Below are a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Notebooks for Teachers program. Updated 1/7/2011
Q. What will the notebook cost?
A. Notebooks shipped prior to 2009 attract a $10 per
fortnight contribution. For Semester 2009 and 2010 rollouts, the deduction for
Acer PC notebooks was $10.85 and the deduction for Apple MacBook notebooks $17.30.
For Semester 1 2011, the Dell PC deduction is $14.60 and the Apple $16.50 per
fortnight. These are before-tax
(salary-packaged) deductions - the amount after tax will be less,
depending on gross salary and individual taxation circumstances.
It is expected that deductions for future rollouts will vary
depending on model price and currency exchange rates.
Q. What models are on offer?
A. Models offered may change with each rollout offer. Details
are given for each rollout offer on the web page for that rollout.
The web page will be linked from the top of our "News" page,
here.
Q. Can I get a laptop if I am not a teacher, i.e. a Registrar or Teacher's Aide?
A. Not at present - since the program arose from the 2000 Teachers and School Administrator's Certified Agreement, participation
was only restricted to these groups. The 2006 Certified Agreement
provides for eligibility to be extended to School Psychologists.
Q. What do I get for my money?
A. You will receive access to a notebook computer and
software for use at school and home for the duration of the 3-year
operational lease. The choice of notebook will be restricted to that
supplied under the tender. For model specifications, see the current
Round details page (linked from the News page). Full warranty,
maintenance and insurance are included as part of the lease.
Q. Will any training be provided?
A. Training is available via a voluntary 2-hour basic training session provided by Winthrop Technologies.
This may be arranged by calling Winthrop on (08) 6488 2777. Due to low
demand, combined sessions are usually arranged with other schools.
Q. Do I have to let my students use my notebook at school?
A. No. It is entirely up to you as an educator to make decisions on the use of your notebook in the school.
Q. Can I claim my notebook on my tax?
A. No. The Australian Taxation Office advises that salary-sacrificed deductions
cannot be claimed on your tax return; nor can depreciation on the
notebook itself.
Q. The cursor of my Acer TM4520/TM4530/TM4730 "skips" randomly. What is
the problem?
A. This appears to be a widespread problem with the present
generation of notebooks and has been reported by users of many
makes. It is believed that the
root cause is the thinner and smaller design of the notebook which
leaves less space to recess the touchpad and less space for 'wrist
rest' areas around it. Hence, it is easier to contact the touchpad
while typing. (You do not need to physically touch the surface, a
close pass will still result in an unintended input). Sleeves,
bracelets etc may contribute.
Q. What can I do to reduce this problem?
A. Slightly amending your typing position often gives
good results - if you can, try spacing the heels of your hands
slightly further apart. You should find the problem disappears! If
you have any difficulty "retraining" your hands, another option is
to temporarily turn off the touchpad - you can do this by pressing
the "Function" and "F7" keys together (do this from your Desktop,
not within an application; the same combination will reactivate the
touchpad.) In some cases, users have chosen to turn off the touchpad
altogether and use an external USB mouse.
Q. Is there any software which will help?
A. Yes - "Touchfreeze" from Google may help eliminate the
problem. It can be downloaded from this link:
http://code.google.com/p/touchfreeze/ (if clicking the link fails, try
copying and pasting it into your browser). This is a very small, simple program
which automatically freezes the 'select' function of the touchpad while you are
typing, and unfreezes it when you stop. Good results have been reported, but
please note this is a third-party application and the Department does not accept
any liability for problems that may arise from its use.
Q. My Acer TM4520/TM4530/TM4730 has very short battery life. Can
I get a replacement battery?
A. Yes. If your battery's life is substantially below
the manufacturer's rating (e.g. 2 hours or less) then please call the Department's Customer
Service Centre on 9264 5555 to register a warranty claim for a
replacement battery.
Q. Can I buy any accessories?
A. Yes, for PC equipment. Our vendor Acer Computer Australia has nominated Winthrop Technologies as their supplier of peripheral equipment. Peripheral equipment may be purchased
at a discount but does not form part of the leased package and does not arrive with the package on delivery – this is a straightforward commercial purchase which is the teacher’s own responsibility. However, Winthrop does offer a discount to NFT
participants. (Winthrop Technologies can be contacted on 08 6488 7939.)
