Learning@School 2013: Update on Current Initiatives

Learning@School 2013: Update on Current Initiatives Number 1

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsGovernment programme • $1.5 billion being invested in a fibre network across New Zealand. • Schools and hospitals prioritised in the Government’s fibre roll-out. • Project managed by a collaboration of agencies including the Ministry of Education. • Aim to reach 97.7% of schools (99.5% of pupils) by 2016. • Remote schools to receive improved service through wireless or satellite technology instead of fibre. Number 2

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsWhy do schools need it? • Existing copper-based networks and connections in New Zealand schools are rapidly reaching their technological limits. • Better, faster internet connections will enable schools and learners to access an increasing range of tools and services to enhance teaching and learning, and improve administration. • Ultra-fast broadband uses fibre based networks and connections that can grow and develop as the world becomes even more dependant on the digital environment and its vast data needs. Number 3

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsWho’s involved? Overseeing the roll-out of fibre and alternative networks around the country Ultra-fast broadband in schools Set up to manage the fibre roll-out project Set up to develop content and provide services to schools on the network + other contractors Contracted to roll out the cables in New Zealand streets Ensuring schools are able to connect to the network and empowered to use it Number 4

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsMinistry of Education work programme • Connecting schools to the fibre network (the School Connection Project – SCP). • Upgrading internal network capacity so schools can make the most of the fibre connection (the School Network Upgrade Programme – SNUP). • Explaining and supporting ICT/e-Learning (in technical and pedagogical terms) in schools and the wider education sector (including Ministry staff and other government agencies) • Facilitating and maintaining a close working partnership with the Network for Learning Limited. Number 5

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsSchools Connection Project (SCP) • Connecting schools to the fibre network • Schools in 33 urban towns (population > 20,000) to be networked with fibre (through UFB) by 2016. • Schools in rural areas to be connected by fibre or wireless/satellite technology (through RBI) by 2016. • State and state integrated schools receive free connection from street to school. • At end Jan 2013, 1360 schools were physically connected to fibre. • Schools will be able to purchase services and content over the fibre network in the future. Number 6

Schools Connection Project (SCP) Number 7

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsSchool Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) • Upgrading internal network capacity – project overview • Upgrading internal data and electrical cabling to improve network performance within schools so they can make the most of the fibre connection. • Project will run until end of 2015. • At end Jan 2013 1100 schools eligible but not yet connected. • Upgrade cost is subsidised by Ministry: • State schools or kura receive 80% subsidy • State integrated schools receive 68% subsidy • Criteria and guidelines for schools considering upgrades available online (see: www.minedu.govt.nz/SNUP) • Minimum network standards have been developed for new schools and buildings. Number 8

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsSchool Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) • Upgrading internal network capacity – technology considerations • Mobile devices will soon outnumber desktop PCs as schools adopt Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programmes. Mobile devices need wireless connections. • SNUP with wireless proof of concept is being trialled in fifteen schools. Eventually all SNUP installations will have a wireless component. • Today’s smart hardware and software can control the effective distribution of wireless network bandwidth so that users receive a quality experience. • Some very small schools (e.g. those with one or two classrooms) might best be served by an entirely wireless solution. Number 9

SNUP - Data wiring and power upgrade Number 10

SNUP – Wireless overlaid on wired upgrade + Wireless hardware @ = Wireless Access Point(s) @ @ @ @ Number 11

Related initiatives Number 12

What is AoG? Are your numbers adding up? Number 13

All of Government Contracts for Schools What is AoG? • Just over a year ago New Zealand State and State Integrated Schools became eligible to sign up to any of the “All of Government Contracts” (AoGs) • These contracts are part of the Governments Procurement Reform Programme, negotiating single supply agreements between the Crown and approved suppliers for selected goods and services. • By harnessing the collective buying power of over 200 State Sector agencies, 80 local councils and 2500 schools, government has positioned itself as a “customer of choice” and consequently achieved substantial cost savings through greater efficiencies • By accessing these contracts schools are able to purchase the latest products from a number of different suppliers at a substantial discount. Number 14

Common “AoG” contracts for Schools • Computers • Office Consumables • Mobile Voice and Data • Print devices • Air Travel • Vehicles • For more information visit the “New Zealand Schools” page at www.procurement.govt.nz Number 15

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education TELA Laptop Scheme • 45,000 laptops in state and state-integrated schools. • 99% of principals and 88% of teachers use a leased TELA laptop. • Apple, Hewlett Packard and Toshiba are current suppliers. • Laptops are sourced using All of Government bulk-purchasing arrangements. • Telecom Rentals Limited is the Ministry’s service provider and delivers day-today management of the scheme including laptops repairs. • 0800 438 468 or support@tela.co.nz or www.tela.co.nz Number 16

