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May 7, 2013 (9:00am) Informational Webinar - Recording of 5/7/13 webinar
May 9, 2013 (7:00pm) Informational Webinar - Recording of 5/9/13 webinar
June 13, 2013 - Opt-in Deadline - (Participation packet coming soon)
Proposals: Below are links to each of the five awarded proposals including the Hewlett Packard Primary proposal, the State's preferred proposal. The final solutions may vary slightly from what is included in each awarded vendor's proposals as contracts are finalized. As new details and specifics are known, they will be included on this site.
(please submit questions to mlti.project@maine.gov or at 624-6746).
Q1: The HP proposal calls for the use of MS Narrator, a text-to-speech application that comes with Windows 7+, as the alternative to VoiceOver on the Mac. However, Narrator is not full-functioning screen reader assistive technology for people with low vision and blindness. Do you have any plans of installing a full-functioning screen reader (example: JAWS, Window-Eyes, Serotek System Access to Go)?
A1: The MLTI RFP requirements called for a solution that was compatible with common assistive technologies and solutions. HP’s solution for MLTI includes some accessibility features out-of-the-box including Narrator, a basic screen reader that is built into Windows. For users who require additional assistive technologies, the Department will work with schools to provide those solutions as we have in the past.
Q2: Accessibility/UDL. Dictation and text to speech have been so valuable on the Mac. Are there comparable, simple, built in tools on the HP/Windows machine to interpret voice to text and text to voice?
A2: Speech Recognition in Windows 7 allows you to command your PC with your voice including the capability to dictate into almost any application. You can dictate documents and email and surf the Web by saying what you see. An easy setup process and an interactive tutorial are available to familiarize you with the speech commands and train your computer to better understand you. Learn what you can do with Speech Recognition and how-to set up Speech Recognition including how to set up your microphone, teach yourself how to talk to your computer, and train your computer to recognize your speech. Also explore how to:
Q3: Do you have an equivalent to Profcast?
A3: Profcast is available for Windows form its developer, Humble Daisy, Inc.
Q4: What antivirus software is included?
A4: Microsoft’s enterprise-focused Endpoint Protection service.
Q5: What is the student monitoring option being offered?
A5: The MLTI RFP did not require a student monitoring solution. MLTI’s professional development offerings will include a focus on student engagement and classroom management. For those districts that wish to purchase a student monitoring solution, HP’s student monitoring software, Classroom Manager, is offered as an option. The cost per license is $10. For more information on this solution the link is www.hp.com/go/HPClassroomManager. The HP team will gladly discuss the details this option with you as well.
Q6: Do we have to pay for each CAL license if we use Active Directory?
A6: The MLTI solution does not require an Active Directory infrastructure. However, for school that have an AD infrastructure, CALs for Active Directory are included in the base HP solution, so there will be no additional cost for that component.
Q7: Can we push out software updates wirelessly through a management software piece like Apple Remote Desktop?
A7: Over-the-air update functionality is included in the MLTI solution. Software pushes will be initiated through our support portal and that portal is available for tech leads as well as the HP team.
Q8: Do we have an indication on a deployment date for teacher and or student devices?
A8: The deadline for opt-in is June 13, 2013. Shipments for teacher devices are anticipated in the first full week of July. Student device shipments are anticipated in the first full week of August.
Q9: Will MLTI continue the use of the Consultative Model? If so, what if the school does not choose the HP option? Will MLTI continue the consultative model?
A9: Currently, based on our experiences with the Consultative Model, we will not be continuing that model. While conceptually a good idea, implementation proved to be difficult for both MLTI and the participating schools. The Consultative Model was one where we asked schools to sign up and agree to a much deeper engagement. Schools would work with us to identify needs, and we would schedule time in their buildings to provide custom training to meet those needs. However, due to scheduling challenges and others, the Consultative Model proved to be difficult to implement. At this time, the Department has put the Consultative Model on hold as we re-evaluate our professional development strategies.
Q10: Do we know yet if the high school staff will receive devices through MLTI if the HS is not 1:1 through MLTI? Also, will the district central office admin staff receive devices?