The Department does not provide support or warranty for goods purchased
under this arrangement, and does not test or endorse goods offered under
this arrangement.
Q. Do these accessories have to be returned at the end of the lease?
A. No, they belong to you. However, if you have replaced an "onboard" device with a different or upgraded device, you must return the machine to original condition before returning the package or forfeit the upgraded device. For example, if you upgrade
an onboard CD-ROM drive to a DVD drive, you must keep the CD-ROM drive in safe storage and good working order and return it to the machine before returning the package. This may be a job for a registered Vendor technician, depending on the model and type of device. Alternatively, if the new device is an improvement on the base specification, it may
usually be left in the machine on return at the end of the lease. It’s important to seek advice from the Department’s Customer Service Centre before seeking to upgrade your notebook.
Q. What if I want a more powerful notebook than the ones offered?
A. There is not an option to lease models other than those specifically
provided via the program. When signing your contract, you specifically agree to lease the single machine provided, e.g. the model may not be upgraded to a newer model during the course of the lease. If required (and
feasible), you may purchase additional RAM or other parts directly from
the vendor. Please understand that it may be impractical to remove
such components at the end of the lease and that they may end up being
returned to the lessor with the notebook. In some circumstances
additional items may only be fitted by the Vendor. The costs of
purchase, fitting and removing such items is not covered by the NFT Program and must be borne by the individual teacher, and items requiring fitting by a technician should only be fitted by registered vendor technicians to avoid
compromising warranty coverage.
Q.
Can I use my notebook
with an Interactive Whiteboard?
A. You are welcome to do this, but please be
aware that there is no support for Interactive Whiteboards. Experience to
date suggests that third-party whiteboard software can cause problems for
some models of PC and Apple notebooks, including crashes and/or causing the
notebook to fail to boot up.
If an Interactive Whiteboard causes your
notebook to crash you may have to reimage the notebook to restore
functionality; please be aware this may cause loss of data if you have not
backed up recently.
Unfortunately we are not able to advise
which models of notebook and which models of whiteboard may be incompatible
with each other.
Q. If I opt for an Apple notebook, what do I need to know?
A. Apple notebooks do not
receive support from the DoE Customer Service Centre for connection to
school networks. Before applying for an Apple notebook you should check
with your school administration to determine whether the school will
allow or support connection to the network.
Because there is currently no Apple version of Departmental applications such as SIS or MAZE, these applications will not run on an Apple notebook.
Apple notebooks may not be connected to the network at District Offices or Central Office.
Apple warranty terms are slightly different from PC notebook warranties, and Apple notebooks with a high number of failures may be repaired rather than replaced. This decision rests solely with Apple.
Q. Do I need to commit to anything?
A. Yes. Whilst participation in the project is voluntary, there are a number of conditions that you must agree to prior to receiving a notebook. Some of these conditions include: commitment to fortnightly payroll deductions under a salary sacrifice arrangement for the duration of the lease (including your agreement to the recovery of arrears by the Department if this should become necessary due to cessation of employment, unpaid leave etc); participation in confidential project evaluation surveys if required, agreement to replace the notebook or reimburse the Department for the cost of the notebook if lost or damaged/destroyed through negligence, agreement to abide by the Department's policies regarding use of legal software, ethical use of the Internet, non-commercial use and protection of personal data.
Q. I've heard there will be Performance Management based on the notebooks - will I be assessed on my expertise in use of the machine?
A. No. The Department does expect that Notebooks for Teachers will be incorporated into your existing Performance Management plan and there will be occasional confidential surveys to determine the effect of the Project on overall levels of ICT confidence and ability among teaching staff. However, other than what you may negotiate as part of your Performance Management plan, there will not be any formal requirements. Instead, it is expected that teachers will gain expertise with the notebooks over time through personal and professional use.
