The 1 to 1 Community RSS feed

New Facebook Privacy Settings - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:23:37 GMT

Please share this with your students, staff, and parents.

With the new Timeline look going into effect on ALL Facebook accounts on February 15, your previous privacy settings will NOT be in effect. Most everyone's account will be wide open; i.e. your info, wall, photos, etc. will be accessible by anyone with a FB account, friend or not.

The following article is a great guide to helping you understand the new privacy settings.

http://howto.techworld.com/personal-tech/3336013/how-to-secure-your-facebook-profile-in-a-post-timeline-world/

Graci

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Great Plains Google Summit Announcement - Jason Everett

Jason Everett — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Your Nebraska Educational Service Units (ESUs), in partnership with the Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA), the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) and Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) are excited to bring you the first Great Plains Google Summit to be held at Lincoln Southwest High School in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 19-20, 2012.

http://www.greatplainssummit.org/

The Summit has something Google for everyone! We have strands for technology directors, school administrators and classroom teachers! All presenters are invited Google Apps for Education Certified Trainers from across the country. International educational technology leader Jeff Utecht will inspire you to implement flipped instruction models for all content areas and help you get set up with the Google Ninja program to systematically train teachers, parents and students in Google Apps for Education. Iowa Superintendent Andy Crozier will inspire Administrators to use Google Tools to lead the district. Youtube STAR classroom teacher Jim Sill will be here from California to help educators maximize Youtube as an instructional resource. Molly Schroeder from Minnesota will turn you into a Google Search Superhero and outline how to become a Google Certified Teacher yourself! Join Jeff, Andy, Jim, Molly and other presenters from around the country to learn more about all of Google Tools potential to improve teaching and learning!

Registration will open on February 14 ("Feel the Google Love!") and is limited to the first 500 to register, so register early! We look forward to seeing you in Lincoln this summer!

See PDF flyer available here: http://goo.gl/9SNT8

Please feel free to share with friends and colleagues you know may be interested in this exciting opportunity. On behalf of the planning committee, thank you!
Jason Everett

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Internet Safety & Digital Citizenship Contest 2012 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The ESUs of Nebraska in partnership with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office are sponsoring an Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship Poster and Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest for students in K-12 Schools in Nebraska.

This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about Internet safety and responsible behavior in the digital society that now pervades our world. Creating a poster, video, or audio PSA forces students to dig deeper into an aspect of digital citizenship and formalize their ideas and beliefs into an artistic and lasting format that can be shared with other students and the community.

I am always amazed at the creative and astute submissions from students of all ages.

Deadline: March 9, 2012

Send entries on the ESU 10 route or by mail to:

Graci Gillming
ESU 10
PO Box 850, 76 Plaza Blvd
Kearney, NE 68848

For more contest information and the entry form, visit ESU 10 Internet Safety Contest Guideline 12.pdf

Visit http://blog.esu10.org/internetsafety for more Internet safety and digital citizenship resources as well last year's winning entries from the local and state competition.

I look forward to receiving these great projects. If you have any questions, contact me at ggillmin@esu10.org or 308-865-5664, x-229

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Remote connection for 1:1 Schools meeting - 1/31 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:47:30 GMT

To make it easier for those wanting to make a remote connection, ESU 10 will be streaming the 1:1 Schools (formerly Laptop Schools) meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan 31. You can connect via your own computer rather than a DL cart.

To view the meeting:

1.    Open your favorite browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, etc.).
2.    Enter in the following URL – http://vc.esu10.org
3.    Click on the "Live Videos" tab at the top and select the live "Distance Learning" video. You will see a live non-interactive stream of the meeting.

To participate (ask a question):
4.    Open up another window in the same or a different browser – http://todaysmeet.com/esu10
5.    Enter your name and click Join.
6.    To let us know you’ve joined, please add a message indicating that you are watching the streamed site.
7.    If you have questions anytime during the meeting, please enter those questions on the http://todaysmeet.com/esu10 site. We will be monitoring the questions and will raise them for you. (There will be a few second delay.)

You may want to use two different browsers and resize each window fitting them side by side so that you can follow the video stream as well as monitor the chat in the Today’s Meet site.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Graci
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Graci Gillming
Technology Training Coordinator
Educational Service Unit 10
PO Box 850, 76 Plaza Blvd
Kearney, NE 68848
Bus: 308-865-5664 X-229
Fax: 308-233-9066
www.esu10.org
ggillmin@esu10.org

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1:1 Schools Meeting - 1/31/2012 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:14:59 GMT

Register now for the
1:1 Mobile / Laptop Schools Meeting
January 31, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CST
ESU 10 - 76 Plaza Blvd - Kearney, NE

The Laptop Schools meetings are expanding their horizons by including topics related to other mobile devices , such as iPod/iPads, cell phones, GPS as well as laptop computers, that can be used in a 1:1 learning environment.

Please view the Working Agenda at http://sn.im/1-1schools1-31-12 and add items that you would like to discuss.

Register at https://odie.esu10.org/workshops

For more information, contact Jane Davis at jdavis@hpspanthers.org or Graci Gillming at ggillmin@esu10.org.

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Digital Wish Data - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:19:07 GMT

Digital Wish 1:1 Computing Initiative Spans 27 Vermont Schools - Data Available Today, National Replication Kit Available in December

http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/news?id=143

Manchester Center, VT - October 25, 2011 - Vermont may be a small state, but it has been the epicenter of a project with the potential to transform modern American learning. For the past three years, Digital Wish, a non- profit on a mission to solve technology shortfalls in American classrooms, has been modernizing classrooms throughout Vermont and carefully studying the process in order to create a model for replicating their 1:1 computing success on a national scale. The result of Digital Wish's research is the 1:1 Technology Implementation Kit, an extensive collection of materials scheduled to be released in December of 2011 through www.digitalwish.org. The kit will provide schools with a step-by-step guide to every component of implementing a one-computer-per-child initiative (1:1 computi ng) to ensure their programs' success and sustainability for years to come. These tools were used to implement programs in 28 schools, and both teachers and students from across the initiative are reporting a wide array of gains including increased engagement in learning, technological proficiency, and dramatic increases in the understanding of internet safety issues. The 2010-11 data report is attached.

Digital Wish spent over a year researching successful and failed 1:1 computing initiatives across the country prior to implementing their own strategies. This intensive research period resulted in the identification of eight strands which must be addressed in order to build a sustainable 21st century learning program, such as leadership, community engagement, and curriculum. The absence of just one component creates a much higher risk of the initiative failing downstream.

Pilot Phase - 2009-2010
With endorsements from Vermont's major educational associations of principals, school boards, superintendents, IT coordinators, teacher's unions, and six regional training centers, Digital Wish raised over $150,000 to fund four pilot sites in the 2009-2010 school year. Across the pilot classrooms, trainers experimented with sharing computers between students, implementing mobile labs and computer carts, and crafting comprehensive 1:1 computing environments. The Digital Wish team found that learning gains were so much higher in schools with one-computer-per-child that they abandoned shared computing and mobile computer labs, and pledged to only support 1:1 initiatives on a larger scale.

Early results gathered through simple student surveys from the pilot schools show impressive statistics that support the importance of making 1:1 computing a top priority for schools nationwide. Data from the pilot surveys showed:

73% of students agree that schoolwork is more enjoyable when using a computer.
85% of students report that they produce better work and pay closer attention to lessons when they use a computer.
95% of students report that it is important to have their own computer at school.
Technology utilization doubled and even tripled across subjects for students and teachers, with biggest utilization increases realized in English and research.
Within 3 months, comfort level with computing increased in every classroom.
86% of students say they get work done more quickly when using a computer.
85% of students report that having technology in school is important to their future.

**Please note that all statistics were gathered through informal surveys and Digital Wish does not make any conclusive "research-based" claims.

Through these early stages, Digital Wish gathered the resources and support necessary to scale the initiative statewide. According to Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish's Executive Director, "It's extraordinarily difficult to develop a successful initiative from scratch, because there are just so many decision points. Every school we enter is facing the same issues, and making the same decisions, and also making the same mistakes in isolation. It's an incredible waste of resources. We've implemented so many sites now, that we can explain the downstream ramifications of nearly every decision and stop schools from taking a wrong turn very early in the process. These hard-won lessons can be scaled across the state."

Implementation Phase, 2010-2012
After securing $1.125 million from the Obama administration's ARRA stimulus funds, Digital Wish planned the implementation of their school modernization program in 24 more schools statewide as a partner in e-Vermont: The Community Broadband Project. The trainers constructed six curriculum units based on the NETS standards for education, which were then taught throughout 24 schools. These curriculum units will be made available nationally as online courses and as part of the 1:1 Technology Implementation Kit. In addition to the courses, the kit will include all of the model policies, printable worksheets, step-by-step leadership strategies, press plans, and sustainability resources necessary for any school to adopt the successful strategies.

By replicating their successes and strategies from the pilot program and building upon what they found successful as they worked in the 24 additional schools, Digital Wish's School Modernization Initiative saved valuable resources and time.

"The first site took eighteen months of planning from our first contact with the school, to passing out computers in the classroom," said Heather Chirtea, Executive Director of Digital Wish, "Our current deployment will reduce the entire planning process down to just two months."

Survey data was collected from 719 teachers and students from 24 schools across Vermont. Most of the data reflects the differences in responses between the pre- and post- initiative surveys. The complete data report is attached. Listed here are some interesting reported gains:

Workforce Prep - 93.1% of students say having technology in school is important in preparing them for the future.
Importance - 90.2% of students say that it is important to their education to have their own netbook/computer during the school year.
Comfort Levels - Over 50% more teachers reported they are now very comfortable with Internet research and safety, increasing from 40% to 63%.
Skill - Teachers say that less than half as many students are considered beginners with computers, a decrease of 13% points from 23%. They consider approximately 1/3 more students to be advanced computer users, a 10% point increase from 25% pre-deployment, to 35% post-deployment value.
College - Students who plan to go to college increased from 90.2% to 91.3%, a 1.1% point increase.
Frequency - The number of students who use a computer every day in the classroom more than doubled the pre-initiative levels, increasing from 24% to 52%.

Not all gains are measurable, and teachers commonly reported a wide array of anecdotal gains:

Students are engaged.
In 1:1 computing classrooms, students view the computers as "their own" and therefore take better care of them.
Computer breakage rates are lower and behavioral infractions have been reduced with the threat of their computer being taken away.
Students are becoming technologically fluent 2-3 times faster.
Socio-economic barriers are no longer relevant as students from different wealth classes, who would never previously work together, are suddenly partnering on classroom projects.
A peer-coaching dynamic has emerged.
New student leaders have begun to develop from all levels of the social strata. Some of the largest gains have been made by the low-achieving and special education students who tend to be more visual learners.

"It was a real treat to see the changes in these classrooms firsthand," said Eric Bird, lead classroom trainer for the Digital Wish School Modernization Initiative, "When we began, most classrooms had only a few outdated computers. I've seen enormous gains in student engagement. You really don't understand how important this is until you find out that the decision to drop out of school is made at the middle school level. We're raising engagement levels with students in grades 4-6, hopefully before the decision to drop out ever gets a chance to take root."

Bird continued, "Students and teachers have become technologically fluent very rapidly; learning independently and solving real world issues. We implemented a unit where students would study local businesses before being challenged to create their own business ideas. For many students, this was the first time that they had ever envisioned themselves as entrepreneurs. It's a real game changer as students plan their future, and we've already secured funding to implement a multi-grade mentorship program for the Fall."

