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The following four sections (8A - 8D) deal with the current reality, our
hopes as a learning community, and our strategy to reach for those hopes
in the four areas of: Community Involvement, Engaged Learning, Professional
Development and Substainability
Prairie Hill School is a one building, kindergarten through 8th grade district. Because of the small size of the community and lack of a defined business area, the school is the focus for a great deal of community activity, sporting events, and school based social events.
The technology coordinator as well as staff members and administration is highly available to parents and the community at large.
Open labs during Open House and parent teacher conferencing during Parent-Teacher Conferences are conducted by the technology coordinator. Classes in various computer based skills and programs have been held, open to all members of the community as well as staff.
Future classes for the community in computers are planned. A bi-monthly technology newsletter featuring student work and news about what's happening technologically with students, staff and the community will be published. Another event being considered is a Technology Night, where students can give parents and interested community members a 'tour' of the computer system, the programs used, and student publications. The technology coordinator will be available for questions and answers as well as to seek community input.
Goal: Keep the community informed about every aspect of the technology plan and involved in implementation of the plan and support a community of life long learners.
Current Reality: Some community members are involved and informed but few take full advantage of technology resource
Gap: All community members need to be informed. All community members need to have access to classes and on-line resources
Closing the Gap:
Phase I. a) Provide monthly news letter and distribute to all stakeholder groups. / person responsible: Technology Coordinator/$250 for printing and postage.
b) Provide adult literacy labs classes in school labs / person responsible: Technology Coordinator/ self funded from involved individual's payments.
c) Technology Committee meeting on a regular basis. / person responsible: Technology Committee Chairperson / no cost.
d) Prairie Hill School establish a "Home Page" for events and "Homework Hotline" / tech coordinator, teachers, / costs: $600 dollars for dial up access and home page storage.
Phase II a) Continue monthly news letter and distribute to all stakeholder groups. / person responsible: Technology Coordinator / $250 for printing and postage.
b) Provide adult literacy labs classes in school labs / person responsible: Technology Coordinator/ self funded from involved individual's payments.
c) Technology Committee meeting on a regular basis. / person responsible: Technology Committee Chairperson / no cost.
d) Maintain and improve "Home Page" for events and "Homework Hotline" / tech coordinator, teachers, / costs: $600 dollars for dial up access and home page storage
e) Conduct a "Technology Open House" / person responsible: Tech Coordinator / cost advertisement, janitor, $300.
Phase III a) Continue monthly news letter and distribute to all stakeholder groups. / person responsible: Technology Coordinator / $250 for printing and postage.
b) Provide adult literacy labs classes in school labs / person responsible: Technology Coordinator/ self funded from involved individual's payments.
c) Technology Committee meeting on a regular basis. / person responsible: Technology Committee Chairperson / no cost.
d) Maintain and improve "Home Page" for events and "Homework Hotline" / tech coordinator, teachers, / costs: $600 dollars for dial up access and home page storage
e) Conduct a "Technology Open House" / person responsible: Tech Coordinator / cost advertisement, janitor, $300.
Expected Results Success Indicator: The Gap will be minimized
when the community, within reason, understands the components of the technology
plan, supports its goals as evidenced ultimately by at least near-unanimous
votes of the school board. The community will show increased participation
in technology trainings and workshops.
Through the Engaged Learning Model , students will design complex collaborative multiple discipline projects that integrate state goals of language arts, mathematics, science, and fine arts. Staff training in the Engaged Learning Model as well as the integration of software designed to support it are planned. It is the district's goal that the Engaged Learning Model directly link the "Application of Learning" in all fundamental learning areas described in the Illinois Learning Standards at all grade levels.
(Phase I = FY 98 - 99; Phase II = FY 2000 - 01; Phase III = FY 2002)
Goal: Students will exhibit the Six Essential Learnings and meet the Illinois Learning Standards as a result of incorporation of Engaged Learning across all areas of the curriculum and in every classroom.
Current Reality: Some teachers have attended workshops on incorporation of technology into classroom/curriculum, cross curricular integration and the principle of Engaged Learning. They are aware of the prospects of engaging students through technology. Some teachers have begun incorporating aspects of technology and the engaged learning model into their teaching but the practice is not comprehensive and universal.
Gap: Many teachers are at an awareness level and still need to move from "Sage on the Stage" to "Guide on the Side". Teachers must become comfortable with technology tools and their changing role in the classroom.
