Digital Learning Environment Proposal

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

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. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 and Open Office which the district is currently paying thousands of dollars a year for. • Replacement of 400+ computers or 1-1.

8. 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.

9. 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.  

10. 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.

11. 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.  Conferences- Technology Instructional Coaches will be allowed to attend local and Regional technology conferences University Courses Aurora University –Masters In Teacher Leadership- Technology Specialist at MCHS Professional Networks Niles THSD, Pontiac THSD and Mooresville, NC.

12. COMMUNICATION An important part of a successful one to one initiative is a sound communication plan including the involvement of all stakeholders. -Advisory committees- students/parents -Parent Forums -Demonstrations

13. BUDGET • Students will have full ownership of the device(s) when they receive them as long as they fulfill the responsibility of attending MCHS through graduation. • A 1 to 1 plan would provide student with take home access of technology no older than four years rather than school only access.

14. Computer Rotation – 4 yr. cycle

15. 1-1 Rotation- 4 yr. cycle

16. Network Hardware

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

18. INFRASTRUCTURE Wireless Load Management • We currently have 25 wireless access points which are controlled and managed by a wireless controller, that helps direct computer connections to less congested access points in the area. • We will be looking at purchasing 46 access points to outfit the needed classrooms, including repurposing the old access points into other rooms. System Monitoring • We currently monitor internet bandwidth usage with tools provided from our internet service provider (Illinois Century Network). Traffic Management (Internet Filtering) • Students will only be filtered when they are on campus and connected to the Marengo High School network. Students who are connecting from the parking lot will also be filtered as they would from inside the building.

19. 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 We should see our student storage use almost completely disappear. Students will use DropBox, which is a free online storage service that is currently successfully used in other schools. Network Bandwidth The only foreseen bandwidth issue is the internet connection speed at which we are currently using two T1 connections which provide 3 megabits of Bandwidth which are being used at 5% or more during school hours. Regardless of whether we implement the 1-1 Plan, we need to increase bandwidth due to the increased usage of the internet by students and staff. We are currently awaiting the installation of a faster internet connection, Optiman with a speed of 11 megabits.

20. 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 last more than 7 hours, which is a typical school day. • A standard warranty gives us 30 days to find defects and return the item for a replacement.

21. MONTHYLY BANDWIDTH USAGE

22. DAILY BANDWIDTH USAGE

23. WIRELESS COVERAGE

24. POLICES AND PROCEDURES A number of forms, policies and procedures will need to be developed and revised over the next year prior to full implementation of the program. Acceptable Use Policy Student parent handbook 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.

25. END USER SUPPORT Ticketing System We are currently investigating ticketing systems which will easily enable us to record and track issues with each computing device. Loaner Netbooks Recommend an 8% to 10% loaner stock so that when a laptop or netbook does break we can provide temporary use of a loaner until the student’s device is repaired and functioning again. TECS The newly approved Technology Equipment and Computer Services (TECS) is a program that will serve the purpose of helping to provide support and service for staff and students.

26. SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND APPLICATIONS In order to keep cost down for the one to one initiative, we can eliminate the majority of our Windows need and still provide a great learning environment by utilizing free open sourceware. Linux, DropBox, Open Office.

27. 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. We will track the laptops by several numbers, the serial number which is on a sticker on the bottom (and retrievable through software) and the MAC address of the network cards (a code that cannot be changed).

28. 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.