Options and considerations - OS & software

The following information is provided for organizations' use in planning, budgeting and purchasing equipment and planning technical support models for eMINTS classrooms. During the 2008-2009 school year the eMINTS National Center will be transitioning to web-based learning support sytems for program participants to provide training and support for hardware and software required in eMINTS classrooms. During that time participants whose organizations provide other allowable options (such as MS Office 2007) will receive training support on those tools via web-enabled systems. eMINTS porfessional developmnet materials will continue to support current minimum specifications.

Operating system

Windows

• Minimum specs = Microsoft^® XP^® Standard
• Vista is allowed; however districts that adopt Vista must provide professional development and support on Vista for their staff and students as needed.

Productivity software

Windows

• Minimum specs = Microsoft^® Office^® 2003
• MS Office^® 2007 is allowed; participants will be provided with web-enabled training support.
• Open Office is allowed; districts that adopt Open Office must provide professional development and support for their staff and students as needed.

Mac

• Minimum specs = Microsoft^® Office^® 2003 for Mac
• MS Office^® 2008 for Mac is allowed; participants will be provided with web-enabled training support.
• Open Office is allowed; districts that adopt Open Office must provide professional development and support for their staff and students as needed.

SMART Ideas or Inspiration

• Special SMART Ideas™ pricing information available for eMINTS schools
• Schools or districts with current site licenses for Inspiration^® may substitute Inspiration^® for SMART Ideas™.
• For K-2 computers, use SMART Ideas™ or kidspiration^®

Dreamweaver or other HTML editor

• Dreamweaver™ is used unless the district has a current site license for another HTML editor. Professional development on any other HTML editor is the responsibility of the district.
• Nvu (open source HTML editor) may be used, but eMINTS training and support is limited.
• eMINTS4All teachers should use Nvu in lieu of Dreamweaver™.

Other instructional software

• Instructional software (CAD, video editing, etc.) is allowed only with prior approval from the eMINTS National Center office.
• K-2 teacher computers should have software used by students installed so it can be demonstrated with the SMART Board:
  Kidspiration^®
  Tool Factory Workshop
  Scholastic Keys and Canvastic
• See policy details ....

More information

Contact the eMINTS National Center office at (573) 884-7202 or emints-info@emints.org.

Reviewed January 18, 2008.