Q. Will I have to keep paying for the notebook as long as I have one?
A. Yes. Participation in the project requires your commitment to continue your contribution for the duration of the
registration Agreement. This includes periods of leave without pay, meaning that you must arrange for extra payments to come out of your pay prior to going on unpaid leave in order to cover the period you will be away. If your employment status should change such that you are no longer eligible to retain the notebook, you must immediately return it to the Notebooks for Teachers Program Coordinator at the Department of Education Central Office in East Perth. Contributions will be required until the notebook is received, and cessation of employment does not relieve a teacher of this obligation. If required, deduction arrears may be recovered by the Department’s debt recovery agency.
Q. Can I make payments from my bank account or credit card instead?
A. No. The Notebooks for Teachers deductions may only be made via the established salary-package process, although arrears and payments in advance for teachers taking unpaid leave may be made by cheque, money order or cash. These payment methods are not available for regular fortnightly payment, as they would incur additional taxes such as GST or FBT.
Q. Can I engrave the machine for security purposes?
A. No. The notebook is owned by a finance company and therefore no permanent markings may be made that would affect its resale value. Also, you may not alter any of the existing markings.
If you add any removable name stickers or the like, it is expected that
you will remove them prior to returning the notebook.
Q. How long is the turnaround on an insurance or warranty
repair/replacement?
A. This can depend on several factors. For metro schools
turnaround on warranty jobs should be two or three days at most; for
regional schools turnaround should be a week at most. (Remote Community
Schools and island schools may experience longer turnarounds depending
on local conditions.)
For insurance repair claims the above applies plus the time it takes for RiskCover to rule on the insurance claim itself. This may add around a week.
Participants are encouraged to lodge a complaint with the Customer Service Centre on 9264 5555 if their claim exceeds these turnaround guidelines.
Q. What do I do if the Notebook is stolen?
A. Report the theft to the Police Service. The Police will issue an Incident Number and you should then contact the Department’s Customer Service Centre on 9264 5555. The CSC staff will issue a Job Number and advise you on completing the insurance claim form.
Q. What do I do if my notebook fails to work?
A. A support call must be logged with the Customer Service Centre
on 9264 5555. The CSC staff will provide details of the processes to follow. It may be necessary to return a machine to the vendor or occasionally to the CSC itself.
Q. Who pays transport costs if my machine must be returned for repairs?
A. The vendor or insurer will cover costs if the problem is covered by the warranty
or insurance. Generally, a teacher would need to cover costs of returning a machine to the CSC for non-warranty inspection or repairs.
Q. If I make a warranty claim, what will happen if the vendor's Repair Centre does not agree that the machine was faulty?
A. If a fault is detected, the warranty will cover the Repair Centre's charge. Some malfunctions may be caused by user error, such as incorrect alterations of software settings. Also, damage to parts may result from incorrect use. The warranty will not cover such problems and the teacher would be billed for the work in most cases. NOTE: wrapping of power cables tightly around the power unit for storage will result in damage and voids warranty on these items.
Q. My notebook's screen has dead pixels (some are always on
or always off). Will it be replaced?
A. Not necessarily. TFT screens have inherent
limitations and dead pixels are considered a result of the manufacturing
process rather than a flaw. See the current Dead Pixels Policy, located
at our News page, for further information.
Q.
Are there any differences between Apple and Acer warranties?
A. Yes. During negotiations for the new Apple contract,
DoE and Apple Computer Australia were not able to reach full agreement
on some warranty-related clauses. Some Apple warranty conditions
are therefore now closer to 'retail standard' than under the previous
contract. The Department must therefore point out the following
differences:
· Notebooks that are delivered in inoperable or damaged condition will now be assessed for “Dead on Arrival” status by Apple, rather than by the Department. Apple DOA cases must be reported and assessed within 10 days of delivery. Replacement or repair will be offered where a notebook is assessed as DOA and this decision is at Apple’s sole discretion. Acer will usually accept the Department's assessment on notebooks delivered in inoperable condition or showing damage, and will act to replace them.
· Apple Computer Australia may use second-hand parts in warranty or insurance repairs, at its sole discretion. DoE's contract with Acer Computer Australia is silent on this.
· Acer notebooks are usually considered eligible for replacement after 2 hardware components are replaced in the course of previous warranty repairs. Apple notebooks will now be considered eligible for replacement after 3 major components are replaced in the course of previous warranty repairs. Apple may also choose to repair the notebook instead of replacing it, at its sole discretion.
