Technology Planning Meetings

During the past month, we’ve had several rounds of technology planning meetings – each focusing on how we can provide more resources directly into the hands of students.  Although our school district has no current plan to provide a device for all students (known as 1:1), we are looking at how we can make changes to our current expenditures to provide more resources directly to students.

 

Much of the discussion was about the elimination or changing of existing resources –  hence, the picture of the stop sign, a we are talking about what things we can stop doing in order to afford desired changes.  Among the discussions:  elimination of Microsoft SharePoint, moving from Microsoft Exchange to Google for email, and moving to on-line storage through Google Drive. 

 

The feedback from the meetings is being reviewed now and within the next week we’ll be publishing the list of upcoming changes for technology services.

Committee to study “why?” related to 1:1 technology

As announced last week, the school board has requested a committee to study the “why” related to 1:1 technology. (for more info, see: http://wp.me/s1JF02-11study)  Our next steps are to identify who will be on the study team, which is outlined in the information below.

What tasks will the group *NOT* be responsible for?

1. No discussing devices: There is no need to compare technology devices – we do NOT have approval for deploying 1:1
2. No discussing roll out plans:  There is no need to discuss which grade levels and/or which schools are impacted.
3.  No discussing time frames:  There is NO approval for 1:1, so the time frame / deployment options does not need to be discussed at this time.

What tasks/questions will the group be responsible for?

1. What are the pros / cons of providing devices to students?
2. What are the benefits and anticipated results of going 1:1? If we did 1:1, what do we expect to see as results?
3. What specific benefits are other districts seeing as a result of 1:1?
4. Gauge community (staff, parents, community) interest in 1:1

When will the group meet?

• First meeting:  Feb 18th, 4pm to 6pm at the LRC
• Second meeting: Feb 26th, 4pm to 6pm at the LRC
• Following the 2nd meeting, we are anticipating some visits to other in-state districts to study why they are doing 1:1 and what results they are expecting.
• Next meeting: date has not been set, but expect to share visits and compile results.

What is the make up of the study committee membership?

• Each 7-12 school will have a number of representatives:  VHS(4), VSW (2), WCC(2), ST(2), IH(2).  
• Elementary schools will have a total of (4) individuals. 
• We’ll also be seeking administrators and parents, along with two school board members.

I’m interested in being on the group – who do I talk to?

• 7-12 Staff:  Contact your building principal to let them know you are interested. Each 7-12 school may use their own process to decide their representatives.
• K-6 Staff:  Contact Brian Abeling to let him know you are interested.  He’ll work with elementary principals to make the final determination on the elementary spots.
• Parents:  Interested parents should contact Brian Abeling (abelingb@wdmcs.org)

If the meetings are outside of contract time, will teachers be compensated?

Yes, teachers will be compensated for any meetings outside of contract time.  At this time, we’re anticipating 3 meetings outside of the normal work day.