Digital Learning Environment Proposal

1. Digital Learning Environment Proposal Dr. Dan Bertrand Dave Engelbrecht, Dan Kane, Terie Engelbrecht

2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES • To provide each student with a netbook computer so all students have computer access 24/7. • To continue to provide students with up-to-date technology to use as a learning tool • To create a digital learning environment by using the netbook as an essential tool in the delivery of each student’s curriculum and instruction on a daily basis. • To improve student’s awareness and skill development in using web based resources to increase their achievement, critical thinking and problem solving skills. • To teach 21st century literacy skills and extend each student's learning opportunities. • To enhance school-home communication through the use of technology.

3. Connection to the Districts Mission and Vision • To become a Model school and our belief statements reference to students being technologically literate and to be able to think critically and solve real world problems. • We envision a school in which students are actively engaged in learning through the full integration of web based instructional tools and curriculum resources using a blended instructional approach.

4. Why one to one computing? • The previously mentioned goals can be summarized in the four reasons listed below. • To enhance student learning. • To develop critical thinking. • To improve efficiency. • To enhance communication.

5. NETS for Students 2007 1.Creativity and Innovation- Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. 2. Communication and Collaboration-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. 3. Research and Information Fluency-Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making-Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. 5. Digital Citizenship-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. 6. Technology Operations and Concepts-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

6. To enhance student learning.Using Technology….. Engagement: Involves students in the learning process. Empowerment: Transforms the teacher from authority-expert to facilitator when the students are guided to use technology to find answers online. Differentiation: Provides greater opportunities for differentiation for students. Cooperative Grouping and Collaboration: Conducive to group work, team problem solving, etc. and allows students to work collaboratively to complete a technology-based activity.

7. To develop critical thinking. • Problem-Solving and Project-Based Learning: Promotes a positive shift toward more project based, hands on learning, away from lecture based learning. • Transparency: Digital files can provide documentation of the processes the student has engaged in to solve problems.

8. To improve efficiency. • Efficiency: organization and distribution of electronic learning materials, grading of multiple choice questions. • Archiving: Allows teachers to more efficiently save and document student work digitally for archival purposes. • Fiscal efficiency: The district can save money by using free open software applications such as the Linux operating system, Google Docs and Open Office which the district is currently paying thousands of dollars a year for. • Replacement of 400+ computers or 1-1.

9. To enhance communication Access to Information & Communication: Access to an incredible array of information sources, media, and communications. School-Home Connections: Increased accessibility if the students have computer and internet access in their homes. Preparation for College & Career: Allows for a smooth transition from school to work and school to college.

10. DLE Program for Students • Over a 4 year period of time, students will purchase a new netbook computer by paying a $75 per year technology fee. • 1 replacement extended life battery during the 4 years. • a charger and a padded bag to transport the netbook in. • Free and Reduced Lunch students will receive a loaner computer which they will have to return at the end of each year. • Students and parents will be required to attend a 2 hour orientation program in August where they will pick up their netbook, log in and go through training.

11. DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS • 1.7 gigahertz ATOM processor -a common and standard speed for netbooks • 2 gigabytes of RAM memory -the amount of memory within a laptop • Three or more USB ports -this should allow for multiple devices such as a mouse, CDROM, and USB drive to be plugged in simultaneously. • Extended life battery – will initially last more than 7 hours, which is a typical school day. • Charging stations will be available in classrooms and other public locations throughout the school. • A standard warranty gives us 30 days to find defects and return the item for a replacement.

12. NETS for Staff Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity- Teachers use their knowledge ofsubjectmatter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS Model Digital-Age Work and Learning-Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility - Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership-Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.

13. STAFF DEVELOPMENT The role of the teacher will significantly change from the “sage on the stage” to a facilitator of student learning while providing students with projects and problems that are both relevant and rigorous. Teachers must use new methods and technology tools to transparently incorporate them into the curriculum.  

14. Student & DLE Staff Survey Results • All students were surveyed in December. • All student netbook users were surveyed in January. • All AP Chemistry students (24/7 users) were surveyed in January and interviewed by Dr. Bertrand. • All DLE teachers were surveyed in January. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrPp19FtypE

15. Teaching in the Digital Classroom • Teacher is an active participant and facilitator in each student’s path of discovery and exploration. • Teachers need to explore innovative ways to deliver content and continually transform their techniques to keep pace with the rapidly changing technologies. • Digital content makes the learning process much more active, mobile and tailored to the individual needs of students in a diverse classroom environment.

16. Digital Learning Environment Pilot Group • Math • Shellie Kamminga • Nate Wright • English • David McCafferty • Social Studies • RJ Meyer • CTE • Sarah Shanks • Special Education • Alan Garrard (LifeSkills) • Anya Ostapcyzuk • Science • Terie Engelbrecht • Kirstin Murphy • David Anderson

18. Professional Development The goal is to transform teachers who use technology only as a secondary crutch into Digital explorers who are committed to using technology creatively to improve the classroom experience. Technology Instructional Coaches– Technology Instructional Coaches will serve as “coaches” that provide a more personal approach to helping colleagues integrate technology into their curriculum and instructional practice in place of 6th assignments. Conferences- Technology Instructional Coaches will be allowed to attend local and Regional technology conferences Professional Networks Niles THSD, Pontiac THSD and Mooresville, NC.

