Program Overview

Rationale: Why Laptops?
Read an overview of The Urban's School philosophical, pedagogical and logistical rationale for its distinguished laptop program.

Research on Laptops in Schools
Please read summarized research results from a series of studies conducted by Rockman et al, an independent research organization in San Francisco. Rockman et al has been conducting an evaluation of individual student laptop programs for the past three years. You can also listen to a podcast of Saul Rockman's keynote address at The Urban School's mini-laptop conference.

News and Articles about Urban's Laptop Program
The Urban School of San Francisco has been named an Apple Distinguished School for our longtime and innovative use of Apple technology and products in our classrooms. For 2007-08, only 18 schools across the United States were selected as Apple Distinguished Schools. According to Apple, the Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools that have implemented a 21st century vision of education using Apple technology. Read more here.

Director of Technology Howard Levin and Head of School Mark Salkind present Laptops Unleashed at the annual NAIS conference. Read more here.

The Urban School was chosen as the "Spotlight School" at the 2007 Laptop Institute in Memphis, TN. Urban faculty led eight workshops for teachers from around the world. Presenters include Algis Sodonis (science) Chris McCall (arts), Henri Picciotto, (math) Jonathan Howland (English), Lori Hebert (languages), Igor Zagatsky (technology) and Rebecca Shapiro (history).

Archived Information about Urban's Laptop Program

Urban's Laptop Program was highlighted in 1:1 Learning: Laptop Programs That Work , by Pamela Livingston, (ISTE, 2006).

Urban's Laptop Program was one of three highlignted in One to One Compututing: Pointers on Measuring Success ó From Three Programs That Work, EdTech Magazine, Nov/Dec. 2006.

Laptop mini-Conference: Exploring the Impact of 1:1 - Urban hosted 80 educators from around the Bay for a day-long series of workshops.

Making the Laptop Disappear - Howard has presented versions of this presentation several times - including the opening keynote address at the Laptop Institute in Memphis in 2005. See his various presentations here.

Leading Edge Award in Technology - The National Association of Independent Schools honored Urban in March, 2004 for the integration of technology and oral history via the Telling Their Stories program.

Independent Thinking: Profiles in Success - Urban's laptop story appears on Apple's web site.

Laptop Acknowledgement Form
Why Laptops?
Computer Use Agreement 09-10
Standards for Proper Care

Come see us! Mercedes, Igor and Howard are available to help students throughout the day, but we encourage drop-in visits to the Tech Office during lunch.

Mercedes should be the first point of contact when students think there is a problem with their laptop.

The Tech Support website continues to expand with multiple directions and tips for student users. Much of the material posted is in response to student or faculty questions.

Tech Support email is the destination to field questions and to report technical problems. Several knowledgeable students read and respond to questions, as well as Mercedes, Igor and Howard. Parents are also encouraged to send inquiries but please confine your requests to issues related to our Laptop Program.