Agenda for the Digital Learning Committee Meeting, February 11, 2014, 5:30 P.M
Alan Trotochad's Room
1.) Update on digital related funding, acquisition, courseware, and teacher initiatives, digital inventory progress
2.) General discussion on the possibility of adding a non-Carnegie seat learning venue that replaces the Word/Excel/Microsoft curriculum.
This might consist of numerous subject area components that emphasize digital tools and techniques used by that department, for example; wikis in English, Moodle in science, iPad apps in math, or whatever. Students would then have a framework of expectations for how and what is expected in certain classes and as a by-product of successfully completing classwork the students would get micro-credits for covering the subject.
Some minimum number of micro-credit combinations would earn them a course credit.
So we could discuss that as well as desired content familiarity. For example, personal security, digital social good behavior, communication etiquette, and so on.
We have talked about potentially creating a Moodle testbed for such a set of courseware. We can play with that idea as well.
3.) Other topics
We wind it up by 7:00
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT #19
ReplyDeleteBOARD OF EDUCATION
DIGITAL LEARNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
E. O. SMITH HIGH SCHOOL
1235 STORRS ROAD
STORRS, CT 06268
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
Present: B. Silva, F.Krasicki , T. Nolan, N. Silander, A. Trotochaud
Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.
1. Up-dates – Chrome books being set up – rolling out carts from technology grant of $100,000.
In-house tech staff: Penny, Rob Meaney; Seth Horila, Rich (1/2 time); tech coaches – meet monthly (each department has a tech coach assigned)
2. Microsoft course – no intention to eliminate it, but to up-date it to include other items, e.g. Chrome books, digital citizenship, search engines, etc. Discussion re: adding micro-credits for digital learning mileposts having to do with good citizenship, advanced internet searching proficiency, and subject-specific milestones.
3. Moodle – now on an internal server (not an external) as of beginning of February. No longer have to worry about maxing out bandwidth. Site formatting has changed slightly in order to make maintenance easier. E-boards are being phased out once contract is finished.
4. SBAC and CAPT Science – have to do exams due to NCLB (federal law); all will eventually be done on-line (Chrome books).
Meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Silander
Minutes from February and April
ReplyDeleteREGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT #19
ReplyDeleteBOARD OF EDUCATION
DIGITAL LEARNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
E. O. SMITH HIGH SCHOOL
1235 STORRS ROAD
STORRS, CT 06268
April 22, 2014
PRESENT: Bill Green, Frank Krasicki (Chair), Bruce Silva, Susan Palmberg, Nancy Silander,
Alan Trotochaud
Also: Seth Horila, Jaime
1. Moodle – Since summer, 2010, 12 faculty actively using Moodle. School will move out of E-boards as of August 31, 2014, and will support only Moodle. Teachers have an option of moving to Moodle, paying out-of-pocket ($39) to keep E-board, or moving to another platform. Ten tech coaches have been working with faculty. In January we put it in our virtual environment, and have sufficient bandwith to support it.
In general, teachers find it easier to differentiate instruction; can put up videos as well as visuals more easily.
2. BYOD - Not enough computers for most classes – need to share. Students sometimes prefer the larger screen to their phone screens. Using BYOD is a paradigm shift for teachers and students so still working out the kinks.
There are still about 5% of the student body who have no access to Internet at home whether due to economic circumstances or by choice. Teachers must take this into account when developing lessons.
3. Seth and Jaime – gave an up-date on distribution of carts with Chrome books or I-pads – many have been obtained through various grants, and thus are restricted to who may use them, at least initially. Seven departments received carts with various technology.
There is some competition among faculty for technology and the feeling that it is not always equitably distributed. It was recommended that Seth go to a Department Head meeting and give a report similar to his Board Committee report, as well as to work with DH’s to develop a process for technology access.
Future projects: developing a capital replacement plan for technology; continuing to successfully support on-line testing such as ACT Aspire, national German exam, and Smarter Balance, and integrating funding requests for 2014-2015.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Silander
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT #19
ReplyDeleteBOARD OF EDUCATION
DIGITAL LEARNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
E. O. SMITH HIGH SCHOOL
1235 STORRS ROAD
STORRS, CT 06268
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
Present: B. Silva, F.Krasicki , T. Nolan, N. Silander, A. Trotochaud
Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.
1. Up-dates – Chrome books being set up – rolling out carts from technology grant of $100,000.
In-house tech staff: Penny, Rob Meaney; Seth Horila, Rich (1/2 time); tech coaches – meet monthly (each department has a tech coach assigned)
2. Microsoft course – no intention to eliminate it, but to up-date it to include other items, e.g. Chrome books, digital citizenship, search engines, etc. Discussion re: adding micro-credits for digital learning mileposts having to do with good citizenship, advanced internet searching proficiency, and subject-specific milestones.
3. Moodle – now on an internal server (not an external) as of beginning of February. No longer have to worry about maxing out bandwidth. Site formatting has changed slightly in order to make maintenance easier. E-boards are being phased out once contract is finished.
4. SBAC and CAPT Science – have to do exams due to NCLB (federal law); all will eventually be done on-line (Chrome books).
Meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Silander