Comprehensive Technology Analysis

Renee BeekerED 605

Dr. Askern-EdgehouseNovember 9, 2013

● “As we continue to expand our use of technology in the district, this year, our students will have unprecedented access to technology and resources. Access to the Internet anywhere on the WiFi network will enable staff and students to utilize various web-based resources, apps, and wireless resources to enhance student learning and the learning environment. While we are excited about this growth in 21 st century learning, we also want to take the time to share with you a couple of reminders found in our BYOD Acceptable Use Agreement.”

Huron Valley School District. (n.d.). Technology acceptable use. Bring your own device. Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology/byod/parents-students/

● Students are required to follow the Huron Valley Schools, Code of Conduct and Technology Acceptable Use Policy, 6175 Technology Resources Use Policy ,BYOD Acceptable Use Agreement and Social Media Policy while they are on their own mobile devices and connected to the Huron Valley School network.

Huron Valley School District. (n.d.). District internet use and other policies. For parents and students. Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology/byod/parents-students/

School Leaders & Internet SafetyPart A

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CIPAThe school district adheres to the Child Internet Protection Act enacted by Congress in 2000 to protect children from access to

obscene or harmful content over the Internet. The school district states, “Student filtering is a requirement of all schools. The Children’s Internet Protection Act requires all network access to be filtered, regardless of the tool you use to access it while in school. If you’re using the school’s network your device will be filtered”.

Children's Internet Protection Act. (n.d.). Children's internet protection act. Retrieved from http://www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

Cyberbullying As noted in interviews with staff and students, cyberbullying is not a large problem, but when reported such as one instance last

year, it was dealt with swiftly. The district provides this link for parents, students and staff as effort to improve education on this issues: http://cyberbullying.us/

Cyberbullying Research Center. (n.d.) Cyberbullying 2013 update. Retrieved from http://cyberbullying.us/

Huron Valley Schools. (n.d.). For teachers. BYOD 2013-14. Retrieved fromwww.hvs.org/district/technology/byod/for-teachers

District Information on Internet safety

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Student Interviews Freshman, Lakeland High School

● Uses technology more at home than in school● Device of choice at school, her smart phone● Never takes her laptop to school, but has taken her kindle. ● Uses her smartphone to look up references and for note

taking. ● Uses her device daily for these classes

○ Science

○ Math

○ Language Arts

○ AP Human Geography

○ Spanish● Believes her teachers dislike the BYOD program, as it is

distracting.● Admits that she has not always followed the rules

○ Sends texts to parents or friends during school.

Freshman, Milford High School• Uses her smartphone in school. • Does not take her laptop but thinks she may start for better

note taking.• Uses her device in for looking up definitions and other

reference information.• Uses her device in these classes

o Language Arts

o Science

o Social Studies• She admits she does not always follow the rules.

o She does not have a Facebook account or twitter but she does text friends.

• Says her teachers “hate” the BYOD program because they know we don’t follow the rules

• We love it!

Both girls had not experienced Cyberbullying, but both had heard of an incident where the district dealt with the event swiftly and severely, resulting in the suspension of the offending student. 4

Parent InterviewParent, two High School students• I am concerned that they are easily be sidetracked with the open access to the internet.● Both use the internet regularly when doing their homework● Both are often distracted by tweets and facebook postings that occur while they are working

● I think that learning to use the internet as a supplement to in class presentations is an essential skill

○ I am concerned that they may not know the difference between good information and misleading information

● Both have IPhones and iMacs with wifi access via ISDN● Both use social media quite often● Both like to shop on the internet● Both like to watch movies and TV programs on their computers from the internet● Both will often deny that they are using the internet when they are supposed to be doing their

homework● Both will often stay up too late using their devices

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Internet Safety and School Leaders Interview

High School Teacher What is your experience or perceptions of students using the internet, either appropriately

or inappropriately?

○ Half of the time they are doing something related to class and the other half of the time they are checking a form of social media

○ Some students to be more obsessive about their grades, checking Skyward several times during the school day.

○ Students use the Internet for information for the class and it is nice to have immediate access.

○ Some students never allow themselves time to think, remember, or construct an answer and immediately go to the Internet.

■ In my opinion they are skipping critical skills that keep the brain sharp.

○ The other thing I notice is the inability to sit and stare, sit and think, sit and wait, etc.