Replication Phase
Digital Wish recently won an $80,000 grant award from the Dell YouthConnect program to replicate the Vermont successes in one additional school in Nashua, NH. The guidelines and strategies that were developed across 27 rural Vermont sites are now being tested for replication in a more urban environment at the Nashua School District.

"It's amazing how rapidly we've worked through the planning process at Nashua," said Sheila Marcoux, Digital Wish's technology integrator for Nashua. "All of the planning, documentation, usage guidelines, permission forms, and tough decisions were already mapped out. Nashua is avoiding a bevy of common errors that schools tend to make when they implement a new one-computer-per-child initiative."

Community Impact
After Digital Wish implemented their 1:1 computing initiative across multiple sites, they began noticing the staff, administrators, and community at large rapidly shifting their assumptions about the need for technology in classrooms. Computers were no longer something that "someone else" had to deal with. Instead, they became an assumed part of every learning experience. Each of the 2009-2010 pilot schools scaled up their technology programs within one semester of Digital Wish's arrival. One town voted to increase their school's technology budget from $5,000 to $50,000 in the following school year – ten times the original amount originally allotted for educational technology.

"Students were truly engaged with their learning as soon as the computers entered the classroom," said Chirtea. "Digital Wish envisions a day when every student in America will have access to their own computer for learning. My favorite moment in the initiative was when a student exclaimed, 'I wish I could stay in 5th grade for the rest of my life!'"

Digital Wish - Nationwide
On a national scale, Digital Wish has granted over 26,000 classroom technology wishes through its online network of over 56,000 teachers at DigitalWish.org since August 2009. By granting these wishes, more than ten million dollars in technology has been placed into the hands of educators. By offering the 1:1 Technology Implementation Kit, as well as many of the most sought-after educational technology products, Digital Wish has become the premier resource for schools and communities looking to implement successful 1:1 learning environments.

"No matter where you live, the combination of ubiquitous technology access and proper training in 21st century skills is critical to bridging the learning gaps and providing equal opportunities for students in every socio-economic class," said Chirtea. "We have a moral obligation to give every student the skills they need to thrive in the rapidly growing global economy. We've done the research and now it is time to replicate our success on a national scale. It's America's turn to get involved."

In response to the rising community engagement, Digital Wish recently added online fundraising to its website in order to give schools a way to reach into their local communities for sustainability funding. Now parent organizations and educators can build a fundraising website for classroom technology that includes credit card processing in just a few mouse clicks.

For more information on Digital Wish's School Modernization Initiative, visit their website at http://schoolmodernizationinitiative.wordpress.com/ or go to DigitalWish.org today.

About Digital Wish
Digital Wish (http://www.digitalwish.org) is a non-profit on a mission to solve technology shortfalls in K-12 classrooms. They study technology integration in local schools then scale successful programs nationwide through the website at www.digitalwish.org. Their website is designed to help teachers locate much-needed funding for classroom technology. Teachers make technology wish lists, and supporters make those wishes come true. Over 26,000 technology wishes have been granted. Digital Wish provides a host of fundraising ideas and allows teachers to e-mail and print their technology wish lists so that parents and community members can contribute. For more information, please visit http://www.digitalwish.org.

###

Digital Wish School Modernization Initiative
2010-2011 Survey Results (DRAFT - Data will undergo final review)

Organization: Athena Council (D.B.A. "Digital Wish")
Contact: Heather Chirtea, Executive Director,
heather@digitalwish.org
Phone: Dir (802) 549-4571, C (802) 379-3000 F (845) 402-7242
Websites: http://schoolmodernizationinitiative.wordpress.com/
http://www.digitalwish.org
501(c)(3): Approved August 26, 2008

About the Surveys

If you would like to cite data from these surveys, please credit Digital Wish.

All data is self-reported by students and teachers who participated in the initiative. Data was collected from the 24 schools participating in the School Modernization Initiative, collected through an anonymous survey conducted on www.surveymonkey.com. The data is broken into two groups:

Round 1 - 12 schools participated in the Initiative for eight months, from November 2010 to June 2011, covering four to six different technology units.
Round 2 –12 schools started in April 2011 and the data reflects the first two months of participation in the Digital Citizenship Unit.

The same questions were asked in both the pre-initiative and post-initiative surveys. According to the data, the students showed increases in computer literacy, rising comfort levels with technology, and overall increases in engagement. The data reflects the difference in the responses given between the pre- and post- survey data.

Sample Size:

Round 1
26 Teachers surveyed
404 Students surveyed
Pre-survey administered Nov. 2010
Post-survey administered June 2011
Curriculum taught to grades 4-6

Round 2
19 Teachers surveyed
270 Students surveyed
Pre-survey administered April 2010
Post-survey administered June 2011
Curriculum taught to grades 4-6

Please be aware that the data collected shows anecdotal trends, as reported by the teachers and students participating in the initiative. Digital Wish does not conduct formal research, nor do they make any conclusive research-based claims.

STUDENT DATA

Importance

Round 1 & Round 2 - 93.1% of students say having technology in school is important in preparing them for the future.
Round 1 & Round 2 - 90.2% of students say that it is important to their education to have their own netbook/computer during the school year.

College

Round 1 - Students who plan to go to college increased from 90.2% to 91.3%, a 1.1% point increase.
Round 2 - Students who plan to go to college increased from 89.1% to 90.7%, a 1.6% point increase.

Frequency of Usage

Round 1 - The number of students who use a computer every day in the classroom increased from 24% to 52%, more than doubling the reported pre-initiative usage rates.
Round 2 - The number of students who use a computer every day in the classroom increased from 23% to 54%, more than doubling the reported pre-initiative usage rates.

Engagement

Round 1 - 83% of students say they enjoy school more when their teacher uses technology to teach lessons, up 3% points from 80% pre-deployment.
Round 2 - 88% of students say they enjoy school more when their teacher uses technology to teach lessons, up 6% points from 82% pre-deployment.

Round 1 - Students who now "pay closer attention to lessons when using a computer" increased from 68% to 70%, an increase of 2% points.
Round 2 - Students who now "pay closer attention to lessons when using a computer" increased from 67% to 77%, an increase of 10% points.

Skills

Round 1 - Students who agree that computers make schoolwork easier increased 2% points, from 87% to 89%.
Round 2 - Students who agree that computers make schoolwork easier increased 5% points, from 86% to 91%.

Round 1 - Students who describe their computer literacy as "I can figure just about anything out on my own" increased from 43% to 50%, an increase of 7% points.
Round 2 - Students who describe their computer literacy as "I can figure just about anything out on my own" increased from 42% to 44%, an increase of 2% points.

Round 1 - The number of students who say they "produce better quality work when using a computer" increased from 75.8% to 81.8%, a 6% point increase.
Round 2 - The number of students who say they "produce better quality work when using a computer" increased from 72% to 82%, a 10% point increase.

TEACHER DATA

College

Round 1 - When teachers were asked to estimate the percentage of their students who are planning to go to college, their responses increased from 59.8% to 63.1%, an increase of 3.3% more of their student body.
Round 2 - When teachers were asked to estimate the percentage of their students who are planning to go to college, their responses increased from 72.1% to 74.9%, an increase of 2.8% more of their student body.

Skills

Round 1 - Teachers say that less than half as many students are considered beginners with computers, a decrease of 13% points from 23%. They consider approximately 1/3 more students to be advanced computer users, a 10% point increase from 25% pre-deployment, to 35% post-deployment value.
Round 2 - Teachers say that 1/3 less students are still considered beginners with computers, a decrease of 11% points from 28%. They consider nearly 1/3 more of their students to be advanced computer users, a 9% point increase from 22% pre-deployment, to 31% post deployment.

Comfort Levels

Round 1 - Over 50% more teachers reported they are now very comfortable with Internet research and safety, increasing from 40% to 63%.
Round 2 - Three times as many teachers report they are now very comfortable with Internet research and safety, increasing from 12% to 36%.

Round 1 - The number of teachers who are now comfortable with collaborating with peers, parents, and/or students using digital tools increased from 83% to 93%, a 10% point increase.
Round 2 - The number of teachers who are now comfortable with collaborating with peers, parents, and/or students using digital tools increased from 80% to 83%, a 3% point increase.

Frequency of Usage

Round 1 - The number of teachers who use technology to teach lessons two or more hours a week increased to 63%, showing a 43% increase over pre-deployment levels.
Round 2 - The number of teachers who use technology to teach lessons two or more hours a week increased from 50% to 56%.

Round 1 - Teachers who use technology to teach English/Language Arts four or more hours a week more than doubled, increasing from 21% to 54%.
Round 2 - Teachers who use technology to teach English/Language Arts four or more hours a week more than doubled, increasing from 20% to 45%.

TEACHER ANECDOTES

What gains have you seen in students?

Behavior is much better. Students are much more focused and on task.
They have gained overall confidence with technology. They need less help to learn a new skill on the computer. They are excited to try new things.
Pride in work.
Students are engaged.
Growth in enthusiasm, more risk taking-trying new things, some improved collaborative skills, as well as growth in writing skills and commenting skills.
Comfort level in using the computers. Speed of typing has increased in my students. Their ability to figure things out on their own instead of asking for my help all the time.
More actively engaged and thinking.

Tell us a story...

After the first week of having the computers in the classroom, one student mentioned that they do not leave the classroom very much anymore. I asked what he was talking about. He mentioned that they always had to walk down the hall to get the computers. He then had a very persuasive speech convincing me that they now should have recess for 15 minutes after snack.
Students pitch in and problem solve for one another. A student who spaces out/daydreams is so focused when using netbook.
The room is quiet except for the soft beeps as the netbooks are booted up. Those students who are more experienced with computers are quick to assist others, including the teacher!
A few students this past week were working on the class year book and realized that they all had documents on different computers and it was hard to work on them together. I suggested that I sit down with them and show them how to use Google Docs. It happened that when they asked me I was teaching a small group of students another skill. One of my student experts in the class overheard our conversation and offered to guide the group in Google Docs use. When I checked back in with the students at the end of the day they had successfully shared all of their documents with each other and were going to work on them at home that night. So cool!

STUDENT ANECDOTES

What did you like most about the Digital Wish program?

The computers. My grades improved after the computers!
Our class doesn't have to run all over the school trying to find the old, slow, and bad computers.
The learning, the discovering and the creativity and the independence.

Tell us a story...

My story is when I taught my mom how to do Skype and she talks to my sister in Alabama and she talked to my dad when he was in Korea.
I told my parents about the computer and I showed them everything that I learned and how to do it, and they said, "Wow. That little thing can do more than our dinosaur in the other room." It was so funny. Especially they way they said it.

Quotes from the classroom:

Boy - "This is sick."
Girls - "I just love your netbook. Where in the world did you get it?" "Oh, thank you. It's from the computer store. It's brand new." "The color is just fabulous."
Boy - "This is the funnest day I have ever had at school."
Entire Classes - "I can't wait to take the netbook home."
Many students - "This will make our work go so much faster."
Boy – "I wish I could stay in 5th grade for the rest of my life!"

