Laptop Requirements and Tech Support
- Jennifer Carney
- Susan LaRonde
Digital Literacy & Equity: Our Laptop Requirement for the PDS (2024-25)
Digital literacy is a key theme woven across the PDS. You will learn about and with different technologies, tools, and literacies that will become part of your practice as a teacher. To ensure each of you has an equitable opportunity to learn in this area, we require you to have a laptop that meets the minimum requirements to take full advantage of learning activities*.
Who needs a laptop?
Students entering the Professional Development Sequence (PDS) in the following teacher certification areas are required to have a laptop:
- EC-6 ESL
- EC-6 ESL Bilingual
- Special Education
- Urban Teachers (UTUT)
- UTeach Fine Arts
Which laptop do I need?
You may use a Mac or Windows laptop, as long as it meets the following specifications. Chromebooks do not meet the requirement.
Minimum Specifications
- 8 GB memory
- 256 GB hard drive space
- Apple: macOS Monterey
- Windows: Windows 11
Will an iPad or similar tablet meet the requirement?
iPads do not meet the requirement; they lack a physical keyboard, and mobile operating systems do not work well with some online learning tools.
Where should I buy a laptop?
You may purchase a laptop from the vendor of your choice. The Campus Computer Store and manufacturers such as Apple and Dell offer discounts for students.
What will I do with my laptop?
Digital learning is embedded courses and in targeted digital literacy activities throughout the PDS.
For more details, go to:
Where can I go for help?
- For a digital literacy activity or questions, contact Dr. Karen French at kdfrench@utexas.edu .
- For hardware troubleshooting or equipment checkout, email the ITO Help Desk at help@education.utexas.edu.
- For Canvas, Zoom, or email help, contact ITS at help@utexas.edu or 512-475-9400.
* Because the requirement is in place, cost will be included in your financial aid package from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Visit Texas One Stop (https://onestop.utexas.edu) with questions or for more information.
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