Chequamegon School District Technology Goals
Every three years all schools and libraries in the state of Wisconsin and all other states are required to submit for approval a three year technology plan if the organization intends to apply for e-rate funds and other technology assistance funds from the state or federal government.
Here you will find the currently published three year information and technology plan that the school district is operating under.
School District Technology Goals 2011-2014
The Three Year Technology Vision for the Chequamegon School District:
The current rise of personal-mobile-smart-devices has caused a shift in the way people use computing devices and the way they use the Internet. The Chequamegon School District's technology committee has recognized this shift in technology and has written a three year information and technology plan to embrace this change. As a result of this rise in personal devices the Chequamegon School District is re-shaping its network to accommodate these changes.
Here is one vision of the future, this vision is by Microsoft.
Technology Goals:
The Chequamegon School District has a technology vision for its entire staff and student body to make use of technology as a tool used daily in all aspects of teaching and learning. All students will have immediate access to a computing device when needed. This device will be either the students own computing device under BYOD policies or a district owned device issued directly to the student. A further goal is for the technology to go to the classroom where the instruction is taking place rather than the class migrating to the technology. The concept of students going to the lab is outmoded, we need the technology in the hands of all students to be used as a tool at all times. - This is a one-to-one technology goal.
All students and staff will create and save their files online using the cloud-based service of their choice and that is most compatible with their devices. The district will make every use possible of Cloud computing provided by external service providers. Cloud computing provides SaaS (Software as a Service) in the form of applications, databases, communication services, utility services, and STaaS (STorage as a Service) in the form of long-term cloud-based file storage. All of these services are provided as hosted services either free of charge or as subscription-based services. Free services will be sought as much as possible to keep cost low. Over time, Cloud computing will become the norm and the Chequamegon School District shall make every use of it as possible. - This is a Cloud-Computing Goal.
In addition, the Chequamegon School District shall make extensive use of Web 2.0 applications and mobile apps in order to be device neutral in teaching and learning digital concepts. Making use of online web-applications and mobile apps will make it possible for every student to have access to all software used in teaching and learning. Students shall have access to a blended-technological solution meaning that there will be many forms of computing devices covering all platforms. - This is a Device Neutral Goal.
Students shall be educated in digital concepts and digital communications. Students shall be taught 21st century skills that include multi-media, collaboration, information exchange, computational thinking that includes critical thinking and informed decision making. Students will develop the skills necessary where they routinely work in groups, access the Internet for just-in-time tools and resources, and use the web and digital media to richly communicate their solutions. Students shall be educated in digital citizenship where they will learn ethics and etiquette in order to live in a digital world. Additionally students will learn the disciplines required to work effectively with technology available to them at all times encouraging them to become more self-directed, motivated, and reflective about their learning. - This is a 21st Century Digital Citizenship Goal.
Cloud Computing
As of this writing, there is a worldwide move to the Cloud or Internet for most computing services. It is understood that at this time, not all computing operations can be accomplished efficiently online. However, most of the things that users do with computers such as creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations can be done online. The district's move to Cloud computing is not intended to be blind to desktop applications or to prevent users from using them. The intention of moving to the Cloud is to eliminate platform differences and make it possible for all students to access assignments, apps used in teaching and learning and be able to work on them from anywhere at anytime and using any device. If someone creates a file using a desktop application that they intend to keep or share or present, it is incumbent upon the user to ensure the file is readable by the target audience and is stored in the Cloud for safe keeping.
Over the years the district has shifted between platforms - Mac then PC then Mac then a hybrid solution, and all of this shifting back and forth is expensive and difficult to keep things working together. Therefore, by adopting common software that looks and operates exactly the same no matter what device is being used and is equally usable on mobile devices allows for platform independence. This is the concept of Cloud computing and using Web Apps and HTML-5.
A final reason for moving to the Cloud for online document production and storage is that the software and file storage is FREE to use.
The current rise of personal-mobile-smart-devices has caused a shift in the way people use computing devices and the way they use the Internet. The Chequamegon School District's technology committee has recognized this shift in technology and has written a three year information and technology plan to embrace this change. As a result of this rise in personal devices the Chequamegon School District is re-shaping its network to accommodate these changes.
Here is one vision of the future, this vision is by Microsoft.
