This document discusses the implementation of a 1:1 laptop program in a school district. It outlines the rollout plan, including which grades would receive laptops and when. It also covers topics like infrastructure changes, policies around laptop use, technical support and warranty information. Student and parent feedback is positive, noting improved writing skills and the ability to better capture and organize ideas. The district aims to shift to more student-centered, project-based learning models with the laptops.
19. “ Laptops have only affected me positively…my writing in Language Arts has been affected…the ideas I have are recorded much faster making my papers reflect more of my ideas and opinions. GREAT JOB PEWAUKEE! I think I speak on behalf of all students when I say, we greatly appreciate it.”
The Pewaukee School District recognizes that our students will be expected to compete in a global, digital society. The 1:1 Teaching and Learning Initiative will provide an environment that prepares students to successfully and ethically create, collaborate, and communicate in the 21 st century. The emphasis is on quality instruction, NOT on the technology itself. Ted McCain, author of Understanding the Digital Generation , puts it in these words: “It’s about the ‘headware’, not the hardware.”
PSD Teaching & Learning Framework
A strong focus of the 1:1 initiative is on student learning. A recent study of 997 U.S. schools, conducted by the One-to-One Institute, found the schools with a 1:1 student to computer ratio outperform non-1:1 schools on academic measures. According to the study, "The daily use of technology in core classes correlates highly to desirable Education Success Measures [and] was one of the top five indicators of better discipline, better attendance, and increased college attendance." Students at the middle and high schools will have daily opportunities to infuse technology into their learning. During the 2009-10 school year, both teachers and students in grade 8 attributed increased organization, communication and collaboration to the use of the laptop as an instructional tool.
Much planning and background work has gone on in the implementation of this initiative. A district planning team visited several Wisconsin districts that have successful 1:1 laptops programs, asking questions about implementation, teacher training and instructional design. The planning team also read current research and literature on the topic, as well as conducted a conference call with the Michigan Dept. of Education to discuss their Freedom to Learn statewide laptop implementation. During Phase I of our implementation, ACMS was outfitted with wireless networking, allowing for teachers to access the needed resources for professional development and instruction. Comprehensive staff development was ongoing throughout the first year, focusing on best practice, instructional design, and authentic use of technology to support student learning and inquiry. A planning team met weekly discussing logistical, operational, and financial aspects of the initiative, as well as instructional implications for teachers and students. In the spring of 2009, the team conducted a thorough product evaluation process, including RFPs, vendor presentations, and product evaluation.
During the second phase of implementation, a more robust wireless infrastructure was added at ACMS, providing teachers and students access to all network resources. After a 2-day boot camp providing intensive training on the laptops and other technology related topics, grade 8 students were issued a laptop for use during the instructional day to support their inquiry and learning. Professional development continued on a weekly basis, providing teachers with support and opportunities to share best practice. After a thorough evaluation of student laptop use during the first semester, it was determined that an instructional need warranted the use of the laptops outside the school hours and students were able to use the laptops on a 24/7 basis. Discussions on the expansion of the 1:1 Teaching & Learning initiative led to Phase 3, which will included the high school as part of the implementation over the next 3 years. All PHS teachers received laptops in January 2010 and weekly training provided teachers instructional support for lesson design. Planning teams at both the middle and high schools met on a weekly basis, laying out plans for a successful implementation. Product evaluation and selection was also completed in the spring, allowing ample time for processing the order and readying the laptops for student use in the fall. During the summer of 2010, work on the managed wireless network provided a wider range of access throughout the building. Both middle and high school staff had professional development opportunities during the summer to create courses and add content using Moodle, an online course management system. In the fall of 2010, students in grades 7 – 10 will receive a laptop to support their learning and instruction. Implementation will continue through the fall of 2012, then expanding the program through the high school grades.