A10: High schools that participate in the MLTI will receive teacher devices and wireless network infrastructure. Eligibility for staff devices will remain the same with some potential additions that are still under discussion.
High schools (and middle schools) that implement the MLTI solution or one of the other 4 pre-approved solutions will receive Department support to cover the cost of the teacher seats and wireless infrastructure.
Q11: Does a school need to pick all laptop or all pad devices or can we have a mix?
A11: To some degree, a mix is OK. However, the Department does not believe it is a good idea to mix and match solutions within the same school. For example, 7th graders with ElitePads and 8th graders with ProBooks. If a district would like to deploy ElitePads in the middle grades and ProBooks in the high school grades, that would be fine.
Q12: How will you provide for pre-service teachers (i.e. student teachers)?
A12: We will provide devices for pre-service teachers during their placement as a student teacher as we always have. When they are student teaching, we simply have the school issue a device. If the school does not have an available device, the Department will issue an additional one to the school. In general, protocols for requesting additional devices will remain unchanged. Specifics will be published as details are solidified.
Q13: Are both options available at the same seat cost?
A13: The ElitePad and ProBook are unique and offered at two different prices. The seat cost for the ProBook solution is $254.86 per year for 4 years. The seat cost of the ElitePad solution is $314.28 per year for 4 years.
Q14: Are all applications mentioned available for both notebook and tablet solutions?
A14: Yes. The ElitePad is a full Windows 8 device. All applications compatible with Windows 8 can be run on both the ElitePad and ProBook devices. All applications compatible with either Windows 7 or Windows 8 are available on the ProBook. With the exception of some non-academic (ie device-specific support software), all educationally relevant software provided are compatible and available to both devices.
Q15: How will student laptops be assigned when students move from school to school?
A15: As in the past, when a student moves, if possible, the device will follow the student. In that case, the asset will be transferred in the asset management system. Upon receipt and acknowledgement by the receiving school, the asset record will be transferred to the receiving school’s asset pool. Once done, the device will automatically inherit any software localizations established by the receiving school so that locally deployed software can be delivered over the air to the device while software associated to the sending school will be removed.
Q16: What are specifications of the MLTI device (ProBook 4440)?
A16: The MLTI device will include 4 GB of RAM, a 2.5 ghz Intel Core i3 processor, and a 320GB hard drive. Teacher devices will include a DVD-RW optical drive. The student devices will have no optical drive.
Q17: Will the laptops come with Windows 7 or Windows 8?
A17: The HP ProBook 4440 support and are licensed for both Windows 7 and Windows 8. The HP ElitePad 990 is licensed and supports Windows 8. We intend to launch the program with Windows 7 on the HP ProBook 4440. As we have in the past, MLTI will work with schools to determine when an upgrade to the core operating system would be most beneficial to students and teachers.
Q18: Can we get additional details of the device management system proposed?
A18: The MLTI solution will leverage Dynamic Edge’s LabTech software. This will facilitate both over-the-air updates as well as reimaging of devices. Tech leads will be able to work with MLTI support personnel to apply updates and push software installations. Additionally, tech leads can initiate reimaging locally as well as install software manually without the need of coordinating with a support technician.
Q19: What is meant by district specific imaging, does that mean customization to each individual district?
A19: As before, the MLTI recognizes local school needs to customize and localize the MLTI device to better integrate into their school’s local infrastructure. The new MLTI solution will allow schools to not only develop localizations, but to include those localizations in the automated reimaging process maintaining the “one touch” image process.
Q20: We have a windows server network here, will these devices work with our existing services such as Forefront, SCCM, our Group Policy, our WDS server?
A20: The HP devices will be managed by the HP device management solution. Local tech staff will have access to our support portal that will allow you and your team to perform management actions on devices within your district. For specific management and localizations, as usual, schools will be able to apply any modifications deemed necessary, but depending on the level of localization and customization, MLTI may or may not be able to provide direct technical support. MLTI will always support the default MLTI image.