TRAINER STORIES

Digital Wish's classroom trainers share these stories:

Yesterday, I was informed that two previously home-schooled students are now attending the public elementary full time solely based on the e-Vermont Digital Wish program. The technology and training encouraged the parents to enroll their students in public education.
Today, a 4th grader told me her younger brother used his real name for a username on an Internet site and was being addressed by companies with his name included in the message. The 4th grader showed her brother how to change his username so it didn't reveal personal information, and how to stay safer online.
A 5th grader at Poultney took particular interest in the business unit. His family owned a local construction company and had a basic website. Taking what he learned from our program, he then evaluated the company online presence and made recommendations to have a stronger website that would be easier to navigate and attract more customers. This student spent his own time at home with the netbook talking with his family, and he had the solid intention of entering the family business and helping to guide them to be more successful.
Two teachers in the initiative ran side businesses and another wrote and filmed a video reporting journal. All three teachers said what we taught them in the classroom about video editing, audio recording, and business development would help them be more successful in their personal endeavors. I also had multiple parents at the Parent Nights shake my hand and tell me they were thankful we were helping the school and community by modernizing the classrooms and allowing students the opportunity to compete globally with technology skills.

Lead Trainer Eric Bird, shared these insights:

Signs of student motivation and engagement were evident every time we visited the classroom. There were cases of some classroom behavior problems disappearing completely, examples of students working well beyond the school day on projects and taking what they learned many steps further, and examples of students becoming teachers and training their parents, grandparents, and siblings on computer functions and Internet programs. We saw students collaborate and fully plan a future business, detailing how they would earn and save money to buy and build a local miniature golf course. Other students created plans to make their own family business even more successful by using Internet resources. Digital responsibility shined and students took pride in their computers and the programs they were using. Students across the state learned about their town history or community memories and had the chance to vocalize and share what they discovered by using collaborative audio recording. Again and again we heard how students wanted to pursue technology-based professions and Internet-based programs.
It was a common occurrence to see students becoming tech experts and teachers to become mentors. This is something we encouraged. I heard from dozens of students, without prompting them, that they taught family members about programs they were using, shared projects created at school, and helped parents, siblings, and grandparents to use their own computers and the Internet more effectively. Their excitement was natural, as they felt they had specific expertise to offer and could be of great help to the adults around them.

Digital Wish Media Contact:
John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org
Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072
(802) 375-6721 X-210

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Laptop Schools Meeting 1/31/2012 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:09:38 GMT

Mark your calendars now for the next
1:1 Schools meeting
January 31, 2012
ESU 10 - Kearney, NE

Working agenda to follow.

Register at https://odie.esu10.org/workshops

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Laptop Schools Meeting 10/24/2011 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:27:25 GMT

Laptop Schools Meeting
ESU 10
Monday, Oct 24, 2011
9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m.

See more details in previous announcement on the Laptop Community.

Check out the working agenda to see what topics are already up for discussion. Put in your suggestions now or when you come.

Register at https://odie.esu10.org/workshops.

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iTunes account setup for school purchases - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:03:30 GMT

I am posting this on behalf of John Osgood....

How are people handling purchases for iPads used by staff in the classroom? It is setting up the iTunes account which has me scratching my head. Does one create or use one particular email address for the school account? If so, who's? Or are schools syncing on individual teacher machines use the teachers school email and iTunes account?

If anyone has the answer, please email me at John Osgood <josgood@esu11.org>. I was at the Apple volume purchasing workshop at ESU#11. Those who were there will understand that I am still confused.

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Laptop Schools Meeting at ESU 10 on 10-24-2011 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Laptop Schools Meeting

ESU 10 - Kearney, NE

Conference Rooms E & F (south wing)

October 24, 2011

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CST
For more information and registration visit https://odie.esu10.org/workshops.

Please add discussion items to the Working Agenda.

For those of you new to or considering a laptop or mobile initiative, please join us and don't be afraid to ask any question. This is a great group of people who are passionate about using mobile technologies for student learning. They've been there, done that, and are willing to tell people what works and what doesn't.
And you old timers, what's next on the horizon for you? What are you considering? Put it on the agenda.
Take a look at the K12 Horizon Report for what's happening now and what's expected to happen in the next few years regarding technology in education. http://www.nmc.org/publications/horizon-report-2011-k-12-edition
Our thanks to NETA for paying the meeting expenses for the day.
See you on Monday, October 24 at ESU 10!

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Apple Laptop Chargers - Nicholas Maxcy

Nicholas Maxcy — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT

What vendor do you use to replace Apple laptop chargers? Apple charges 71.75 with shipping to replace a charger that has been damaged. I have seen some other vendors with Apple branded chargers for less but I've had shipping issues with them. Any suggestions on where to try and get replacement chargers?

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Technology Grant Info - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:00:00 GMT

The following website has info for grant writing for the funding of technology and links to other free resources for classrooms

http://www.edutopia.org/files/existing/edutopianews.html

0 Comments

Internet Safety & Digital Citizenship Poster and PSA Contest 2011 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:06:49 GMT

Reminder:

The ESUs of Nebraska in partnership with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office are sponsoring an Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship Poster and Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest for students in K-12 Schools in Nebraska.

This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about Internet safety and responsible behavior in the digital society that now pervades our world. Creating a poster, video, or audio PSA forces students to dig deeper into an aspect of digital citizenship and formalize their ideas and beliefs into an artistic and lasting format that can be shared with other students and the community.

I am always amazed at the creative and astute submissions from students of all ages.

Deadline: March 10, 2011

Send entries on the ESU 10 route or by mail to:

Graci Gillming
ESU 10
PO Box 850, 76 Plaza Blvd
Kearney, NE 68848

If outside of ESU 10, please contact your local ESU.

For more contest information and the entry form, visit ESU 10 Internet Safety Contest Guideline 11 Form.pdf

Visit http://blog.esu10.org/internetsafety for more Internet safety and digital citizenship resources as well last years winning entries from the local and state competition.

I look forward to receiving these great projects. If you have any questions, contact me at ggillmin@esu10.org or 308-865-5664, x-229

0 Comments

AUP for Facebook - Joan Ibarra

Joan Ibarra — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Anyone out there allowing use of Facebook and have an AUP they want to share??? Thanks!!

4 Comments

Laptop Schools Meeting - 1/17/2011 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Laptop Schools Meeting

Monday, January 17, 2011

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM CST

ESU 10 – Kearney

https://odie.esu10.org/workshops

Anyone currently in, or interested in, a laptop learning environment is welcome to attend the Laptop Schools Meeting on Monday, Jan 17, 2011 in Kearney, NE.

We will have a round table discussion that will be based on the agenda items you submit. Add items to the open agenda at http://www.esu10.org/s/laptopjan2011.

Register at https://odie.esu10.org/workshops.

Lunch will be provided by NETA with no cost for registration.

Contact Nicole Badgley nbadgley@esu10.org, Jane Davis jdavis@esu16.org or Graci Gillming ggillmin@esu10.org with any suggestions or questions.

2 Comments

Tech & Learnig Article: Planning for Success - Deanna Stall

Deanna Stall — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Just found this article from Tech & Learning. It is about 1:1 Laptop Learning and planning for success in that environment. See what you think. What can you add to the list?
http://www.techlearning.com/article/32990

1 Comments

Laptop Schools Meeting - 9/21/2010 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Laptop Schools Meeting

Sept 21, 2010

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

ESU 10 – Kearney

https://odie.esu10.org/workshops

Anyone currently in, or interested in, a laptop learning environment is welcome to attend the Laptop Schools Meeting on Tuesday, September 21 in Kearney, NE. Any and all related topics could be discussed; that depends on who’s present.

We will again have roundtable discussion that will be based on the agenda items you submit. Add items to the open agenda at http://sn.im/esu10-laptop09-21-10.

https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=101cCZ2KWzLNiVm0U3RniQCoQSSy0MFyJUM332898siQ&hl=en#

Lunch will be provided by NETA with no cost for registration. Register at https://odie.esu10.org/workshops.

Contact Nicole Badgley nbadgley@esu10.org, Jane Davis jdavis@esu15.org or Graci Gillming ggillmin@esu10.org with any other suggestions or questions.

1 Comments

Hello Nebraska 1:1 Teachers - Michael Gielniak

Michael Gielniak — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:46:24 GMT

The ODIE moderator was kind enough to provide me access to share resources around 1:1 learning and teaching. I work for the One-to-One Institute, a national non-profit. A big part of our mission is to support and help connect teachers in 1:1 environments. I would like to share an interesting site with you developed by CASTLE out of Iowa State University (http://1to1schools.net) Check out my article about the Texas textbook situation and digital content and let me know what you think.

http://1to1schools.net/2010/05/texas-textbooks-and-the-future-of-education.html.

Michael Gielniak, Ph.D.
Director of Programs
One-to-One Institute

0 Comments

Laptops & filtering at home - Rich Molettiere

Rich Molettiere — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT

If you accept e-rate funds, how are you providing a filtering solution for the laptop? If you are using a filter, I would be interested in how it is working. If not, software, how?

Rich

5 Comments

Arnold Laptop Learning Institute March 16-17, 2010 - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

You and a team from your district are invited to attend a 21st Century Learning Leadership Institute sponsored by Arnold, a pioneering 1:1 school. This Institute is your opportunity to see and hear how Arnold's school is achieving academic excellence by putting technology in their students' hands. Every student in Arnold has their own laptop with K-6 staying in the building, and 7-12 talking their laptops home.

There is a way to bridge the digital divide between students and school. A way to engage students and make education relevant. How? Research shows students with routine access to laptop computers score higher in writing assessments, demonstrate better analytical skills, engage in problem solving, and collaborate more effectively on schoolwork - all of which, ultimately, lead to higher student achievement.

The agenda includes discussion on how technology changes learning, the impact of professional development, key success factors, funding, and the digital tools today's students use to create knowledge. You will hear from how the Arnold school is currently using technology in innovative ways to make a difference, have the opportunity to see a laptop learning initiative in action and interact with students, teachers and administrators.

Cost of the program:
Schools are responsible for transportation to the Institute location and hotel accommodations. Apple will cover all meals and activities during the forum if allowable by your state ethics laws.

Who Should Attend?
School Presidents, Superintendents*, Principals, Curriculum/Technology Directors, Board Members, Teachers and other school leaders. You are encouraged to send a collaborative team of 3 or 4 people.

*Attendance at this event by a public official or employee may constitute acceptance of a reportable gift. Please consult your ethics official to ensure that no state laws, local laws or school district rules prevent your acceptance of costs associated with this event.

There will be a dinner at a local restaurant following the event on Tuesday evening.

To register please go to the following site:
http://edseminars.apple.com/arnold

If anyone has questions about the agenda for the two days, they can contact Nicole Badgley by email at nbadgley@esu10.org or via the phone 308-848-2226 ext 9

0 Comments

Laptop Community Meeting January 19th, 2010 - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:03:13 GMT

The agenda for the Laptop Community Schools meeting tomorrow can be found here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Acg_RKfwNJyeZGR6eHY3YzlfN2ZwNnYzNGhq&hl=en

Nicole

0 Comments

PC School that's 1-to-1 - Emily Tobias

Emily Tobias — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Looking for a pc school that is 1-to-1. We are looking at going this way next year and have some questions. Please email me, Emily Stoltenberg, at estolten@esu10.org. We are wanting to know some of the following:

*What's the process of implementing
*Equipment needed
*Costs
*Etc.

Any and all information would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!

We need to find a school that is PC and has the
contact information we need. The group at the ESU can provide us with the
names. Go ahead and contact the Service Unit and find a PC school that is 1 to
1. We can then contact them for the information (names, etc. to find out the
process, equipment needed and cost).