■ As soon as students are done with an activity (assignment, test, quiz, etc.) they immediately get on their personal device.

■ I often wonder if they would have double checked their work if they were not heading straight to their devices after.

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High School Teacher (part 2)● Do you feel the district's policy on internet safety (AUP and or BYOD) is adequate, or do you think that it needs to be changed?

○ The current policy is still in a trial run. I'm sure adjustments will need to be made, but I'm not sure any of us have enough data to know what the changes should be.

○ Overall, I think that it is realistic to have BYOD and promote real world access. ● Do you have adequate access to technology to support your classroom activities?

○ Yes. Access to wifi, computer labs, I have a Smartboard, webcam, etc.● Do you have any concerns or experiences with cyberbullying?

○ I know it exists. I have not had any experiences with it this year. Last year some of my students came to me about cyber bullying of another student and they wanted me to take it to administration. I did and it was promptly addressed.

● Also, can you please share your thoughts about BYOD? Do you feel it is effective?

○ It is definitely convenient and useful.

○ It currently is NOT perfect.

○ I fear that we are indulging the obsessive behavior many teens and adults already have with devices.

○ Our jobs now is to teach students how and when to best use their devices in an educational setting.

○ Best case scenario we teach kids appropriate, safe, and healthy habits for the use of their devices.

Internet Safety and School Leaders Interview

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First Principal Interview

Middle School Principal (from conversation)

• Believes it is important to have the use of technology in his school. • Teachers all have smartboards, computers, clickers, wifi, etc. • They started a BYOD last year.

o This program was a more controlled effort, only 8th graders can BYOD.

o They use their devices in any classes where teachers allow them.• School benefits from many parent and community donors• Teachers are not always happy with the BYOD program, but they can decide if or when it is used in class.• Students who do not follow the policy will lose their privilege.

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Principal 2 Interview Middle School Principal (Part 1)

• Do you feel the current district policy regarding Internet safety, AUP or BYOD policy is good or not, and if not, what improvements would you make?

o The current policy for internet safety and BYOD are continually changing as the world of technology changes.

A committee works on researching best practices, drafting, revising, and presenting the policies.

o Because there is the ability to be fluid, it helps staff more easily navigate the every changing world of technology.

o I do like the guidelines currently set in place for BYOD. They work for our school.

• Do you have any concerns about cyberbullying? Are students complaining of cyberbullying? o Cyberbullying is the new big thing.

o Because students are restricted to access to some of the social media sites during the school day, the cyberbullying tends to happen outside of school.

o Parents are often the first to call and report that their child is being "bullied" via social media.

We typically walk parents through various steps to help them work with their child and the other family, if appropriate.

o When cyberbullying happens during the school day, and when the child is at school, we can address it and handle it through the office.

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Middle School Principal (Part 2)

• What are the attitudes of your teachers regarding the use of technology in school and the BYOD programs? o Attitudes of staff vary.

o Based on comfort level, you see a change in support for its use in the classroom.

o Some teachers embrace the wonders of technology.

o We also see that it is essential for some students with special needs who struggle to write, read, record items in their planners, etc.

The technology available assists them in being more successful.

o Because we are also a 21st Century school, we incorporate technology in many ways.

o Teachers are encouraged to utilize their classroom technology and students are encouraged to appropriately use technology.

Principal 2 Interview

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Middle School Principal (Part 3)

• Do feel the technology in your school is being used effectively? o I think technology is being use effectively, however, I think much more could be done.

o This again, plays into the comfort of the teacher and how familiar they are with what is available.

o We have a technology integrator who has a couple of hours a day to help teachers and assist them with any technology planning and implementation.

o We also have support for improving and implementing new technology programs such as:

Tenmarks

Kursweil

MAP.

o There are so many facets of today's technology that we have to continually educate ourselves on what is available, how it will help our students learn and be successful, and how we provide the opportunities to be exposed to the various wonders of the technology world.

Principal 2 Interview

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District IT Professional Interview

District IT Director• Are there issues regarding building capacity, physical space for technology growth?

o Physical space for computers or labs No significant issues in that area at the secondary level. Sometimes we need to add 2 or 3 more workstations to an existing lab to accommodate class size, but don't have

the room to do so. At the elementary we have a few buildings with higher student populations where a second computer lab would

be desirable. • Each of our elementary buildings have just one computer lab. • In the past, we have used wireless carts to add capacity where needed, but teachers report they are not as

reliable for use in the classroom as a lab provides. • This year, we are piloting Chromebooks at Oxbow elementary in the 5th grade classrooms and are having

very positive results.