· The Department's contract with Acer Computer Australia includes scope for significant penalties in the event of poor warranty or insurance service. However, the Department no longer has the ability to impose significant penalties against Apple in instances of unacceptably poor warranty or insurance service. If major problems arise with service jobs, the Department will therefore have limited recourse to ensure a satisfactory outcome. However, Apple has agreed to maintain a small pool of notebooks for loan should a repair or replacement take longer than expected. (It is not guaranteed that a loan model will be identical to the model it is temporarily replacing. Loan models will be at least of the same specification as the first notebooks provided to DoE under this contract.)
Q. Will insurance cover me if the computer is stolen from my car, home or classroom? What if it is lost or damaged?
A. Yes, with some common-sense provisos. RiskCover (a division of the Insurance Commission of WA) will generally cover claims for loss, theft or damage to the machines unless ‘contributory negligence’ was involved. This negligence might include leaving a machine in an unsecured location (eg open classroom or office) without supervision, leaving a machine in a vehicle parked in an accessible or public place (unless locked in a lockable boot or security cage), handling the machine overly carelessly, allowing young children to play with the machine unsupervised, lack of care with liquids and foodstuffs, etc. Notebooks can be tempting targets for thieves, so it is especially important to be mindful of security.
Q. If my insurance claim is rejected, what happens next? Am I liable?
A. Yes. Under the conditions of registration, if a claim is rejected on grounds of negligence, the responsibility to replace or repair the machine would rest with the teacher. This is a very rare circumstance, and the NFT
Program Team will endeavour to assist with facilitation of purchase at
the best possible price or other options.
Q. I need the flexibility to leave my notebook in my car when shopping on the way home from work, etc. What can I do to ensure security of the machine?
A. You should lock the notebook in the boot or security cage of your vehicle. If your vehicle doesn’t have these features and you are willing to accept the financial risk of replacing the notebook at your own cost, then you are at liberty to store it in other ways. However, if you wish a potential theft to be covered by Departmental insurance arrangements,
experience has shown it is simply not safe to leave the machine in the
cabin of a vehicle, even for short periods. (This applies equally to machines left in unlocked classrooms or offices,
public areas, outside areas of your home and so on.)
Q. If I have to lodge a claim for theft or loss, will I receive a new or used replacement notebook?
A. Notebooks are replaced on a “like for like” basis;
therefore if your model of notebook is currently in production then it
would usually be replaced by the same model, either direct from the
vendor or from DoE stocks of used NFT notebooks. Where an
out-of-production model is stolen all replacements are via DoE stocks. These are only ever notebooks that have been in service as part of the Program, returned by teachers resigning or retiring.
They are fully checked and reimaged by DoE technicians.
Q. I took good care of my stolen notebook. How can I know a ‘used’ replacement will be satisfactory?
A. In all cases, ‘returned’ notebooks must pass a rigorous set of tests, and are fully “re-imaged” to factory software specification No previous data
survives this process; the notebook will have the full Standard Operating Environment and be functionally as-new. A full service history is known for each notebook and all are
in at least presentable cosmetic condition.
Q. Why does the Department not always provide a new insurance replacement? Am I not paying for it?
A. No. No component of the fortnightly contribution goes towards the Department’s insurance costs,
nor is there currently any excess or surcharge.
On the other hand, the cost of providing new replacements for all thefts
would be exorbitant and would have to be passed on to teacher; this is
unjustifiable given that suitable replacement units are in stock at most
times. Also, demand for very quick turnarounds is constantly
increasing. Using returned notebooks is by far the quickest and most effective way to
get a replacement into your hands!
Q. What support is provided for network connectivity in schools?
A. ACER - Acer PC notebooks are already configured for
Administration network connectivity and Admin-network-based email
access, and these functions are supported centrally. Software such as
SIS or MAZE may also be installed at school - while these applications
should function on the Microsoft Windows XP Professional platform, they
are not supported centrally. Advice from the SIS team should be sought
before installing SIS.
A. APPLE - Apple users are not provided with central support for school Admin network connectivity, meaning this may or may not be practicable depending on individual school arrangements. (Prospective Apple users should check with their school administrators in advance of applying for a notebook.) SIS and other Departmental applications are not available for Apple notebooks.
