Digital Learning at Jack Jouett
Middle School
Kathryn Baylor, Principal
Peter Henning, Assistant Principal
Agenda
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Welcome and introductions
Vision and goals for the project
The Learning Curve
What is working?
What can we do better?
Long-term plan (2-3 years)
Vision and goals for the project
• Increase student engagement in the classroom
• Close the “Digital Divide”
The Learning Curve
Professional Development
–Started last spring: Blackboard, Google Drive
Tech Proficiency for faculty and students
–Windows 8, basic laptop maintenance, internet safety
Making it all work
–Troubleshooting, network issues
What is working?
• Professional Development
– Integrated with our AVID work
– Weekly meetings, continuous improvement
– Teacher-initiated and teacher-driven
• Choice
• Differentiation
What is working?
• Computer Literacy
– Typing, searching, Google drive
• Collaboration
– Expanded audiences for publishing
– Apollo’s Voice literary magazine
– Peer editing in Google docs
What is working (cont’d)?
• Communication
– Parent access
• Equity
– Dictation software
– Apps that summarize websites
• Authentic Learning
– (Ulises)—Informational Writing--Brochure for
parents’ restaurant
What’s not working?
• Tech support
– The “circle of death”
– We’re supplementing by training student aides
– Machines have to work consistently
• Replacement machines
– Librarian has to manage, we might run out next year
• Student off-task behavior
– Windows 8 makes it very easy to multi-task
What’s not working (cont’d)?
• Level of Rigor
– Not for online worksheets
• Integrating with Jouett initiatives
– AVID—Digital Cornell notes
– Math—Interactive math technology
• Universal Access
– Many of our low-income students don’t have wi-fi
at home
Long-term Plan (2-3 years)
• Student-driven learning
• Authentic, rigorous, cross-curricular learning
experiences
• Universal access at home and at school
What’s on Blackboard?
• Class Agenda & Homework assignments
• Calendar (tests, projects, deadlines)
• Other course material
Frequently Asked Questions
1-to-1 Technology FAQs
• Who is responsible for paying for computer repairs?
– This depends on how the computer was broken (accidental
versus on purpose).
• What if my child is involved in online misbehavior?
Will they get in trouble?
– Online and real-life discipline will be handled in a similar
way. We hope to teach students appropriate behavior for
cyber-space as well as real-space.
1-to-1 Technology FAQs (cont’d)
• How can I control what my child has access to on
the computer at home?
– Laptops will have some built-in software, but students
will still need to be monitored, especially on home
networks.
• How will computers be fixed?
– We will try to fix as much as possible at the school.
Some students will even be trained to assist.
1-to-1 Technology FAQs (cont’d)
• What if I want to know more about how to use the
laptop so I can keep up with my child?
– We will offer workshops throughout the year.
• Does my child have to use a school-issued laptop?
– Yes, our expectation is that all students will use laptops. If
you have specific concerns, set up a meeting with Ms.
Baylor or Mr. Henning.