• Do the computer labs need additional equipment or help managing the proper environment for the technology in some buildings? o Did not directly answer this question, just a general comment about special requirements for technology labs in generalo Compared to a wireless environment, computer labs do need additional equipment

Furniture, electrical power, switches and data drops. There may also be additional HVAC requirements for computer labs as compared to traditional classrooms.

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District IT Professional Interview

District IT Director (continued)• Are there plans for additional personnel to support the increased technology in the district?

o This year, we added additional personnel in Instructional Technology A district coordinator and Technology Integrators at each high school. Additional instructional technology support at the elementary level. As a result of an audit of the department completed last year, there was a recommendation to also add an

additional technician. We have a Ten Year Intern Program.

• Students from our district high schools apply for positions and are paid in our program.

• The current technology plan runs until 2015. What efforts are being made beyond the current plan?o Our current technology plan was written as a 3-year plan from July 2013 - June 2016,

The State of Michigan is only approving plans through 2015 as they change the technology planning process. Beyond 2016, as a part of our 2009 Bond application, we have technology projects scheduled through 2018.

• Do you/district have data already compiled regarding our teachers attitudes and skills on technology use in their classrooms that you could share?o We completed a survey of staff most recently in the spring of 2009. o 19 Administrators (AIM), 7 Supervisors (MOST) and 301 Teachers and Media Specialists respond representing about

50% of our instructional staff. o We have not completed the "speak up" survey.

● In a follow up personal interview I asked the IT director his concerns regarding security. ● His largest concern, teachers walking away from their computer before securing it.

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Interview SynthesisCommon Attitudes from surveyso BYOD program is realistic, even with issues of use and managemento Students, parents, teachers and administrators believe learning how to use technology is an important skill.o Students, parents, teachers and administrators know the rules and also know students tend to text or use some form of

social media during the school day. o All agree that the use of the internet is good for easy access to information, though there is worry they are accessing social

media instead of “focusing” on work. o The teachers do have control over when devices are used and feel that is helpful for control of their class. o The importance for students to use and have experience with technology, but there is concern students are not using their

critical thinking to evaluate all the material they can access through the use of their technology tools. o Cyberbullying was managed when reported.o BYOD, Internet security and safety policy is not perfect and is changing

Different Attitudes from surveyso The teachers are concerned that students do not sit still, sit and think, sit and wait, but go straight to their devices.o Students believe the teachers “hate” BYODo Not all Teachers like the use of BYOD or some technology due to concern over distractions or comfort with technology.o Technology integrator provided a couple hours a day to support teachers using technology in their curriculum.o Administrators and teachers say they will enforce rules but students still not following them. o Safety security issues not just from outside, but teachers walking away from their computer without logging off.

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Attitudes & Skills Analysis Part BThe IT director shared the results of a district survey from 2009.

Overall results showed a good attitude, but clearly training in technology use is needed to fully integrate technology into their business offices and curriculum.

Survey consisted of 12 questions and asked the respondents to assess their own attitudes and skills. Breakdown and discussion of the survey results are on the next few pages.

Huron Valley School District. (2009). Educational technology: AIM. Technology survey. Retrieved from: http://survey.oakland.k12.mi.us/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2freport_process.aspx%3fdeployment_id%3d65143f14-a212-42a3&deployment_id=65143f14-a212-42a3 (login required).

Huron Valley School District. (2009). MOST. Technology survey. Retrieved from: http://survey.oakland.k12.mi.us/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2freport_process.aspx%3fdeployment_id%3d65143f14-a212-42a3&deployment_id=65143f14-a212-42a3 (login required).

Huron Valley School District. (2009). Teachers/media specific. Technology survey. Retrieved from: http://survey.oakland.k12.mi.us/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2freport_process.aspx%3fdeployment_id%3d65143f14-a212-42a3&deployment_id=65143f14-a212-42a3 (login required).

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Technology Survey AIM

AIM stands for: “Administrative Instructional Management" Team. This includes principals, assistant principals, athletic directors, special education director/assistant director and technology director.

Nineteen administrators responded to the Ed. Tech Survey AIM

The majority of administrators were fully on board and with technology usage in their administrative roles.

