LANCER ONE 

Important Questions to ask and some answers....

 

1. Why now?

This is a “Perfect Storm’ so to speak-  There is a budget surplus, the infrastructure is quite good, state and tech. plan alignment calls for us to address one-to-one,  there are other schools who have piloted similar projects,  there is an equity-moral prerogative to close the digital divide.

   

 

2. Is there something better to spend the money on?

    Audited surplus funds have always served a variety of roles.   Traditionally the school board has funded “special projects” and replenished the five year capital reserve funds.   Using the surplus for personnel, programs etc... will lead to more budget pressure in the future.

    

3. Does the implementation need to be 7-12?

    If our goal is equality and ubiquity, then yes.   And it is much easier to plan for a larger implementation then downsize as opposed to a small one that will end up being bigger.

 

4. What device will it be and why?

    The iPad2 16G Wifi model was chosen for several reasons.

    a. previous investment---125 already carts and individual teachers

    b. best solution for now but  could be adjusted.

    c. durability, mobile, lightweight, (At Enosburg -4% damage vs 15% netbook)

d. local models   MMU vs Enosburg and others showed that schools are capable of using these devices well in a one-to-one environment.

    e. IT approval- with idea that technology changes and progresses

    f. Sampling shows that fewer than % have access to tablets right now.   

 

5. Will there be training?

    Yes, the administration has committed to providing training to teachers and students.   In the High School, the IT team will be tasked with organizing this.  We have conducted summer trainings, after school trainings, and set-up a Haiku Learning Management Page so that teachers can gain essential skills at their own pace.

 

6. What is the goal?

    1:1- increased learning and student achievement is the overarching goal.  The basic goals of the program  Ubiquity or Universal Access to technology, Spontaneous Learning Opportunities, Equity, and Personalized Learning.

 

7. What if it gets busted? How about device management?

    Apple Care plus- $50.00 deductible for two replacements, theft deterrent in policy.

    Find my iPhone

    JAMF- Management of IOS devices through profiles, enforceable- (no wireless without accepting profile.)

 

8. How does the “Roll Out” work?

    Community and parent trainings will occur over the summer.  Meanwhile, devices will be set-up by the IT staff and perhaps some student helpers. 7th, 8th, and 9th graders will receive devices at the beginning of the school year.   Parents and students will join us for an iPad roll-out night where they will set up iTunes accounts, get cases and receive other important information.

 

9. Is the system sustainable?

Financially this program will cost approximately $ 160,000/year or $ 200/per year/student.

 

10. Is the infrastructure ready?

    Yes, our infrastructure is better than many other schools.  The Tech. Team is adding to our infrastructure and putting in place management software that will monitor device status and allow us to update devices campus wide.

 

11. What need does this program fill?

    The basic goals of the program  Ubiquity or Universal Access to technology, Spontaneous Learning Opportunities, Equity, and Personalized Learning.  Although many students have access to digital devices, access and type of devices varies greatly.  Providing students with devices will ensure that teachers and students will have a uniform platform on which to work, and access to a digital device anytime they need it.

 

12. What data do we want to collect?

    We want collect baseline data focused on our core goals as well as general information that our Student Information System will allow us to examine.  Things like grades, absenteeism.   We are also polling students and teachers as well as collecting information through video and interviews.

    

13.  How do we monitor student use at home?  What if they start playing online poker/ getting strange pics/communicating with weirdos using the device?

    The school will not monitor students at home.  However, we will provide acceptable use training and have the ability to restrict student’s access to the device if needed.   We are exploring a system called Anywhere Filter which will keep a filter on the device.   A program called Open DNS can also be used at home to filter content.

 

14. What about keyboards? are they included?

    Keyboards have been purchased.   After chatting with students we concluded that the best way to provide students keyboards was to keep them for check out in the library.

 

15.  What is the environmental impact of this initiative?

    Adding this many devices certainly has an environmental impact.  We plan to add some efficiencies and reduce paper consumption.   iPads use significantly less energy to run than laptops and desktops but it is a consideration.   This is the link to what Apple says it is trying to do to help stay green.

 

http://www.apple.com/environment/

 

16.  There was something on the site about the students not being able to have off campus internet access.  Does this mean that they cannot use their IPADS at home to go online (if they have internet at home)?

 

Students who earn the right to take the iPads home will certainly be able access the internet at home, at the library, or even at a friend’s house if they are collaborating on a project.  One of the goals of the program is to take “digital learning” opportunities beyond the walls of the school.  

 

17.) Well what happens when non-responsible parents allow their non-responsible kids to have one of these devices and the device breaks?

Like Textbooks and other school resources that are sent home the school has a system in place for collecting fees from parents.