Neither ACER nor Apple users receive central support for school Curriculum network connectivity, or for software applications that are not part of the agreed DoE support environment.
Q. Do the (PC) notebooks have to be connected to the Admin domain?
A. Generally, no. The notebooks can be used as "Stand Alone" machines. It is expected that staff may prefer to connect to Curriculum networks; however, greater support can be provided centrally if they are connected to the Admin domain.
Apple notebooks are not supported for connection to either network.
Q. What support is provided if the Notebook is not joined to the Admin network?
A. Provided hardware and Standard Operating Environment
(SOE) software for NFT notebooks will receive full standalone support irrespective of the network used. Central support for
Curriculum-network-related issues is not available on either Apple or Acer platforms.
Q. If a client is having problems using their Notebook on a home network, will the Customer Service Centre provide support?
A. Possibly. This is outside the scope of the Program, however it may be possible for the Customer Service Centre to provide some limited advice or assistance - depending on existing workloads, and on a ‘best efforts’ basis only.
Q. Can I install the NFT ‘standard operating environment’ on
my privately-owned notebook?
A. No.
While many Departmental applications are covered by license arrangements
allowing personal use, the SOE as a whole may not be installed on
privately-owned notebooks as there are both license and technical issues
preventing this.
Q. Can I connect a privately-owned notebook to school LWICT
or Admin networks?
A. No.
Unfortunately the Dept does not have the resources to support non-DoE
laptops owing to a variety of technical and security issues - for
example, software on DoE-managed devices is updated and virus-protected
via Radia and McAfee arrangements which are not currently practical for
privately-owned machines.
Work is under way towards developing a solution and it is hoped this may be implemented during 2009.
Q. Can I connect a privately-owned notebook to school
Curriculum networks?
A. Usually, no.
With your principal’s authorization, it may be possible to connect to
the Curriculum network but only if this can be supported by your school.
The school must be willing to allocate any necessary resources and must
be sure your notebook is up-to-date with software patches and security
measures (anti-virus, anti-spam etc) to the same degree DoE notebooks
are. If your notebook has different specifications to DoE
machines then it will be configured differently and there may be
compatibility issues.
Q. May I add new software to the Notebook in addition to the Standard Operating Environment?
A. You may add any appropriate, legitimate software
(i.e. software for which you own a license). However, the Customer Service Centre support only covers the software supplied as part of the original package.
Q. Will I be able to buy the notebook at end of the lease?
A. No. The notebooks are provided under an operating
lease, which does not involve any payment towards the purchase of the
product. At the end of the lease the notebook is owned entirely by the
leasing company and are often pre-sold at the end of the lease.
Q. Can my school lease notebooks under the same scheme (at the same purchase price)?
A. Not at present. The Department has other contracts in place for schools to purchase/lease notebooks.
Q. What residual is charged at the end of the lease?
A. There is no mandatory residual. The lease is an operating lease and the machine is returned to the finance company at the end of the three-year period. A teacher may be charged additional costs, including but not limited to
the residual, if they return a notebook after the expiry of the
three-year period. This is due to the financier penalty imposed on the
Department for any notebook not returned.
Q. Can I return my machine if I change my mind? Is there a cooling-off period after I sign up?
A. When you register for the Program you are signing a contract binding you to the lease. You may not return your machine unless you: retire, resign, take greater than 12 months Leave Without Pay,
take up a permanent non-teaching position or take up a long-term secondment not paid by the Department. There is no cooling-off period after signing your registration form.
Q. What if I fail to return the notebook when I
should, e.g. if I retire or resign, or at the end of the lease?
A. This is regarded as a very serious financial, legal and
disciplinary issue. The notebooks are leased by the Department from a
financier and remain the property of that financier. Teachers who fail
to return notebooks when required will certainly incur the costs imposed
on DoE by our financier; which often total $700 or
more. (This does not convey any right of ownership - teachers are
still required to return the notebook.) Disciplinary and/or
legal action is likely where a teacher continues to refuse to return
a notebook.