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Technology Survey MOSTMost is "Management Operations Supervisory Team". This includes non-instructional supervisors of the following departments: Transportation, Food Services, Maintenance, Operations, Finance, Purchasing, Pupil Accounting, Human Resources and Community/Recreation.

I am somewhat concerned with this survey, given only seven supervisors responded. For the most part, you would expect them to understand how to use the telephone, Microsoft Word and Excel.

This team is the non-instructional group, they rarely use Skyward and explains the reason for the lower comfort level with the student management system.

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Technology Survey Media SpecificThis group is the instructional team which also includes counselors, social workers, speech and language, etc.

For the teachers, Skyward is a struggle for 31% of them. Skyward is used to post grades and attendance. The issue that many parents have with Skyward, as recent as a week ago, has to do with teachers posting grades more than a week late.

Excel and PowerPoint are a challenge.

Legal, ethical, etc. are also issues that teachers need to be addressed for better understanding.

There is a need for additional training in the online learning environment.

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Technology Survey Media Specific (cont.)Teachers are not quite comfortable yet in using technology for assessments or to enhance methods for student learning. The District, in an effort to support teachers and technology, have hired an Instructional Technology Coordinator.

The teachers have some catching up to do with use of technology at their fingertips. My concern is the new and rapidly changing technology that they may be using next.

This survey is a few years old, so may not reflect improvements seen as the teachers gain more experience and training in technology use.

Students, of course, are ahead in the use of technology. Can we catch up?

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Current Technology Attitudes Survey Results• 150 responses to survey

• Respondents taught grades k-12• All but one use technology outside of school

• Most use computer and smartphone• Most use Facebook or Pinterest• 81% are comfortable using the technology in their

classrooms• 97% believe it enhances their teaching

• The technology in their classrooms is usually reliable• WIFI sometimes either not accessible or low signal strength

• Tech support was usually good, but could use some improvement

• 85% of the respondants had completed their Master’s Degrees 20

Current Teacher Technology Attitudes Survey Results

Teachers are open to, and feel comfortable with, using technology in their classrooms to support their

curriculum, where technology use is appropriate. There is a need to improve connectivity in some areas and 1:1 technology would provide all students have access to

technology.

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Resource Analysis Part CDistrict Funding•2009 Bond providing roughly $7,800,000 for technologyDistrict serves approximately•16 schools and Administration buildings•9,796 Students •600 Teachers •1,400 Staff Technology approximately•Computer Labs in all schools.•4,000 computers, roughly half will be replaced next year.•600 televisions•1,500 telephones•200 software programs and applications•Wireless internet to the entire district•Thousands of miles of fiber optics and copper wire•12 Technology Services Staff members

Student IT Internship Program

Huron Valley School District. (n.d.). Technology services. Technology services department. Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology

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Resource Analysis

•New Technology Equipment• 21st Century classrooms are state-of-the-art with SMART Board • Laptops • Digital Cameras • SMART Response Systems • New computers in elementary and middle schools.• New SMART Boards• Document Cameras• Tablet computers, iPads, Kindles and Nooks used in all educational levels to

evaluate these technologies.

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Resource AnalysisInstructional Technology Advisory Committee Grant Program

Curriculum Specific ProposalsOf the 55 proposals submitted 18 project grants were awarded.

Here are two of those projects.http://vimeo.com/64585426 “The NOOK Tablets' web browsing capabilities will enable students to do research for authentic purposes, and the shared iPad 2

will provide them with the means to take photos, record videos, and access the ever-expanding wealth of apps available for learning.”

http://vimeo.com/64098905“The interactive use of technology will encourage student learning by actually doing, physically interacting and it has been a proven

method used to encourage critical thinking. When used correctly Smart Board technology is a powerful instructional tool that promotes student learning.”

Huron Valley School District. (2012). Curriculum specific technology integration projects. Technology integration. Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology/technology-integration/

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Resource Analysis • Some elementary buildings need more workstations in computer labs but do not have

space• Some computers are 12 years old

o There is a plan to replace half of them in the near futureo Some teachers always have to make due with what they have

• District offers teachers limited technology grants to improve or integrate technology into their curriculum

• Using a combination of BYOD and district resources in classrooms• Teachers feel many students do not have access to BYOD devices which prevents

them from access to technology curriculum efforts.• Disposal of obsolete equipment is contracted to suppliers in original purchasing

agreements• Teachers need more support from the technology integration team• Additional funds required when the current bonds expire in 2018.

