StudentMate™ FAQ
Q. How much memory does the StudentMate have?
A. The StudentMate comes with 128Mb of memory. Memory can be expanded via the use of USB Flash drives or SD cards.
Q. How long does the battery last?
A. Under the factory set power management, the battery will last all day before needing to be recharged overnight. The Li-Ion battery is rated at 500 charges, meaning it can be charged 500 times before needing replacement. If there's 180 days in a school year, that equals 2 1/2 school years.
Q. Does it run Windows?
A. The StudentMate is a Linux based computer which is transparent to the user. Key programs such as the Word processor and Spreadsheet are compatible with MS Word and MS Excel.
Q. How does it compare to notebooks?
A. The StudentMate is a "pre-laptop" for grades K-6, whose main function and focus is to improve student writing and internet research capabilities that will improve your state reading comprehension test scores. It accomplishes this using a simple text word processor called Notes, a Word compatible word processor and TuxPaint, thus enabling students to use the "3-step method" of word processing - content, appearance & illustration - to produce higher level writing content. Using the web browser, students will learn proper search criteria and "reading for meaning," rather than watching U-Tube videos!
Notebook and Netbook computers are designed for any and all applications, however they are overused for keyboarding & writing and underused for the graphic and web based applications they excel at. Their battery life is short, netbook keyboards are difficult to type on, their cost multiplies when the price of software licenses, warranty upgrades and constant maintenance is added, and if dropped, they are a "throw-away!"
The StudentMate was designed for the rough use of elementary students as an advanced writing tool in their hands all day, every day. The computer lab is now free for the web-based curriculum activities those machines were designed for, and your students are using StudentMates as their main writing tool. We call this a "2 for 1" deal!
What do I need for a wireless connection?
A. In order to connect the StudentMate to a wireless network you will need a wireless access point, commonly referred to as a wireless router, that is connected to the school or home Ethernet connection.
Q. How do we upgrade the StudentMate?
A. The StudentMate uses a unique upgrade path using the internet and SD card. You can periodically check our website for the latest free upgrade, and download the 2 image files to an SD card. Insert the SD card into the StudentMate's SD port, turn it on and follow the on-line instructions. In 3 to 4 minutes your StudentMate is reflashed with the latest upgrade!
Q. Can the StudentMate print to a printer?
A. Yes, the StudentMate can print via 3 methods:
- For class environment: Using our Student Admin Software (S.A.M.), that is included free with your StudentMate class set, the student wirelessly sends the file to the teachers Windows PC. The teacher has 2 choices - look at the file and decide if it is "print worthy" or allow pass-through printing without any intervention. This is the printing method of choice for a class set of StudentMates.
- For a networked environment: Using the StudentMate Network share application, send the file to your Windows active directory folder and print at another time from a PC on the network to the network printer.
- For individual users: Copy the file from the StudentMate documents tab to a USB flash drive. Take the flash drive to a PC or Mac, open the file and print. This is the printing method of choice for assistive tech students.
Q. How do I as the teacher know what the student is doing on the StudentMate?
A. Using our Student Admin Software (S.A.M.), that is included free with your StudentMate class set, the teacher can view the last 5 applications the student has been using. This beats running over to the student to catch a glimpse of their screen before they close the application they were not supposed to be in! They can wirelessly send you their file using S.A.M
Q. What parts of the StudentMate will have to be replaced?
A. The only part that will need replacing is the Li-Ion rechargeable battery, which should last 2 1/2 years before needing replacement at a cost of $50. The battery compartment is on the rear of the unit, accessible with 2 screws.
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