Technology Goals:
The Chequamegon School District has a technology vision for its entire staff and student body to make use of technology as a tool used daily in all aspects of teaching and learning. All students will have immediate access to a computing device when needed. This device will be either the students own computing device under BYOD policies or a district owned device issued directly to the student. A further goal is for the technology to go to the classroom where the instruction is taking place rather than the class migrating to the technology. The concept of students going to the lab is outmoded, we need the technology in the hands of all students to be used as a tool at all times. - This is a one-to-one technology goal.
All students and staff will create and save their files online using the cloud-based service of their choice and that is most compatible with their devices. The district will make every use possible of Cloud computing provided by external service providers. Cloud computing provides SaaS (Software as a Service) in the form of applications, databases, communication services, utility services, and STaaS (STorage as a Service) in the form of long-term cloud-based file storage. All of these services are provided as hosted services either free of charge or as subscription-based services. Free services will be sought as much as possible to keep cost low. Over time, Cloud computing will become the norm and the Chequamegon School District shall make every use of it as possible. - This is a Cloud-Computing Goal.
In addition, the Chequamegon School District shall make extensive use of Web 2.0 applications and mobile apps in order to be device neutral in teaching and learning digital concepts. Making use of online web-applications and mobile apps will make it possible for every student to have access to all software used in teaching and learning. Students shall have access to a blended-technological solution meaning that there will be many forms of computing devices covering all platforms. - This is a Device Neutral Goal.
Students shall be educated in digital concepts and digital communications. Students shall be taught 21st century skills that include multi-media, collaboration, information exchange, computational thinking that includes critical thinking and informed decision making. Students will develop the skills necessary where they routinely work in groups, access the Internet for just-in-time tools and resources, and use the web and digital media to richly communicate their solutions. Students shall be educated in digital citizenship where they will learn ethics and etiquette in order to live in a digital world. Additionally students will learn the disciplines required to work effectively with technology available to them at all times encouraging them to become more self-directed, motivated, and reflective about their learning. - This is a 21st Century Digital Citizenship Goal.
Cloud Computing
As of this writing, there is a worldwide move to the Cloud or Internet for most computing services. It is understood that at this time, not all computing operations can be accomplished efficiently online. However, most of the things that users do with computers such as creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations can be done online. The district's move to Cloud computing is not intended to be blind to desktop applications or to prevent users from using them. The intention of moving to the Cloud is to eliminate platform differences and make it possible for all students to access assignments, apps used in teaching and learning and be able to work on them from anywhere at anytime and using any device. If someone creates a file using a desktop application that they intend to keep or share or present, it is incumbent upon the user to ensure the file is readable by the target audience and is stored in the Cloud for safe keeping.
Over the years the district has shifted between platforms - Mac then PC then Mac then a hybrid solution, and all of this shifting back and forth is expensive and difficult to keep things working together. Therefore, by adopting common software that looks and operates exactly the same no matter what device is being used and is equally usable on mobile devices allows for platform independence. This is the concept of Cloud computing and using Web Apps and HTML-5.
A final reason for moving to the Cloud for online document production and storage is that the software and file storage is FREE to use.
As stated above the Chequamegon School District shall make every use possible of Cloud Computing. This move to Cloud Computing requires a change in the way users operate on the network with respect to document creation and storage. To move to a Cloud-based operation will take approximately three to four years. The district initially made Cloud-based file storage a priority followed by online document production using Google Apps. One of the goals of a move towards a cloud-based system is to off host many of the services the District relies upon such email, student records and website hosting. At this time all of these services and others are remotely hosted and at far less cost than hosting internally. Another goal is for the network operations to become consumer-based rather than to continue with the corporate or enterprise infrastructure. As more and more types of devices are being used in the District, devices that are consumer-based in their usage, such as touch devices, smart phones and Chromebooks, the need for the corporate infrastructure becomes minimized. A corporate infrastructure of expensive servers and expensive and difficult to operate and manage server software adds to the complexity and cost of network operations. This type of corporate infrastructure will be take down in the fourth phase of the deployment towards Cloud-based services.
Four Phases of deployment:
Four Phases of deployment:
- Phase 1 Online file storage - completed 2010-2011 school year. The staff and students are now familiar with several options for storing their files online. Many staff and students make use of Dropbox.com, Google Apps, Live.com, Sugar Sync and other methods of saving files in the Cloud.
- Phase 2 Online document production -This is the district wide move to Google Apps for Education. You can read about our move to Google Apps for Education here. Deployment in 2011-2012 school year.