• Funding is always an issue.25

Tech Plan Analysis Part D• District Plan is developed in a collaborative effort between these entities:

• Instructional technology Advisory Committee • TAC• Board of Education Technology Ad-Hoc Committee• Strategic Planning Team

• Approved by Michigan Department of Education• Vision: To provide a world class Education for all learners.• “REAL” Learning aligned to district goals for curriculum instruction

• “Reinforce” core curriculum Standards• “Extend, Expand, Enhance” beyond classroom through effective technology integration to facilitate• “Authentic” content that links the real world experience to student learning providing students the

ability to become• “Life long Learners” providing students with various ways and needs to learning.

Huron Valley School District. (2012). 2013-2016 technology plan. Technology plan, 14, 15. Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology/techplan/

Michigan Department of Education. (October 2009). Michigan educational technology standards 2009. Technology resource readiness. Retrieved from: http://www.techplan.org/mets/.

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• Funding is via a nine year bond. • The funds are distributed over three years equally. • Currently the district is in phase two of a three phase plan. • Plan expenses are pending approval of the board of education.• Plan for years 2014 – 2015 are adding/replacing

• Computers• Printers,• Wireless video conference• Instructional assistive tech

• Highlight some result statements (Goals)• Align professional development with supporting standards (Curriculum Integration)• Provide Technology Integration support to all schools (Professional Learning)• Identify funding sources to support BYOD or 1:1 program (Technology Infrastructure) • Implement self-help systems (Technology Infrastructure) • Survey community in access/use of technology (Community Engagement)Huron Valley School District. (2012). 2013-2016 technology plan. Technology plan, 100, 103, 104, 110.

Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology/techplan/

Technology Plan Funding Timeline

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• Plan for years 2016-2018 are adding/replacing• Computers• Printers,• Wireless infrastructure• Instructional assistive tech• Phone System Replacement

• Highlight some result statements (Goals)Evaluate online learning experiences in core content areas(Curriculum Integration)Evaluate the Technology Integrator model and refine (Professional Learning)Recommend future wireless needs (Technology Infrastructure) Review self-help effectiveness (Technology Infrastructure) Evaluate impact of communication strategies (Community Engagement)

Huron Valley School District. (2012). 2013-2016 technology plan. Technology plan, 106-108. Retrieved from: http://www.hvs.org/district/technology/techplan/

Technology Plan Funding Timeline

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• Continue appropriate improvement to infrastructure resources• Wi-Fi connectivity could be improved by adding more signal repeaters• Adjust resources allocations as needed

• Some teachers are not using what they have while others could or would use in their class• Continue increasing time for curriculum integration in every school .• Increase tech support in every building • Continue improvements to self help effort• Continue efforts to improve and increase professional learning for staff and teachers

in technology use and curriculum integration with a vision of technology changes and improvements that will occur as technology changes can be rapid.

Edutopia Staff. (2007). What is successful technology integration? What works in education. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description

Evaluation of Technology Plan

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• Continue system wide communication improvements.• Survey system users at every phase to be sure all efforts are being met and to improve issues

that have been overlooked.• Funding is always a roadblock to improvements. Develop an effective communication plan

with the community so there is understanding of needs. • Develop a needs list. Often the community is able to support or provide if they know what is

needed. • It is clear this district has worked hard to provide an effective appropriate plan to support the

technology needs for the education of the community students. With continued evaluation and adjustments and adequate funding this district is making every effort to provide a rich technology environment.

Scholastic Staff. (n.d.). Money...16 surprising ways to fund technology. Administrators magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3750588

Teachthought Staff. (July 13, 2013). 3 common options to fund technology-rich classrooms. Teachthought. Retrieved from: http://www.teachthought.com/technology/3-common-options-to-fund-technology-rich-classrooms/

Evaluation of Technology Plan

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After sharing my presentation with the Huron Valley IT director, he said he was impressed with the amount of research I had done and how in-depth it was.

The IT director also offered some addition information to clarify my understanding of the district’s older survey.

He requested to see the analysis of the survey I had done with the teachers in the district.

I shared this presentation with two principals but neither has responded.

I would like to especially thank my local district superintendent, IT director, principals and teachers who supported this work.

Response from Local Team