FNWSU Tech Plan Focusing Questions and Responses

These are the working ideas we generated in the tech plan process

They are important enough to preserve and be part of our plan

Student Centered Learning

In what ways will schools use technology to promote, support and manage student-centered learning?	FNW - SCL will be promoted through curricular structures that incorporate research using technology and online resources, communications using electronic messages and interactive websites including wikis and blogs, and collaboration using wikis and online shared documents. SCL will be supported with digital tools such as data collection devices, cameras, video equipment and the software to manipulate and share student work. SCL will be managed with online course management systems such as Moodle and online forms and documents
How will the SU promote teaching methods and strategies that best support the use of technology in student-centered learning?	FNW - SU curriculum development teams will begin to incorporate 21st century skills in content areas. PBL program contains built-in time for PD, peer collaboration and promotion of best methods and strategies. Programs and projects will be revised on an annual basis to update and improve practice SWA will create connected units that include technology and differentiation. HIG - School-wide Global Project Initiative to incorporate 21st century skills in content areas through PBL. Project will change and evolve annually. Global collaboration to be encouraged.
How will the SU create technology policies and procedures that support student-centered learning?	FNW - revise and update student internet policies and permissions to support web 2.0 and independent use of online resources and tools such as podcasting, blogging, posting to wikis and using google documents SWA will update our acceptable use policy to address web 2.0 issues.
How will technology "specialists" in schools support student-centered learning?	FNW - tech specialists will be resource experts and coaches in SCL guiding student work and providing support in the form of know-how, equipment experts, technical problem solvers, communication support, create infrastructure such as server access and tools such as needed software
How will Web 2.0 tools and sites be used to support student-centered learning?	FNW - course support tools such as Moodle will support course structure and independent learning, web 2.0 tools such as wikis will support collaboration, sharing and critiquing. Google tools will support research, collaboration, foundational knowledge, content and contextual learning. Students will use technology tools to create personal learning environment diagrams to define what tools they use or will use to create and manage their own learning HIG - Site to be setup to collaborate with Global Partners.
From the State Tech Plan - SU's will:
Provide a robust, cross-curricular, student-centered learning environment that uses modern technology tools to engage individual learning styles, extend learning opportunities, support individual learning plans, and provide access to resources not typically found in the school environment.	FNW - provide the opportunity to try a weekly SCL period which would use half of the teachers and all of the para-profesionals as coaches and guildes as the other half of the teaching staff had SCL PD SHEL - The computer lab will become a mobile technology station with the ability to take technology where ever it needs to go.
Become familiar with standards in 21st century skills, and include these updated standards in planning activities.	FNW - use the Connectivity 21 group as a resource to share, collaborate and disseminate 21st century learning information
Explore ways to develop student-centered learning activities that take advantage of technology-rich applications.	FNW - Pilot groups of students exploring programming with scratch and alice, creative environments such as sketchup and the world of google earth
Work toward student-centered learning practices that take advantage of effective technology use and the ways in which technology can enrich and expand the learning environment.	FNW - Pilot an SCL project-based program consisting of a weekly half day designated project time supported by technology and resource rich classrooms and teacher, para-professional and technology coaches.
Provide professional development opportunities, with the expectation that teachers will learn and use these tools.	FNW - teachers will learn the technology along with the teaching strategies and project management in the built-in alternating SCL schedule
Create assessments for all learning content areas that integrate technology skills as a part of the assessed student learning.	FNW - design rubrics that include 21st century skills supported by technology