- Phase 3 Decommissioning local servers. All devices are assumed to be stand alone using Web 2.0 technologies (web apps), cloud storage, and on-line services. Live in the Cloud. Paying for licensed software such as Microsoft Office will be on an as needed basis. Most productivity software will be free downloads or online web apps. Deployment in 2012-2013 school year.
- Phase 4 Final move away from the Corporate/Enterprise infrastructure. The network is consumer-based, all manner of devices are in use. Because most devices in use do not support the corporate infrastructure aka. Active Directory (Directory Services), there is no longer a need to maintain support for this system and create user accounts for it. (To be removed in Summer 2013)
We can see Cloud computing all around us. Cloud computing is much more that just individuals creating and storing files online, in fact this is the least of the cloud computing services many of us enjoy routinely. One of the largest providers of Cloud Computing is Amazon. Yes, the same Amazon where you purchase books online or now almost any product, provides its data centers and computing power as a service to many companies around the world through its Cloud computing services called S3. Amazon counts Netflix as one of its many customers using its S3 services. Another huge Cloud computing provider is of course Google. Besides using Google Apps, we use Google Cloud computing services all the time, in the form of search, Youtube videos, and now with "Google Now" and knowledge graph search has become smart. These are not functions you can provide without Cloud computing services.
Technology Goals - Schedule 2011-2014
Each year the school district will publish its technology goals for the next school year that supports the over all guiding goals of the district wide three year technology plan as approved by the state of Wisconsin.
Any future hardware purchased by the district will be in the form of mobile devices, Tablets, iPods, Laptops, and eventually Ultrabooks and/or Airbooks. The district will not be purchasing any additional fixed labs nor will it be replacing any current fixed labs. The concept of a fixed lab where classes must go to the lab is out-moded. The technology must go to the classroom where it is needed for instruction.
Ultrabooks and Airbooks are the next generation of laptops that mimic the tablet device in performance - ultra-thin with extended battery life, instant-on but with the power of a desktop computer in the form factor of a laptop. These are full-functioning computers like any other laptop but with the difference in that they are solid-state with no moving parts. These are the types of devices that will be purchased for staff.
2011 - 2012 School Year Technology Goals:
During the summer months of 2011, the technology department had several projects that moved the district closer to achieving its ultimate three year goals of Cloud Computing, Device Neutrality, and Digital Citizenship.
During the summer months of 2012, the technology department had several projects that moved the district even closer towards the District's three year technology goals. These projects included:
The summer projects listed above prepared the district for a concept of BYOD or Bring Your Own Device to school. The plan allows students to bring their own laptops and tablet devices to school for doing school work. The technology plan goal is to advance the obvious concept of technology as a tool used daily in all aspects of teaching and learning accessible by every student and staff at any time upon demand. The BOYD policies are in effect as of the second semester of the 2011-2012 school year . You can read about the BYOD concept and recommended devices here.
2012-2013 School Year Technology Goals:
The technology goals for the 2012-2013 school year include the following:
2013-2014 School Year Technology Goals:
The technology goals for the 2013-2014 school year include the following:
Each year the school district will publish its technology goals for the next school year that supports the over all guiding goals of the district wide three year technology plan as approved by the state of Wisconsin.
Any future hardware purchased by the district will be in the form of mobile devices, Tablets, iPods, Laptops, and eventually Ultrabooks and/or Airbooks. The district will not be purchasing any additional fixed labs nor will it be replacing any current fixed labs. The concept of a fixed lab where classes must go to the lab is out-moded. The technology must go to the classroom where it is needed for instruction.
Ultrabooks and Airbooks are the next generation of laptops that mimic the tablet device in performance - ultra-thin with extended battery life, instant-on but with the power of a desktop computer in the form factor of a laptop. These are full-functioning computers like any other laptop but with the difference in that they are solid-state with no moving parts. These are the types of devices that will be purchased for staff.
2011 - 2012 School Year Technology Goals:
During the summer months of 2011, the technology department had several projects that moved the district closer to achieving its ultimate three year goals of Cloud Computing, Device Neutrality, and Digital Citizenship.
- Improve network security - Using the NSA 4500 Sonicwall several Gateway Security Services have been activated to help block Malware, Viruses, and intrusion attacks against the network. Additionally, this device prevents anyone inside the network from establishing any P2P connections with devices on the outside. Web 2.0 applications use and bandwidth usage are managed more efficiently through the use of SID detection.