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education School software agreements • The Ministry has agreements with Apple, Novell, Symantec and Microsoft which make a range of these vendors’ products available to schools at no cost. • The Ministry also provides managed internet services (MIS) that include web & e-mail filtering and firewalls for schools through Gen-I (Schoolzone), Watchdog, and Websense. • There were changes to these agreements in December 2012. • For more information about these changes and the Ministry agreements with the other software providers go to: www.ict-helpdesk.tki.org.nz

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education Cybersafety and cybersecurity • Netsafe provide independent advice and guidance for schools. • Cybersecurity threats (e.g. identity theft, online password theft, online image theft) are an increasing issue and Netsafe also provides support for these problems for schools. • For more information: www.netsafe.org.nz • School resources at: www.mylgp.org.nz Number 18

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education Student Management System (SMS) • Schools purchase their own SMS from a range of Ministry accredited vendors, however, state and state-integrated schools without an SMS (approximately 70) have been offered Ministry funding for one of three web-hosted SMS – the offer includes implementation and training, plus free hosting and support until June 2015. • Schools are able to use their own funding resources to change SMS . • In primary schools eTAP is the fastest growing and in secondary schools, KAMAR. • There are three main types of SMS in primary schools: eTap - 36%, MUSAC – 36% and Assembly 21%. • There are three main types of SMS in secondary schools: KAMAR – 65%, MUSAC – 26% and PCSchool 5%. Number 19

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education e-asTTle online assessment tool • The Ministry continues to host and support the e-asTTle product through Sector Service Desk and Evaluation associates. • Most in-depth training and support for schools to use the tool to improve teaching and learning is provided by Professional Learning and Development (PLD) providers on a user-pays basis. • The Network for Learning intends to provide e-asTTle over its network achieving an optimal environment for schools. • Current review and revalidation of the writing tool is being undertaken, in response to feedback from schools. Number 20

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education Parent Portals • Two Student Management Systems (KAMAR and eTAP) offer parent portals. Large numbers of schools are now using these and the numbers are growing rapidly. • The Ministry’s Student Management System IT team provided initial funding to support this, particularly for implementation and training in primary schools. • Limited funding is still available until June this year to support primary schools. • Other schools, using a Learning Management System (LMS), provide parental access to their students’ data through a data feed from SMS to LMS. Number 21

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education e-Portfolios • The Ministry’s Student Management System IT team is funding the hosting and support of the open source digital portfolio – MyPortfolio. The current contract runs until the end of December 2013. • There are now more than 1100 schools making use of MyPortfolio for students and staff with the SMS team is also funding ‘taster’ sessions and more advanced implementation training for MyPortfolio. • In addition many education organisations are using benefiting from the Ministry support of MyPortfolio, e.g. the NZ Association of Language Teachers, Canterbury University College of Education students (initial use also at Massey and Auckland), Aspiring Principals programme, He Kakano, provisionally registered teachers, NZQA, careers service, Youth Guarantee. • Schools can also purchase a commercial e-Portfolio at their own cost. Number 22

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education Learning Management Systems (LMS) • The Ministry’s Student Management System IT team has funded more than 250 schools into one of three LMS and/or a Parent Portal over the past three years. • Three Learning Management Systems (LMS) were offered (KnowledgeNet, Ultranet and Moodle). • Full Moodle support was included in this offer. • Approximately 100 secondary schools have their own locally hosted instances of Moodle, which is open-source software. • To gain more than minimal LMS use requires a school to have in-house expertise, hence the reason the Ministry included it in the offer above. • The Ministry offer is open (to qualifying schools) until the end of this financial year (30 June 2013). • Schools can also purchase a commercial LMS at their own cost. Number 23

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT) • CTL (Student Achievement) are managing the development of the PaCT. The tool will support teachers professional judgements in reading, writing and mathematics. • It is being designed to support teachers to make reliable and consistent judgments on National Standards. • It will enhance the measurement of learner progress over time – for students, teachers, parents, family and whānau, schools and sector level. • Currently the rubrics, that form the core of the tool, and the software platform are under development. • The tool will be available for schools to use at no cost in 2014. Number 24

Ultra-fast broadband in schoolsRelated initiatives – Ministry of Education Enabling e-Learning website • The Ministry’s Curriculum, Teaching & Learning (Student Achievement) and the Ultra-fast Broadband in Schools teams are jointly responsible for the Enabling e-Learning website. • The website was put in place to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for schools to access a wide range of information about Ministry support for ICT/e-Learning in schools. • The site is regularly updated and subscribers can receive RSS feeds and set up alerts from areas of interest. • http://elearning.tki.org.nz Number 25

Find out more:----------------------------------------------------www.elearning.tki.org.nz----------------------------------------------------howard.baldwin@minedu.govt.nz • Thank-you Number 26

Learning@School 2013: Update on Current Initiatives