iLearn 97 Questions

  1. Can parents/guardians monitor student assignments on the iPad, such as Edmodo discussions? Can Edmodo be loaded on to a parent’s/guardian’s iPad or iPhone?
  2. Can students access objectionable material online?
  3. Can students add apps to their iPads? Can they be synced with a home computer through iTunes?
  4. How and why was the iPad chosen as the 1:1 device?
  5. How are the teachers and classrooms being prepared for this change?
  6. How do I clear a network login on a Mac?
  7. How does this initiative fit into the district’s long-term technology plan?
  8. How much screen time will students have every day?
  9. How was the iLearn 97 plan developed? Who provided input to the plan?
  10. How will 1:1 initiative be funded?
  11. How will the iPads be integrated into the curriculum?
  12. In what ways do you expect teaching and learning to change as a result of having 1:1 iPads in classrooms?
  13. My child already has an iPad. Can’t he just use his personal device?
  14. What are the goals of iLearn 97?
  15. What does the term "1:1 initiative" mean?
  16. What happens if a device is lost, broken, or stolen?
  17. What happens if the device is stolen from a student on the way to or from school?
  18. What happens when I get a PowerTeacher Gradebook Error
  19. What happens when I get a PowerTeacher Gradebook Error
  20. What has been done to prepare the schools for this influx of technology?
  21. What is iLearn 97?
  22. What is the cost of this initiative?
  23. What kind of professional development has been planned?
  24. Which students will be getting iPads?
  25. Why do students need 1:1 devices?
  26. Why don’t we just allow students to bring their own technology?
  27. Why is the district setting a technology fee for the iLearn project when technology was part of the referendum?
  28. Will parents receive any iPad training?
  29. Will participation in this initiative be optional for teachers or individual students?
  30. Will students be safe carrying their iPad to and from school?
  31. Will the iLearn 97 program carry forward to middle school?
  32. Will the iPad be used in every course/subject?
  33. Will there be any cost for students/parents?

Can parents/guardians monitor student assignments on the iPad, such as Edmodo discussions? Can Edmodo be loaded on to a parent’s/guardian’s iPad or iPhone?

Can parents/guardians monitor student assignments on the iPad, such as Edmodo discussions? Can Edmodo be loaded on to a parent’s/guardian’s iPad or iPhone?

Your child will have the same username and password for all of his/her school-related accounts (Edmodo, Triumph Online, Google Drive, etc.). You can get this username and password from your child or his/her teacher.

You can also sign up for a parent/guardian account on Edmodo.com, which will enable you to stay up-to-date on your child’s activities and assignments. When your child logs in, there is a Parent Code you can use to sign up for an account and link to your child’s account. You can click here to learn more about setting up a parent/guardian account, or contact your child’s teacher for assistance with or additional information about this process.

 

 

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Can students access objectionable material online?

Can students access objectionable material online?

Our district maintains a robust firewall and an Internet filtering system that regulates all Internet traffic inside the school district. All sites that are accessed are logged and can be tracked if necessary. When outside the school network, student Internet access will not be filtered. We encourage parents and guardians to follow the same procedures they employ with any device to which their child has access that provides Internet connectivity. This includes smart phones, iPods, MP3 players, game systems like Nintendo DS and Xbox 360, as well as many televisions.  

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Can students add apps to their iPads? Can they be synced with a home computer through iTunes?

Can students add apps to their iPads? Can they be synced with a home computer through iTunes?

No. As part of the Acceptable Use Policy, the District 97 technology department will maintain sole responsibility for managing the apps on the iPads. The district’s Apple ID will be the only one that can be used to add and/or pay for apps. The iPads should not be synced to any computer beyond the one designated by the district for this purpose.

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How and why was the iPad chosen as the 1:1 device?

How and why was the iPad chosen as the 1:1 device?

 A number of devices were considered before the iPad Mini was chosen for this initiative, including laptops, Chromebooks, and other tablet devices. Apple’s commitment to the education market played a large part in the decision as did the device’s size and cost. Apple offers an impressive catalog of professional development aimed at providing educators with the training and support needed for them to feel confident developing materials and activities that focus instruction on the learning goal and not on the technology.
The iPad Mini was selected over laptops because of its convenient size, portability, and quick start features. After talking with other districts that have experimented with a variety of devices, we determined that the iPad Mini is best suited to the educational needs of our students at this time.

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How are the teachers and classrooms being prepared for this change?

How are the teachers and classrooms being prepared for this change?

