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1990 was my first encounter with First Class. A dial-up BBS system that I couldn’t afford but knew was the way of the future. I wanted to connect teachers, administrators and students in our district to begin working collaboratively. It has taken 15 years and I think we are almost there.
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1990 was my first encounter with First Class. A dial-up BBS system that I couldn’t afford but knew was the way of the future. I wanted to connect teachers, administrators and students in our district to begin working collaboratively. It has taken 15 years and I think we are almost there. Out of the Box ETC Courseware Home Page Construction Kit
FINALLY, A First Class, A-1 LearningNetwork-Windham Central Solution The Virtual School Network has helped bring technology off the shelf and move it forward in the district.
Quick Overview of District April, 2004 • The district: • 8 Elementary schools; 1 Middle/High school; 2 admin offices; Range from 25 to 425 students: Total = 1100 • Covers 365 sq. Miles • Most schools single grade or grade clusters • Teaching, support staff and admin approx 225
What Took us so long? • Access through High School hub • No central management • Tech-lethargy • Very limited Dollars for Technology • Small schools; small dollars
The Matches that Ignited Change • High School drops hub model • No Child Left Behind requirements • State Technology Grade Level Expectations • Desire to get more out of the districts investment in First Class SVTC First Class Project • Is that all there is?
Yarmouth School District Yarmouth Maine Dennis-Yarmouth District Cape Cod, Mass.
What Did We Want to do? • The system • To increase the use of technology in the schools • To keep costs ALAP (as low as possible) • To allow for individual school identity • To create district unity • To be cross platform • To grow with use and need • To provide new and useable web sites for all schools • Usage: • Meet the daily communication needs of staff • Easy to use – Low frustration • Easy to publish of school information • Non-techie management and content loading • Lots of people able to contribute directly (incl. School board) • Provide all teachers with easy web publishing for their classes
What have we accomplished? • Given professional accounts for all teachers and staff • Raised the level of awareness and participation by school personnel • Presented workshops, discussions, and trainings at all schools • Attracted school board attention and involvement with training • AND
TEACHER PAGES
What next • Add High School students into the system • Build up all school sites with CONTENT • Expand use of forms, form tracking and paper reduction • Reach out beyond classroom for collaborative work • Integrate local SIS actively into the system • Create on-line learning environments for PD and student use
Conclusion • Teacher logins and usage is UP • Messages are being posted and people are responding • Comments are coming in about web sites • We have a ways to go BUT we are moving forward • Special thanks to Bill, Tyson, Scott and all the great folks at LearningNetworks for helping to make this project an outstanding success. • Questions