What We Would Like to Have:
WORKING TECHNOLOGY
∑ Student Tech Corps: with a space (maybe the corner by the Coordinate entrance) and extra training
∑ Enough outlets to charge them
o docking stations
o possibly battery charging stations instead of just laptop charging stations or extra batteries
∑ Network capacity capable of handling the extra load
∑ WebSense: can teachers have the option to unblock web sites?
∑ Furniture that accommodates new tech needs: maybe hire a consultant in addition to talking with faculty
KNOWLEDGE
∑ Better understanding of where students are with their tech knowledge
∑ Poll each department to find out which apps are important for their department
∑ Teacher training: clear time frame to learn new technologies
∑ Student training
SOFTWARE
∑ More seamless way to receive and hand back assignments digitally: in box and out box in shared server
∑ Software that allows teachers to see what is on each screen
∑ Software/hardware that allows students to project their screen to the SMART Board
∑ Airliner Slate: to write on SMART board from their desk
**Airliner requires BlueTooth (600 series boards. Most classrooms are 500 series boards)
CLEAR POLICIES
∑ Clear, established rules around using the laptops and the Acceptable Use Policy
o Possible 9th grade teachers meetings to keep discussions going
o Incorporate Kate Butler and Nina Coffin in conversations over summer
∑ Transparent relationship with CHA and knowledge of where they are going too
∑ Communication with parents for expectations
∑ Shared, universal language with a certain number of steps that everyone must follow to ensure the success of the program
TIMELINE
While they're wasn't a clear date suggested, my feeling was the consensus was for a during the year launch. this certainly wasn't unanimous. Exactly when remains undecided and it should reflect meeting the needs of students and faculty not necessarily calendar dates. To that end it prepares us well to continue exploring the needs, outlining them, and planning how to achieve the collective goals/needs.
Attendees:
Stephanie, Sarah, Janelle, David, Steve, Scott, Magaret, Christine H., Jenn, Pete
Peter DiDonato
May 1, 2008 1:03 PM
Good meeting today.
In addition to the notes and suggestions above, The Tech Team will continue working on:
-testing (and most likely) increasing wireless bandwidth in the US this summer
-working on for summer opportunities for faculty that is both education and tech based (this professional development should carry over into the year and be on-going)
-continue working on the new Student Tech Core program (including a better name!)
Sarah Sullivan
May 1, 2008 2:26 PM
I had one additional thought about timeline and incorporating student input. I would love to have some kind of poll or student focus groups of current 8th and 9th graders before the summer starts to get input on things like:
-What they currently use laptops/computers for both at home and at school.
-How they learn to use new software.
-How to phrase/enforce the Acceptable Use Policy.
-What types of software, etc are they familiar with now.
-....???
It just seems like student input and involvement is going to be key to getting the program to work and I would love to get them into the process before the summer starts. Maybe this is already in the works...
Ellen Fishman-Johnson (unauthenticated)
May 5, 2008 5:47 PM
Just found this on the ADE listserve from a school with 1 to 1-some good ideas.
Obviously "they can be lost, stolen, broken" but what does your plan have in
place to deal with these issues? What kind of penalties are there? We had
mandatory insurance but I don't think that was enough. It seems there ought
to be some investment on the student's part beyond money. Maybe those that
damage computers have to put in community service- possibly in the help
desk? Are you going to mandate cases for the laptops? Do you provide them?
Do you allow substitutions?
Have you set up standards for how students will transport the computers from
class to class as well as to and from school? Basic training and
enforcement from teachers and parents on these factors will really help
decrease breakage. We had training at the beginning of each year to address
all this.
Theft and loss were really pretty minor problems for us (Henrico County, VA)
compared to breakage.