Students will be issued a district laptop for educational use on the first day of school. In grades 7 & 8, the students will begin with an 8/5 model, allowing them to use the laptop during normal school hours. ACMS students will transition to a 24/7 model at selected dates during the first quarter. Students in grades 9 & 10 will be allowed 24/7 use of the laptops beginning on Sept. 1st. Content filtering is provided on each student laptop for use when accessing resources outside of the District’s network. Lightspeed Systems’ Web Access Manager allows us to provide students the same filtering and security when the laptops leave our network. Sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace are blocked by our content filters. Should parents notice these sites accessed on the student laptops at home, District personnel should be notified. The District does not block e-mail communication sites, such as Gmail or Yahoo mail, so students do have access to these. When the laptops are taken home by the student, it is the expectation that it will ALWAYS be used in a common family location so that adult supervision can be maintained at all times. Students should not be isolating themselves from others when using their computer. Students will participate in a boot camp during the first days of school. Training will be provided on topics such as technology-related policies and procedures, the general care & maintenance of the laptop, file management, and course specific applications such as Moodle & OneNote.
Each laptop computer is the property of the Pewaukee School District and is issued as an educational tool and should only be used in that capacity. Failure to comply with the District’s Acceptable Use Policy, and all guidelines and procedures will result in loss of laptop privileges and is subject to disciplinary action. The district reserves the right to demand the immediate return of the laptop at any time. Before a laptop is assigned to a student, the parents or guardians must assume financial responsibility for the laptop charger and case by signing the Student/Parent Technology Agreement form. Replacement costs and/or repair for damages that occur to the laptop or its carrying case, while assigned to a student are the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian. A completed and signed Student/Parent Technology Agreement form from a parent or guardian must be on file at the school office before a laptop may be taken home. As previously mentioned, when the laptops are taken home by the student, it is the expectation that it will ALWAYS be used in a common family location so that adult supervision can be maintained at all times. Students should not be isolating themselves from others when using their computer. Parents/Guardians have the right to their child’s login password in order to facilitate in the supervision of the student’s computer usage at home.
The student laptops are covered under the manufacturer's standard parts & labor warranty. This does not cover physical damage caused by negligence or willful acts. If damage to the laptop is deemed to be wanton, willful or purposeful, the parents or guardians will pay the full repair/replacement cost of the laptop, protective sleeve and/or AC power adaptor. (District Policy Nos. 3100.04, 3400.09) Students should take care to protect the laptops from damage and theft. If the laptop is lost or stolen when outside of school grounds, it should be reported to the local police authorities and school personal immediately. Parents or guardians are financially responsible for any lost or stolen laptop that is not recovered in good working order by the authorities. To assist parents with the liability, the District has purchased an insurance policy. This policy has a $100 deductible per claim and covers damages due to vandalism, fire, falling objects, water damage, as well as theft. It does not cover any mechanical failure, normal wear and tear, accidental damage, or flood. This policy includes full replacement cost of the laptop plus the extended warranty coverage. There is no upfront cost for families to participate in this policy. Fees will only be assessed should damage occur to a laptop. Should damage occur to a student’s laptop that is deemed to fall under a category covered by the policy, a claim will be submitted and the parent will be assessed the $100 deductible fee. The student will receive a new laptop with a full extended warranty. Should the damage fall into a category not covered by the policy, the parent will be assessed the full cost of the laptop repair or replacement. The student will receive either the repaired original laptop, or if assessed the full replacement cost, a replacement laptop.
Mathew Needleman – video Mr. Winkle Wakes, tells the story of how Mr. Winkle, upon waking from his 100 year nap, goes inside a business and is astounded by busy people and strange sounds – people talking to others in locations across the globe, able to see each other on screens that sat side by side. This made him feel uncomfortable and sick. He walks down the street to the hospital and upon entering sees men and women being kept alive by machines, lasers and xrays being used in surgery, things he never dreamed as possible. This place isn’t making him feel better so he leaves and walks as far as he can. Mr. Winkle comes upon a school and as he enters he sees students sitting in desks in neat rows, teachers lecturing and students taking note. There is no outside intrusion and Mr. Winkle feels comfortable and at home, as he did before his 100-year nap.