April 2014 DLIC Meeting Notes

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT #19

BOARD 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