Technology
Group of John Carroll students around a laptop

Technology at John Carroll

Technology in the Classroom

The John Carroll School continues to be a pioneer in student use of computers in the classroom, blending the best practices of traditional education with the advantages of 1:1 computing.

School-wide wireless access, high-speed Internet connectivity, and other infrastructure support the students’ use of technology.

Wireless Access, Hardware and Software

The John Carroll School provides wireless access in all student areas. In addition to the 1:1 program, the school maintains over 100 desktop computers in labs for specialized purposes including the yearbook, newspaper, literary magazine, CAD, digital photography, animation and the Language Lab. Local server space as well as cloud-based storage are provided for all students to ensure accessibility of student work. All classrooms have LCD projectors. Other hardware such as Smart boards, digital cameras, and document cameras are available.

John Carroll does its best to provide students with the most up-to-date software possible. The Language Lab was upgraded to a computer-based recording/language system to replace our previous cassette system in the fall of 2008. The library subscribes to several online research databases and turnitin.com, an anti-plagiarism service. AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite software packages give students experience with real-world productivity programs.

John Carroll utilizes several cloud and hosted solutions to provide anytime/anywhere access to resources and 1:1 learning tools including:

  • Office 365 (Email, OneDrive, Office Web Apps, SharePoint and Skype for Business)
  • Destiny (Library Card Catalog)
  • Google Apps
  • Veracross (student information system)

Veracross

Veracross is John Carroll’s enrollment, event and school information management system. Parents have the capability of accessing their student’s academic information. Assignments, grades and attendance information are accessible. Teachers generally update grades in Veracross bi-weekly.

Log in to Veracross as a current student, parent or teacher.

Log in to Veracross as an applicant or admitted student.

Have questions about Veracross? Check the Veracross Frequently Asked Questions page.

Media Center

The Media Center provides access to online databases, reference materials, fiction books and non-fiction books to assist and enrich student learning. The Media Center offers a quiet environment for students to work independently or in groups.

Technology-Based Courses

The School offers a number of Fine Arts Department courses with a technology component including Animation, CAD 1, Digital Imaging, Multimedia, Yearbook Journalism, and Newspaper Journalism. The Science Department offers Introduction to Engineering and Robotics through the STEM Academy. These have technology components as well. Many of the skills acquired through completion of these courses can be utilized in most other courses with student tablets.

Computer Guide for New Students

The John Carroll School continues its relationship with DSR, Inc., to provide an efficient method for purchasing the required computer. For students entering JC, we offer several Lenovo and Mac models.

Why Purchase from DSR?

Although families have many vendor options for the purchase of the computer, we recommend DSR for the following reasons:

Ease of Repair

  • Our relationship with DSR means that our Tech Support staff is authorized to perform several types of repair and maintenance here at school without invalidating your computer’s warranty. Furthermore, when a computer has a more serious problem, we experience prompt, accurate, pick-up and delivery service from DSR.
  • We recommend that you proceed with caution in buying from the big box stores or the online deep discounters. The John Carroll staff is limited in the service they can provide for computers purchased elsewhere.

Reputation

  • The John Carroll School has worked with DSR for over 10 years.
  • They provide prompt and expert service to our school.

Ease of Purchase

  • DSR accepts credit card or check.
  • DSR will ship the computer directly to the student. The John Carroll tech staff will provide information for the student’s email access, installing Microsoft Office, and other computer related items.
  • DSR offers both PCs and Macs at a range of price points. Additional warranties and accessories are also available on the site.

To Order from DSR

The process for ordering from DSR is straightforward. Please note that orders should be made no later than June 30th in order for computers to be delivered to the student before the school year begins.

DSR Computer Order Form

  • DSR, Inc., Phone #410-579-4508
  • Purchase computer via DSR
  • DSR will ship the computer directly to the student
  • The John Carroll tech staff will provide information for the student’s email access, installing Microsoft Office, and other computer related items.

Additional Recommendations:

  • Accidental Coverage Plan in addition to standard warranty (standard warranties do not typically cover damage from drops, spills, etc.)
  • Protective sleeve (Reminder: Students are NOT permitted to carry backpacks during the school day)
  • Internal or External DVDRW drive
  • Theft recovery program (Computrace)
  • Stylus tether cord (where applicable)
  • 4 GB or larger USB flash drive (for backups)

Purchasing Elsewhere:

Although John Carroll recommends DSR, you may decide to choose another vendor. In that case, we strongly suggest the addition of an Accidental Insurance Plan:

Even with the best of intentions, teens can make careless mistakes and accidents happen. Accidental coverage is listed as ThinkPad Protection Plan on the Lenovo models. Accidental coverage is available for the Mac via a DSR partner.

Minimum System Recommendations if Purchasing Elsewhere:

  • Computer must have a keyboard – NO slate versions, iOS devices, Droids, Chromebooks or smart phones
  • For PC – Windows 8.1 (Win10 recommended) (Professional or higher versions – NO HOME VERSIONS).
  • For Mac – Sierra
  • Intel i-series processor
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 100+ GB hard drive recommended
  • 1024×768 or higher screen resolution
  • WLAN : 802.11n (802.11a/b/g/n is typical, must work with n and 5GHz)

Additional Recommendations:

  • Accidental Coverage Plan in addition to standard warranty (standard warranties do not typically cover damage from drops, spills, etc.)
  • Protective sleeve (Reminder: Students are NOT permitted to carry backpacks during the school day)
  • Internal or External DVDRW drive
  • Theft recovery program Stylus tether cord (where applicable)
  • 8 GB or larger USB flash drive (for backups)
  • Note that you should NOT purchase Microsoft Office. Instructions will be provided detailing how to get MSOffice using your JC email account.