3 Comments

Laptops and the Holiday Break - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:31:51 GMT

Posted on behalf of Abbie Ott...

Do any of the laptop schools in our area have students check in their laptops over the Holiday Break?

3 Comments

Downloading videos from the History Channel and similar sites - Cameron Hamer

Cameron Hamer — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I have students that are trying to use Zamzar.com to get a clip from
the History Channels website or similar site. When the go to convert
it says there is no file extension associate with this file. Has
anyone had any success downloading video from this site or others other
than YouTube?

3 Comments

Food and Drink - Abigail Ott

Abigail Ott — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Could you please post what your school's policy is for food and drink in your laptop classrooms?

1 Comments

Looking for click & drag activities - Randal Skaggs

Randal Skaggs — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:13:26 GMT

I'm trying to find a way to do activities utilizing click & drag. Any suggestions?

0 Comments

iChat - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:34:45 GMT

Posted on behalf of Abby Ott...

Do any of the laptop schools (Mac) allow iChat? Any recommendations for items that we should be locking down? We are ready to finalize our image...would like to do so today. Thanks!

5 Comments

Laptop Schools Meeting Minutes 2009-07-30 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:52:13 GMT

The minutes to the Laptop Schools Meeting can be found at

http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddzxv7c9_3g7tkjdcv

3 Comments

responsible/acceptable laptop use guidelines - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:37:22 GMT

Would any of you post your student/teacher guidelines for responsible (acceptable) use of the laptop computers?

You can comment and include a link if you have one that's online or create (publish) a new article and upload a document by clicking on the icon with a paper clip.

thanks for your help!

1 Comments

Laptop Schools Meeting - July 30, 2009 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Join laptop schools as they discuss all things pertaining to students using laptops for learning at the

Laptop Schools Meeting
July 30, 2009
ESU 10 - Kearney
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
For more info and registration,
visit https://odie.esu10.org

Submit agenda items you would like to discuss to Nicole at nbadgley@esu10.org or Graci at ggillmin@esu10.org or leave a comment below. We will keep track of the agenda requests and compile them later. Hope to see you all there.

0 Comments

Getting Repair Parts/Policies - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

A question for the group... how do you deal with repair issues when the parents want to buy the parts themselves?

Interesting question... huh? I have a student who deliberately broke the screen on her laptop. (That is a long story in and of itself so I won't go into that!) When she brought it to me, she lied about how it broke, and the other students came and told me the truth because they were worried I would hold it against the entire class (because they are 7th graders and they think the world is against them all since they are immature).

When I confronted the student and explained her family would have to pay for it - once she admitted she broke it on purpose - her father said he would not pay the stated amount because he could get the parts on eBay cheaper. We have no policy in place that allows parents to do this, and there are not guarantees that the part they get is the right one, that it will arrive undamaged, or that it will fix the problem entirely.

So my question is this. How do you deal with this type of issue? Should we have a policy in place which says the school will get all repairs done and purchase all parts from an authorized dealer and then bill the family?

Any suggestions from anyone? Any help would be appreciated.

4 Comments

1:1 Conference Opportunity - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

iSummit is the premiere conference for educators using Apple laptops in a
1:1 program. This conference is sponsored by Apple and the Coalition of
Lighthouse Schools. iSummit 2009 is being held in Memphis, TN from July 8
to July 10 at St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School.

This year's keynote speaker is Carol Anne McGuire, an Apple Distinguished Educator,
who is an award-winning educator best known for her "Rock Our World"
project. Register now for this great conference where you can learn from
your peers, meet other educators involved in laptop programs with Apple
computers, share ideas, and plan collaborative projects!

To learn more about iSummit visit the website below:
http://www.lighthouseschools.com/isummit.html

Also, join the LaptopLearning Ning at http://laptoplearning.ning.com!

0 Comments

Arnold Laptop Learning Day Registration will Close Monday - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

If you are still interested in attending Arnold's Laptop Initiative Days next week, registration will close on Monday at noon. Please register as soon as possible at http://edseminars.apple.com/arnold or http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=1460

0 Comments

Meeting Survey Results - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Following our January 23rd meeting, many of you did the online survey. Ron Cone, director of technology and information services at ESU10, graciously compiled the information and put it into a PDF document so we could all read it and benefit further. So I will attach the PDF to this post. If you did not have a chance to fill out the survey, but you have comments, please feel free to post them here. Thanks to all who attended and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Arnold Laptop days on February 18 and 19th.

Survey Results
To see the minutes of the meeting be sure to look for them as a post in this community.

1 Comments

Doane College 1 to 1 laptop meeting: Critical Success Factors - Robert Hays

Robert Hays — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:04:22 GMT

Just a note that Apple and Doane College are hosting 1 to 1 laptop meeting titled Critical Success Factors. Obviously vendor promoted, but probably good information.
If interested registration is at http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=1398
The agenda is below.
Exploring 1 to 1 Learning: Success Factors
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, Doane College, Crete, NE
8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:20 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introductions; Lisa Nikkel, Apple Education
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Introduction to 1 to 1 Learning: Success Factors; Barry Sevett,
Apple Education
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Providing Visionary Leadership; Dr. Milt Dougherty, Supt., Little
River, KS USD 444 and President, Milt Dougherty and Associates
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. 21st Century Curriculum; Barry Sevett, Apple Education
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow – Today; Katie Morrow,
Instructional Technology Dir., O’Neill, NE Public Schools
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Content Creation: Digital Tools for Digital Kids; Barry Sevett,
Apple Education
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and tour of Doane Education Building
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Supporting 1 to 1 Learning; Mike Dronen, Technology Director,
Stillwater, MN ISD 834
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Apple Innovation in Education; Brent Hayward, Apple Education
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Professional Development and Program Assessment; Barry
Sevett, Apple Education
3:20 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Panel Discussion, Q & A, Close

1 Comments

Policy on sale of laptop to students - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Question posed by Gary Monter

I would like to receive some sample policy from any school that sells the laptops to graduating seniors. Your input as to the pros and cons of such a practice is appreciated. Please, if you have such a policy, email gmonter@esu7.org. Thank you

Gary Monter

1 Comments

Research on Laptop Learning - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

At the meeting on January 23rd, one of the questions was about research on laptop learning. I mentioned one article and then was given a couple of more to share with the group. I am not trying to be platform specific (these two downloads happen to be from Apple), but these are what I could find.

L341429A-US_Research_1_to_1_4_4_07.pdf
1_to_1_white_paper.pdf

The other article was "Envisioning Effective Laptop Initiatives" Learning and Leading with Technology September/October 2008 (I have it in a PDF, but I don't have permission to repost it so you'll have to go to the web and find it.)

Does anyone else have any research you can share?

0 Comments

Minutes of the January 23, 2009 Meeting - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Minutes of January 23, 2009 Laptop Schools Meeting
Welcome
Introductions

Possible Items for discussion:

Introductions laptop schools (share a success with laptop initiative)

How many are planning new implementations within the next year?

How many are here just to get information?

Join the laptop community and post your questions (receive answers today, or tomorrow)

Student Achievement

Is there evidence of improved student achievement yet?

increased test scores

survey data from graduates saying college is easier than those who didn't

more enthusiasm by students, engaged, motivated students who usually weren't

kids who didn't like to turn in written assignment are now turning them in

kids who would lose their notebooks don't lose their laptops

grads are anxious to take a laptop to college (grad $ goes toward laptop)

kids who never take notes are now taking notes in class

public speaking improvement - kids not afraid to be in front of class

speech team doubled since laptop initiative

What do you anticipate seeing?

resource students - laptop levels playing field - have to keep them on task

present their own IEP

organization tools for low end kids

goes beyond classroom work (FBLA, FFA competitions)

Are there immeasurable areas of improvement?

test scores have improved

state writing scores have improved

students want to write more - wanted to blog about books that kids were reading for pleasure

knowing that their writing or blog has a larger audience, kids want to write more

published research

Omaha has data that shows evidence of improvement

instructional practices have also improved

article in Learning and Leading with Technology, September 2009, "Laptop Intiatives"

information gathered at beginning is so different than now

Suggestion - statewide writing test needs to be open to digital format

Work together to develop survey for teachers and students

Timeline

What was your timeline of implementation?

Omaha Public School - 3 elementary grades 4-6 - repercusions from
students who are now out of those grades entering middle school without
laptops Ogallala - shotgun approach - handed them out to
students at Christmas -would recommend doing it over summer - staff had
laptops for a year - suggest having an image to work from - staff dev
was instrumental -
Anselmo Merna - teachers at the beginning of the year - students got them ?? - now have laptops 7-12

Wil-Hil - original rollout 9-12 - now 7-12 but not going below that to allow them to take home

ready fire aim - roll out done quickly - don't wait until things are perfect...it'll never get done

Garden County - 11-12 grades only - teachers had them for a year first
- surveyed teachers first - teachers wanted more staff dev - if kids
are irresponsible with laptops, don't get to take them home anymore Arnold - rolled out with a $20 bill - seniors only - the
first to break security could get $20 bill - end of year seniors
surveyed for what they really did/didn't do - made adjustments

7th-8th graders are tough on equipment so they get the old laptops

out of warranty computers used by 5-6 grades - stay in building

school that changed platform require more staff inservices

roll out night had 99% turnout by parents

9-12 can take home

7-8 only take home by special permissions

elem - mobile carts

recommended full-time tech person

Now that you know what you know, what would you do differently?

LMS should have been in place before using with students

initial roll-out coached up the kids on expectations and responsibilities

2 years later the upper classmen are still coached up, but 9-10 graders were not coaching up - need to coach up yearly

need to do continuous staff dev yearly

when time for renewal - have teachers and students report to the board about what they are doing with technology

continuous information to community and board about improved learning

should have done more training with students about software on their machines

more intensive bootcamp with students

what about new teachers coming into the systems

nearly all schools lease (3-4 year with warranty to match) - Omaha Public purchased theirs

Hershey - at end of lease students given opportunity to buy laptop for $260

at end of lease battery replacement is an issue

all schools buy OS upgrade

Roll out

How did you organize your original roll out?

http://oneillhighschool.org - click on 24/7 learning - has roll out

http://sites.arold.k12.ne.us/arnoldonetoone

Internet Safety cannot be stressed enough with parents

students not issued laptop until parent goes thru the program and sign off

make a big deal about discipline at the beginning - sets an example

have teachers at roll out

consider having interpreter for Hispanic families

How has it changed in succeeding years?

video taped roll out

Do you meet with all parents/students each year?

had special training for students after roll out.

Do you provide Internet Safety/Digital Citizenship instruction for parents?   Why or why not?
    Hershey and others had a session on roll-out night for parents--thought it very valuable.

What forms are needed for parents/students at roll out?    Are they the same each year?

Acceptable use

computer loan - $50 usage fee - get back $25 at end if no damages at end of year

Free & Reduced - written off or worked off doing work at school (sweat equity)

Staff Development

If you were going to teach a basic class for teachers of new laptop
initiatives, what would you teach them in order for them to hit the
ground running?
remote desktop use or chicken of the VNC (free)

new version of Mac OS that has screen sharing

don't have to be using laptop all the time especially in down time

develop good classroom management

Get in hands of teachers early

convince staff that's cooperative learning between staff and students

don't be scared if something goes wrong

Have them have a Plan B just in case the tech doesn't work

building confidence

have them buy the tech coor a pop when they can teach him/her something new

reasonable expectations of teachers to integrate

students are a driving force for teachers to stay up on tech

the laptop is only one tool to use in GOOD teaching

Use the baby step approach

where are you now, what can you change

change your lesson plans just a little bit

how to use bookmarks

iLife, iWork

encourage teachers to learn from students

basic applications under their belt before going 1:1

put basics steps of application online where teachers can find it

How to change your lesson plans

How to change your classroom management

What types of classroom management are used by your teachers, such as lids down?

