1:1 Training Plans

March 28th update on training plans related to the district moving to 1:1 chromebooks:  The following is a list of events that have been scheduled, as well as events that are still being planned.

NOTE:  Since we are early in the planning stages, you’ll see that this list is primarily focused on building support and capacity at the building level, so many of the sessions are focused on teacher leaders and other key building staff, who will conducting the building level training.

Already completed:

1. All staff accounts were activated
   All staff accounts in Canvas have been activated and staff were notified how to access and log into Canvas

2. Free online training videos in Canvas
   Staff were notified that hundreds of free online training videos are available within Canvas.
3. Free instructor-led courses available through Canvas
   Staff were notified that free instructor-led training are available within Canvas.

 

Upcoming events that are scheduled:

4. Monday, April 3rd:  Canvas Implementation Planning.
   Canvas is sending an implementation specialist onsite to West Des Moines to help plan the Canvas rollout. This includes work on expectations, communications, and PD planning

 

5. Mon April 10 and Tues April 11:  Secondary Teacher Leader Training
   Face to face training for approximately 20 secondary teacher leaders and other staff, led by a trainer from Canvas.

 

6. Wed April 12:  Additional Secondary Teacher Leader Training (am only)
   An additional half-day optional training from the Canvas trainer to help give secondary staff additional time for exploring Canvas and/or assistance with planning their building training.

 

7. Wed April 12:  Canvas Administrator Training (pm only)
   Half-day training session for district personnel on managing and administering Canvas.

 

8. Thur April 13 and Fri April 14:  Elementary Teacher Leader Training
   Face to face training for approximately 20 elementary teacher leaders and other staff, led by a trainer from Canvas.

 

9. April 28th:  Professional Development Day
   On April 28th, some schools are choosing to offer introductory Canvas training utilizing their buildings teacher leaders and/or other staff.

 

10. June 5th:  Optional Canvas training at select schools
    During the last contract day (make-up snow day), some schools are choosing to offer optional Canvas training utilizing their buildings teacher leaders and/or other staff.

Future events being planned:

What: Study group for LR credit

Who:  invited participation with max at 20

When:  late spring . . .mutually agreed upon dates and times

Where:  TBD (preferably LRC)

Why:  study groups are often used to create actual courses; this study group will be no different.  Topics/content and any additional instruction/resources will be used to create the course proposal for this summer’s offerings ( for Drake or LR credit)

 

 

 

What: 1:1 in the Classroom course (we will be offering this as face to face and an online version)

Who:  3-12 certified staff and administrators; decision needs to be made if classes will be customized (e.g., a session for elementary teachers vs. a session for secondary teachers)

When:  June – Spring 2018 (course offered during summer, fall and spring term)

Where:  TBD

Why:  With any new district-wide initiative, the district has offered courses for those teachers interested in learning about or extending what they already know.  These courses are offered for credit and will appear on the menu for this summer and each term in the 2017-18 school year.

 

Optional Teacher Leader Summer Training
Teacher leaders have additional summer days (typically 5) and we will be offering additional ½ day segments of training in July and August.  Dates, times, and topics have not been scheduled yet, but will likely be scheduled after the Canvas training is finished in April.

 

Want to help review protective case options?

A few weeks ago, I invited vendors to send in samples of their protective cases. So far I’ve received about 40 different samples.

Basically, all of them fall into three categories:  Shells, bags, and stay in cases.

 

 

 

 

 

Shell:

It’s just like a case that you buy for your phone, it fits directly onto the device.

PROS: It’s always with the device and provides the best protection.  Smaller than the other options and has a better chance of fitting into your existing bag/backpack.

CONS: It doesn’t store/carry the power charger, so there’s a better chance that you might lose your power charger.

Feedback I’ve received so far: This option has been preferred by high school students, since many of them already carry their own bag/backpacks.  The parent groups that I’ve talked to so far, they also prefer it for high school students, but have expressed interest in NOT using at 3rd thru 8th grade.

 

 

Bag:

Just a bag, something you store the device in, but you have to take it out of the bag to use it.

PROS:  It carries the Chromebook and the power charger together.

CONS: You have to take the Chromebook out of the bag to use it.  Would students actually use the bag? or just use their own?  If it’s nothing more than just a way to carry the device and doesn’t really protect it, is it worthwhile?

Feedback I’ve received so far:  Neither parents groups nor students groups have a preference for this category.

 

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Stay-in-case

A bag which not only carries the device, but you can open the bag to use the device.

PROS:  Used to carry the chromebook and protect it while its in use.  Most stay in cases comes with space to store the power charger.

CONS: If it’s too big or bulkly, will students use it? or do classrooms require students to use them (which is what is happening now at New Tech Schools that have 1:1 chromebooks)

Feedback I’ve received so far: Parent groups would like to see a stay-in-case for grades 3 thru 8, as they want the charger and the device together  – and they want the device protected while they are in use.

 

How will the decision be made and how can we provide feedback to the process?

During the month of March and early April,  I’ll be taking feedback from students, staff, and parents.  I’ve already been out to meet with some parent groups, as well as multiple student groups – but am looking to schedule additional meetings as well.  Just contact Brian Abeling, abelingb@wdmcs.org if your group is interested in seeing the samples and providing feedback.

Other options:

• Email Brian Abeling, abelingb@wdmcs.org with any thoughts, concerns, ideas
• Add your feedback to the comments section of this post.
• Or contact Brian to have him visit with your group/audience.