Closing the Gap:
Phase I. a) Two staff Trainings (fall and spring) In the Engaged Learning Model / person responsible: Administration, Tech Coordinator, Lab Instructor/ $1000 for outside trainers.
b) Provide for at least one example of lab work projects Engaged Learning involving each of the junior high school subject areas / person responsible : the teach coordinator and lab instructor / no cost.
c) Plan for at least two building inservices aimed at Engaged Learning / person responsible: Building Administrator, Tech Coordinator, Lab Instructor. / Cost: none.
d) Purchase a single license per classroom of a multi-media encyclopedia aimed at the primary grades 1 - 3 / person responsible: tech coordinator / cost: $750.00
e) Connect to the Internet - temporarily through two ISP accounts / person responsible: tech coordinator, superintendent / cost: POTS monthly fee, 2 copies of Netscape $80, two modems: $250, (will use two existing computers)
f) Upgrade Linkway to HyperStudio Ver 3.01 / person responsible: Tech Coordinator / $1500
g) Purchase tow digital cameras./ / person responsible: Tech Coordinator / $1000
h) Allocate 1500 for Tech Committee/ Software Selection purchases/ person responsible: Tech Coordinator, Tech Committee members
Phase II a) Two staff retrainings (fall and spring) In the Engaged Learning Model / person responsible: Administration, Tech Coordinator, Lab Instructor/ $1000 for outside trainers.
b) Provide for at least two example of lab work projects with Engaged Learning involving each of the junior high school subject areas / person responsible : the teach coordinator and lab instructor / no cost.
c) Establish a Teacher Software Evaluation Committee to evaluate programs for use with the Engaged Learning Model and Prairie Hill's Vision. / person responsible. Tech coordinator, teachers / cost: none.
d) Reevaluate dial-up service purchased last year as to suitability and use./ tech coordinator / cost none.
e) Connect Prairie Hill (via the Internet) to Listservs - EDU-L, HYPEREDU et al/ publish and distribute information to staff / person responsible: tech coordinator / cost: $200 for paper and mailing.
f) Installation of 56K line/ monthly fee / Cisco router and net software / $7400 - include monthly line charge of 120 / month.
g) Allocate 1000 for Tech Committee/ Software Selection purchases/ person responsible: Tech Coordinator, Tech Committee members
Phase III Two staff retrainings (fall and spring) In the Engaged Learning Model / person responsible: Administration, Tech Coordinator, Lab Instructor/ $1000 for outside trainers.
b) Provide for at least two example of lab work projects with Engaged Learning involving each of the junior high school subject areas / person responsible : the teach coordinator and lab instructor / no cost.
c) Continue Teacher Software Evaluation Committee to evaluate programs for use with the Engaged Learning Model and Prairie Hill's Vision. / person responsible. Tech coordinator, teachers / cost: none.
d) 56K line/ monthly fee of 120 / month $2400
e) Connect Prairie Hill (via the Internet) to Listservs - EDU-L, HYPEREDU, WWWREC / publish and distribute information to staff / person responsible: tech coordinator / cost: $200 for paper and mailing and subscription.
h) Allocate 1500 for Tech Committee/ Software Selection purchases/ person responsible: Tech Coordinator, Tech Committee members
Expected Results Success Indicator: Students will produce complex collaborative multi-media projects that will be available on the districts computer network for further 'incorporations'. Students will produce and be able to assess information, web pages and design based on classroom curriculum. Teachers will be aware of and practice the Six Essential Learning in a Technological Society, in their day to day teaching.
Staff Training
Staff training on basic computer network operation (ICLAS), Windows, word processing, and various courseware packages was held in August, 1996, prior to the actual installation of the computer network in the school. Block time was bought from Acrux Corporation for courseware support for the Writing to Write Program, Measurement Time and Money and systems support. Ongoing support at the building level continued on an 'as needed' basis throughout the following school year provided by the technology coordinator.
Several students with special needs vis-à-vis technology have been identified in the building and voice recognition software has been purchased for their use. After the successful installation of this program is complete , students will be trained by the tech coordinator on its use and the package will be introduced to their the staff working with these individuals.
During the period, May 1996 through August 1997 other training included, e-mail, grade keeping, grade level training on relevant courseware, refresher training on Writing to Write, word processing, Windows, and ICLAS.
Future training are planned to include, Internet, multi-media. presentation software, on-line research programs and courseware.
Administration and Library Services
The federally funded lunch program, school lunch record keeping and billing has been computerized via a software package; Kim's Cafe. Bar-coded student numbers have generated for use with the lunch program. The lunch/office staff and the tech coordinator were trained by representatives of the software manufacturer.
Representatives of several vendors of library management programs are being brought in to present to the committee options for purchase and training.
Administration along with the tech coordinator have been reviewing software packages that would allow most if not all of the districts administrative work to be placed on the school's computer network. Sensitive staff, financial and student information will continue to be kept on the superintendent's secretaries stand-alone computer.
