‘Bridging The Gap‘A Computer Recycling and

Donation Program with VASTAR

VSTEBrian Hackett, Instructional Technologist, Forest Park High School

Chuck Drake, iT/AP Coordinator, Forest Park High School

Sharon Henry, Executive Director PWCS Education Foundation

Melissa McQuarrie, Director of Community Relations VBCPS

Brian Chiglinsky, Assistant to the Secretary of Technology VA

Overview

• The story behind the vision

• Connecting the dots

• Need for outside help

• Making the vision come alive for you

A Vision for the 21st Century Education

• Service-Learning

• Technology Lasting Education

Lecture5%

Reading10%

Audio Visual20%

Demonstration30%

Discussion Group50%

Practice By Doing75%

Teaching Others90%

Learning Pyramid(Average Learning Retention Rates)

(National Training Laboratories, Bethel, Maine)

Service-Learning Research studies of service-learning, an educational method that

intentionally connects community service to classroom learning, demonstrates that service-learning projects can have positive impacts on youth. The studies also demonstrates that students gain the maximum benefit when their service-learning experience includes a direct tie to the curriculum…..

At Forest Park we offer Service Learning through:• iT Program• Learn and Serve (a for credit service class)• Future Business Leaders of America• Key Club • Technology Clubs (SWAT) • Student Clubs

One of our Project-Based approach toService-Learning

• Students work in elementary and middle schools tutoring in subjects that they are taking in High School. Portfolio reflections show that students gain a greater mastery of the subjects as well as understanding of the educational process.

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Technology

Technology helps students become active, independent, life-long learners. It also enhances education by helping students to solve problems, develop critical thinking skills, communicate their ideas, and work collaboratively on multidisciplinary projects.

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At Forest Park we offer Technology courses through our iT program:iT Foundations of TechnologyiT Essentials (A+)Network Design (Cisco)Graphic DesignProgramming

Our Project-Based approach to mastering IT curriculum

Students enrolled in the Forest Park iT program are given a hands on opportunity to connect their instruction to real world applications with donated computers.

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So where do the computers come from?

• Local Business partners

• Government agencies

• PWCS Education Foundation

Example of the Project-based Approach in iT Essentials

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2006 2007 2008

Number of computersper student

Pass rate percentageon Certification Exam

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SWAT to the Rescue

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Identify the Need

• Classroom teachers

• Building administrators

• Instructional technologists

• Non-profit organizations

FPHS Computer Donations

54%42%

4%

Community Outreach

PWC Schools

Individuals

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

AME ZION CHURCHASHLAND ES

DALE CITY ELEMENTARYSERVE

BROOKE NURSING CENTERCHRISTOPHER NEWPORT

GODWIN MSOLMSTED GOSHEN BOY

GARFIELD HSNEW DIRECTIONS

REPUBLIC OF MALAWIHARLEM 'VILLAGE

HENDERSON ESBRENTSVILLE HS

STONEWALL HSSCHOOL IN PA

FRED LYNN MSSCHOOLS IN GHANA

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONHYLTON HS

NEW ORLEANS PROJECT

Donations for 2005-2007

Houston we have a problem!

• Well at least a good one – Our success has created a large demand for

computers.– How do we get them here? – Where do we store them?– How can we work on them if they belong to

the School?– How do we give them away?

Not for profit partnerships

– Allow for the model to be implemented outside of the School System, thus allowing for free flow of computers to the community.

• Prince William County Public Schools Education Foundation

• Virginia Beach

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Where Do the Computers Go?

Bridging the Gap

Using our SWAT program we establish a ‘Bridging the Gap’ Night at Forest Park where eligible students along with a parent/guardian attend and participate in an educational session on computer literacy. Leaving with a computer.

Several hundred computers have been donated through the BTG project in just the last 3 years

Bridging the Gap is identified as a ‘Best Practice’

• The Former VA Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra and Secretary of Education Tom Morris announced that Forest Park High School have agreed to join the Secretaries of Technology, Education and the Virginia Department of Education in replicating elements of the Forest Park High School Information Technology (IT) program in schools throughout the Commonwealth.

• Forest Park has collaborated with the State on the VA STAR Manual

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Secretaries Aneesh Chopra and Tom Morris Announce Partnership with PWCS

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• A collaborative effort between the Virginia Department of Education and the Office of Technology

• Develop and assist with IT industry certifications • “Everyone benefits by keeping perfectly good

computers out of the landfill and placing them in the hands of students to do school work, to do research, and to communicate.”

Dr. Steven L. Walts Superintendent of Schools

Here are some ways this project can help you

Some ideas for how you VA STAR can help you….

• Build labs within the school system to support areas of need and growth, thus saving capital investment on technology for the school or district.

• Increase the number of computers in schools to be used for after-school activities and adult education, thus saving money on investment on for these programs and allowing for longer life of current inventory.

• Use computers to support and replace current inventory that is aged and malfunctioning

• Get computers back into the hands of students

– If computers are donated to community they could be earmarked for online learning opportunities, thus saving the school money to support students outside the regular classroom and give them another option. (Night School also)

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PWC School Board Welcomes Secretary Chopra

• Saving budget dollars• Hands-on learning• Giving back to the

community• Workforce

development• Assist with IT industry

certifications

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School Divisions’ Roles

• School Board • Associate

Superintendent• Leadership Team• Instructional

Technology Resource Teachers

So has this model be replicated?

• VA Beach– How did you learn about the project?– What did you have to do to get it going?– How do you see your project down the road?

What do I have to do to get started?

– Have a class or a club that is sponsored by someone that has basic computer hardware knowledge. Advocate or leader with some IT skills or interest

– You must be willing to educate students on the basic understanding of hardware and computer operations.

– You must be willing to accept and store up to 30 computers.

– Must be willing to showcase the recycling project at a community donation event called ‘Bridging the Gap’.

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Who can you get involved

• SWAT clubs• Future Business

Leaders of America• Learn and Serve• Volunteer parents• Committed staff

member

Final Thought

Technology hasn't made much of a dent yet but that's because we really haven't immersed ourselves in the possibilities. In general, schools have not kept pace with technological advances. This is not the fault of educators. Schools are rarely adequately funded and buying technology often only happens at the expense of purchasing other materials or increasing salaries…..until now…..

• VA STAR offers not only an alternative way to finding technology resources for school, but also stress the importance of using these resources to connect learning and teaching with civic responsibility….. ..…The ‘Lasting Education’…….

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Ignite / VA STAR Program