Do you allow student use of head phones during class?

What have you done, or plan to do, to help incoming teachers "catch up" in professional development for a laptop classroom?
Not enoughlet them attend workshops

How are your teachers teaching differently now that students have laptops?
Starts slow.    LMS helps.    Some differenciated assessments done

Do you have a plan for further staff dev on a regular basis?

2-hour inservice each month for tech training

4 days of Apple training at beginning

weekly Wednesdays tech support availibility before and after school

worked with admin before school on use of tech

difficult to work it in with other ed programs (SIP, etc.)

try to incorporate tech into those programs

use mentors - identify specialists in applications - teachers encouraged to go to that person rather than all to tech coor

What incentives do you have for teachers that encourage technology integration into lesson plans?

summer workshops that school pays for

can't entice teachers

encourage teachers to become better teachers

those who work nights, weekends, and extra time before laptops will do so with laptops

throw out bait

no new textbooks, encourage online tests

In regards to staff development, would you do anything differently?

do more

inform them about new updates in applications or OS

Classroom Management

Remote desktop-- for Mac Schools

if good teacher, don't have time to look at RDT to see what kids are doing

have tech coor "watch" a certain teacher

changes the roll of the teacher if they have to use RDT in the hands of teachers

admin can see what students are using

take a picture of screen

lock down computer and take it away

can remotely look at what students are doing

LandSchool

used by Win platform

can look at students history (see where they've been even at home)

teachers can shut off all speakers on all computers

Take computer away from student if misusing

ISTE Standards

How do you plan to implement the ISTE Standards in your laptop environment?

Students

Teachers

Administrators

tie ISTE standards to SIP

one school considering 4-day school week and use Fridays as work time to improve curriculum

Curriculum

How much do your teachers use online textbooks? Usage down the road?

used as much as possible

online texts don't follow paper text exactly

must by paper text for each laptop in order to get CD, can't install on
hard drive, must use CD; if broken or scratched, can't duplicate, must
by new CD with textbook
aplia - online accounting - outstanding

create own material - store on LMS

Sources

iTunes U

Hippo Campus

MIT

Rice connections

Teacher Tube

NROC

free educational websites

What current projects and lessons are going on in your district that are the result of the laptop availability?

Learning Management Systems

Are you using a LMS?

How is it used?

How has it impacted teaching and learning?

Benefits for students

elementary

made easier for students to easily navigate

collaboration within protected environment

blogging

drop box

turn in digital, corrected digitally, sent back digital - no paper

email stu

set up student groups

coaches sends email to students

Evidence of Learning

Public Relations

How did you build community support prior to implementation?

started with the board of ed - visited schools already

bring on teachers

newsletter articles

surveyed staff, formed community team to plan

teachers came to admin - didn't have to convince school board

used other technology a lot - easy to move into laptop initiative

boards say - it's a no brainer - kids need this

How are you continuing to build public support?

"teach an old dog new tricks" - parents or community bring in laptops
once a month and can ask questions and get help - collect donations at
the door - kids split donations
part of the Veterans project - technology (done by students) always involved in the Veteran's Day program - attendance is high

community project - bring in community people who went to rural school and create presentation by students

thank yous written by students to board for technology they have provided

Software

What type of applications are you installing on the laptops?

kidspiration, geogebra, neooffice/open office, adobe creative suite,
sketch-up, atomic learning licences, alice (programming), free blog and
wiki on apple server,

What are you using to monitor student use of their laptops?

Initial installation - did you use a disk image, net install, etc.?most use disk image and copies to each machine / push out from serverremind students to backup before they turn them in for the summerminor updates throughout the year

Have you had issues when updating to a new version of software or OS?
updates can come in inconvenient time (SIS)protect
admin password - used on every machine - if it ever gets out have to
change each machine - Westside has a way to have one for each machine

Does everyone have the same versions on their computers?for the most part, unless using special software (journalism)
Student Email - allowed only within LMSGaggle used by someWirelessPeriodically check for neighborhood networks that are not protected - ask them to protect
Procon latte (?) - used to block access to sitesFirmware passwords

Discipline

What are the consequences of improper use of laptops? Discipline policies--Have they changed?Wil-Hil - parents sign suspension agreement1st offense - 3 days, 2nd -6 days, etc. can be for the rest of the yearstudents allowed to used desktop in classroom or library
detension and Saturday school2 weeks suspension of iChat or iTunescase by case basisif you take it away and don't provide access to another, it hammers the teacherteachers really threaten students before a big project that they'd better not get laptop taken awayold laptops available for check-outTeach responsible use of technology (iChat, iTunes), what would they be doing on a jobmake an example of those who misuse itjr high kids get iChat second semster

Digital Citizenship / Cyber BullyingInitial education7-8th grades
business teacher does in all classeslibrarian does it with
teachers encourage copyright and proper citing of sources in all classesuse TurnItIn to check for plagiarismpurposeful teaching in resource skills class as well as before taking online course or dual credit course

Policies/Procedures

Do all students pay a fee for having a laptop?
if take them homeused to have $50 deposit and got it back at the end of the year, parents have a tissy when they don't get it all backnow just charge $35 (usage fee) and no money back at the end of the yearself insurancefirst $100 is up to studentstolen - $500
school insurance can cover if damage happens in school
encourage use of home owners insuranceleasage insurance

Checkout

Liability---Who pays for damages?

Has your student handbook or other policies changed as a result of your 1 to 1 learning initiative?students cannot bring in home laptop if school issued one is taken awayoutside devices not alloweditemized list or general list of offences and consequences

Privileges & Access

Can teachers install applications?
yes and nothey can update their computers but not the airport

How much is too little or too much--for teachers, for students?Students not allowed to update software, teachers are

Pros & Cons of taking laptops home

Printing at home?students bring in software and have tech coor installencourage saving as pdfhave only network printers in certain locationstake printers out of the classroomor tell them they won't be supported any moregoing green - one of reasons for going 1:1drop box or email

Obstacles or Hurdles

Did you have any? How did you overcome them?Dual platform caused issues for cisco access points (Macs don't like cisco)Make sure image is the way you want it and working before installedhave students test the imageHire additional tech personBuild training in budget for summer trainingyear two - software and battery included in budgetwhatever you think for timeline - double it as well as man powerteachers didn't know how to know if students weren't using properlyevery newsletter to teachers includes little tech tidbitvideo clips for instructionwalk through the entire day as a student (what do I do with laptop during lunch, sports)electrical outlets - have enough power stripsbought carts - students put in carts during lunch, charge - locked up - can only be opened by teacher/admin
adjustable shelves on cartsno else can use the laptop even parentsobstaclenot enuff info availableNETA planning all-day strand for 1:1

Hardware

What peripherals are needed?

projection unitsneed more

cameras

interactive whiteboards
Omaha has one in each roomdocument camera (Elmo)servers - need morejump drives - for the most part allowedteachers buying own hard drives for backupsnowball microphonesvideo cameras

Printers--How has printing changed?

Do you have wireless access everywhere in your district?
Most said yes
Dream time4-day school week
full time technology persongo back to teaching so could use technology with kids
Access from home - level the playing fieldmost families bought it for kidscan go to public places to get access outside of schoolMicrosoft provides research info on computer in case they don't have internet accessadjust time for students who don't have access from homewireless needs to reach parking lot
Platform

How did you decide on which platform to use?
servicemoneypro devease of use and implementationprevious experience using the platform
did you go to a briefing
getting away from schoolall-day focustailored to district needscatch a visiontime for planningconvince admins
had vendor come to school

NDE Input

What are state plans?

no diffinitive data that proves that test scores have improved

Nebraska Slate - part of iTunes U - respository for classroom

howtomaster - 60 question assessment - free - helps to identify areas for pro dev - that part costs

please gather data on the following before and after on

attendance, discipline referrals, tardies,

UNL interested in doing research

What now?

What would you like to implement in your district if you could?

How do we keep improving?

Q & A?

Future Topics

    freeware/shareware
    cell phone use

Upcoming Events:

Arnold Apple 21st Century Learning Institute: February 18-19, 2009 . To register go to:    http://edseminars.apple.com/arnold or http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=1460

NETA Conference will be April 23-24, 2009 in Omaha. The 1:1 strand will most likely be on Thursday.

End Notes:

Please be sure to thank Nicole Badgley-Arnold Pubic Schools,
Bob Hays of ESU 11 and Graci Gillming of ESU 10 for setting up this
day, ordering the food, and handling registration and fees.

The NETA conference will have an entire strand based on 1:1 laptop
initiatives on Thursday of their annual conference. This conference
will be April 23 and 24, 2009 at the Lavista Conference Center at the
Embassy Suites. To learn about the conference go to: http://www.netasite.org

To hear the minutes of the Kansas meeting similar to this one you can listen at: http://www.holtonks.net/tsextro/1to1/1.mp3 for the first half and then second half is at:

http://www.holtonks.net/tsextro/1to1/2.mp4

0 Comments

Community Tip - to see all community posts - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

When you use the hyperlink in an email message from the Laptop Community to access the comment or original post, you will see only the original message and any comments. To see all the posts or comments in the community, click on The Laptop Community title in the green banner at the top of the page.

1 Comments

Learning Management Systems - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Because our school started the laptop initiative just before the big kick of learning managment systems (and we had one named Altona/Centerpoint until they took it away from us by merging with Powerschool) we have never replaced our management system. Our teachers use their web sites to post lesson plans, to distribute handouts/documents/assignments/supplemental materials, etc. Our adminstration is kicking around the idea of a learning management system adoption. So I am beginning to try to wrap my mind around how to convince our faculty that this will be better than the method we are currently using. I can think of a few reasons why the learning management would be great, including the discussion boards, but we have found methods to:

hand in to electronic drop boxes
blog
wiki
distribute files
post lessoon plans
share grades
email with students

I am curious what learning management systems everyone is using.

Do you use Angel (myElearning), blackboard, moodle, or something else?
Does anyone have any suggestions of how to create "buy-in" with the teachers so they will want a LMS? It seems like a lot of front end work to put everything into the system... and I can just hear their concerns.
How did you train your faculty?
How much was mandated from the admin to use it?

Thanks for any help you can offer... Nicole

6 Comments

Laptop Meeting Minutes 1/23/2009 - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

The minutes to the Laptop Meeting held on Jan 23, 2009 at ESU 10 in Kearney, NE, can be found at http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcpzk42c_0fm7rbmf9

Thanks to all who contributed to the meeting and to the minutes. You'll find lots of ideas to use with your administration, school board, teachers and community.

We were not only impressed by the large number of people who registered but also by the amount still at the meeting after 2:00 p.m. on a Friday when snow was falling and roads were getting slicker by the minute. We hope you all made it home safe and sound.

0 Comments

Opportunities to see laptop schools in action - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Any schools who are interested in 1:1 learning. The following event will focus on the factors that make digital learning environments successful. Presenters from across Nebraska and the central region will be on hand to share their stories. It should be a great day of learning.
Date: February 11th, 2009
Time: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Location: Doane College in Crete, NE
To Register: http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=1398

Arnold Public Schools Hosts a 21st Century Learning Leadership Institute
You and a team from your school are invited to attend a 21st Century
Learning Leadership Institute sponsored by Arnold Public Schools.

