Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Technology
Recommended Devices
If you are planning to purchase a new device for the upcoming school year, we have created a checklist of minimum requirements the device should meet.
Also consider that the PSAT and SAT are going digital in the fall of 2023. They require a Windows laptop, Mac laptop or iPad. Please keep in mind that an external keyboard is required to use an iPad. Family-owned Chromebooks are not compatible with the new test.
Click here to view the PSAT/SAT device requirements
Also consider that the PSAT and SAT are going digital in the fall of 2023. They require a Windows laptop, Mac laptop or iPad. Please keep in mind that an external keyboard is required to use an iPad. Family-owned Chromebooks are not compatible with the new test.
Click here to view the PSAT/SAT device requirements
Links
Wireless Connectivity
school WiFi network or be able to connect to a
high speed cellular network
(at your own expense.)
Battery Life
Minimum 6 hrs
Devices should be able to last the
school day on a single charge.
Camera, Microphone & Headset
A camera, preferably rear facing, and microphone are
necessary in order to participate in learning activities
that require use of photos, video, and audio recordings.
A headset with microphone is also highly recommended
to eliminate background noise for activities that involve
listening and speaking.
Other considerations
Build Quality: Is the device rugged enough for a school environment? Can it withstand drops, water damage, temperature, vibration, humidity, etc?
Weight: Is the device lightweight and easy to carry around all day long?
Cost: A capable device does not have to be expensive. In fact, there are many low cost options that are a great fit for our environment.
Warranty: Most new devices come with a 1 year limited warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. In most cases, the limited warranty does not include incidents like accidental damage, theft, cracked screens, and vandalism. Depending on the device, you may want to opt for an extended warranty through the manufacturer or a third party like Squaretrade.
Modern Operating System
The operating system running on the device should
be secure, up to date, and compatible with school
software and services. Antivirus is highly recommended
across all platforms. (Windows laptops in "S" mode are not compatible with our WiFi and Printing applications)
software and services. Antivirus is highly recommended
across all platforms. (Windows laptops in "S" mode are not compatible with our WiFi and Printing applications)
Screen Size
The screen should be capable of viewing
content in full without the need to scroll or zoom.
We find between 13-15 inches is the optimal
size while still remaining portable.
We find between 13-15 inches is the optimal
size while still remaining portable.
Keyboard, Stylus, & Touch Capability
A full keyboard is highly recommended in
order to work efficiently and comfortably.
Touch capability is also recommended
along with a stylus to help
improve ease of use.
improve ease of use.
System Memory (RAM)
Recommended: 8 GB for general use
To run Adobe Creative Cloud applications, the minimum is 8 GB with the recommendation of 16 GB of RAM for either Windows or macOS.
Recommended Devices
We no longer provide direct links to specific models since inventory is so fluid. When shopping for a device, we recommend choosing a device that meets all the requirements in this list.
Suggested Software for Home:
Productivity Suite
Middle and Upper School students use Google Docs, a free, web-based office suite. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users. Students may use this at home and in school. Alternativly, you may use the the Microsoft Office Mobile Apps which are accessible through the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Virus Protection/Anti-spyware
Virus protection is important on your home computer. At Hamden Hall we use Sophos for Windows and Mac OS Computers, but Avast, Avira, and Panda are also recommended. These companies have a home user version of their software that can provide internet security and anti-spyware support.
The most important thing to know is that once you buy the software you need to keep your subscription current and you need to set the software to update daily so you get the most current virus definitions.
As part of our Google Apps for Education suite, students in grades 6 - 12 will use Gmail to facilitate the transfer of computer files between school and home and to communicate with faculty and each other.
Web-based Applications
In school we use various web-based applications. When necessary, students will create accounts for these applications in class. It would be helpful if students had access to these at home as well. Following is a list of the tools students are most likely to use, though this is not comprehensive.
- Voicethread
- Online Typing Pal
- Wikispaces
- Diigo
- Kidblogs
- Edublogs
- Glogster
- Voki
Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
