Digital Access

at WVSS:

Our New

Initiative/Our

New Normal

- Impacting learning

and instruction -

Presentation Outline

1. Our story

2. Our plan

3. The elementary experience – Cari Wilson

4. On-line safety and citizenship

5. The Google environment – Gary Kern

6. What device?

7. Parental support

8. Questions

What we hear from students

“Learning becomes

more interesting when

you have more learning

options”

Our Readiness

5 year conversation

Many individual and group efforts

Motivated staff

Lots of staff-led ProD

Library support

We have never said no to an idea

In most classrooms

Students use

their devices

to go

broader and

deeper with

their

learning

What we hear from LSP

Digital access will level the

learning playing field for our

students

Will support many IEP

accommodations

Our students are more engaged

in a digital environment where

they are typically more successful

In most classrooms

Students

use their

devices in a

responsible

way

What we see in classrooms

Robust interactive teacher web presence

Increased communication with students

and parents

Podcasts

Flipped Classroom

Edmodo

Google Docs / Apps for Education

Noodle Tools

ELMO projectors

In Mr. Richardson’s classroom

He uses his

website to

support and

engage his

students in their

learning

anytime,

anywhere

In Mr. Richardson’s classroomHe regularly

creates,

shares, and

collaborates

with his

students using

videos they

have both

made to

deepen their

learning

In most classrooms

Students

can walk

away from

their devices

when

needed in

order to

engage in

different

ways

What we hear from students

“broadens the bank of knowledge”

“gives teachers more options”

“Google Translate in French class is helpful”

“currently varies from classroom to classroom”

In most classrooms

Students

choose the

right tool for

the right job,

without

being told

What we hear from ELL

Formative Assessment advantages

of using audio feedback

Advantages of providing new

instructional opportunities

Language instruction has a visual

component that technology can

increase engagement

In our library

Students

self-

regulate

their

behaviour,

and usage

of their

devices

Teachers’ biggest concern?

Q: What does appropriate use look

like and how will we support and

address it?

A: We have developed common

language that is aligned with our

feeder schools and good practice

In our cafeteria

Students

collaborate

anywhere,

anytime, as

their needs

arise

Shifting our thinking

From “controlling” student use to

“managing” or “facilitating” it

From “device” to “digital access”

A device is no different from a

pencil; if we want our students to

focus elsewhere we ask them to

put their “pencils” down . . .

And we worry that

smartphones will make us anti-

social . . .

c. 1952

The Plan

Effective September 2014:

- Students entering grades 8 and 9 are requested to bring a device to school daily

- Students entering grades 10 through 12 are encouraged to bring a device to school daily

The Plan

Facilitating digital access for students in a

1:1 environment makes a significant

difference to learning and instruction

Our students will be better prepared to

make informed and intelligent decisions in a

digital environment as they transition

through school, post-secondary, and life

Why Digital Access?It is highly likely that our children will have to utilize technology in their work and private lives both now and in their future

Employers are expecting a level of competencywith technology in the workplace

We want to leverage digital access to continue to provide optimal learning opportunities for our students

The elementary experience

K-3 iPads, 4-7 laptops

BYOD spreading rapidly in intermediate

grades

Digital environment -> supports inquiry,

personalized learning, world-at-fingertips

Teachers able to teach digital citizenship

at optimum ages and in safe environment

“you would be blown away!”

In Mrs. Schultz’s classroom

Her students are

seen using Google

Docs to share their

essay with her

while they work on

it. They are all

receiving instant

feedback using

their Google Drive

accounts

What will be different?

Students will use their devices in a wide

range of ways; some common, some

unique – personalized learning

Students will be continually guided to

engage in ways that are safe, responsible,

and appropriate

Teaching Above the Line

On-line safety and citizenship

Create a positive digital footprint (tattoo)

Build positive relationships

Pause before posting and recording

Protect your privacy

Create, share, and publish

Report inappropriate use

Cite your sources

Stay organized

The Google environment Google offers a suite of web based tools

(Google Apps for Education or GAFE)

accessible on any device using any browser

Google Drive is the document library for

students and you can create documents,

presentations, spreadsheets or forms from the

library

Google allows us to configure the deployment

to match our educational needs and

philosophy.

Using Google opens up the possibility of

ChromeBooks

What device?

Minimum criteria:

Internet connectivity, tactile keyboard

Eg: Samsung ChromeBook ($259)

Additional considerations:

word processing, slideshow creation,

spreadsheet function, multimedia

Eg: Netbook, laptop, MacBook, iPad ($?)

Tips for security at school

- Physically lock your device in your school

locker when not in use

- Bring extra lock for PE change rooms

- Use a screensaver and system password

- Record your device serial number

- Never leave your device unattended

- Protect your device with a case

- Download a tracking app if appropriate

Options

Devices on loan for the day from library and

south campus office if needed

Device cart will be available for staff to use

in classrooms if necessary to supplement

Financial hardship: contact Principal, school

will assign a device to student for the year

Parental support – we are on

the same team: your child’s

- Ensure a balance of time on the device at home

- Work in a visible and open space at home

- Have an open dialogue about what they are doing

- Reminders regarding illegal downloading

- Social networks are personal – school correspondence will be restricted to those grounded in an educational nature

We share the same values and

goals as your family

Develop healthy digital citizens in a 1:1

digital access learning environment to

prepare students for the 21st century

Develop a caring and compassionate

community that focuses on balance, social

and emotional learning, and a positive

school experience

Thank you!Questions:

Steve Rauh – Principal WVSS

Gary Kern – Director of Instruction IT SD45

Cari Wilson – District Digital Support SD45

Garth Thomson – Grade 8/9 Vice Principal WVSS