Medford Public Schools

Technology Committee Report

April 13, 2011
 Introduction
• This plan reflects the district’s vision, goals, and objectives
for teaching and learning, and the roles the committee
envisions that technology will play in implementing the
district’s goals. The plan is intended to provide direction for
the School Committee, school superintendent,
administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and students
in designing the effective integration of technology in our
schools by increasing student engagement; improving
differentiated instruction; and developing 21st century skills
such as digital citizenship, creativity, problem solving, critical
thinking, and collaboration.
 Introduction
Our mission is to provide all students with the
skills to be successful and responsible 21st
century citizens.
Teaching and learning
drive instructional
technology
 We Must Create a Learning Environment
that:
• ENGAGES students in learning process and that
– requires students to process concepts and
information
– use high level thinking skills to solve problems and
create solutions
–  work cooperatively
– communicate effectively
Bloom’s Taxonomy
 What is:
Current State of Technology in
Medford Schools
The State of Technology
 State of Technology

 
•Ratio of students to computers, PRESENTLY, in the Medford Public Schools: 2:1

•100% of classrooms connected to the Internet

•100% of computers connected to the Internet

•100% of classrooms connected to the Local Area Network

•Medford maintains an up-to-date web site, managed by a full time Web Master,
which includes information for students, teachers, parents and community
members

•100% of all schools allow students to use computers before and after school
 Computers in the Schools

2000 - 2009 2010-2011

Computers Computers
School Administrative and Student School Administrative and Student

High School 430 High School 340

Vocational 163 Vocational 150
Curtis-Tufts 18 Curtis-Tufts 18
Andrews 391 Andrews 330
McGlynn MS 337 McGlynn MS 340
Brooks 278 Brooks 252
Columbus 257 Columbus 241
McGlynn Elem 341 McGlynn Elem 215
Roberts 272 Roberts 234

Total 2487 Total 2120

16% reduction in computers this year and on a…

 Status of Computers in the Schools

•Andrews and McGlynn Middle Schools (Phase 1)

All hardware (computers, monitors, printers, LCD
projectors) purchased in 2001.
10 years old
•Brooks, Columbus, Roberts Elementary Schools (Phase 2)
All hardware (computers, monitors, printers, LCD
projectors) purchased in 2003.
8 years old
2 MAJOR CONCERNS
 -1-
87.3% of district-wide computers are on an outdated
Operating System (OS 2000)

Computers are running Internet Explorer 6 and cannot be updated to IE 7

Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Shockwave, Quicktime

can no longer be updated on Windows 2000.

Most sites used by the students require these updates. Therefore, the
number of web sites used by teachers and students is quickly diminishing.

New equipment cannot be installed as it cannot operate on Windows 2000.

 
Due to the out of date operating systems, testing and assessment, required,
(in the future) by the Department of Education, will not be possible.
 -2 –
MACHINES CAN NO LONGER BE REPAIRED

Spare parts are becoming increasingly more difficult to purchase (if at all). We can no
longer get spare Motherboards for some of the computers.

This year it took 3 months to receive replacement fans for computers while vendors
searched all inventories.

Inventory of “cannibalization” is getting low. We no longer have any old machines from
which to utilize spare parts.

Lack of adequate technology funds severely limits the purchase of new hardware,
parts and supplies.

LCD projectors and printers are failing due to their 10 year age. In several instances the
bulbs and toner are no longer available.

Broken equipment is not cost effective to repair.

 How usable is our
Technology?

What does this mean for our future

of Medford education in
Medford Public Schools???
 What Should be:
The Future of Technology in
Medford Schools
 The 21 Century School
st

• Wireless network for all buildings

• Students and faculty will have access to:
– mobile devices
– Workstations
– Internet
– instructional applications
– Printing
– computer labs
– curriculum
• Classrooms will be designed to allow students to be active participants
in the learning process
• Teaching and learning will be extended beyond the classroom and
possible 24/7
Technology allows access to and engagement in
learning for students with a wide range of
learning styles, needs and interests.

Technology Opens Doors for ALL Learners

 As a public school district,
it is our responsibility to educate every student

In order to accomplish this we must:

• Engage every student in learning
• Ensure that all students with all of their diversity are
able to access learning and express what they know.

Technology makes this possible.

3 Important Concepts to help us to educate all students
TE
CH
NO
LO
GY
 Faculty/Staff Technology Use Survey
• Survey conducted in October 2010
– how they are currently using technology and what they would like to
do with it
• 139 staff in district took survey
• All levels: elementary, middle, high school
• All content areas: math, ELL, SPED, foreign language, science, health, etc.
• All different staff members: Teachers, support staff, and administrators
• 47% favor 1:1 model and see it as most effective mode of instruction over
clusters of computers in a classroom, visiting a computer lab for
technology instruction, or sharing laptop carts
• When asked what technology they want that they don’t currently have
access to, most wanted an LCD projector, Smartboards, and computers
that function properly
Faculty/Staff Technology Use
 Faculty/Staff Technology Use
• What would they like to do with technology?
– Finding still images online or using digital cameras to capture and
upload images
– Teaching students how to treat others in a respectful manner online
– Teaching students how to verify internet content through hands-on
research
– Playing a structured game where students assume different roles
and need to collaboratively solve a mystery/problem
– Researching different perspectives around a current news event or
public discussion
– Creating and/or viewing animations that explain scientific processes
– View real-time aerial images of different areas of the world.
 Other School Districts

President Obama recently visited

TechBoston Academy, a unique high school
where technology is the bridge that
connects students to their learning and
where every student has a laptop.