In the fall of 2012, teachers were asked to provide information about the technology currently accessible to them and to their students, as well as their desire for greater access to some specific kinds of technology. There was fairly universal interest in improving availability of both student devices and devices that would make instruction more interactive and engaging. These results, coupled with the general goals and initial timeline of the 5-year technology plan provided the impetus for the development of this initiative.
Last spring (2013), teachers received full-sized iPads of their own to use as teaching devices, along with stands that allow the iPads to function as a document camera and an Apple TV device that allows an iPad to project to a screen. The distribution of this equipment was accompanied by professional development aimed at helping teachers become familiar with a variety of classroom uses for the iPad and numerous workshops were offered over the summer for teachers who felt ready to extend their knowledge. Also over the summer, teachers turned in their Dell laptops on which the lease was expiring and received Macbook Air laptops in exchange.
In addition, an outline of the initiative was presented to staff at every building last spring. Questions and concerns were collected and used to help refine the final plan. Teachers also served on the 1:1 Task Force that was charged with developing the proposal for presentation to the Board of Education. The final proposal was approved by the Board on August 20, 2013.
All staff received general information about the initiative on the opening Institute Day of the 2013-2014 school year. Teachers in the grades that will be involved in the initiative during this school year got a more detailed introduction to the plans on the following day as well as some hands-on training using their iPads and laptops.  Follow-up training has been conducted in every building and will continue throughout the initiative.
 

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How do I clear a network login on a Mac?

How do I clear a network login on a Mac?

How does this initiative fit into the district’s long-term technology plan?

How does this initiative fit into the district’s long-term technology plan?

 In the spring of 2010, the Board of Education approved a 5-year technology plan of which two primary goals were increasing student access to technology, with the eventual aim being one device for every student, and making classrooms more interactive, thereby engaging students more fully in the educational process. Although the original timeline of this plan did not forecast complete realization of these goals until 2019, changes in technology devices and costs have made it possible to achieve these important goals in a much more timely fashion.

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How much screen time will students have every day?

How much screen time will students have every day?

The amount of time students actually spend using their iPads and in what way will vary widely from day to day depending on the needs of instruction. If you were to visit a 1:1 classroom after the devices are fully incorporated in daily activities you might observe any of the following:
• Students completing a warmup activity while attendance is taken
• Students working at their own pace through an electronic lesson created by the teacher while the teacher checks homework to determine groupings
• The teacher modeling the annotation and highlighting of reading material
• Students working individually on differentiated activities assigned by the teacher, both on and offline
• Small groups collaborating to research and develop a presentation on a unit topic
• The teacher leading the class through a lesson on or offline
• Students using the teacher’s iPad projected on the board to complete activities as a class
• Sustained silent reading of electronic and traditional books
• Students using the iPad to demonstrate their understanding of a current math concept/skill
• Students individually accessing videos of a mathematical or scientific process so that they can pause and repeat as necessary for understanding
• Students participating in online novel discussions while the teacher moderates
• Students downloading homework materials in preparation for the end of the day
 

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How was the iLearn 97 plan developed? Who provided input to the plan?

How was the iLearn 97 plan developed? Who provided input to the plan?

The iLearn 97 plan was developed over the course of several months using input gathered from a variety of groups including administrators, teaching staff, data and instructional technology coaches, and the Superintendent’s Technology Advisory Committee, which includes a number of parents. In addition, a considerable about of outside research was conducted including conversations with and observational visits to other districts in the area that have implemented student 1:1 device initiatives. 

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How will 1:1 initiative be funded?

How will 1:1 initiative be funded?

iLearn 97 will be funded through a combination of funds budgeted in the 5-year technology plan and through the Referendum Vision Funds. The breakdown between those two sources is as follows:

Referendum vision $1,752,085
5-year tech plan $300,000
TOTAL $2,052,085
 

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How will the iPads be integrated into the curriculum?

How will the iPads be integrated into the curriculum?

The initial focus of iLearn 97 will be on using the iPads to establish effective classroom routines (picking up assignments, performing class assignments, staying organized, and so on). Teachers and Data and Instructional Technology Coaches will begin their work together by developing materials and activities that support our Common Core State Standards in Language Arts and Math. Social Studies and Science will be incorporated as time goes on. Special area teachers are encouraged, and will receive support from the Coaches, to incorporate use of the iPads in their instruction as well when doing so will make the task more efficient or more engaging, or enables activities that are difficult or impossible without technology.

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In what ways do you expect teaching and learning to change as a result of having 1:1 iPads in classrooms?

In what ways do you expect teaching and learning to change as a result of having 1:1 iPads in classrooms?

We think the addition of 1:1 iPads to the classroom has tremendous potential to change the face of teaching and learning. Here are some of the key changes we expect to see:
• Individual technology devices will allow teachers to more easily differentiate and personalize the learning experience for students.
• The devices will allow teachers to collect on-going feedback to guide learning.
• Students will be more engaged in the learning process and will take a more active role in their education.
• Assignments and activities will be more authentic and there will be more opportunities for project-based learning.
• Students will collaborate more with each other and communicate more with their teachers.
• Teachers will be able to transition to a role as facilitators of learning rather than fountains of knowledge.
• Students will become proficient in the skills necessary to succeed in the world of their future.
 