- Installed new managed wireless at Glidden campus - This puts the Glidden campus on the same managed wireless solution as the Park Falls campus with anywhere anytime remote management and monitoring. The wireless solution at the Chequamegon School District will become its own ecosystem, with a fully integrated solution for managing the infrastructure, and monitoring its use from a cloud-based controller.
- Established Google Apps Account - Our domain was registered and configured to support and implement Google Apps for Education. All student accounts for grades 4 - 12 were uploaded and created on Google's servers.
During the summer months of 2012, the technology department had several projects that moved the district even closer towards the District's three year technology goals. These projects included:
- Network Segmentation - A network upgrade that divided the network into segments allowing for an unlimited number of devices on the network.
- Established a Public WiFi - A completely open and segregated public WiFi was created. This segregation ensures that no device on the public WiFi can ever interfere with District devices running on the private WiFi. This segregation also allows for complete and separate management of the public WiFi network including bandwidth usage.
- Phase one of 1:1 - Setup all the Chromebooks and their charging stations for the deployment of our first stage of 1:1 in the fall covering every 4th - 8th grade student.
The summer projects listed above prepared the district for a concept of BYOD or Bring Your Own Device to school. The plan allows students to bring their own laptops and tablet devices to school for doing school work. The technology plan goal is to advance the obvious concept of technology as a tool used daily in all aspects of teaching and learning accessible by every student and staff at any time upon demand. The BOYD policies are in effect as of the second semester of the 2011-2012 school year . You can read about the BYOD concept and recommended devices here.
2012-2013 School Year Technology Goals:
The technology goals for the 2012-2013 school year include the following:
- Upgrade all regular Ed staff by the end of the school year to new Ultra-Books or Mac Air Books. At the time of this writing, based on the current PC laptops being sold none or few of the so-called Ultra Books follow the Ultra Book specifications set by Intel. Therefore a decision has been made to deploy Mac Air Books for all staff in regular Ed.
- Finalize the 1:1 program with the purchase and deployment of the high school Chromebooks. This will be done in two phases. Phase one will be to set up all the Chromebooks and place them in mobile carts. On March 19th 2013 the new Chromebooks will be assigned to each high school student. From this point forward the high school will have achieved its 1:1 goal.
2013-2014 School Year Technology Goals:
The technology goals for the 2013-2014 school year include the following:
- To continue with the 3 year 1:1 technology goal to: advance the obvious concept of technology as a tool used daily in all aspects of teaching and learning accessible by every student and staff at any time upon demand, we are seeking to extend this to the lower grades to include K-3. All the original generation 1 iPads that were purchased in 2010 and 2011 will be collected, updated and deployed in the grades of K-1 so every student has all day access to an iPad. (This was piloted 1012-2013) in Glidden Elementary.) In 2nd and 3rd grades we will expand the availability of the Chromebooks. Currently there is a shared lab of 20 units in each grade, this will be expanded to include enough units for each student in each classroom to have a system. This is necessary for AR and STAR testing and for all the other web tools that are currently being used to support learning.
- Set a baseline standard of technology for every classroom/teacher: Every classroom teacher should have the same set of basic tools with which to use for instruction. This will include a mounted projector, interactive whiteboard, reliable up-to-date teacher laptop, and a digital tablet. The purpose is to allow for greater teacher-to-teacher collaboration on projects with common understandings and support of the hardware being used. This concept also allows for common professional development trainings.
- Standardize all staff on a Macbook Air: As stated in the 2012-2013 goal to upgrade all staff to a new Ultra-book or Mac Air Book, the decision was made to use the Mac Air Book. Many staff have already been upgraded. The MacOS platform is an exceptionally powerful system that requires very little technical support. The Windows platform is currently in flux and the success or failure of the new Windows 8 platform is yet to be determined.
- Provide an iPad or Android tablet for every staff member: All staff members should have a tablet to use in order to gain an understanding of the mobile concept and to start developing lessons based on the mobile concept. In addition, all staff need to be able to receive email and notifications on a mobile device in order to increase the level of communication between teachers and parents and administration.
- Upgrade the High School LMC: The high school LMC was designed and built in the 1970's long before the idea of mobile computing devices and 1:1. One of the upgrades will introduce an HDMI network that will allow for multiple collaborative team sessions to make use of independent multimedia sessions around the LMC.
- An important element of 1:1 is the digital content that is being used. It is imperative that all teaching staff be trained in the acquisition of or the creation of informative, current, timely, interactive, educational, enticing, creative and fun digital content.