19. Instructional Support- fall • Terie Engelbrecht met every two weeks with each DLE teacher. • The DLE group met at least once a month. • DLE group members served as a resource for each other. • Cecilia Frank attended the Tech Camp and is working with staff to integrate technology while utilizing reading strategies. • Monthly Tech Workshops were offered to all staff.

20. Instructional Support- Spring/Summer • On Feb. 17th we will have a full day Institute where DLE teachers will share how they have used Web 2.0 tools . • Each freshman teacher who did not attend Tech Camp will receive 4 half days of training on Edmodo and Google Docs. • We will offer each freshman teacher two days of training with Terie to prepare them for the start of the year this summer. • Aug. 6-10th – we will host a 5 day Tech Camp

21. COMMUNICATION We have used multiple methods of communicating with our parents. • Newsletter • Emails • Student Advisory Committee • Parent Advisory Committee • Parent Forums • Parent Tech Workshops

22. PROGRAM FINANCES • Cost analysis was updated comparing 1 to 1 and maintaining current hardware. • 1 to 1 costs are based upon each student receiving a netbook with replacement battery and carrying bag. • Revenues include a $75 annual payment. • Maintaining and updating current hardware is based upon a four year replacement cycle of 460 computers. • Over an 8 year period of time there is a net savings of $26,431.

23. INFRASTRUCTURE • Wireless Load Management • System Monitoring • Traffic Management (Internet Filtering) • Load Balancing • Storage Evaluation • Network Bandwidth

24. INFRASTRUCTURE Wireless Load Management • We currently have 42 wireless access points which are controlled and managed by a wireless controller. • We will add 29 additional access points to increase our wireless access for all classrooms. System Monitoring • Internet bandwidth usage is monitored with tools provided from our internet service provider (Illinois Century Network) as well as MRTG tool suite. Traffic Management (Internet Filtering) • Students will only be filtered when they are connected to our network.

25. Internet Access for Students • 83% of our students have internet access at home with 72% having high school internet. • Students will be able to access the network/internet from the parking lot 24/7. • Upon entering the building in the a.m. (5:30 a.m.) • After school until 4 p.m. and can take the Homework Haven bus home.

26. INFRASTRUCTURE Load Balancing The controller will look at the surrounding access points to see what their status is, and then make computers join the much more capable access points. Storage Evaluation Students will use DropBox and Google Docs which are free storage services that can be accessed anywhere. This should free up storage so that it can be used in other in-depth applications. Network Bandwidth We are currently using a fiber optic connection called Opt-E-Man which provide 20 megabits of Bandwidth which is being used at 75% or more during school hours. With the increase of Web2.0 tools in classrooms we will need to increase bandwidth We are currently investigating redundant internet services at this time.

27. MONTHLY BANDWIDTH USAGE2010-2011

28. DAILY BANDWIDTH USAGEJanuary 2011-2012

29. WIRELESS COVERAGEPre Implementation

30. Implementation Plan RED – Current Access point Locations (new access points) Blue – Current access point locations (repurposed access points) Green – Planned Access point deployment Orange – planned parking lot access point locations

31. POLICES AND PROCEDURES Forms, policies and procedures will need to be developed and revised prior to full implementation of the program. Acceptable Use Policy Student parent handbook Netbook Agreement A mandatory technology night will be held annually each fall for all freshmen students and their parents. The program will be interactive, informational and training as well as instructions on the care and use of their new netbook.

32. END USER SUPPORT Ticketing System We have developed a ticketing system which will allow us to track problems and repairs to computers as well as usage. Loaner Netbooks We will have 8% to 10% loaner stock of netbooks from the ones used this year so when repairs are needed or a student forget theirs. TECS The Technology Equipment and Computer Services (TECS) program will serve the purpose of helping to provide support and service for staff and students.

33. SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND APPLICATIONS To contain costs, we can eliminate the majority of our Windows usage and still provide a great learning environment. We will use more free open source tools such as Google Docs, Dropbox, Open Office while using a Linux operating system.

34. DEVICE PROCUREMENT, STORAGE, SECURITY • An adhesive sticker with the student's ID information (picture, name, and ID number) will be placed on the lid of the laptop. • Netbooks will be tracked by the serial number which is on a sticker on the bottom and the MAC address of the network cards.

35. SUMMARY We truly believe this proposal presents an exciting opportunity to move our school to the next level in regard to student achievement, innovative curriculum and instruction, rigor, problem based learning and college to Career readiness. We have a quality staff starting with Dave Engelbrecht and Dan Kane and teachers who are willing to try new things. I am confident although it will not be easy and it will not be without some issues and concerns, we are ready for this exciting, challenging opportunity to engage our Students deeper in their own learning through a school- wide Digital Learning Environment.