DonorsChoose Technology Guidelines

Guidance to commonly asked questions about technology and a list of devices supported by GCS Technology Services. Please use this information to support development of successful grant and DonorsChoose projects:  

1. Who owns devices secured through grant or DonorsChoose projects:

• Technology received through DonorsChoose becomes the property of the school, per DonorsChoose policy.
• Technology received through grant projects becomes the property of schools in most cases. Please consult grant award agreement for guidance. 

 2. What to do when your new technology arrives:

New equipment is required to go through two important steps, so devices work properly and can be supported by GCS Technology Services:

• Registering devices in the GCS technology inventory
• Formatting devices so they are added to the GCS network and software is installed properly

3. Here is the three-step process to follow to register and format new devices

• As soon as any devices are received, please visit https://gcstcs.gcsnc.com to create a technology support ticket. Be sure to include your name, school, and classroom number.
• The Tech Support representative assigned to your school will contact you and schedule a time to pick up devices from your classroom. You will have an opportunity to talk with your representative about any questions you have regarding your device.
• The inventory and formatting process generally takes only one to two business days, unless an order contains a large number of devices.

4. What equipment does GCS Technology Services currently support?

Computers:

• Grades 4-12: Teacher device is the Lenovo 300E Chromebook; student device is the Lenovo L15
• Grades PreK-3: Teacher device is the Apple MacBook Air; student device is the Apple iPad 10.2 - 256 GB

Please note: At this time, new orders for Dell devices are not allowed. 

Audio-Visual:

• Interactive Projectors (require mounting/installation):  Epson 685 Bright Link with mount; faceplates, cabling, and installation; and whiteboard if not already installed
• Non-Interactive Projectors (used on a cart, do not require mounting): Epson PL107 and Epson 530 Short Throw Projector

Please note: If mounting is requested, please contact Technology Services for installation cost.

Document Camera: 

• Lumens DC193 and AVerVision F17-8M

Televisions and Classroom Audio Enhancement:

• Television: Samsung Commercial TV available in several sizes. Please contact Technology Services to discuss mounting and installation.
• Audio: Lightspeed 955 Access, Flexmike, and TCQ multimedia speaker; Lightspeed Redcat Access with Flexmike