1:1 LAPTOP PROGRAM FRAMEWORK
Rosary High School
1340 N. Acacia Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831
STANDING IN FAITH…STANDING TOGETHER…STANDING TALL
Vision Statement & PURPOSE OF 1:1 LAPTOP PROGRAM
Rosary High School recognizes that the use of technology plays an important role in improving the quality of instruction and is a tool for the entire learning community. The ability to access, analyze, and synthesize information through technological means is critical to academic and personal advancement. Students graduating from Rosary High School must possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex, global, information-based society. It is Rosary High School's vision to empower graduates to be comfortable with and proficient in using educational technology and to possess the skills to interact with individuals, organizations, and agencies through computer telecommunications.
Rosary High School is moving to a 1:1 Laptop Program to make extensive use of technology, offering teachers a way to individualize learning by acknowledging each student’s strengths and areas of improvement. Additionally, a 1:1 program will enhance critical-thinking skills and better prepare our graduates to excel in today’s digital world. The transition from paper to digital devices and content can lead to empowered teaching and learning. Access to more timely information and communication tools will allow individualized learning and lead to more collegiality and stronger community relationships.
When establishing a laptop program several areas are key for improving learning outcomes and maintainting a successful curriculum: policy, training, curriculum and content, device and operating systems, and assessment. These areas along with the schools technology vision, mission, and goals will be the foundation of the Rosary High School 1:1 Framework.
TECHNOLOGY MISSION STATEMENT
Rosary High School facilitates the integration of effective, existing, and emerging technologies throughout all aspects of our educational community, in order to enhance learning opportunities for all students, to promote life-long learning for all members of the Rosary High School community, and to support the effective use of resources.
Goals and Objectives:
Technology will support curriculum by:
· Providing increased opportunities for individuals to master basic and advanced technical, academic, and job-related skills
· Improving the quality, flexibility, and delivery of instruction
· Motivating individuals to participate in their own academic growth
· Enhancing the presentation of curriculum to the entire learning community
· Providing innovative methods to utilize higher thinking and problem solving skills
· Fostering innovative critical thinking through the attainment of research and development skills
· Providing for the acquisition of evolving computer/technology proficiencies
Goal 1-Student learning: Students will enrich their educational experience by using technology as a tool for effective communication, personal productivity, and lifelong learning.
Goal 2-Powerful teaching: Teachers and students will utilize technology for teaching and learning throughout the entire school community, to build awareness and understanding of varied teaching methodologies, and to publish best practices and student and staff accomplishments. Teachers and students will acquire technology skills that meet Levels I-III of the CTAP proficiency standards.
Goal 3-School-to-Community connections: The learning community will utilize technology to increase the connection between school and community through the sending and receiving of information.
Goal 4-Technology Training for the Learning Community: The school will develop and implement opportunities for technology training and technology assessment for the entire learning community to increase productivity, efficiency, and communication.
PROGRAM POLICIES
STUDENTS
The parents/guardians of a student are responsible for encouraging and supporting the use of technology, and for learning and monitoring the standards of behavior their student(s) should follow when using any media or online information source.
It is a violation of school policy for any student to bring an outside computer onto campus. It is common for students to use the Internet and electronic communications devices to communicate with other students and people. Types of devices may include, but are not limited to, computers, cellular phones, iPhones, Blackberrys, wireless communication devices, etc. Modes of communication may include, but are not limited to, phone calls, text messages, picture messages, video messages, voicemails, email, websites, blog entries and more. Because these devices and modes are easy to use, students often use them for quick, personal, informal communications. The informality and ease in making these communications often lulls students into the erroneous belief that their communications will remain private, and that their electronic communications do not pose any potential problems for them, their family, or the school.
Students must be aware that because these communications—whether voice, email, blog entry, text message, web page, picture message, video message or other—are electronic they are easily stored, copied, and/or re-transmitted. Students must understand that anything they say, write, capture, video or transmit—even if they intend it to be private—can easily and quickly become public at any time. Because students are “Rosary students” at all times, and because students are responsible for all their communications, whether intended to be private or public, students should never communicate any message or file at any time that reflects thoughts, actions, or attitudes inconsistent with the values of Rosary or is in violation of the Disciplinary Policy.
Students may never use any Rosary system to transmit or receive any inappropriate electronic communication. “Rosary systems” include (but are not limited to) the Rosary network, any computer issued, sold, or leased to students for school use, any Rosary electronic communications device, or any Rosary website, blog, or other Internet electronic file system. Students may be held responsible in terms of the Disciplinary Policy for any electronic communication that comes to the attention of the Rosary administration and is inconsistent with the values of Rosary High School. Students who receive or view any communication that is inconsistent with the values of Rosary are expected to report the communication to the school administration.
Prohibited activities include (but are not limited to):
· Sending, receiving, or accessing any type of communication or file that is inconsistent with the values of Rosary or contains any material inconsistent with the values of Rosary
· Using any Rosary system to coordinate, plan, or facilitate acts inconsistent with the values of Rosary
· Using any trademarks, logos, or symbols associated with Rosary without the permission of the school’s Director of Communications or in a manner that brings discredit to, or damages the reputation of, Rosary or a person associated with Rosary
· Using any copyrighted material without permission
· Using the Rosary network for commercial advertising
· Using the Rosary network to lobby for votes
Parents and students should be particularly mindful of the content used for:
· Creating web pages on websites like MySpace.com, Facebook.com, or other social networking sites.