Training for administration and library staff on the above purchased software will be planned.
Goal:It is the district's goal to have daily attendance and lunch data collected via the school's intranet. This plan includes the purchase of administrative software to centralize the collection and distribution of student grades via the school's intranet. To that end administrative software that will use and/or convert data from the currently used classroom management / grading software is being reviewed. Internet access to research and governmental sites is also part of the districts goal. Training on all aspects of these goals for staff and teachers is also planned. The district also hopes to purchase a Library automation package with appropriate training for the library staff.
Current Reality: All teachers have intranet e-mail accounts and most teachers use it and check it daily. Lunch and attendance data is still hand collected. The free lunch program is managed by a bar code program with reports generated by computer. The library still uses the card catalog system. There is no central program for managing grade, attendance, lunch, student data and communication.
Gap:The computers and printers in the office and administrative area should be upgraded and networked. Software should be purchased and installed that manages all student data, grades, discipline. The library/media center needs to be computerized.
Closing the Gap:
Phase I. a) Establish and train office staff in intranet e-mail procedures for collecting daily lunch and attendance data / person responsible: Administration, Tech Coordinator, school secretary/ cost: none.
b) Preview, research, purchase and train software for whole school / person responsible : principal. tech coordinator / cost: $5000.
c) Preview, research, purchase and train software for Library management/ person responsible: Building Administrator, Tech Coordinator, Media Center Specialists. / Cost: $3000.
Phase II. a) Train office staff in Internet e-mail procedures for collecting daily lunch and attendance data / person responsible: Administration, Tech Coordinator, school secretary/ cost: $250.
b) Inservice/train certified staff in software for administration school / person responsible : tech coordinator / cost: $500.
c) Inservice/train software for Library management/ person responsible: Building Administrator, Tech Coordinator, Media Center Specialists. / Cost: $250
d) Purchase Laser printer and dot matrix printer for secretarial functions / tech coordinator / cost $1200
Phase III. a) Upgrade training for both e-mail (inter- and intra- nets) Internet e-mail procedures for collecting daily lunch and attendance data / person responsible: Administration, Tech Coordinator, school secretary and staff/ cost: none. cost: $1500
Expected Results Success Indicator:
Success will be indicated when secretarial functions are streamlined and center around the data network as opposed to physical and manual collection of lunch and attendance data. It is hoped that by the end of phase two the total functions of the media center will be computer based: that is; card catalogs, check out and check in, late fees etc. as well as having the media center be an Internet access point.
After the installation of the current technology (see PART 6 - Gap Analysis) minimum system/hardware requirements were established for future purchases and upgrades. (Appendix C)
As mentioned earlier, the Administration and staff is seeking to get Prairie Hill School connected to the Internet. Several vendors (Internet Service Providers - ISP) have been contacted as well as pricing information to run a T1 or 56K line from Prairie Hill to the Zeke Giorgi State of Illinois Building in Rockford. Other options explored were a wireless connection to Honnongah High School, a distance of approximately six miles and individual 'dial-up' service for two dedicated computers, one in the computer lab and the other in the library. As of this writing the various options are being presented to the Prairie Hill Board of Education for consideration. In anticipation of an Internet connection, administration, working with the school districts attorneys, has drafted an Internet User Policy (Appendix D)
Training for the staff at Prairie Hill School is twofold. (a) The technology coordinator plans and implements training sessions on classroom management programs, Windows, Word for Windows, ICLAS, e-mail etc. for the staff as a group, for small groups and for individuals. As courseware is installed the technology coordinator will meet with grade level personal, or individuals (as required) to train, discuss and implement the programs into the curriculum.
(b) Outside sources for training include the staff of the Acrux Corporation, a vendor, installer, and training organization located in Rockford, Illinois. Acrux has mainly served to train in IBM's Writing to Write Program, and Measurement Time and Money. Other sources of outside training include the staff of the Regional Office of Education (K.I.D.S. - Kishwaukee Intermediate Delivery System)
Learning Environment / Facilities Design
Prairie Hill CCSD #133 involved stakeholders from the beginning of the process of adding technology to the Prairie Hill School. Community members as well as administration, teachers and board members were part of the technology committee established to plan, purchase and implement the school's addition of computers/ networks and AV equipment.
An ongoing committee of parents, staff, administrators and the Technology Coordinator meet to assess where the district has been with technology. Its implementation, staff training and further community involvement is also discussed.
Because of the small size of the Prairie Hill Community and the availability of teachers and administrators to parents, much feed back and input has evolved through 'informal' processes.
