Key Messages

Education Forward - Shakopee Public Schools

Technology Design Team

April 21, 2014 – Deep Dive Day

  • The group is a representation of 600 staff – we will be using their feedback along the way
  • The work of the Tech Design Team supports the Secondary Academic Design Team and academics district-wide. We are not just about devices selection.
  • Discussions start with pedagogy first and integrating technology is secondary to that. This is different from the past where we have integrated technology just to use it.
  • We are supportive of the district’s Education Forward focus on shifting our mindsets.
  • The Tech Design Team is interested in thinking outside the box and embracing divergent thinking
  • In all of our conversations, students’ best interests come first
  • The Tech Design Team recognizes that what our current and future students need is different than the past

May 19, 2014 – Learning Management Systems

  • After a year of research a group of six teachers narrowed the list of Learning Management System platforms to three (Schoology, It’s Learning, and Canvas)
  • The Tech Design Team, a group of students, and any staff member who was interested listened to vendor presentations on each of these systems.
  • Using a comprehensive rubric, the group selected a Learning Management System – Canvas
  • Development of Implementation Timeline will take place in July

June 13, 2014 – Device Selection

  • There is really no single perfect tool or device. Instead providing students and teachers with access to multiple types of devices is preferred.
  • When making a decision on which device to move forward with in our classrooms there isn’t a wrong choice. The only bad decision would be to not make one.
  • The Tech Design Team looked at a variety of tools and a Bring Your Own Device option, but ultimately narrowed the list to iPads and Chromebooks
  • The group passed forward a recommendation of a combination of iPads and Chromebooks at the elementary grade levels and iPads in the hands of every student in grades 6 thru 12
  • The district will move forward with a lease to own model on student devices so as to create flexibility in moving to another device in the future. We will assess the usefulness of the device rollout on an ongoing basis and make changes in the future as needed.
  • The group was excited that important work was done to get access to essential technology tools for students.