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My child already has an iPad. Can’t he just use his personal device?

My child already has an iPad. Can’t he just use his personal device?

No. Having all students use a district-supplied iPad allows us to ensure that every device has the same technological capabilities and only those apps that focus use on our desired functionality. Maintaining an environment with a common technology tool also allows our technology staff to more easily support, secure, and update the devices as necessary. 

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What are the goals of iLearn 97?

What are the goals of iLearn 97?

District 97 is committed to helping our students prepare for their futures beyond our district. Success in the 21st century requires that students develop the important skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, all of which are facilitated by the effective and thoughtful use of technology. The effective use of technology in education allows teachers and students to connect with resources that were previously inaccessible (or accessible only with great difficulty and expense) and to have assignments and activities that simply were not possible without the use of technology. 

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What does the term "1:1 initiative" mean?

What does the term "1:1 initiative" mean?

In a 1:1 initiative, each student is issued his or her own individual technology device to which the student has access at all times, including at home. 

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What happens if a device is lost, broken, or stolen?

What happens if a device is lost, broken, or stolen?

All loss or damage must be reported immediately to the school. Each school will have a small number of loaner devices that are available in this instance. Students who report multiple incidents may be required to leave their devices at school until the problem can be resolved. Should that be necessary, the teacher will make alternate arrangements for the student to access materials and complete homework for which the other students are using their iPads. 

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What happens if the device is stolen from a student on the way to or from school?

What happens if the device is stolen from a student on the way to or from school?

The district will review each situation on a case-by-base basis. However, per the fee structure that was approved by the Board of Education, the first claim will be $50, the second will be $100 and third will be $297 (full replacement cost).

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What happens when I get a PowerTeacher Gradebook Error

What happens when I get a PowerTeacher Gradebook Error

What happens when I get a PowerTeacher Gradebook Error

What happens when I get a PowerTeacher Gradebook Error

What has been done to prepare the schools for this influx of technology?

What has been done to prepare the schools for this influx of technology?

Our network bandwidth has been increased and the network has been configured to accommodate the addition of a much larger number of devices. In addition, wireless access points have been added to extend coverage to every corner of every building. A robust mobile device management system has been obtained and our technology staff received intensive training in its use.
On the staffing side, the 2012-2013 school year saw the creation of a new position in each school, the Data and Instructional Technology Coach. This position, filled by people with classroom teaching experience as well as expertise in the effective use of technology, provides on-the-spot support and training for teachers as they use student data to personalize instruction and in raising the level of technology use in all classrooms and schools.
 

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What is iLearn 97?

What is iLearn 97?

iLearn 97 is the name we have given to our student 1:1 technology device initiative.

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What is the cost of this initiative?

What is the cost of this initiative?

We have divided iLearn 97 into two phases: 2013-2014 (grades 3-5) and 2014-2015 (grades 6-8). Although the cost of technology is never static, based on today’s costs, the initiative cost will be:

Phase 1 (grades 3-5) $1,096,335
Phase 2 (grades 6-8)    $955,750
TOTAL $2,052,085
 

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What kind of professional development has been planned?

What kind of professional development has been planned?

We recognize that continuing professional development is critical to the success of the endeavor. We will use a variety of methods and options to ensure that our teachers are adequately prepared and supported throughout the entire implementation and beyond, including:
• Modeling and co-teaching in the classroom by each school’s Data and Instructional Technology Coach
• Targeted professional development sessions on Institute Days and at building and grade level/department meetings
• Small group and individual support sessions provided in each building by the Data and Instructional Technology Coach
• Apple Professional Development workshops (all-day sessions on a single topic will be offered several times throughout the year)
• University 97 classes offered after school by district instructors on a variety of topics related to the effective use of technology
• Informal sharing opportunities that allow teachers to share what they have learned with each other.
 

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Which students will be getting iPads?

Which students will be getting iPads?

We will distribute the iPads through a gradual rollout process beginning with fifth grade, then moving to fourth, and finally to third grade. In general, the rollout will proceed as follows:
• Teachers will have a period of time in which to work with the Data and Instructional Technology Coaches to plan resources and activities and to prepare students for the rules and expectations of a 1:1 classroom.
• Once the teachers (collectively, not individually) agree that students are ready for the devices, a cart of iPads will be installed in each of the classrooms at that grade level for use at school only but throughout the day every day.
• After a period of daily use only at school, the students will “graduate” to taking the iPads home. At first they might take them home only occasionally, when a teacher has specifically given an assignment that will require the iPad, but in a fairly short period of time, we expect that the student will need the iPad at home every night.
Fifth graders received their iPads on January 21 and will start taking them home the week of March 10th.  Our fourth graders will receive their iPads the week following Spring Break.  
 