Leadership in a Student Centered Environment

How will the SU create and implement professional development programs rich in content-based technology integration?	SWA PD is built using flexible learning environments and choice (model on Swanton's Technology Roundtables) FNW - Participate in Franklin County PD program focused on 21st CTL. PD learning modules are being created for these courses which teachers can access at their own pace based on need and interest
How will SU leaders model technology use for both staff and students, in a variety of contexts?	HIG- Administration Team will collaborate with colleagues using Web 2.0 tools. Online Newsletters from Teachers and Administration. FNW - CON 21 participants will become the technology leaders for FNWSU, in their classrooms, school and district
How does the SU insure that school leaders follow guidelines put forth by the ISTE NETS-A (for Administrators)?	HIG- To become familiar with the 2009 ISTE NETS-A and incorporate a working model. FNW - create an ATLCP based on the NETS-A 2009
In what ways will school leaders build awareness by highlighting solid examples of student-centered learning?	HIG- Highlighting staff and student work along with current technology topics, trends, and resources. FNW - participants in FC 21CTL PD will become teacher leaders and model work from their course
How will the SU offer professional development that builds on the concept of the teacher as a facilitator in a classroom where technology can provide access to rich teaching and learning resource	FNW - FNWSU and Franklin County SU's have created online and summer graduate level courses to do exactly this. 21st Century Teaching and Learning (21CTL), Project based Learning (PBL), Student Centered Learning (SCL)
In what ways will SU leaders lead the design and utilization of data-driven decision-making to impact financial aspects, curriculum, and student-performance?	FNW - Admins will support the current CLA work at MVU and the elementary schools. All schools are moving toward some type of data team model to use data for school improvement
How will school leaders become knowledgeable about the various available distance-learning opportunities, and take steps to promote opportunities among teachers and students?	HIG- Encouraging Teacher Participation at Workshops, Conferences and Courses along with support for Teachers teaching the FNWSU Curricula. FNW - Teachers, tech coordinators and admins will attend local, state and national technology meetings and conferences where they will share, collaborate and become aware of opportunities
From the State Tech Plan - SU's will:
Build awareness of student use of technology beyond school walls, and seek ways to integrate these tools into everyday instruction and student learning plans	FNW - Begin adding these features to one or two classes at MVU as a way to pilot and explore possibilities for flexible learning environments and universal access to learning. Share and expand what works. Workout the contractual and physical obstacles
Develop expectations for district professional development activities that require the integration of 21st century tools and a focus on student-centered learning in classrooms.	FNW - The TLCP (TLCP 2.0) will be updated to include more 21CTL including the required project or unit in which teachers integrate technology
Model the use of technology in everyday practice. This may include the effective use of online communication tools for communicating with parents and the community.	FNW - Admins do a good job now of modeling technology. Share the NETS-A 2009 document with administrators as soon as it becomes available and develop an ATLCP modeled after the TTLCP program
Strive to devise innovative, meaningful ways to provide technology for teachers as a necessary tool for their daily work.	FNW - we don't need to devise innovative and meaningful ways to conclude that all teachers will use their own laptop to teach and learn. No administrator would be without one, why should a teacher? That said, some teachers are getting technology for their classrooms through creative use of PD funds
Strive to provide adequate access for students to technology tools for learning in student-centered environments.	FNW - expand access to students with netbooks that circulate from the school libraries