Q. Will my Superannuation will be affected by membership in the project?
A. Yes, it is possible that some superannuation funds may be affected by salary sacrifice arrangements. If you are considering retirement in the next few years, you should seek independent financial advice before joining the program.
Q. Can I have more than one machine?
A. This would incur Fringe Benefits Tax. Further, the supply of notebooks is limited, and the Department subsidises a substantial component of the lease. For these reasons additional notebooks are not available.
Q. Can I sell or lend the Notebook package, even to family members?
A. You may not sell or permanently reassign the Notebook package, as it belongs to the leasing company. If you allow family members to use it, you should be aware that responsibility for the safety (and use) of the package still lies with you. Therefore, you would be liable in the event of any contravention of the Department's policies in regard to ethical and appropriate use of technology, the Internet, use of legitimate software, commercial use, etc. In the event of negligence contributing to loss, theft or damage of the package under these circumstances, it is possible that insurance may be refused. This would require the Department to charge the value of the repairs or replacement of the package to you.
Q. Can I use my notebook for private non-DoE business?
A. Yes, so long as the use is not for commercial gain. The existing software license explicitly prevents private commercial use of the software. This does not include Internet shopping or
banking or other such personal uses but does bar use for profit - for example running a business, taking
notes at a business board meeting, etc.
Q. What if I retire, resign, or go to a permanent non-teaching position?
A. In these cases you must simply return the machine to
the Notebooks for Teachers Coordinator in Central Office. There are no
fees or charges for this, although if you are in arrears for your
fortnightly contributions then a final payment may be necessary.
Q. Can I break the Agreement if I go on long-term Leave Without Pay?
A. Yes. If the leave is of 12 months' duration or
longer, you may break the Agreement and return the notebook if you wish
(see below for more details on returns). Alternatively you may retain
the notebook by contacting the NFT Program admin team to arrange an
advance rental payment.
Q. Can I break the Agreement if I go on short-term Leave Without Pay?
A. No. Unpaid leave less than 12 months may not
break your Agreement and you will need to contact the NFT Program admin
team to arrange an advance payment instead.
Q. May I maintain the Agreement and keep the notebook while on unpaid leave?
A. Yes, as long as the notebook lease does not
expire during the period of your leave. You will need to contact the NFT
Program admin team to arrange an advance payment.
Q. What if I go to a temporary non-teaching position, or take up a secondment not paid by the Department?
A. Your options may depend on the term of the
arrangement, or other factors. Please contact the NFT Program
admin team on (08) 9264 5636 to discuss.
Q. How should I return my notebook?
A. The best method is to visit the Central Office (151
Royal Street, East Perth) and ask for the Notebooks admin team at the
main reception counter. This is possible any time during regular
business hours though we recommend arriving prior to 4PM if possible, as
4-5 can be busy. Paid off-street parking is available on Royal Street
and metered street parking on Wittenoom Street, as well as free parking
in nearby side streets.
Alternatively, notebooks may be sent via any regular courier service. In this case, the notebook should be carefully repacked in its box with all accessories and addressed to the attention of the Coordinator, NFT Program, Dept. of Education and Training Central Office, 151 Royal St, East Perth WA 6004. It is strongly recommended that you keep a copy of the consignment note and contact the NFT admin team on (08) 9264 5636 after a few days to check receipt of the package.
Q. Can I send the notebook via Australia Post or MailWest?
A. No. We ask participants to avoid using these
services as neither offers transport for fragile goods. Please be aware
that liability for the condition of the machine remains with you until we
receive it - our insurer may not cover damage incurred in the post.
Q. Can I return my machine via my school, as I would if the
lease was ending?
A. Maybe. Your school is under no obligation to
help - the Agreement exists between you and the Department and the
contractual obligation and onus to act lies on you. However, your school
may be willing to assist. There is a financial risk for you in
this - if your school offers to help arrange a courier for you, please
be sure to follow up and ensure the machine does arrive at Central
Office promptly so that you do not have to pay extra rental arrears. (Please also note the above item regarding MailWest.)
It is important to understand that you must not simply 'dump' a notebook at your school before leaving! (In this circumstance you will very likely accrue large rental arrears before it is found and returned.)
