Agora.0 Commitment

Digital Agreement ÁGORA.0 Previous Considerations The Ágora.0 project is a combination of actions and tools based on three fundamental pillars: Ágora Access, Ágora Brains and Ágora Family. Throughout the process implementing this project, Novaschool Añoreta is advised and supported by an educational research group from the University of Málaga. The project aims to achieve the following objectives: - To use new technological tools as an educational language that enhances teaching methodology.

- To enrich students' learning by increasing their participation, motivation and creativity.

- To help teachers more attractive and documented classes.

- To avoid the 'digital divide'.

The educational model is based on these four key elements: Interactivity: more interactive learning process with greater usability between users and materials.

Personalisation: teaching and learning that are more personalised to meet individual needs through the use of ICTs (information and communication technologies).

Flexibility: creating more flexible educational services related to homes and the labour market.

Cooperation: a teaching process centred on autonomy does not mean that this can be achieved alone; it requires cooperation and learning of all parts of the educational community.

This project does not seek to simply replace previous educational processes with technology, but rather to improve the quality of teaching of the teaching and learning that take place at Novaschool Añoreta.

Ctra. A Macharaviaya. Urb. Añoreta Golf 2ª Fase C.P. 29738 Rincón de la Victoria. Málaga (ESPAÑA) Tel. 952 972 311 Tel./Fax 952 971 455 www.novaschool.es

THE FAMILY AGREES TO: • To take care of the Netbook laptop on a daily basis and keep it in normal working conditions (charge the battery ever day, keep it clean, etc.)

• To cooperate with teachers and help children carry out tasks assigned using new media.

• To encourage dialogue with their children about their 'digital' life: proper use of the Internet, pages they visit, etc.

• To have periodical appointments with tutors, either at the request of the teaching staff or of families, in order to stay informed of the learning process.

•To cooperate with the school in the event of incidents or inappropriate behaviour.

• To take part in family-oriented training organized by the school for members of the school community to promote adequate communication between families and school.

• To contract the Ágora Project with Novaschool Añoreta for the school year 20102011 for the following fees: o 5th Grade Primary: 276.27 €/student/year o 6th Grade Primary: 291.37 €/student/year o 1st Grade Secondary: 321.11 €/student/year

• In the project, students receive the educational materials they need for the school year and do not need to buy any textbooks, except for foreign language books and reading books.

NOVASCHOOL AÑORETA AGREES TO: • To provide students with the material they need to improve the quality of education at our school, through three services: Ágora Access: a virtual meeting point for all the educational community. An access platform with personalized passwords for each member of the community (students, parents, teachers and administration staff) in which content, course progress, learning needs and the exchange of information between collectives can be monitored in real time. o Ágora Brains: a combination of tools (netbooks, interactive whiteboards, digital textbooks, WiFi access throughout school), actions and processes (permanent updates, introduction of video, audio, use of computer packages) that students and teachers can use as a way of managing changes in the educational model. o Ágora Family: actions and tools that allow parents to be an active part of the educational process (online training plans about the use of the Internet and new advances in computing with all the necessary guarantees (filters and firewalls to avoid misuse of the laptops).

• To provide the platform (Ágora Access) with digital content and to keep it updated.

• To carry out maintenance of the laptops and keep them updated.

• To offer quality education that helps students effectively take on the responsibilities of today's society.

• To promote the values of respect, responsibility and tolerance as fundamental elements in education.

• To carry out periodical monitoring of the digital content stored by students in their laptops.

• To have meetings and appointments with parents.

• To assure the management and fulfillment of the rules for the use of laptops.

• To provide skills and preventative strategies to improve coexistence in the classroom and thus on the Internet.

• To respect all members of the Educational Community.

• All the points described in the “Parent's Basic Guide to Digital Content” found on the website www.novaschool.es Ownership of the Netbook Laptops The laptops are the property of the school and they will be changed every three years. If the student finishes Baccalaureate at NOVASCHOOL AÑORETA and has been enrolled for more than three years, they will be allowed to keep the Netbook.

HELP AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT The Netbook computers are accompanied by a Technical Help and Support service which lasts the 3 years of the lease. The help service will resolve any incidents that occur in relation to the working, connectivity and maintenance of the equipment. If for any reason the Netbook cannot be repaired, it will be replaced for another of similar or superior characteristics. Incidents should be reported using the following link: https://servicedesk.novaschool.eu. Here you can describe the incident or problem in question and it will be addressed by the Novasoft Technical Support Team as soon as possible.

If students need help during holidays when they have taken the computers home, they can use the same link mentioned above and an effort will be made to solve the problem through a remote connection.

INTERNET PROTECTION The laptop given to students has security filters installed in order to guarantee our students' safety and protection. Access to many webpages is restricted, but the responsibility is shared by both parents and the school: we must both monitor children, seeking to prevent the intentional misuse of these tools and notifying each other when such misuse occurs. Before your children begin to explore new frontiers on the Internet, it is advisable to ensure that they understand what they can and cannot do when on-line.

CARE OF NETBOOK EQUIPMENT The computer is an educational resource that NOVASCHOOL AÑORETA places in students' hands. It does not replace teachers or textbooks, but rather represents a complement that enriches learning.

In order to guarantee its correct use, some basic rules regarding basic maintenance have been drawn up, including the following points: • Laptops should not be exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity, and should be kept out of direct sunlight.

• Laptops should be cleaned with a soft cloth. To avoid unnecessary damage, users should avoid placing heavy objects on it, dropping it or bumping it.

•The charger or the battery must never be taken apart. Any breakage or malfunction should be reported to the school as son as possible using the Help Desk mechanism described above.

RULES FOR STUDENT USE Netbooks are new and exciting tools that offer students many new possibilities; at the same time, the carry a series of important responsibilities, since they are an essential part of the student's activities, both in class and at home. Students have the following responsibilities:

• To take care of their netbook and the keep it in good working order.

• To only store information on it which is directly related to school-related educational activities.

• To only access resources for which they have the required age.

• To only use of Internet for educational purposes, avoiding web pages and activities that are unrelated to their studies.

• To bring their netbook to school every day with a fully charged battery.

• To report any breakage or malfunction in the equipment using the established channels.

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Mr/Mrs ___________________________________ , as parent/guardian of student __________________ , who is enrolled at NOVASCHOOL AÑORETA for the 2010-2011 school year.

Rincón de la Victoria, on the _______ day of__________, 2010.

Parent/guardian: Signed: ________________________

General Manager, Novaschool Añoreta Signed: ________________________