· Website postings, entries, or other communications (i.e. MySpace.com)
· Emailing digital photographs and photography
· File sharing or hosting sites
· Phone calls
· Voicemail messages
· Picture messages
· Text messages
· Chat or instant messaging sessions
· Video messages
· Websites and web pages
· Blog entries
In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”), Rosary High School uses filtering software to screen network traffic for offensive material. Students are cautioned that many Internet websites contain offensive, sexually explicit, and inappropriate material. Because no screening service is infallible, Rosary is not responsible for search requests that may lead to sites with potentially inappropriate content. Additionally, having an email address on the Internet may lead to receipt of unsolicited email containing offensive or inappropriate content. Students accessing the Internet do so at their own risk.
FACULTY & STAFF
Teachers are expected to follow the guidelines of acceptable use as set out in the Faculty/Staff Handbook and the Diocesan Employee Handbook.
TRAINING
In order to transform students' educational experience, all involved must understand how to utilize technology for their specific purpose. Training for faculty and students will be tailored to meet our educational needs. The goal of training will be to have students and teachers alike move comfortably from application to application and from the Internet to content creation. Lesson plans and course materials will showcase a full range of rich media to engage students in the learning process. Professional development of teachers will focus on hands-on training provided onsite by technology vendors, online courses, courses provided by Orange County Department of Education, ongoing access to department coaches, and access to a Curriculum Specialist.
Professional Development Plan
· February - InDesign, SMARTBoard, Excel, and OneNote trainings during Red & Gold Flex
· March - distribute devices to faculty
· April - give departments time to plan and create curriculum
· May - professional training
· June/July - Atomic Learning, online learning, Orange County Department of Education classes
· August - Teacher and student training on device, Aeries, Moodle
Rosary, in order to guarantee the success of a 1:1 program, will hire a Curriculum Development Specialist in Educational Technology. This position will be responsible for developing and supporting the educational curricula for all departments and grade levels. This includes developing new curricula, reviewing existing curricula, modifying, extending, and revising existing lessons, aligning curricula to national technology standards, working with teachers as Rosary moves into 1:1 program, and designing formative and summative assessments. Effective communication among the administration, faculty, and technology committee is essential. The Curriculum Specialist may also define and oversee project work done as directed by the administration. The specialist will also consult with teachers to provide subject area expertise. Additionally, department coaches or technology facilitators will be essential for supporting teachers and aiding collaboration. The Curriculum Development Specialist and coaches will develop technology-integrated lessons, demonstrate how technology could enhance and support learning, and share digital resources to supplement lessons.
CURRICULUM & CONTENT
Rosary faculty can fine-tune our 1:1 program and create a host of opportunities to redefine our curriculum. Each department will evaluate its current curriculum and textbooks to assess how changes can be made, and research etextbooks, online resources, and ways in which students can be more responsible for their own learning. By re-evaluating the curriculum, departments will complete curriculum mapping.
In the digital age, current content can be accessed quickly versus waiting for the latest version of a textbook. Internet access delivers a wealth of new content to teachers and students and much of it is free. Teachers will also have several educational resources on a subscription basis. These online services can be grade and content specific or general for technology. Many sites will provide interactive components that incorporate and expand students' critical thinking skills.
To improve instructional methods that can lead to a successful 21st century classroom it will be important to consider the following two areas:
1. Our students are changing - largely as a result of their outside of school experiences with technology. How can we get our students more engaged in learning?
2. What is the role of the teacher in the 21st century classroom? How do we move toward the future while still teaching the curriculum and preserving effective methods from the past?
DEVICE & OPERATING SYSTEM
Because no one device delivers full functionality or complete mobility, it was important to discern what device was right for Rosary High School. After months of research and evaluation, it was determined that a Windows operating system and software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, Audacity, and Moodle would be best. These programs would reinforce teachers' familiarity with the computing environment. With the above areas in mind, meetings were held with Apple, Toshiba, HP, ACNT, Sharp, Verizon, and Creekbed Technologies. Faculty and students alike were asked to evaluate various devices. The next consideration was also financial. The total cost of the device, warranty, software, and personnel all needed to be weighed along with affordability to parents. Therefore, in the final analysis, it was determined that Rosary would use the Lenovo x130e.
ASSESSMENT
It is critical when initiating new programming to continually assess and evaluate progress. The following methods will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and student learning:
· Formal faculty, student, and parent surveys
· Administrative and faculty walkthroughs and observations
· Town Hall meetings with parents
· Individualized student performance data
The data will prove invaluable as the program is reviewed yearly. In the first 3 years, it will be important to utilize the data based on a set of unique questions for each year.
· Year 1 - What implementation issues have impacted learning? Are students taking responsibility for their learning?
· Year 2 - Is classroom instruction changing? Are students working harder than teachers?
· Year 3 - What are the achievement outcomes of the initiative, and is the environment sustainable? Is more active, reflective, collaborative, and project-based learning taking place?
This framework was based on the Lenovo White Papers and the teachings of Alan November.