Technology Task ForceRecommendations

Creating the Optimal Learning Environment

BenchMarking

Planning:

✴ Met 8 times face to face, along with virtual meetings conducted via DAILE Moodle

✴ In conjunction with the work of the Task Force, Liz and Karl were also on the Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) that undertook a study of the feasibility of a one to one laptop initiative

✴ The TAC visited eight schools from around the country in person as well as conducted many virtual visits

School of the Future - Philadelphia, PA

Urban School - San Francisco, CA

Berkeley Prep - Tampa, FL

Science Leadership Academy - Philadelphia, PA

Girls Preparatory School - Chattanooga, TN

Greensboro Day School - Greensboro, NC

St. Mary’s School - Raleigh, NC

St. Agnes/St. Dominic’s - Memphis, TN

BenchMarkingConferences Attended:

• National Science Teachers Association - Kari Newman

• Laptop Institute - Karl Schaefer

• National Education Computing Conference - Liz Coleman

• Apple Executive Briefing - Jerry Benson, Forrest Beck, Trevor Hoyt,

Liz Coleman, Karl Schaefer, and Laura Ladd

• MacWorld - Karl Schaefer, Sheppy Vann, Michele Gutierrez and Trevor Hoyt

• Duke’s Center for Instructional Technology - Karl Schaefer, Liz Coleman, Tina Bessias, and Randy Bryson

BenchMarkingAnalysis ★ As the task force obtained data, we shared it within the discussion forums so we could make sure that all members could express their view.

★ The (TAC) shared data gathered by site visits via a laptop study white paper submitted in August of 2007.

★ The task force incorporated the TAC white paper into its recommendations since many of the questions or topics were ones the task force focused on as well.

Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle) Strong Administrative Support and Vision

Structured Professional Development E-textbooks with other digital content

Digital Resources - “United Streaming” Authentic, collaborative, experiential, or project based learning curriculum

Usage Standards for Faculty Help Desk for All Users

Central Themes of Successful Schools

BenchMarking

Berkeley Prep: Strong Administrative support, some e-textbooks, Blackboard virtual classroom, faculty training, technology use in performance review, and ergonomic furniture

Science Leadership Academy: Collaborative learning environment/learning after hours, Moodle virtual classroom, project based digital content, and afternoon curriculum writing instead of “training”

Urban School: Collaborative learning, First Class virtual classroom, project based digital content, anytime learning along with structured curriculum writing

Girls Preparatory School: Headmaster decision, school has science mission, Blackboard virtual classroom, electronic textbooks, and structured training

Schools Doing it Well

Shared principles

★ Underpins other Task Force recommendations and all aspects of our day

★ Prepares our students for college and beyond

★ Advancing in ways not seen before with negative consequences for industries who do not keep pace and adapt

★ Learning no longer takes place only in a classroom but happens 24/7 within a global view

★ Change is accepted best when presented with a corresponding amount of trust and support

★ All Durham Academy Community Members must be “connected’ to the Digital Learning environment

We believe ...

Recommendation 1Establish a Web Presence (WP) or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

requirement for all academic courses

We must prepare our students for their future needs of competing in the global marketplace. Teachers need to be “clickable” to accomplish this preparation. Higher Education use these tools!

★ Continue Virtual Learning Environment development in Middle and Upper

★ Continue Web Presence development in Lower and Preschool

★ A VLE or WP enables our community to collaborate, communicate, share digital content, and provides an environment for anytime, anywhere learning

★ Divisions will set the standards but levels of interaction should be increasing as the student progresses through Durham Academy. Probable expectations will include: Communication for School to Parent, Teacher to Student, Student to Teacher, Student to Community, Teacher to Parent, Teacher approved Links for learning, Syllabus, Class Policies, Homework, Calendar, Extension of the classroom

★ Students from grades 3 and up will be provided a school e-mail account to streamline and enhance communications

Recommendation 2Institute Ongoing Integration Training and Professional Support

Teachers will be supported with professional development that addresses best teaching strategies within the new learning environment.

• Develop a Core Team of mentors to assist colleagues in integrating technology and supporting them during the academic year

• Address new strategies for teaching today’s student, enhancing curriculum by using a Virtual Learning Environment, and reshaping curriculum using digital learning tools

• Provide Release Time for training

• Include both in house and outside experts in planning and presentation

• Focus on curriculum writing instead of specific applications

• Add an Academic Director of Digital Learning. They will be a curriculum integration specialist and not a technical person who will coordinate learning opportunities

• Evaluate technology use and integration as part of the overall professional evaluation.

• Hire teachers who demonstrate experience using technology in the classroom

Recommendation 3 Equip Students with an Apple Digital Learning Device

★ Equip students in grade six with an Apple Digital Learning Device in the 2009 - 2010 academic year

★ Replace the computer competency exam with a standard requirement for technology credit

★ Adopt electronic textbooks when available, eliminating the need for both a textbook and a laptop/digital learning device.

★ The exception to e-textbooks is paperbacks. In all of our observations paperback books were used in the schools visited

★ Implement devices for other divisions to support curricular needs

Proposed Timeline2006 - 2007 - Done!!

• Installed ceiling mounted LCD Projectors in Upper School

• Installed VOIP phone system

• Installed SMARTboards in 2 Science and Computer Labs

• Deployed new laptops for teachers

• Deployed new web site

• Upgraded to servers, wireless, and network security

• Students begin to bring personal digital learning device to school (MS and US)

2007 - 2008

• Additional VLE and WP training June 9th - 12th

• Inaugural Apple Workshop June 16th - 19th

• Ongoing Integration and Professional Support Opportunities

• Install ceiling mounted LCD Projectors in Middle School

• Parent and student presentations and planning sessions

• Vendor relationship finalized for digital learning device

• Students bring personal digital learning device to school (MS and US)

Building the 21st Century Educational Infrastructure

Proposed Timeline2008 - 2009

• Additional VLE and WP training in June

• Standardized on usage of Moodle in the Middle School

• Apple Workshop in June and August to prepare for digital learning device rollout

• Install ceiling mounted LCD Projectors in Lower School

• Ongoing Integration and Professional Support Opportunities throughout year with release time

• Roll out of digital learning device to 6th grade students

• Student e-mail accounts in place for grades 3 - 12

• Students continue to bring personal digital learning device to school in other grades (MS and US)

2009 - 2010

• Additional VLE and WP training and curriculum writing to take advantage of latest tools

• Apple Workshop in June and August to prepare teachers who will now have student digital learning devices in their classrooms (7th and 8th Grade)

• Ongoing Integration and Professional Support Opportunities

• 6th and 7th grade students would now have a digital learning device

• Students continue to bring personal digital learning device to school (MS and US)

Building the 21st Century Educational Infrastructure

Proposed Timeline2010 - 2011

• Additional VLE and WP training in June (especially for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade teachers who will soon have

digital learning devices in their classrooms)

• Apple Workshop in June and August to prepare for digital learning device rollout

• Ongoing Integration and Professional Support Opportunities

• Continue to equip 6th grade students with digital learning device

• Students in 6, 7 and 8 now have digital learning device

• Students bring personal digital learning device to school (US)

2011 - 2012

• Additional VLE and WP training and curriculum writing to take advantage of latest tools (especially

for 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade teachers who will soon or now have a digital learning devices in their classrooms)

• Ongoing Integration and Professional Support Opportunities

• Students in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9 now have digital learning device

• Students able to bring personal digital learning device to school in other grades (US)

Building the 21st Century Educational Infrastructure