The agenda includes discussion on how technology changes learning, the
impact of professional development, key success factors, funding, and
the digital tools today's students use to create knowledge.

Dates: Wed., February 18 - 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Wednesday Dinner - Wednesday evening hosted by Apple.
Thurs., February 19, 2009 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -

Arnold High School, Library Media Center405 N. Haskell, Arnold, NE 69120308-848-2226
There is no cost to attend. Schools are responsible for transportation to the
Institute location. Apple will cover all meals during the Institute.

Who Should Attend.Superintendents*,
Principals, Teachers, Curriculum/Technology Directors, Board Members
and other school leaders.

.Registration.Click here to Register or go to http://edseminars.apple.com/arnold
If you have questions, please contact Nicole Badgley at (308) 848-2226 ext.9 .

0 Comments

Arnold Laptop Learning Institute - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

21st Century Learning
Leadership Institute
You and a team from your school are invited to attend a 21st Century
Learning Leadership Institute sponsored by pioneering schools. These
Institutes are your opportunity to see and hear how these schools are
achieving academic excellence by putting technology in their students'
hands.

There is a way to bridge the digital divide between students and
school. A way to engage students and make education relevant. How?
Research shows students with routine access to laptop computers score
higher in writing assessments, demonstrate better analytical skills,
engage in problem solving, and collaborate more effectively on
schoolwork – all of which, ultimately, lead to higher student
achievement.

What You’ll Learn.
The agenda includes discussion on how technology changes learning, the
impact of professional development, key success factors, funding, and
the digital tools today's students use to create knowledge. You will
hear from schools currently using technology in innovative ways to
make a difference, and have the opportunity to see a laptop learning
initiative in action and interact with students, teachers, and
administrators.

When and where.

Wed., February 18 - Thurs., February 19, 2009
12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Wednesday
Dinner - Wednesday evening
7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Thursday
Arnold High School, Library Media Center
405 N. Haskell
Arnold, NE 69120
308-848-2226

Cost of the Program.

There is no cost to attend. Schools are responsible for transportation
to the Institute location. Apple will cover all meals during the
Institute.

Who Should Attend.
Superintendents*, Principals, Teachers, Curriculum/Technology
Directors, Board Members and other school leaders. You are encouraged
to send a collaborative team of 3 or 4 people.

Registration.
Click here to Register or go to http://edseminars.apple.com/arnold
If you have questions, please contact Julie Francis at (312) 902-7335.
*Attendance at this event by a public official or employee may
constitute acceptance of a reportable gift. Please consult your ethics
official to ensure that no state laws, local laws or school district
rules prevent your acceptance of costs associated with this event.

0 Comments

Kansas Laptop Community Meeting - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Kansas held a state-wide laptop community similar to our meeting that will be held on January 23, 2009. If you are interested in hearing their discussions, concerns, and advice you may visit these two web sites. Though the sound is not always great (people did not go close enough to the microphones when talking) it has a lot of valuable discussions.

http://www.holtonks.net/tsextro/1to1/1.mp4
http://www.holtonks.net/tsextro/1to1/2.mp4

Tentative Agenda before the meeting:
1. How does your school district manage student e-mail and/or instant messaging during and after the school day?
2. How does your district handle the use of computers within the classroom?
3. How does your district take care of discipline challenges from abuse of the technology?
4. How does your district control cyber bullying?
5. How does your district inservice your teachers to get them to utilize the technology within their classroom?
6. How do you, as a building administrator, use technology?
7. What have been the benefits of adopting a 1 to 1 (evidence of learning)?
8. What have been the challenges of a 1 to 1?
9. How do you handle the public relations of the 1 to 1?
10. What software programs, websites, etc. do you use with students? staff? community?
11. What procedures do you have in place to handle laptop repairs?

Thank you to Tom Sextro and Alan Beam for hosting this event and then sharing the information with us!

1 Comments

Laptop Schools Meeting on January 23, 2009 - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

On January 23rd, 2009, at ESU 11 in Holdrege, a meeting for all laptop schools will be held. This group is open to those who provide technical, administrative, or integration support to Nebraska’s laptop schools in which every student has their own laptop. The agenda for meetings focuses on different aspects of having a laptop initiative and is largely platform independent. Typically the group addresses issues where technology is the object rather than the subject of the discussion. We have a loose agenda, hopefully compiled by the participating schools.

Location:                 ESU 11, 412 W 14th Ave., Holdrege, Nebraska
Date:                      January 23, 2009   9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pricing Information: $5.00 per person (to cover expenses for the room)
Materials Required: Samples of policies, agendas, and other documentation pertaining to
                              your laptop initiative to share with the group.
Materials Fee:          $0.00
Lunch:                    paid for by the Nebraska Educational Technology Association
Registration:            by email to Robert Hays, ESU 11, rhays@esu11.org or Phone (308) 995-6585.
                              (Just let him know of your intent.)

Possible Items for discussion:

Introductions (laptop schools and observers)
How do we continue forward to keep improving?What was your timeline of implementation? Can you bring that or post it the laptop community.
What have you done, or plan to do, to help incoming teachers to "catch up" in professional development for a laptop classroom?
What are your results and successes after implementing a laptop initiative? (How can we be accountable for its success and improve our scores?)
What current projects and lessons are going on in your districts that you might share for others?
What obstacles are you having, and how are you overcoming them?
What did you do to prepare your teachers for this initiative to start? (What trainings, workshops, etc.)
If your district were to do the roll-out again, what changes would you suggest?
What would you like to implement in your district if you could?
Pros and cons of taking laptops home
Public Relations
Problems when updating laptops, ie. to a new OS or new Office suite
Privileges given to teachers and students--how much is enough or too much
Discipline challenges (cyberbullying)ISTE standards
Question and Answer time for new participants
Discuss next location of meeting

While this group was originally intended to be support for schools with laptop initiatives already in place, we want to invite schools considering this to come listen in on the discussions. That is why we have included the Q and A time for potential or new schools at the end of the agenda.

The minutes of the last meeting are posted at http://laptop.communities.esu10.org so you can see what we have talked about. (If you have an Odie account you can simply log in, otherwise please make a free account and login.)

Often administration wants to see an agenda of what we plan to cover before approving leave so if you have any suggestions of what we might need to add to the agenda, please send them to nbadgley@esu10.org or let Bob know when you register. We will send out a reminder in January with the compiled agenda.

Please share this information with other interested teachers and schools in your area.

1 Comments

1:1 Community Meeting in Kansas - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Thank you to Gary Needham for sending this information out. It looks like there is a group similar to our Laptop Community in Kansas. they are planning a meeting on November 24th if you are interested. (I was not sure where Holton, Kansas is, but it is south of Omaha according to Mapquest.)

I am also interested to see if they can share the minutes of their meeting with us - and we could do the same for them! I am trying to get in contact with Mr. Beam. I'll let you know what I find out...

Holton USD 336 will be holding a meeting for those school leaders who have or who are contemplating implementing a 1 to 1 school laptop initiative. Lunch will be catered at $8 per person. The meeting will be held at Holton HIgh School on Monday, November 24 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Come share your expertise and/or questions regarding a 1 to 1 laptop initiative. This meeting is designed to be computer platform neutral. If you have questions or want to add agenda items, please e-mail High School Principal Alan Beam at abeam@holtonks.net . Please RSVP to Alan Beam by Thursday, November 20 if you plan on attending. The agenda will be posted at www.holton.k12.ks.us/prin/ <http://www.holton.k12.ks.us/prin/>

Tentative Agenda
1. How does your school district manage student e-mail and/or instant messaging during and after the school day?
2. How does your district handle the use of computers within the classroom?
3. How does your district take care of discipline challenges from abuse of the technology?
4. How does your district control cyber bullying?
5. How does your district inservice your teachers to get them to utilize the technology within their classroom?
6. How do you, as a building administrator, use technology?
7. What have been the benefits of adopting a 1 to 1 (evidence of learning)?
8. What have been the challenges of a 1 to 1?
9. How do you handle the public relations of the 1 to 1?
10. What software programs, websites, etc. do you use with students? staff? community

0 Comments

Free Webinar Available - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

New Webinar: One-to-One Computing: Data, Metrics and Results
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | 1 pm PST/4 pm EST
What are we learning from the schools and districts all over this country that have invested in one-to-one computing programs? Who else is planning to join them and what results are they hoping to see? How does one track the effectiveness of a technology-rich program and build in metrics that allow school leaders to modify and improve upon it? These are the sorts of questions that will be addressed in this practical and important webinar. Our presenters represent three different perspectives -- local, state and national -- and you won't want to miss what they have to say. Whether you're already involved in one-to-one computing or hoping to learn from those who are, this webinar is for you.
Register now for this FREE webinar! You can go to: http://www.media.qualitytech.com/client/new_bay/2008_1118/123816/launch.htm For more information about speakers, and to register.

0 Comments

Project LEAP – 21st Century Learning "In Realtime" - Graci Gillming

Graci Gillming — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Hershey Public School is hosting. . . .

Project LEAP – 21st Century Learning "In Realtime"
Hershey Public Schools, Hershey, NE
301 S. Lincoln
Hershey, NE 69143

November 18, 2008
9:30-4:00

Please register to attend. Lunch will be provided by Lenovo and GovConnection.
Attendance is limited.

Hershey Public School is currently in year three of our 9 through 12 grade 1:1 student laptop initiative entitled Project LEAP “Laptops Enhancing Academic Performance”. Come and see a working 1:1 program.

Please register by clicking on this link

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9_2bgH3QPF89Yq_2f68zcwbK5g_3d_3d

Topics to be covered include:
Preparation and planning for a 1:1 laptop initiative
Budgeting
Deployment
Policy/procedures
Staff development
Wireless infrastructure and offline file synchronization
Curriculum integration
Hardware/value added services

It is recommended that you bring a team from your district. That team could include: Administrators, Teachers, Technology Coordinator, Curriclum Coordinator and Board Members.

Additional information can be obtained from:
Jane Davis, Media and Technology Coordinator
Hershey Public Schools
jdavis@esu16.org
308-368-5573

6 Comments

Survey Results Published - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

I recently read an article titled "Envisioning Effective Laptop Initiatives" in the September/October 2008 issue of Learning and Leading with Technology from ISTE. It was very enlightening and showed me a different perspective with laptop initiatives. Most of the articles I have read are all filled with praise and the possibilities. This is basically the first one that gives a real, statistically-based picture of laptop initiatives across the country.
* under half thought technology was a priority
* 98% reported using basic technologies (ie.e email, internet, word processing, powerpoint, etc.)
* only one-third report using moderate techonologies daily (ie. Digital video, digital audio, web-based learning activitites, etc.)
* only 40% use technology for project-based learning
* only 20% use the multiple intelligence capabilities of technology in their lesson planning
* and there was more…

As I read, I realized that is kind of negative, but in my usual "sunny side up" view, it was also a guideline for schools that are considering implementing their own initiatives. It gives advice of what to do and what to avoid to make this work and to avoid "negative numbers" in their outcomes.

The thing that stood out the most to me was when the author said, "...throroughly thinking through how they hope to see teachers using these devices instructionally with students before making the investment, and then facilitate supportive structures within the teaching context that can make that vision a reality.”

