Technology has always been a part of learning. From the quill to the ball point pen, the chalkboard to the whiteboard, and from the slide rule to the calculator, students and teachers have been using the current technologies of the day in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Today's students have access to a wide variety of new digital technologies from cell phones to video games in their personal lives. They will live their lives in a digital world with high speed Internet and anytime anywhere access. They learn and use these tools quickly and proficiently.
The intent of this project is to bring current technologies into the process of teaching and learning. To combine current technology and learning in a way that our students can achieve their full potential and be prepared for life.
We envision providing our teachers with access to current technologies within the classroom for the creation and presentation of materials to students. A classroom environment where students take the initiative in their education and teachers serve as a guide to assist students in reaching their goals.
We envision providing students with a laptop that they will be able to use to be productive and creative both at school and at home. One to one access can provide opportunities to extend the learning experience beyond the school day, and provide a variety of resources to which students may not currently have access. Students will be using the laptops and resources to conduct research, develop projects, and create products which demonstrate their learning.
The 8th grade pilot program is an opportunity to implement the ideas in this project in a controlled way in order to determine what works well and what doesn’t work. The goal of the pilot is to gather information which will aid us in developing plans for the future of integrating technology and learning throughout the district.
Unlike the high school, the middle school grades are mostly self contained with no mixing of different grade levels within the core academic classes. This way, we can set up the pilot to ensure that all students in each of these classes has a laptop. The 8th grade students are the oldest group of middle school students and the closest to graduation, and the 8th grade teachers are excited and well prepared to take on the challenge of this pilot while maintaining a quality learning environment for the students.
Students whose parents have given written consent will be allowed to take the laptop off school property. The school district is hopeful all parents will give consent so that each student can have this opportunity. The school district sees the laptops as an instructional tool, much like a textbook. Taking the laptop home will allow the student to extend their learning beyond the school day.
We understand that this is an expensive piece of equipment. The district is insuring each computer against loss or theft and against damage. If the computer is lost or stolen, the parents will need to notify the school immediately by calling 741-8091 so that the school can file a police report. They will only be responsible for a maximum $100 fee toward the deductible of the insurance policy. Given that today many textbooks that the district purchases are near or above $100 each this fee is in the same range as could be required for some lost textbooks.
The district has warranty coverage that will pay for any necessary repairs due to equipment failure for a limited time and has budgeted for any additional repairs that may need to be made after the warranty period expires.
The district will maintain a supply of loaner laptops to provide to the student until their laptop is repaired or replaced and given back to them.
No. The district will not be providing Internet access at home for students. However, if you already have high speed Internet at home students can use their laptop on the Internet with your permission. They can connect either wirelessly or with an ethernet connection. If dial-up is desired, the parent may purchase a usb modem through the school for a minimal cost.
Access to the Internet will often help with communication or research; however, students can still be productive with the laptop without access to the Internet.
The laptops will be configured so that no matter where they are used to access the Internet, all Internet traffic must go through the school filtering system. However, no filter system is 100% effective. It is essential that we teach students to be responsible users of the technology, and that we carefully monitor students use. It is recommended that parents establish rules and guidelines within their home for their child’s internet use. If requested, the district can disable the use of the Internet from home and limit it to accessing only the district web site for students to obtain school sanctioned materials.
No. There is no technology that will replace an effective teacher in the classroom. The laptop is a powerful instructional tool that will support teachers in targeting and differentiating instruction.
Our four core 8th grade teachers that are involved in the pilot have been receiving extensive professional development with both on-staff and outside trainers to help them prepare for this challenge. Determining what types and how much professional development is needed is one of the pieces of information we hope to learn through this pilot project.
Parents have been invited to attend a launch night on January 31st at 6:30 pm at Union City Middle School. At that time, the program will be explained and parents will have an opportunity to see some of the technologies to be used in the classroom as well as ask questions about the pilot project. Parents will also be asked to sign the consent form so that students may be assigned the laptop when the project begins.
That is not the intention of this initiative. Our library system has for some time incorporated technology as an integral part of its system. Our system is a good example of how libraries can mix digital media with books and other forms of media. We believe that there will always be a place for a good book and we will continue to encourage students to read books as much as possible. Reading a computer screen is not the same experience as curling up with a good book.
In terms of textbooks, the intent is not to replace what we have, but to enhance what exists. In the future, it is possible that some content areas will adopt online text books or use other digital media, but that remains a possibility, not a requirement.
For the pilot project, the district is using funds that would have otherwise been designated for purchasing more traditional technology purchases like desktop computers. Funding for any future expansion of the project has not yet been determined.
No. One thing we hope to learn from the pilot is what age levels are appropriate for students to be able to have a laptop assigned to them. As we learn from our experience with the 8th grade students, it will guide us in deciding what technologies, including laptops and other devices, are best suited for each grade level.
We will continue to gather information from the pilot as well as through contacts with other districts and resources that can aid us in developing future plans. When we will be able to make decisions about future plans is uncertain now. That will depend on what we learn from the pilot project. At this time, nothing in regard to future plans for other implementations has been firmly decided.