Q. Are there any costs, fees or charges for ending my
Agreement early?
A. Yes and no. There are administrative costs
incurred with ending Agreements early, however these are not passed on
to participants. The only costs you will usually be liable for are
the cost of outstanding rental arrears (if any) or the cost of transport
to return the notebook to the Coordinator.
Q. I am retiring soon. Will I be able to buy my laptop?
A. No. The notebooks are provided on collective
'operating leases' which run for three years.
Q: My NFT contract is due to expire shortly. What are my obligations with regards to the condition of the notebook?
A: Your notebook needs to be returned in “saleable” condition. Any defect is your responsibility to rectify, and should be addressed within the period of your existing contract (which is also the period where your notebook is under warranty and covered by insurance). All parts must be in good working condition when returned, including the battery, so please do not delay having any repair work completed! (You may be charged for any required cleaning, repairs or replacements if you choose not to observe this requirement.) You must ensure the appropriate forms are completed and returned and that any important data has been saved or transferred to a new computer.
Q. When does my notebook need to be returned?
A. School principals will be advised (by our vendors, via fax) of the date when the returned notebooks will be collected from their school. This date will generally be around the third anniversary of the notebook’s original delivery to the Department.
You will also receive a mailed information pack some two months in
advance.
Q. How does the return process work?
A. When the Agreement expires, the notebook package must be returned to Perth to be checked and have the NFT operating system and software replaced with retail standard programs. You will be advised of the date and location (generally, your school) for return of the notebook.
You should contact the Department if you do not receive such advice
at least six weeks prior to the third anniversary of receiving the
notebook.
You should save any important data before handing in the notebook on the required date.
If you are re-enrolling in the program for a new notebook, the Department will endeavour to deliver the new notebook around a week prior to collection of the old machine, so that you may transfer your data to the new notebook. It is not possible to guarantee this and you should do your best to back up your data in advance.
Q. What should I avoid doing?
A. You must return the notebook on time and in good condition. To avoid charges for replacements or repairs you should not return your notebook package with any defects or missing items - please ensure any problems are fixed under the NFT insurance & warranty services, or at your own cost, as appropriate. This must be done before you return the notebook package on the required date.
Q. What documentation do I need to fill out?
A. A new registration form must be completed and
returned to the NFT team here at Central Office (if you wish to re-enrol in the program and obtain a new replacement notebook for another 3 years).
Q. How can I sign up for a new notebook?
A. When a round opens a registration form is available via 2011rounds.asp -
go into the current offer page; or ask your school’s NFT Program
contact person. You should complete and return the form to the NFT
team here at Central Office by fax (9264 5364) by the due date advised if you wish to participate in the NFT Program with a new notebook for a further three years.
Q. Can I take on a new notebook as well as buying the old notebook?
A. No.
Q. Will I have to hand back the old notebook before receiving the new one?
A. Usually, no. We and our agents will endeavour to deliver the new notebook approximately a week prior to the return date of the old notebook, to allow for transfer of data files. However, this will depend on a variety of factors and
no guarantee is made that this will be possible in all cases.
The 'bottom line' is that old notebooks must be returned on time
whether or not new ones have been delivered.
Q. Are there any changes to the terms and conditions covering my participation?
A. Yes. The wording of some conditions
has changed with some offers and new conditions have been introduced
over time. The main thrust of changes is usually to provide better clarity on your existing rights and obligations as a member of the NFT Program (and under broader Department of Education policies).
Q. What is the specification of the new notebooks?
A. Specification sheets for new notebooks may be downloaded from
news.asp
(follow the link to the current offer page)
Q. Does this mean I may have to pay contributions for my original notebook after returning it?
A. Yes if you are in arrears. This
may apply where your school failed to process the deductions soon after delivery, or if you have taken unpaid leave since then without making special arrangements.
Q. Will the contribution cost be the same for new Acer and Apple notebooks?
A. The contribution cost for an Acer computer is
$10.85 per fortnight and for an Apple is $17.30 per fortnight.
Q. Can I change notebook platforms (e.g. from an Acer to an Apple notebook) at the expiry of my
Agreement?
