ITS / Program Update

Learning Through TechnologyL E A R N I NG L E A D E RS M E E T IN GMAY 20 1 4

The Role of the Educator and Education has Changed Significantly …

Young people ages 13 to 24 are the largest group of wireless phone users in Canada.Be Web Aware

The reality is ....the world is changing...

The Role of Technology in our Schools

• Irresistibly engaging for students and teachers.

• Elegantly easy to adapt and use.

• Ubiquitous access to technology 24/7.

• Steeped in real life problem solving.

• Learning becomes student led.Alive in the Swamp

Fullan and Donnelly

A Student's World

Face-to-face interactions with:

• Friends• Classmates• Students in School• Teachers• Parents

Add any internet-ready device...

Are they ready for this?

Are you?

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Resources that have Informed our Thinking

21st Century Skills for Students Communication

Collaboration

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Creativity and Innovation

Citizenship

The “SAMR” Model

SAMR Explained (Original Task: Essay-style written response to story, play, article, etc.)

SAMR Explained (Original Task: Essay-style written response to story, play, article, etc.)

SAMR Explained (Original Task: Chart paper and markers are used by students to communicate their solution to a math problem)

SAMR Explained (Original Task: Chart paper and markers are used by students to communicate their solution to a math problem)

Bring IT

• SJAM, CPPS, LSS, ESS, SHS, LCVI pilot sites

• Focus is on beginning use of Bring IT and sharing effective practices with other sites

• System-wide Implementation planned for September 2014

• Currently have a contest to develop a video (Show IT).

IT/Program Initiatives

Providing the Future …Today

IT/Program Steering Committee

• Representation from Administrative groups, teachers, managers, non union and support staff

• Group provides ideas and input into how IT can enhance program and corporate workings

IT/Program Initiatives

Providing the Future …Today

Student and Staff Consultations

• Based on how technology is currently used, how it can be used, what are the technology strengths in the organization and what are the challenges ahead of us.

• Occurred in the Fall of 2013 with approximately 100 students in Grades 7 – 12.

• Principals provided input at a Fall Learning Leaders’ meeting.

• Approximately 75 elementary and secondary teachers provided input.

IT/Program Initiatives

Providing the Future …Today

• Joanne Borges is our Connected IT Casual Support Teacher

• Supporting the Mobile Technology Project

• Working with schools on Collaborative Inquiries where there is a technology question in relation to teaching and learning

• Co-planning, co-teaching and co-reflecting with teachers in schools related to supporting research based instruction through effective technology.

• Facilitated professional learning networks in a variety of technology areas

Connected IT Casual Support Teacher

Providing the Future …Today

Where we are … (2013/14)• Transition from Novell to Active Directory.

• Board-wide license for Microsoft Office on all devices

• Deploy SCCM Management system to monitor / manage system and application deployment

• New support model to deploy teams for ITS support• Providing support for Apple iOS devices as well

Where we are … (Current Projects)• Device evaluation pilot project – reviewing 5 different devices for use

in schools:• iPad

• iPad Mini

• Google Chromebook

• Windows 7 Laptop

• Windows 8 Tablet

• School shopping list will be developed as a result of this project

• Only devices on this list will be supported by Limestone DSB

Maximizing the Effectiveness of our Technology• Currently have over 6600 devices in the system (3:1 ratio).

• Many of these devices are old and slow and in need of repair

• Based on the minimum device that IT is able to support in a timely fashion, we are suggesting removing approximately 2,800 systems from our current inventory

• Removal may also mean redeployment of systems from one school to another to provide system equity.

Improving the Efficiency of our System• We are suggesting the minimum device to be:

Dual Core CPU or better

2 GB of Memory or better

76 GB Hard Drive or better

How this Supports the System?• Students are not frustrated spending a long time waiting to log onto

devices

• Teachers do not have to plan for the long log in or have students only on a specific machine

• Move away from a “fix it” model

• Less time spent on trying to repair technology that should not be in schools

• Less HEAT requests

• Quicker response to outstanding HEAT tickets

Next Steps …• Plan is to invest up wards of $1 Million in mobile technology pending

trustee approval

• This funding has been pooled from multiple Ministry budgets over time

• This will provide an estimated 12:1 ratio of mobile technology devices to students

• This would translate into the deployment of about 1,650 mobile devices in the system.

The Move to Mobility …• Developing new Administrative Procedures related to Digital

Citizenship

• Bringing technology to the point of everyday learning in the classroom

• Modelling ways to utilize technology that is collaborative and/or based on a centre approach

The “Draft” Plan Moving Forward• Each school principal would receive a list of existing inventory,

suggested number of computers that may no longer be able to be supported due t0 the specs being too limited, along with suggested mobile investment for that school. Schools and/or School Councils are welcome to contribute funding to purchase additional mobile devices from the supported list.

• Each school principal, vice-principal (and other invited staff by the principal) would meet with Kerry Haight (title) and Joanne Borges before the end of school year to discuss the mobile technology needs of the school and to co-create a plan to support selection of mobile devices and the use of mobile technology in the school.

• Mobile devices would be ordered during the summer

Draft Deployment Plan• We are suggesting that we deploy thefirst 3 schools in mid-

September (volunteer) to track required time per site.

• We would consult with schools while building the remaining school plans for deployment.

• We are suggesting the deployment of all devices would occur during the 14 – 15 school year.

Professional Learning to Support Mobile Technology• After a school receives mobile technology, we are suggesting that

staff be provided with professional learning to support the integration of research based instruction and the mobile technology

We are Seeking your Feedback• What do you like about this proposed plan?

• What do you dislike about this proposed plan?

• What else might be considered in the mobile technology plan?

• What are the strengths/challenges/0pportunities in bringing technology to the classroom and moving away from computer labs? Note that Communications Technology labs will remain due to their specific hardware needs of the program.

• Should there be consideration provided to support other programs where computer labs are used? If so, please identify these situations.

Office 365 for Staff / Students• Plan is to deploy mid-year

• Will maintain @limestone.on.ca domain.

• Provides free storage (25 gb minimum – up to 1 tb)

• Online access to email, calendar, office apps and file storage.

Google Apps for Education• Plan is to make available mid-year

• Will provide access to all staff / students through @gafe.limestone.on.ca

• Main mailbox (for corporate) will be Office 365 .

• GAFE will be available for those teachers who are already using or would like to use, but now will be ad-free in an educational environment.