In the School Leaders’ Offices
- Develop and implement online assessment tools that provide anytime, anywhere access to data for analysis
- Evaluate student and staff performance in the use of technologies that facilitate achievement of the 4Cs (e.g. http://www.lengel.net/ipad/)
- Enhance productivity in the use of online resources.
Online via the iPad
To support robust use of iPads as learning and creativity devices, the Curriculum & Instruction and Technology Departments will design an app that facilitate access to critical curriculum resources for students and staff alike. Specifically, this involves creation of the following:
- A “redefined” curriculum--blending in the new Technology Applications:TEKS and the 4Cs--that takes advantage of the iPad-based creativity tools and fosters new literacies among students and staff.
- The creation of an EC Hornet iPad App that provides quick access to resources as they become available.
- A robust wireless network to support mission-critical usage of network-based iPad apps (no “standalone iPads” disconnected from the network are allowed).
- A robust document sharing solution via WebDav (WebDAV is a web protocol that enables file reading and writing via the web) that eliminates the need for students and staff to save confidential information via cloud-based storage (e.g. Dropbox, Box.net) and OwnCloud.
Implementation Phases
Although a timeline is provided to frame the implementation, one can observe the progression via multiple phases (shown below). Since this project has superintendent approval, seeking approval is not included below.
Prior Planning: Mobile Learning Team Selection (Start: May, 2012)
A) Develop a team of stakeholders responsible for ensuring implementation success. The team members should include the following:
- Executive Planning Team - Facilitator: Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
- Meeting Frequency: As determined by facilitator.
- Members:
- Instructional Technology Specialist
- Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
- Director of Technology
- Technical Planning Team - Facilitator: Director of Technology
- Meets weekly regarding Phase 1 technical items.
- Members:
- Network Specialist
- Account Management Specialist
- Instructional Technology Specialist
- Director of Technology
- Professional Development and App Selection Team - Facilitator: Instructional Technology Specialist
- Meeting Frequency: As determined by facilitator
- Members:
- Campus-based staff as outlined via the m-Learning wiki at https://sites.google.com/a/ecisd.net/m-learning/participants
B) Establish an email group and wiki to facilitate information sharing among 3 teams. Schedule weekly meetings to discuss progress.
C) Revise relevant acceptable use policies and administrative procedures (Appendix B)
Phase 1: Acquisition
Acquire student/staff (424) iPad devices for use in schools along with necessary peripherals, such as carts, bluetooth-enabled keyboard sets for classrooms, and iPad cases.
Phase 2: Technical Preparation
This phase has various technical components, including the following:
a) Setup of additional wireless devices in classrooms to support one to one, heavy usage;
b) Increased bandwidth through the adoption of new Internet Services Provider (ISP);
c) Preparation of RFP, bid review and selection of a mobile device management (MDM) solution;
d) Creation of a VLAN or separate network for iPads; WebDav Server to facilitate document sharing;
e) Setup of mobile EC Hornet iPad app through external company after image and web site development;
f) Set District wallpaper on iPads
g) Adopt iPad insurance plan
Phase 3: Professional Learning Planning and Curriculum Re-Design
This phase involves instructional design and outlining of activities for face to face and online professional learning for staff to take place. More details are provided in Appendix A: Professional Learning Plan. This includes available iPad-related conferences to maximize exposure.
Phase 4: Selection and Development of a Virtual Learning Environment
This phase involves selection of an virtual, or web-based, learning environment (VLE). There are various choices such as Moodle, Sakai, Edmodo, CollaborizeClassroom, Schoolology, and Project Share. For the purposes of the m-Learning initiative, the District has decided on Edmodo to serve as an online repository and learning interchange.
Development of the VLE focuses on the development of appropriate groups and activities that will support student and adult learning as needed.
Phase 5: Implement Professional Learning Plan
This phase will be marked by 3 opportunities for professional learning, occurring in June and early August, 2012. It will be sustained by regular webinars to be offered throughout the school year and on-site campus support as needed.
Phase 6: Traditional and Social Media Communications Plan
This phase is marked by establishment of media contacts, creation of relevant blog and entries, podcasts with key staff and students on a monthly basis to document the iPad-based experiential learning, as well as the use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to facilitate information sharing via Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.
Phase 7: Periodic Assessment and m-Learning Showcase
The Executive Team will develop criteria and metrics for assessing progress on the objectives outlined in this proposal, as well as require the sharing of student and teacher creations online for the public/community. Presentations to the school board will also be made that showcase student and teacher work. Teachers will develop web pages/wiki pages that document student progress and methods through the use of iPad-created videos and content.
Key Areas to Implementation Success
This plan considers 3 areas to be key to the implementation success of this Initiative. Those areas include the following:
Infrastructure and Technical Support
- Sufficient wireless access for iPad deployment
- Mobile Device Management (MDM)
- Email Archiving to ensure archiving of student and staff communications
- Single sign-on (SSO) to ensure ease of use for students and staff to multiple district systems
Professional Development Support
- Professional Development for ECISD Curriculum and Technology Staff
- Staff Development for ECISD HelpDesk staff to provide end-user support
- Presentation to appropriate personnel to disseminate information and expectations.
Communications and Public Relations
- Social Media usage and regular documentation of what is happening in the m-Learning Project.
Assessment and Evaluation
- Ongoing assessment--focus groups, monitoring online activity--during the process. Assessments will be jointly conducted by the Curriculum & Instruction and Technology staff.
Implementation Timeline
The following timelines outlines who will do what by when, as well as designates who is responsible for checking up to ensure work is done. It also outlines the decision-making.
