Digital Education Revolution

1. Digital Education Revolution A 1:1 ratio of computers to students in Years 9-12 at Marist-Sion College Peter Houlahan, Principal

2. Our context • An increasingly digital world • Technology changes rapidly • Technological skills and ‘literacy’ are increasingly required for employment • Employment market changes rapidly

3. The Digital Education Revolution (DER) • Offered to all schools in Australia • A 1:1 ratio of computers for students in Years 9 to 12 • Funds are provided per machine plus some extra for infrastructure, teacher professional learning, software, etc.

4. Key Elements for Success • New technology must be Laptops/Notebooks • Easily available & accessible • Sturdy and reliable • Security of laptops at school • Families need to commit to Acceptable Use Policy and take responsibility for machine • Staff need to adapt teaching to make good use of technology • ICT support and maintenance facilities • Insurance

5. Our Pathway • With approval of the Board we are adopting a laptop program • Initially we will move to a 1:1 program at Years 10 – 12 complimented with a 2:1 program (making use of existing machines) for Years 7 to 9 • We must prepare for future changes which may one day include online assessment • In the future, it is possible that program will extend to junior levels

6. Do laptop programs really work? • Many lessons have been learned, researched, and added to the literature. • Successful Implementations take time • Sufficient Technical Support Structures need to be in place • School Leadership • Classroom Management Strategies • Teacher’s Attitudes and Beliefs • Teacher Professional Learning

7. “The focus will never be on the technology. Rather, it’s the learning that counts. It’s worth keeping in mind that laptops are only a tool. They’re at our disposal to make learning easier, and more enjoyable and meaningful for children.” (Holmes, 2008)

8. Teachers’ responses in a comparison of teaching with laptops to prior experience without laptops (Grimes & Marschauer, 2008): • ‘Students spent more time giving presentations’ 74% • ‘Students are more interested in class’ 84% • ‘Students help each other more’ 84% • ‘Students take more initiative outside class time’ 65% • ‘Students writing quality is better’ 57% • ‘Students overall quality of work is better’ 65% • ‘Students get more involved in in-depth research’ 85% • ‘Students work harder at their assignments’ 79% • ‘Students revise their work more’ 78%

9. A survey of student opinions showed very positive responses to the laptop program: • ‘Having a laptop helps keep me organised’ 75% agreed • ‘I would rather not use my laptop’ 78% disagreed • ‘I prefer to write assignments by hand instead of typing them on my laptop’ 70% disagreed • ‘I am more involved at school when I use my laptop’ 56% agreed, 29% neutral • ‘I am more likely to revise/edit my work when I use my laptop’ 73% agreed • ‘I do more school work when I use my laptop’ 52% agreed, 31% neutral • ‘The quality of my work has improved since I got my laptop’ 47% agreed, 37% neutral

10. Initial Deployment • 1:1 for 9 – 12 at least 300 extra computers • Yr 10, 2011 • Yr 9, Term 4, 2011

11. Challenges For Teachers & Parents • Cybersafety • Digital Citizenship • Effective Teacher Professional Learning • Time • Compliment contemporary teaching practices

12. How much extra will it cost? • At this stage, nothing extra. • The Government has already provided funding to the Catholic Education Commission to cover the cost of the computers. • The Federal Government has committed to ongoing funding of the program. • If there is a change in Government, it may affect how far the program goes.

13. Stuart Fankhauser Interdisciplinary Learning Co-ordinator

14. Changes • Technology will be integrated within students’ lives • Developing student responsible use and digital citizenship • Laptop Deployment Partnership with Parents • Importance/Use of our Learning Management SystemMy Marist-Sion (Blackboard) will be crucial to success

15. For us from here • We need work in partnership with our families • There will be many challenges (Think Donald Rumsfeld Known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns…) • We are having frequent meetings and getting expert assistance from the CEO • Team is in place, training of staff is underway

16. Ownership - Machine • School will retain ownership of the laptop(possibility of purchase for a small fee at the end of 3 years) • Laptop will need to be returned to the school prior to a student leaving the college • Policies on breakage & loss will form part of the agreement • All parents and students will need to sign the agreement prior to picking up their laptop (date to be determined)

17. Ownership - Software • As the laptop remains property of the College we are able to volume license software • The complete Microsoft Office package and Adobe Suite will be installed by default • The college will select other software which suits particular educational purposes • Software will not automatically install on the laptop • Drivers for home printers and other peripherals will be permitted

18. Ownership - Responsibilities • Unauthorised software will not be permitted • They must be kept sticker and graffiti free • Unless families opt for internet control software on their principle home computers, we recommend not allowing access to a home wi-fi network. This is however is a family decision. • All machines should arrive at school fully charged, ready for the day • Students must commit to using them appropriately in class, as a learning tool. At home they are to be used first and foremost for learning, afterwards…