A. Yes (subject to the above-mentioned supply issue). However, you may not do so at any other time. You should be aware of the following points:
1) Central support for connection to school networks is not provided for Apple notebooks.
2) Some Departmental applications are not available in Apple versions at present, e.g. SIS.
3) Variations in your employment do not allow you to swap platforms.
For example, if you were to transfer from an ‘Apple-based’ school to a 'PC-based' school, this would be regarded as a foreseeable situation and would not be accepted as grounds for any changes to your Agreement.
Q. Am I leasing the notebook? Do my contributions go towards purchase of the notebook?
A. No. Teachers do not lease the notebook directly, rather, the Department leases notebooks in large
groups and provides them to teachers. Your fortnightly salary-packaged contribution covers roughly half of the
'raw' cost of leasing the notebooks. Other services e.g. insurance,
extended warranty and telephone support are
provided gratis.
Q. What if I am on leave at the time my Agreement expires?
A. You must make arrangements to return your notebook at the required time. If you will be outside Western Australia at this time, you may be able to end your
Agreement early and return the notebook before leaving the state. You should contact the NFT Program Administration
Section at Central Office on (08) 9264 5636 to discuss this.
Q. What if I am a temporary teacher?
A. If you hold a Fixed-Term position which comes to an end without an extension or further position becoming available, you must return the computer to the NFT
Program Administration Section in Central Office, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of registration. There is no fee or residual for this but if the notebook is returned after your pay has ceased then your contributions will be in arrears. You must cover any courier costs yourself.
Q. If I have to return a notebook, can I rejoin the program in future?
A. Yes. If you regain a teaching position with the Department within the term of a previous NFT
Agreement, you may be able to rejoin the NFT Program provided you remain eligible. In this case, you would usually be provided with
a used notebook of the same model that you previously held. If you
rejoin after the term of the previous NFT Agreement, you may select
a used notebook of your preference chosen from the models available,
or wait for the next offer on new notebooks.
Q. Is it possible to obtain a notebook outside the new replacement offer?
A. Yes. If you wish to obtain a notebook earlier than the next available offer on new notebooks - or with a shorter lease period than three years - “pre-leased” notebooks may be available. (This does not apply for current participants; i.e. you may not receive two notebooks at the same time.) Please
see this page for details, or you may contact the NFT Program Administration
Section at Central Office on (08) 9264 5636 to discuss.
Q. Is there a gap between delivery of a new notebook and collection of the old one, so that I can transfer data?
A. Yes. The Department endeavours to allow a one-week “cutover” period between delivery and pickups.
However, it is not possible to guarantee this and you should do your best to back up your data in advance. (It is good practice to make regular backups in any case!)
Q: What occupational health and safety guidelines exist
covering my use of the notebook?
A: The Department's Safety Consultant has provided
the following advice relating to use of notebook and desktop
computers:
· Discomfort as a result of strain to the shoulders, neck, arms and eyes is common among users of notebook computers. This can, in some instances, lead to occupational overuse injuries, also known as repetitive strain injuries (RSI). The likelihood of prolonged pain and possible injury is increased when the notebook is used for more than 2 hours in any one session.
· Strain often occurs due to the inability to set up a notebook computer in the correct ergonomic position (as the screen and keyboard cannot be separated) and through use in environments that result in poor posture (i.e. on the couch) or cause glare.
· Where possible, desktop computers should be set up ergonomically to minimise the risk of strain or injury.
· Consideration should be also be given to any staff member who has an existing strain or injury to the neck or shoulders, as carrying a notebook computer can further aggravate the condition.
The risk of strain or injury through notebook computer use can be reduced utilising some simple strategies such as:
· Angling the screen to minimise the need to bend the neck;
· Using an external mouse, keyboard and monitor where possible;
· Using a chair that maintains good posture; and reducing the need to carry the notebook (where practicable).
· Taking regular rest breaks (at least every 20 minutes - or more often if the set up is not optimal) to allow muscles and vision to recuperate;
· Using the notebook for no more than 2 hours in any session;
· Working in an environment free from glare;
· Using the notebook on a desk (rather than on the lap).
Further advice and information on reducing the risk of injury is also available from John Heyward, Department of Education Safety Consultant, at John.Heyward@det.wa.edu.au