Individual articles can be downloaded from the ISTE web site: http://www.iste.org. This one is worth the read, even if you don't agree with the findings...

0 Comments

Laptop Community Meeting Planned January 23, 2009 - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Laptop Schools:

On January 23rd, 2009, at ESU 11 in Holdrege, a meeting for all laptop schools will be held. This group is open to those who provide technical, administrative, or integration support to Nebraska’s laptop schools in which every student has their own laptop. The agenda for meetings focuses on different aspects of having a laptop initiative and is largely platform independent. Typically the group addresses issues where technology is the object rather than the subject of the discussion. We have a loose agenda, hopefully compiled by the participating schools.

Location:    ESU 11, 412 W 14th Ave., Holdrege, Nebraska
Date:     January 23, 2009   9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pricing Information:   $5.00 per person (to cover expenses for the room)
Materials Required:     Samples of policies, agendas, and other documentation pertaining to your laptop initiative to share with the group.
Materials Fee:   $0.00
Lunch:     paid for by the Nebraska Educational Technology Association
Registration:    by email to Robert Hays, ESU 11, rhays@esu11.org or Phone (308) 995-6585.
        (Just let him know of your intent.)

Possible Items for discussion:
•   How do we continue forward to keep improving?
•   What are your results and successes after implementing a laptop initiative? (How can we be accountable for its success and improve our scores?)
•   What current projects and lessons are going on in your districts that you might share for others?
•   What obstacles are you having, and how are you overcoming them?
•   What did you do to prepare your teachers for this initiative to start? (What trainings, workshops, etc.)
•   If your district were to do the roll-out again, what changes would you suggest?
•   What would you like to implement in your district if you could?
•   Pros and cons of taking laptops home
•   Problems when updating laptops, ie. to a new OS or new Office suite
•   Privileges given to teachers and students--how much is enough or too much
•   Question and Answer time for new participants

While this group was originally intended to be support for schools with laptop initiatives already in place, we want to invite schools considering this to come listen in on the discussions. That is why we have included the Q and A time for potential or new schools at the end of the agenda.

The minutes of the last meeting are posted at http://laptop.communities.esu10.org so you can see what we have talked about. (If you have an Odie account you can simply log in, otherwise please make a free account and login.)

Often administration wants to see an agenda of what we plan to cover before approving leave so if you have any suggestions of what we might need to add to the agenda, please send them to nbadgley@esu10.org. We will send out a reminder in January with the compiled agenda.

Please share this information with other interested schools in your area.

0 Comments

July 31 Meeting Minutes - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Overview of the group/meeting:
This was a cross section of 6 schools represented with windows and apple laptop initiatives. Also in attendance were: ESU employees, the Department of Education, and Apple representatives.

Laptop Schools Meeting Minutes

ESU 11, 412 W 14th Ave, Holdrege

July 31, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
To view this Google Doc please go to: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgct5wq6_10fh2wm9cd

0. Introductions

In attendance: Brent Gaswick, NDE tech integrationist; Wade Gibson, ESU 11 Tech; Bob Hays, ESU 11 Tech Curriculum Coordinator; Connie Griebel, Sargent 1st year (part time tech); Jane Davis, Hershey 3rd year; Barry Sevett, Apple (school 2.0 ideas interest area); Ed Thamer, Anselmo-Merna 2.5 years; Steve Horn, Centura 2 years (new tech); Connie Hoefs, Arapahoe 4th year; Mark Billington, Apple; Jean Bunger, Wilcox Hildreth 4th year; Graci Gillming, ESU 10 Tech Training; Nicole Badgley, Arnold 3rd year

1. Google Accounts

2. Hardware Issues

a. Distribution process

Hershey: Roger from ESU 16 comes and meets with parents to do Internet safety with parent. In another gym, the LAN manager goes over software changes for 30-45 minutes. AUP items. Then students go in large groups, their class sponsors come together to do paperwork and handouts. $25.00 charge. Runner goes to get the laptops. Done in an hour and a half.
Merna: AUP is taken home by returning students, new students and freshman must come. $25.00 (refund $10.00 at end of year if no problems.) Internet safety, filtering, etc.
Arapahoe: assembly with principal, parents and students. Classes travel to different rooms and class sponsors for boot camp. Paper work is done then. $35 no refunds. More detail with freshman.
Wilcox-Hildreth: time slots for coming, same speech every time. Principal does documents AUP and student handbook. $50.00 deposit, they keep $25.0 no matter what. The left over money rolls over into their account if not used. Stamped as paid form comes to get laptop in the lab. 7th and 8th grade will be done separately. School board members help. Secretary there for free and reduced, and other questions.
Arnold: does one rotation for each class to attend: Internet safety, AUP/documents, bootcamp with laptops, labeling and inventory, School Improvement related rotate, etc

Free and Reduced discussion: about collecting fees: most schools do not announce that families won’t have to pay the deposit, but the option is there for families. Some schools often can give check back without cashing it.

a. Software to install on student images (Who decides what to put on? Is it the IT, the teachers?)

Not a lot of additional software since most is on a Mac (W-H)
Inspiration
iWork (pages/publisher)(numbers/excel)(keynote/powerpoint)
iLife suite (Movies, music, photos)
specialty software by course requirements installed individually
NEO office OR Microsoft office
ALL LAPTOPS THE SAME!
macromedia; dream weaver, flash, fireworks,
library software (client) - not all schools
Keyboarding
photoshop and photoshop elements
microsoft student 2006 (extra templates and add ons)
encyclopedia (for non internet at home)
vital source (text documents)
google sketchup
smartboard notebook and tools
geogebra software (Free)
google earth (in safari pre bookmarks)
textbook software (keep paper book at home) (adults are paper trained, not kids!) PDF textbooks aren't really digital textbooks. They are changing to more interactive. Acrobat can read it to the kids. Some departments are moving to using texts as supplements.

Variations for special needs: assistive stuff is wide open to all students, sped teacher are in charge of sharing how these work with students. We might add additional software like write out loud or others. Apex learning seems to be leading the way with online curriculum. (Might be worth looking at.)

Software updates:

windows: auto updates office, virus, service packs, etc.

mac: don't do during the year in Arnold, W-H,

b. Servers - what servers have you put in place to enhance 1:1?
Servers are like goldfish bowls, no matter how big they are, they will fill up when you are dealing with multimedia laptops.

How much space do you give to each user? Teacher 500 mb Students 250 mb (Teacher can bump to a gb) and Admin 500mb
How do kids save their multimedia: jumpdrives, cd burning, DVD burn, drop boxes for teachers to save projects, teachers use external drives to backup (the teachers pay for own?) time machine for specific users,
What do you synch? Documents and Desktop only. (almost unanimous among schools represented)
You'll have to add servers eventually for the multimedia things as your initiative grows. (Podcasting, web sites, etc.)
Sound reduction boxes for servers. Might be worth getting a new server instead of investing in the box.

c. Proxy servers (school vs. home)

ESU 10 handles for most of it
air conditioning critical in server rooms

d. Home Access Issues

install home printers
set up dial up
student goes to homes in the community to work for money with my reference
Administrative access on laptops: teachers have access in W-H, Merna, Sargent, and Arnold. Teachers are not admin in Hershey, but the tech department will load whatever they need. Restrict the utilities folder from teachers vs professional courtesy to be able to download.
How do you upgrade teachers? Pull to tweak at beginning of the year. Checklist of teachers so we pull for a couple of periods.
Centura teachers buy half of laptop and then at the end of the lease they can buy for a $1.

e. Online storage/learning management systems Wireless networking/security

Powerschool usage is wide
- utilizing SIS to make life easier
  - Example - Hershey - PowerSchool - Created a custom page with custom Fields that track serial number of laptop and laptop number.
    - I created an excel spreadsheet with this information with the following Fields: SSN#, Laptop number, student first name, student last name, student id
    - I then import this excel spreadsheet into powerschool each year so that the SSN are updated.
    - I then print a form letter that was created in PowerSchool that uses the field names from above. I also created labels with that information to be put on the laptops.
    - one knowledge base support article number is 3082
    - another place to get information on custom pages and custom fields. go into powerschool and click on the question mark. and go to the index and choose custom course fields.

Learning management system: Angel is leaned on highly/myeLearning; Moodle is very similar and is locally hosted. Teacher web sites and free resources (blogs, wikis, etc. to achieve a similar outcome). Study Whiz is another option to look into if you haven't tried it. NDE interested in possibly funding statewide LMS if enough schools are interested.
Wireless security and open networks near the school: contact the families to password protect for us.

f. Print solutions/going green

Teacher drop boxes
print quotas
papercut software management tool (cross platform and Linux), to set up X number of play dollars per student. Talk to Jeff O for more details.
teachers need to learn to not print or copy so much. Upload to angel or web sites for downloads.
personal printing has to stop
not tracking down their own prints to specific printers.

g. Age out the computers

wipe them clean and reformat to original issue. List the issues as is and offer for sale to the public
with a lease send back those with bad screens
recycle program (low number for apple)
3 year lease, 3 year warranty (don't keep after warranty)
rotate down to elementary for use

3. Curriculum

a. Curriculum enhancements

i. Learning Management Systems: it is hard to get teachers up to speed. It has a lot of front end work. It hasn't been mandated so it is hard to make them use it. Need admin to force the issue? Is it part of the evaluation process?

McRell power walk through for administrators to evaluate technology in the classrooms. Observational tools to make effective changes in classroom.
Classroom instruction that works
a lot is available, but the teachers are slow to begin use.
How can we use the data to convince teachers of usage?
Show survey results to open up the eyes and move forward
online lesson plans (no clean way to have students access the lsson plans for just their course)
- ical
- web sites
- assignment in Powerschool
- How do we get it down to doing only one thing, instead of doing so many different things
- example of teacher web page:

ii. Online curriculum—options and usage

1. OdysseyWare, A+, Apex, NovaNet, NROC, PLATO, etc.

NROC (national repository of online curriculum): will be across the state for 3 years. Can be used as a supplement, an extra course, dual credit, or credit recovery. Will be free for 3 years. Has the potential to tie your learning management system to the NROC servers. They can plug into you. It will not update automatially. Eventually you are supposed to be able to add to the curriculum.
Hippocampus (which the address will change every 6 months) is tied to NROC. Video supplements to published curriculum. Aligned with publishers and standards. Similar to mediaplus and streaming.
Bridge from myelearning to powerschool is coming in the future (upload grades into PS).
iTunes U. (available thru iTunes) University level curriculum are online. PBS, K-12, University of South Florida has read a lot of the classics read aloud in audio book format.
Apple Learning Interchange (ali.apple.com) has a lot for non apple users as well.

iii. Web 2.0 integration - collaborative tools

google apps (Spreadsheets, documents, etc.) There is a way around getting accounts for students. Stdents can use th teachers email account and personalize with a hyphen after name. ggillmin-stacy@gmail.com then email comes to teacher account. (Teachers can have multiple account log ins, etc.)
blogging (angel, blogger, blogspot, apple's blogs in server, etc.)
wikispaces: Michael Wesch on YouTube to integrate wikis, and other resources to build your own
podcasting
students using email: "email is for old people" but it works for classroom. How many schools are allowing it?
google health for tracking your health

b. How do home access issues affect curriculum demands?

time management issue
- come to school early / stay late
- at end of period, work on what you can't do at home
- parental choice to not have internet
  they can find ways to connect

c. Teacher requirements

tech component to teacher evaluations
post lesson plans
class notes in digital form (if lecturing, give in a digital form of powerpoint, inspiration, worddocument, etc. on distribution site)

d. Teacher resistance/Buy In

organic growth - start simple
you have to outlive it
it is in evaluation process
issue of time: you have to believe in it for it to work; change how you work. Work smarter, not harder. Build your site as you are in class. Write lesson plans without a pen. Instead of you doing the work, assign it to the students to find and present the information. Take examples from the students and save them.
You might work harder, but you will have more fun while you are doing it. You will move away from concentrating on the hardware and move toward the integration and higher level thinking. Kids will remember better if they do the work instead of you doing the work and telling them about it.