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Why do students need 1:1 devices?

Why do students need 1:1 devices?

This initiative provides learning opportunities beyond those we can provide through the shared use of computers in labs and on carts. Having technology in the hands of students whenever the task at hand would benefit from its use, provides an authentic environment for learning in which technology is used as a tool, rather than an end in itself. Technology can be used whenever it makes a task more efficient, helps to differentiate instruction, provides access to needed materials, or allows the walls of the classroom to be expand without the need to plan ahead or schedule its use artificially. Many tasks for which technology is useful require only a small amount of time; having to go to the lab or borrow the cart of netbooks prohibits those natural uses that occur throughout the school day. 

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Why don’t we just allow students to bring their own technology?

Why don’t we just allow students to bring their own technology?

 Oak Park is indeed a fairly affluent community in which many of our families are able to provide technology devices to their children. The time may come when technology devices are so prevalent and their functions so interchangeable that a Bring Your Own Device program is possible. However, at present we are concerned about equal access for all. In addition, we feel that having to adjust in the classroom to a wide variety of devices with differing functionality and capability would focus unnecessary attention on technology rather than on changing patterns of instruction.

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Why is the district setting a technology fee for the iLearn project when technology was part of the referendum?

Why is the district setting a technology fee for the iLearn project when technology was part of the referendum?

The purchase of technology equipment and accessories, as well as the payment for professional development, were included in the promises made during the referendum. However, the need to fix devices, or replace ones that are lost or stolen, are unpredictable. As is the case with textbooks and other district-purchased supplies, there is an expectation that families will cover some of the costs associated with repairing or replacing devices.

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Will parents receive any iPad training?

Will parents receive any iPad training?

Before students are allowed to take the iPads home, a parent or guardian will have to attend a mandatory informational night. Such an event will be scheduled at each school and the calendar of all rollout nights will be made public, enabling any parent or guardian who is unable to attend the event at the home school to attend another night. At out rollout nights, families will have the opportunity to hear in person about the philosophy and goals of iLearn 97. In addition, both the student and his or her accompanying parent or guardian will be walked through the details of Student Home Use and Parent/Guardian Home Use Agreements, outlining the dos and don’ts of home use. School staff will provide demonstrations (often, assisted by students) of how the devices are being used in classrooms and parents and guardians will receive their own basic introduction to the iPad. At the rollout night, families of students not eligible for free lunch will also be required to pay a small technology fee (see below for more details).
In addition, we plan to survey our parent/guardian community to determine if there are technology topics related to school use that would be of interest and will partner with the Oak Park Public Library to provide evening and weekend workshops throughout the year.
 

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Will participation in this initiative be optional for teachers or individual students?

Will participation in this initiative be optional for teachers or individual students?

No. Within the grades covered by this initiative, every student will have an iPad and every teacher who provides them with instruction will be expected to incorporate use of the iPads in the teaching and learning experience. Use will be monitored and evaluated by principals and other administrators throughout the implementation of the initiative and extensive support and professional development will be provided to teachers.
While students may not opt out of iPad use at school, parents can withhold permission to bring the device home if they have concerns about use or security. 

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Will students be safe carrying their iPad to and from school?

Will students be safe carrying their iPad to and from school?

Our research shows that insurance companies report very few incidents occurring to students while traveling to and from school. Safety will be an important topic of discussion at our schools before students begin taking the iPads home. We are counting on parents and guardians to help us reinforce the message that the devices should not be take out in public and should remain in the protective cases in which they are issued, inside the backpack while going to and from school. In addition, we have met with the Oak Park Police Department to acquaint them with the basics of this initiative and to ask for their advice and support to assure our students’ safety and that of the devices. 

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Will the iLearn 97 program carry forward to middle school?

Will the iLearn 97 program carry forward to middle school?

Yes. The plan is for our current fifth grade students to receive iPads when they enter sixth grade at the start of the 2014-2015 school year.

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Will the iPad be used in every course/subject?

Will the iPad be used in every course/subject?

The iPad will be the student’s tool for use at school. We expect that how the device is used and how often it is necessary will vary based on subject area and teacher requirements. Each of our teachers will be working to create an effective and inviting digital learning environment, regardless of grade level or subject area. 

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Will there be any cost for students/parents?

Will there be any cost for students/parents?

We have determined that purchasing Apple Care or commercial third party insurance for the iPads is not cost-effective. Instead, we will be asking parents and guardians to pay a small annual fee (likely in the range of $20-$35 per device), which will create a fund to cover the costs of repair and replacement when necessary. The entire fee will be waived for families of students who are eligible for free lunch; families who are eligible for reduced lunch will be asked to pay a smaller fee. The fee will be reviewed every year using our actual expenditures for repair and replacement. 

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