Another source of support and planning is the monthly meeting of the technology coordinators from the four K-8 school districts that 'feed' Honnengah High School District; Kinnickinick, Rockton, Shirland and Prairie Hill. The purpose of these meeting is to share academic, technological, training, and grant information among the districts as well as to provide continuity of programs across the four 'feeder' districts so that students entering Honnenegah High School have a minimum knowledge base, and that the staff of the high school is aware of what's happening with children at the K-8 level. (Appendix E)
On December 3, a representative of Wisconsin Power and Light - the provider to Prairie Hill School, was conducted to determine the adequacy of the internal distributions system to serve the schools computer networks. The result of the survey indicates that the electrical supply system is well designed and is "amply adequate to support the existing computer equipment and has sufficient reserve capacity to support future equipment as well." (Appendix F)
The details of the report are as follows:
"The entire building is served from a 1600 A, 208V/120V service switch gear. Eleven power and lighting panels are located throughout the building consisting of 100A and 225A panels.
Each classroom containing computers is setup in a similar manner. There is a maximum of 6 Eduquest Model 45 computer/monitors each rated at 3 Amps at 120 volts, or 360 volt-amperes (VA) each. These six computers are served via a four plex receptacle outlet consisting of 4, NEMA 20-R, 20A receptacles installed in a surface mount raceway system providing routing of the branch circuit conductors as well as the network's fiber optic data cabling. Each four-plex receptacle outlet comprises a single 20A receptacle branch circuit originating from the nearest panel board. This arrangement at a de-rated 80% capacity has an usable service of 1920 VA. The existing computers in each classroom have a total load of 1728 VA. when operating at an 80% diversity factor, well within the usable capacity of the receptacle branch circuit.
The Computer Lab contains 29 Eduquest computers comprising a total load capacity of 8352 VA, (when using the same 80% diversity factor). These computer are served electrically via a surface mount raceway system containing 26, NEMA 20-R, 20A receptacles. These receptacles are served from 13, 20A receptacles branch circuits originating from a 225A, panel board located within the lab. The receptacle branch circuit serving the Computer Lab have a total usable capacity of 24, 960 VA (assuming an 80% diversity rating). The total load capacity of the lab's computers is 8352 VA, representing only 33% of the available usable capacity of the lab's receptacle circuits.
Future consideration should be given for the installation of a surge suppression system to protect the computers and other sensitive electrical equipment throughout the facility".
Old Equipment It has been policy and practice at Prairie Hill School that used and outdated equipment and software be sold 'as is' if that equipment and software can not be utilized in the best interest of the students of the district.
Goal:It is the district's goal to all computer workstations (both classroom, media center and lab upgraded to Pentium class machines. The operating system on the servers will be upgraded to allow the workstations to run Windows 95. Students will have some type of access to the schools data structure from home via the Internet. Students will have computing devices available to them at their desks - Windows CE palmtops. Student and staff training will be extensive in the use of the 'mobile' student computing devices. It is a goal of this district to have a Web Server in place by Phase III.
Current Reality: At present student access to the school's computer network is via workstations in the class, the media center or the computer lab. There is no access to the Internet, however Prairie Hill does have a home page courtesy of a local business with no access for parents and students to homework and class assignment, school events or e-mail to staff.
Gap:The computers and printers at Prairie Hill School are aging. The school has no Internet access.
Closing the Gap:
Phase I. a) Upgrade the 28 Lab computer (ED45 computers) to Pentium class with 8 meg more memory / person responsible :Tech Coordinator, / cost: $ 9520
b) Upgrade network operating system to Novell 4.0 /person responsible: tech coordinator/ cost: $6000.
Phase II. a) Upgrade two computers in each classroom to Pentium class with 8 more meg/ person responsible: Tech Coordinator, / cost: $10,200.
b) Upgrade Windows installed locally to Windows 95 on lab computers and two workstations in each class / person responsible : tech coordinator / cost: $6000.
c) Inservice/train software for Windows 95 and Window CE / person responsible: Building Administrator, Tech Coordinator, Media Center Specialists. / Cost: $500
Phase III. a) Upgrade one computer in each classroom to Pentium class with 8 more meg/ person responsible: Tech Coordinator, / cost: $5100
b) Purchase for phasing in of Palmtops computers for 6th graders / person responsible: Tech Coordinator / costs: (45 students X $350 ) $15750
Expected Results Success Indicator:
Success will be indicated when 50 % of the classroom / lab workstations are capable of running Windows 95 and be on the school's intranet. Success will also be indicated when, at the end of Phase III, 7th and 6th grader students are able to work at word processing, spreadsheet and databases on portable 'palmtop' computers, being able to transfer that data to the school's network for inclusion in complex curricular based products.