“What’s happening here is working. We

know what works. What’s required, then,
to get results from any school is no longer a
mystery. And that means there can’t be any
more excuses — from anybody.”
 Other School Districts
• Approximately 24% of all school districts with student populations of
more than 2,500 are planning 1:1 laptop initiatives. – America’s Digital
Schools 2006: A Five Year Forecast, a report by the Greaves Group and the Hayes
Connection
• States with 1:1 initiatives: Maine, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania,
South Dakota, Texas
• Local schools with 1:1 initiatives (current and planning): Millis, Beverly,
Burlington, TechBoston Academy, Chatham, Gateway Regional, Westfield,
Hampshire, Plymouth, Natick, Easthampton, Windham (NH), Winthrop, to
name a few.
• In a survey of 51 school districts in the state last May we conducted
online, 33% have students computers in an approximately 1:1
configuration, whether it’s student laptops, desktops in the classroom, or
mobile carts.
 Other School Districts
Windham, NH Burlington, MA

Mr. Calvin, Burlington High English teacher, on his

experience using iPads in the classroom:

“This was an unparalleled success. Student enjoyed the work,

were engaged at a higher level that I might normally expect, and
produced work at a very high level. It's worth noting that this was
a positive example for me as well- I was able to be mobile, and
interact with students seamlessly and effortlessly. It was nice to
see technology work without any noticeable effort.”
 Other School Districts
• Wayland has been piloting one-to-one computing
with a few dozen math and science students this year
• Malden High is experimenting with laptops in the
classroom
• Woburn has modified laptop program in all
elementary schools
• Andover High School is piloting digital textbooks and
is looking at the iPad
• To highlight just a few examples!
 Let’s have a little competition at school and get ready for the
future. I will use a laptop and you will use paper and pencil. Are
you ready…?
• I will access up-to-date information - you have a textbook that is 5 years old.
• I will immediately know when I misspell a word – you have to wait until it’s graded.
• I will learn how to care for technology by using it – you will read about it.
• I will see math problems in 3D – you will do the odd problems.
• I will create artwork and poetry and share it with the world – you will share yours
with the class.
• I will have 24/7 access – you have the entire class period.
• I will access the most dynamic information – yours will be printed and photocopied.
• I will communicate with leaders and experts using email – you will wait for Friday’s
speaker.
• I will select my learning style – you will use the teacher’s favorite learning style.
• I will collaborate with my peers from around the world – you will collaborate with
peers in your classroom.
• I will take my learning as far as I want – you must wait for the rest of the class.
From  Milton Chen's book Education Nation - Six Leading Edges of Innovation in our Schools
What tools do students use to complete their
homework?
What are the tools of the classroom?

• 20th Century • 21st Century

Do students do homework the same way they did 20 years ago?

10 years ago? 5 years ago?
 Why 1:1?
• Engagement:
– Reduce drop out rates
– Improve attendance rates
– Improve graduation rates
– Improve percentage of students going to college
– Decreases in behavior problems
• Collaboration
– among students,
– among teachers on approaches and strategies of how to integrate
technology into their teaching,
• Improved student organization of notes and assignments
• Improved communication between student, teachers, parents
• Immediate access to research materials to answer questions as
they occur.
 Why 1:1?
• Benefits include:
– infusion of technology into all aspects of teaching
and learning and provides the tools and skills
necessary to make students college and career
ready
– Improved ability to provide differentiated learning 
through customized instruction
– providing equity for all students and their families
regardless of socio-economic status
– Ease of performing formative assessments.
 What is needed to successfully implement
1:1?
• Computers become TOOL to facilitate learning
not add-on to curriculum
• Redefinition of curriculum to focus on
classroom investigations & collaboration
• Teacher Professional Development
 Cost Savings:
• Reduced costs for textbooks
• Less printing
– assignments, homework, announcements, testing, grading,
and teacher feedback can be shared electronically
• Outdated technology incurs significant support and
hardware costs.  
• Ability to offer enhanced curricula using free or low
cost internet applications. 
• Retain students in Medford Public Schools
 District 1:1 Vision
A computer for every child

• Teachers/Specialists (all levels)

– Laptop, LCD projector, interactive device, document camera, printer
• Elementary & Middle School
– Computing device for every student
– 1:1 access to device during school day
• High School
– Computing device for every student
– 1:1 access to device 24/7 during school year
 District 1:1 Vision
• Desktop PC’s in computer labs
– Allow access to:
• Specialized software
• Standardized testing
• Desktop PC’s in library
• For access to online research databases, journals, etc.
• Printing
How to get There

I don’t care how far along you are on

the path. I just want you on the path.

- School Principal George Couros

 Potential Timeline
March 2010 - April 2011
–Develop upgrade plan
 April - May 2011
–SC approval of upgrade proposal
 May - June 2011
–Develop detailed proposal for bond
 June - July 2011
–Obtain bond funding 
September – October 2011
–Create proposal for vendors
 October – November 2011
–Review and select vendors
 December 2011 – January 2012
–Develop implementation plan and professional development plan
 February – August 2012
–Train faculty and staff
 May – August 2012
–Install wireless network and equipment
 September 2012
–Open 21st century schools
 Technology Upgrade Proposal/Medford Public Schools/April 13, 2011

After 18 months of:

•Trips to school systems
•Apple, Microsoft Seminars
•Vendor presentations
•Committee meetings
•Research
•Discussion
•Expertise
•Vision
•Input from teachers, students, staff, parents, community members, IT professionals

The Technology Advisory Committee has brought forth this

proposal.
•1:1 Devices for Students
•1:1 Devices for Teachers, Specialists
•Upgrade existing labs
•Upgrade existing Libraries
•Replace clusters with carts

At:

•Elementary
•Middle
•High and Vocational
•Curtis Tufts
•District-Wide Personnel
•Administrative Personnel
Device Total: $5,060,350.00
TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY AT TODAY’S PRICES