Flexible Learning Environment

In what ways will the SU continue to pursue and develop broadband capacity to support learning opportunities for all schools?	FNW - All stakeholders have been made aware that broadband connectivity is key to learning in the 21st century. MVU has the greatest need for bandwidth capacity improvement. Sheldon will choose a less expensive alternative to Fairpoint when one becomes available. MVU is pursuing a switch to Comcast multiple cable modem stack to improve on the current T1 connection
In what ways will the SU promote awareness of distance-learning opportunities for the community, parents, school leaders, teachers, and students, along with the effective use of Web 2.0 tools?	FNW - awareness is created through learning opportunities and modeling via initial users. Parents and the community become aware through web access to school and student information
How will the SU provide professional development for the effective use of distance learning and Web 2.0 tools/sites?	FNW - Web 2.0 tool skills are being added to the Technology Literacy Certification Program for teachers, administrators and staff. FNWSU is collborating with FCSU and FNESU to offer graduate level courses in 21st century teaching and learning, the google environment, and multimedia 2.0 applications
In what ways will the SU require or encourage teachers to become involved in collaborative learning projects with teachers throughout the state, nation, and world?	FNW - Web 2.0 tool skills are being added to the Technology Literacy Certification Program for teachers, administrators and staff. Web 2.0 tools are a good first step to connecting to learning outside the school day and classroom. Teachers are also learning new communication tools such as Twitter and Skype which can be incorporated into their teaching and learning and as tools to inform stakeholders of learning opportunities. Graduate level courses in multimedia 2.0 tools are being offered. Google and other tools are demonstrated at each administrators meeting. All of the committees and groups in FNWSU now use google groups to organize resources and communicate between meetings
How will the SU make a connection to the Learning Network of Vermont (LNV), and encourage its purposeful and effective use?	FNW - Several meeting and conferencing events have taken place recently over the LNV including NECAP and Special Education informational meetings. FNWSU will make this resource and the facility available for any local requests or DOE events, particluarly after school hours. Bandwidth has been an issue and full use of the system during school and for student course and participotry events will not be realized until the bandwidth improves
In what ways will the SU provide access to school technology resources for all students, beyond the traditional school day and year?	FNW - Technology PD will include and encourage the building of Personal/Professional Learning Environments that include many of the latest technology tools for communicating with parents and peers, information and media gathering and teaching and learning tools. FNWSU will explore adding online coursework to existing course offerings using web 2.0 tools. Access will be supported for students without personal computers through a netbook loan program to students taking courses with online components SWA will explore supporting access for students and increase opportunities to engage in flexible-learning through a netbook or mobile laptop lab.
In what ways will the SU ensure flexibility in staffing and scheduling student learning opportunities?	FNW - MVU will pilot a flexible learning program and teacher in 2009-2010. This will serve as a model to explore the possibilities. FNWSU is exploring moving teacher and staff email and file storage into the cloud using google applications within a google domain
From the State Tech Plan - SU's will:
Develop resources that provide learning opportunities that students can access via technology beyond their school day. This may include websites, podcasts, and online course environments,	FNW - FNWSU is exploring moving our communication to a Google domain, including email, calendaring, documents, groups and more. Many of us are using this now. We may also begin to create student email accounts in Google when sufficient controls and monitoring are available. Google sites will be expanded to all schools. Use Google and other systems and sites such as Edmodo to expand access to courses and teacher communication
Provide robust broadband access for school campuses, and provide reliable, cost-effective digital devices for student use.	FNW - All locations have broadband, but we will continue to look for future improvements in speed and cost
Explore scenarios for students to utilize student-owned technology on the school campus	FNW - Anticipate student staff and outside guests and visitors use, upgrade system controls to provide safe and secure access to networks and the internet. Create policy for student, staff and visitor owned equipment regarding technical support, setup and access to networks and printers
Become aware of the variety of rich opportunities available through distance learning, and encourage its use by teachers and students.	FNW - FNW Connectivity 21 group will be the technology and 21st century learning leaders who help increase awareness of these opportunities
Extend learning opportunities by using technology to collaborate with others locally, regionally, statewide, nationally, and internationally to solve problems, create new knowledge, and develop 21st century skills.	FNW - Google, Ning and other sites will provide virtual collaboration space. Access to technology - laptops, netbooks, etc is an crucial component of making this work
Explore opportunities for creating and maintaining physical environments conducive to technology-rich collaboration. Examples might include: Wireless access points throughout school buildings, common student areas that allow for collaborative learning, and bright, well-lit common spaces for presentations and larger group gatherings.	FNW - FNWSU is getting quotes from vendors for a wireless access system to support expansion the use of student and staff owned devices, netbooks and other technology.

Engaged Community Partners

What will the SU do to promote digital citizenship among students and staff?	FNW - student will subscribe to news feeds for current events, and classroom topics. Students will contact state and federal representatives about legislation and local topics using email and online resources. Teachers will create a participatory culture through which students will connect and contribute to a variety of communities
How will the SU develop communication resources, and support existing resources such as the Learning Network of Vermont?	FNW - Put systems and structures in place to support utilizing web based technology for classroom centered learning via blogs, twitters, wikis. Use Skype and other video communication tools to network with other classes and resources outside of the school.
In what ways will the SU enable students to learn in 21st century contexts (e.g., through project-based or other applied work)?	FNW - Provide resources, both technological and time to implement student centered learning in projects and online activities.
From the State Tech Plan - SU's will:
Provide online resources for fostering parent involvement in school communities. These may involve, for example, day-to-day communication with parents via email, providing electronic access to student files and individual learning plans and examples of work, and providing regular access to student information system data on their child’s progress.	FNW - student information system data will be available to parents and guardians, including attendance, grade book, progress reorts, course scheduling. Web2School and PowerSchool provide access to information.
Become a model of collaborative communication for local communities, with students involved in the creation, development, and maintenance of websites and other collaborative tools for local projects and entities.	FNW - create and implement a 21st century participatory culture for staff, students and the community in which more and more student chosen learning is shared online for participation by other classes, parents and the community. Examples include multimedia projects that connect to the community or explore real world problems both local and global which include an online component open to include participation outside the classroom