Q21: Classic Start Menu 3.6.7 - free app for Win 8 gets you your Start menu to look like Win 7 or XP if you want Win 8, but like the start menu. Can we use?
A21: Provided that the district has a license or the software is available for free, you can add this software to devices in your school.
Q22: Will there be a local caching server for updates, etc?
A22: There will be a hidden partition on each machine that will be "drip" updated to manage bandwidth that will allow updates and re-images to come from a cache within the machine itself.
Q23: How easy will it be to bind the devices to our AD domain?
A23: We can work on options for the HP device to trust your domain.
Q24: We often have IEP requirements that make us liable if we do not install apps immediately, or add adaptive equipment. Will we be able to have admin access to laptops to allow this?
A24: Yes, you have administrative rights on the device to install software and adaptive equipment immediately. If the software that you have installed is part of the quarterly base image then it will be automatically retained for the selected software and configuration manifest in the event the device needs to be swapped or re-imaged.
Q25: Do we have the ability to customize the image?
A25: The district will be able to have a school-specific software manifest customized for each school and class of user (teacher/student). This manifest will be installed upon reimaging on top of the default MLTI image. Additionally, you can install software manually, but manual installations will not be included in the automated reimaging process. MLTI will work with schools to incorporate localizations into their school-specific manifest.
Q26: ls the localized image on the hidden partition, or is the stock image on the hidden partition?
A26: The hidden image will have components of both the base and customized image.
Q27: Is the custom image going to be on a hidden partition, or the "stock" MLTI image?
A27: The hidden image is going to have both the base and customized image options in a compressed format, allowing quick customization once the device is assigned in the asset management system.
Q28: I would like to know the time per device to reimage these.
A28: Because the image is resident in a hidden partition, we anticipate that reimaging will be completed in a reasonable timeframe. As we finalize the default image, we will be able to determine more definitively how long the reimaging process will take.
Q29: Will your stock image prohibit students from deleting software that is part of the image?
A29: Students are certainly ingenious. We do implement controls to keep users from deleting software included in the base image, however in the event that a student finds their way around those controls the application would be re-installed either by our agent during its regular system sweep or during a re-image.
Q30: Does this mean that we have no control to add applications, prevent automatic updates that we may not be ready for (issues with IE and MSB and CaseE, for example)?
A30: You will absolutely have control to add applications to a machine manually at any time. Automatic updates will be only of MLTI-approved updates, so we will not be pushing auto-Microsoft or application updates in order to ensure that they will work in your community.
Q31: Are we limited to changing the image quarterly? On the fly additions?
A31: You can certainly add software on the fly, but only quarterly added software items will be immediately available on the machine upon re-image.
Q32: Is there a remote option to image multiple machines hands off?
A32: Yes, we can initiate re-images remotely so that you can kick off many at once.
Q33: Just to clarify, if a device has an issue and needs to be re-imaged, will HP be pushing out that remotely? Or will our tech complete this process using the hidden partition?
A33: A tech lead can self-initiate the re-image from the online support portal for devices in your inventory.
Q34: I see that there is an updated hidden partition for updating and re-imaging the machine. Can this re-imaging process be triggered locally or is it only remotely possible from an HP tech?
A34: The re-image process can be kicked off remotely by a HP/ENA tech or by the local tech lead via the self-service support portal for devices in your inventory.
Q35: Our Middle School is on Trimesters, so quarterly updates may not work with our schedule, making changes in the midst of a trimester.
A35: We can provide less than quarterly updates for your devices.
Q36: I was asking about what sort of accounts will be on the device? Will the student log into a local account? Or a domain account?
A36: Students will log into an account that is system generated, specific to that user and pushed to the device at device assignment in the asset management system. This would be a local account with restricted privileges.
Q37: Do you provide an over the air system for delivery of image updates?
A37: Yes, the MLTI solution includes over the air updates and re-images from a local, hidden partition that is also "drip" updated.
Q38: Do we have the ability to create the images before we receive the devices. For instance we have purchase one of the 4440 and would like to create the image before the end of July.
