account
  • Profiles → Modifying or removing any MKA-related profiles
  • NTWare MacClientConfig → Do not modify or delete any settings

Network Access (Minor)

• Installing or using unauthorized 3rd party multi-node file-sharing software (e.g., Torch, BitTorrent, Transmission) on school laptops. Messages, Dropbox, Evernote, and AirDrop do not fall under this category.
• Using personal laptops or tablets instead of the school-issued laptop.
• Sending chain emails, inappropriate broadcast messages or any other information that may cause undue network congestion.
• Accessing MKA’s network via the wired network.
• Using the network for commercial purposes. The school will not be responsible for any financial obligations resulting from school-provided laptops, technology, or access to the Internet (including BitCoin related sites/services).
• Installation of third party firewalls, anonymizers, or proxies.
• Accessing non-MKA wireless networks with the laptop while on campus (this includes personal hotspots).
• Attempting to connect to the MKA wired or wireless network with non-authorized devices including personal laptops, phones, or tablets.

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

• Accessing or deleting the MKA administrative account.
• Vandalizing the laptop or other network resources. This includes defacing, engraving, coloring, painting, etching, stickers, skins, and using marker on the laptop itself. It also includes deliberately removing keys or deforming the original shape of the laptop and its components.
• Accessing laptops, accounts, and files of others without permission. This includes going on to someone else’s computer and accessing any web page, social network, or application without the owner’s knowledge or permission or impersonating someone online.
• Recording, filming, or photographing teachers or other students without express permission to do so. If teachers or other students have given permission to record, the student who receives permission is expected to respectfully and responsibly use and manage the recorded material. Sharing or publicly posting captured material without permission is also prohibited.
• Using the laptop and its applications or the school network either in or out of school to harass, disparage, or intimidate another person or the school itself. 
• Sending or posting messages that are detrimental to the reputation of MKA by virtue of the sender’s address or other means of identification.

Illegal Activity

• Installing or distributing unlicensed or illegal software. 
• Using the network in support of illegal activities or businesses or for gambling. The school will not be responsible for any financial obligations resulting from school-provided technology or Internet access.

Network Access (Major)

• Placing, creating, or accessing sexually explicit, violent, obscene, or unlawful material.
• Attempting to get around MKA’s network security or to impair functionality of its network by using, for example, VPNs or remote login tools (e.g., GoToMyPC, LogMeIn).
• Attempting to bypass restrictions set by the network administrators.
• Using a computer for distribution of inappropriate or illegal material including text, audio, images, or video.
• Providing billable services to others for the use of your laptop or MKA network resources.

(8/23/2019)