4. Training

a. Training new teachers and new students

computer camps (W/H)
new teachers
- one on one time before/during/after school
- getting started - took teacher manual "teacher book of wisdom" and created pdf with links
- bring in new teachers a day earlier
New teachers training issues discussed
- Ray McNulty of leadered.org
- Scott McLeod of Castle http://www.schooltechleadership.org/ find the "positive devients"
wiki of podcasting things that you should know about as a new teacher
mentor teachers/buddy
- teachers helping teachers
student mentors
summer trainings for new apps
weekly before school sessions
lunch time sessions
admin needs to have vision of what they want to accomplish
admin needs vision of 21st century skills

b. Ongoing professional development

how do we keep up to date? monthly early out or late start (School improvement related) tech plan is integrated into SIP goals.
tech inservices: W/H one short session a quarter, Arnold 2 days,
Ideally if you get 1/2 day once a month
meaningful, usable, quality time spent
5-10 minutes at the end of the faculty meeting update (Quickies). Someone showcases something each month.
summer inservice paid stipend (Hershey)

5. Policies and Procedures

a. Inventory / check in and out / Powerschool uses to get this done

Inventory
- excel
- library scanner
- database can be given to schools as a part of the order
- access
Check in & out
- notebook
  - check in /out sheets - signed by parents going out - LAN mgr signs upon return after being check out
  - check in over period of days at end of year
- students required to clean laptops before returning
- student help cleans laptops
- Apple price list for bulk items
- look for
  - cracks
  - chips
  - sleeve
  - screen
  - battery
  - track pad
  - rubber feet
  - charger unit
  - extension cord
    - record serial number - under duck head on Mac
- have other people help with check in/out
- charge for missing items
  - students who can't pay work it off during the summer
  - "insurance" money collected at beginning of year helps pay for repairs
  - other schools - if warranty doesn't cover repair, students pay for repair
    - some do student responsible for first $100 then the remaining cost is split 30% student, 70% district
  - if student laptop in for repair, some get another checked out
    - by teachers
    - desktop in room for students to use

b. Repair & maintenance database for tracking troubled laptops

powerschool
Lenovo schools paid for extra insurance policies - covered all repairs

c. Streamlining laptop distribution night / ROLL OUT

after orientation and students return paper work, then students issued laptops (no parent involvement)
night before school starts

first year (parent must accompany student)
- station rotation
  - inventory/labeling
  - Int safety
  - documentation
  - bootcamp
Katie Morrow (O'Niell) did nice job

d. Laptop collection methods at the end of the year (see above)

e. Damage collection / What are you charging? Insurance? (see above)

f. Filtering (what to block and what not to block)

don't block until there's a problem

g. Acceptable Use policies / AUP /

AUP difficult to change if lawyer created
- very broad

h. Home use and access policies

spector
8e6 mobile client

i. Discipline policies

swift and harsh punishment
laptop taken away for 2 weeks
- for homework - can check out laptop from mobile lab - teacher responsible
suspension for inappropriate behavior
- loss of laptop for period of time
teachers have remote desktop access
- take screen shot as proof
Spector/Snycronize to observe what students are doing

j. Printing policies

going green
copier/printers in strategic locations rather than individual printers in rooms
charge for copies
teach how to duplex
teach how to print to pdf
set up budget (see above)

k. Support

ask 3 and then me
ask 3, look at the wiki, and then me
don't answer immediately - chances are they will figure it out before you get to them
use ODIE

l. Classroom Management

teachers need to be in charge
one ear-phone rule
just set good rules in the classroom
reach kids through the technology and make it a tool as much as possible
- podcasts, email, text, wiki, website
teachers have moved desk to the back of the room so that they can see student screens
grouping of desks for collaboration

m. Power

hasn't really been an issue

6. Data and Achievement Gains

a. Data collection for accountability

difficult to show improvement when schools were doing well anyway
what are we really trying to measure

b. Achievement gains / documentation

Hershey surveyed students
- showed high student approval ratings for use of technology and good teaching strategies
Arnold also surveyed
- focused on individual expectations
  - how much time spent on...
- rote answers vs. synthesis
  - how can you measure this difference or compare it
A TV news report on Kansas City, KS 1:1 learning initiative KMBC NEWS

7. Unforeseen expenses or problems

servers
accessories (cameras, interactive whiteboards)
batteries
- recallibrator
projection units

8. Next steps in your initiative (to junior high or elem)

junior high
old laptops going to elementary mobile labs
adding SMART Boards to all classrooms
doing more with Sharepoint (win)
doing more with community - positive PR
- Old Dog Night - teach "old dogs new tricks" with technology - bring child's laptop
- students give back sessions

Where do we go from here, and what does it look like?

individualized learning
- career pathway for every student
essential questions vs. unnecessary questions (teachers tend to ask questions that can be easily looked up)
small schools need to network in order to provide a broader education for students (technology helps)

School 2.0...

How does the physical classroom change to deal with collaboration and technology? ? (teachers desks move to back of the room so they can see screens while students are working, overhead screens moved to avoid glare, move furniture to accommodate projectors (better if ceiling mounted), many tvs and vcrs were removed,

NETA Funding question: NETA has graciously given a $500 budget to help with expenses for this group to meet again. They are willing to help pay for lunches or locations to gather the laptop schools together. As a group we decided to meet again in January, and possibly an evening at NETA in April. We agreed to meet twice a year
in July and January, with a short session at NETA if well attended

9. Final Thoughts: It was a great discussion, and a great day

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Is your school ready? - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

For any schools that might be considering a laptop initiative, I spent the day working with teachers who voiced their concerns about how the implementation will work. As I jotted down some notes I thought maybe other districts might like to see their questions, and then find your own answers.

Is your infrastructure in good shape?
Is the server is reliable or difficult to connect to?
Will the students lose their files and come to class with a lot of excuses?
Will the students damage their laptops and how do we assure that they won't?
What is your plan for the transient population and how will you get laptops back? Will there be a significant deposit so they would want their money back?
Does the community support this project?
Have you involved the teachers, paras and support staff in the decision making, policy planning, and other aspects of this process.
DO they have ample time to collaborate more with their collegues to plan and get ready and design units?
Do you have enough tech people to support this new environment so kids are staying in the classroom and not running off for text support? The tech team will be stretched even thinner when the laptops come in.
Can the teachers get professional leave days to go get tech trainings that meet their individual needs?
Have you given enough "nuts and bolts" of getting ready for the classroom changes?
Is classroom discipline consistent between all classrooms and does the AUP need to be revisited to be sure there are no loop holes?
How much will the admin be mandating at the beginning? They want to know what is the minimum requirements instead of the end goal for the first year.
Has the staff embraced this project? Are they excited and ready for the new challenging environment?

How are all of you addressing these issues? What did you do that worked really well?

1 Comments

What was your goal? - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

I was recently at a meeting in which we were talking about goals. Actually we were talking about a mission statement and the goals that you are trying to reach which fit that overall mission. (Of course we also followed up with activities to reach those goals.)

As I was listening and participating in this planning session, I found myself reflecting on our laptop initiative. Because it took us several years to get our program up and going, we had plenty of time to reach our goals of implementing that laptop intiative.

My question for the group so we have an archive of information and ideas to share with others is this:

When you first started working toward your laptop initiative, what were your goals?
What results were you looking for once you implemented that initiative?
What activities did you implement to reach those goals?
What evidence do you have that you have met those goals?

0 Comments

Laptop Schools Spreadsheet - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:00:00 GMT

In an effort to create a network of schools, and then invite other schools to participate in our forum, I have created a google spreadsheet for everyone to contribute to. Please go see it.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p1zu94u-STdf91aVwqYZecg

Add your school to the list
Add your contact information to the list
Add any contact information for other schools (who are not already in this group) so we can contact them later.
Add any other schools you might know about.

I have add a couple of school names to the list on the right side that might have laptop projects, but I was not sure. If you are sure, please load their info!

Nicole

2 Comments

Fundamental Change in Teaching - Professional Development - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:00:00 GMT

As school is getting started, my main concerns have centered around the teacher inservices I am going to be doing. I want to move my teachers forward. Everyone's main concern when they start a laptop initiative is that you will spend too much time "teaching to the tool," and not enough on content. We moved beyond that problem very quickly after deployment, because our teachers could let go of the idea that they had to know more than the student about how to use the computer. But now that everyone is comfortable with the technology, and they have the tools they need (projectors, doc cameras, digital cameras and video cameras, etc.), how does our teaching have to change?

We can't just ask the same questions we did before the laptops. We can't use the questions at the end of each chapter because the students know how to find the answer on the internet. Now we need to be "taken to task," so to speak. What are the really important questions we should be asking? What questions are going to require our students to think, to synthesize information they have gathered from many sources (teachers, libraries, Internet, even each other...)? How are we going to get the students to connect what they are learning to something they will remember, connect to the world, and use for their future knowledge and education? Simply put, we have to start asking students why? How do you know? Why does or did something happen? What caused things to happen? What should we learn from it? How are you going to back up what you think, feel, believe, or know with facts, experiences, or opinions?

I plan to ask them: Where are you at in your use of technology in the classroom? If most of what you ask the student to do is use it as an document typing device, are you really using it to its full potential?
Where are you at in the integration of technology into daily lessons?
What level of tech integration are you at?

Literacy – everyone has the stuff (tech stuff) and they are just learning the tool
Adapting – same stories, and students are consumers adapting what they did before (They are typing instead of writing with a pencil. They are looking up information on the laptop instead of using the library.)
Transforming – kids going beyond consuming to being producers, creating new stories. (They are learning and contributing to the knowledge of the world by: 1.) dealing with tons of data, 2.) communicating with the world and creating a network of contacts of people who know more than we do as individuals, and 3.) use critical thinking and social responsibility to learn more and go beyond knowing the facts.

What are you planning to discuss or teach your teachers at your first inservice this year? My inservice agenda can be found at: http://arnoldtechhandbook.wikispaces.com/Inservice+Agenda+Fall+2008 (BTW, it is still changing until Wednesday August 13 when I panic and quit adding to the agenda.)

3 Comments

About us - Nicole Badgley

Nicole Badgley — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The purpose of this community is to provide a place for support, information sharing, questions, sharing, stories, and even some laughs about something we all have in common. We are all schools with laptop initiatives. We all are going through similar situations, joys, obstacles and projects.

When this group met for the first time on July 31, 2008, we wanted to ask each other questions. We set up the meeting with a loose agenda, and planned to talk in a round table situation. (This is also the plan for future meetings which we are hoping to have in January.)

We wanted to find out better ways to accomplish similar tasks. We found that we could really help each other with a variety of ideas and alternatives. It was a great day! You can see the notes from this meeting by visiting our shared google doc.

2 Comments