A38: The MLTI image is created and managed by the HP MLTI team. The MLTI team will work with schools to help them develop district and school customizations/localizations that may be required.
Q39: If a hard drive goes bad in a device is this something we can fix locally or will we need to ship for repair?
A39: Tech leads should return the device to HP for advance replacement of the device. HP does offer a self-maintainer program which districts can explore as an option. More information about the self-maintainer program.
Q40: How long is the expected turn-around time for depot repairs?
A40: Repair turnaround times are anticipated to be similar to what MLTI has provided in the past. MLTI will continue to maintain a goal of no student without a device for more than a school day. Schools will be provided a spares pool to be used as a loaner as in the past while devices are out for repair.
Q41: Is it possible to have a local (district) repair facility? Are parts available to districts?
A41: HP does have a self-maintainer certification program. More information about the self-maintainer program.
Q42: will there be in-seat PD classes for teachers this summer? (not video tutorials)
A42: Yes, we intend to deliver in-seat PD classes this summer in multiple locations including during MLTI Summer Institute July 23-25. Look for a forthcoming schedule soon.
Q43: You mentioned financing options...does this include PD sessions, or are these included in the seat price?
A43: As usual, professional development is included in the program at no additional cost.
Q44: Can you send individuals and teams to already scheduled institutes who are integrating technology into professional developments to work with the institute planners?
A44: Yes, as always MLTI is available to collaborate with districts and other association-based professional development conferences and institutes.
Q45: We are hosting a regional technology academy for educators this August - is it possible that someone could join us to present regarding the chosen device, features, how to use Windows 8, etc.?
A45: Absolutely. Please contact Juanita Dickson, Juanita.dickson@maine.gov and provide her details including dates and scope.
Q46: What does "where appropriate" mean when installing/upgrading wireless networks?
A46: The MLTI wireless networks will include instructional spaces, common gathering and study hall spaces, administrative offices, libraries and other academic spaces as has been the practice in the past.
Q47: What will the per seat cost be including the network?
A47: All costs associated with the installation, maintenance and support of the wireless infrastructure for participating 7-12 schools will be paid for by the Department. For districts that want to expand coverage beyond the 7-12 grade spaces, MLTI will work with you and our vendor partners to provide pricing specific to your needs.
Q48: What will be the outside-school connectivity availability for students who take the devices home?
A48: The MLTI device includes standard 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless network capacity as well as a standard Ethernet port to connect to home and residential Internet broadband connections. The MLTI device will also be able to leverage wireless networks as available in locations like Maine public libraries (http://www.maine.gov/msl/services/wireless.htm) and Internet cafes. All costs associated to Internet connectivity outside of the school are the responsibility of the user and are not provided by MLTI.
Q49: Will this solution require a completely replaced infrastructure for the wireless network in the schools?
A49: If your school has a pre-existing wireless infrastructure, the MLTI devices should function on that network. However, MLTI cannot provide technical support nor guarantee effective coverage or throughput on a pre-existing network. For all 7-12 participating schools, an MLTI-supported wireless network infrastructure is included at no additional cost to the school.
Q50: I am wondering about the networks specs in the RFP...it seems to be a downgrade from what we presently have in place.
A50: The MLTI wireless network is designed to provide necessary coverage and throughput to support a 1:1 learning environment. MLTI will continue to work with our vendor partners to provide wireless network infrastructure necessary for the teaching and learning needs of participating schools.
Q51: Can you explain the difference between our existing network and your network solution?
A51: From an end-users perspective, there is no difference in the networks. Both were and are designed to provide necessary throughput and coverage to support the teaching and learning goals of the schools.
Q52: Will the MLTI solution include software for music?
A52: The MLTI solution will include Songsmith. Songsmith generates musical accompaniment to match a singer’s voice. Just choose a musical style, sing into you’re the MLTI device’s microphone, and Songsmith will create backing music for you. To get a feel for Songsmith, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNPAWCRnTg0
Additionally, Musescore will be continue to be on the MLTI device.
