School Visit- Parish Episcopal School
*Brooke Terry
ETTF,
My visit to Parish Episcopal was very informative with how the school uses technology. I am going to use bullets to
highlight my notes from this visit instead a full paragraph. This is because I was trying to write down as much stuff
possible during my visit. I wish I could have slowed down time. I had so much fun learning how to use this technology
and have high hopes for my own classroom. Hopefully this will be some great information that we can use.
Meeting with Carla Kenyon (AP Statistics):
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Each teacher has a computer/laptop that is issued from the school
Since the teachers have to rotate rooms, every laptop has a docking station in each of the rooms that can
project any information to a SMART Board from the laptop.
BYOD will be required next school year (2014-2015)
This current year, the school encouraged every student to bring any device they wanted.
Carla recommended that at the US level, students have laptops rather than iPADs or Tablets.
Each of the math classes have the Navigator system for the TI Inspires calculators
Each student is required to bring their TI Inspire calculator to class.
Every subject can benefit from the calculators- Used as a clicking system for assessments.
She noticed there has been charging issues with the calculators. Students will forget but since the student will be
required to bring their laptops next year, the student can charge the calculator from their laptop and still have
full function.
They have two types of Navigator systems- the big blue hub and the tiny yellow devices- the yellow wireless
work a lot better than the blue hubs.
1-800-TI- Cares is a number that she tells her students to call if they are having difficulty learning the calculators
or have any problems. She will help them but at the same time the students need to take ownership in learning
their calculator.
She was able to use the calculators 1 year prior to the students having them, so she learned a lot on her own.
However, the students were trained in class when the material was presented.
Carla uses the SMART Board Notebook program in conjunction with the TI Navigator Teacher Software. She also
has a SMART Slate W200 which allows her to walk around the room and continue to manipulate the SMART
board material. It really allowed her to interact with her students without being tied up at the front of the room.
Very personable!!
You can save any material from the Notebook software as a pdf file and upload it as needed. (absent students)
Carla uses other devices and software such as laptops and excel.
Using the Navigator Teacher Program, Carla can project each student’s calculator screen on the SMART board.
This helps with keeping students on track with the class and not getting off topic. It also allows her to use a
“rock-star” student as a teaching aid while she works one on one with a student who is not at the same speed.
Unfortunately the SMART Note program and the TI teacher program do not interact with each other, but by her
having the SMART slate, she was able to flip between programs very easy.
Carla types her notes in Word and exports the file to the SMART Note program. Once there she can write over
the documents as she discusses the material in class with her students. (File print select the SMART Note
device it will automatically open in SMART NOTE)
Phones count for BYOD this year, but next year laptops are required (highly recommended)
SMART Slate replaces an ELMO in her class
SLATE 200 is recommended and needed for Windows 7 or above
TI-Inspires has a ton of lessons that can be used and manipulated for math and science teachers. I am not sure
about other subjects but the availability to use the calculators as a clicker is really neat for all subjects. We
would have to have the navigator systems in each of the rooms.
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If a student doesn’t bring their device, they treat this as not having their school supplies. Some instances the
student may get detention.
The Documents on the Calculators will save until they are physically erased. Carla can send the students
documents that are stored in the student’s calculators.
The students who are absent, the Document can be sent by email and uploaded using a USB cord.
Students cannot manipulate the documents sent from the teacher but they can insert a page and add to them.
The “snipping tool” is a great tool to use to screen shot the calculator screen in the TI prgrom and then paste it
to the SMART Note program and write on the clipping.
Meeting with Paul Tidmore (Director of Technology):
 For in-services in January they had a “show & tell” of teachers teaching teachers as well as a “What are you
doing and how can we help you with technology”. The school has an instructional technology director who
teaches one class but is available other periods of the day to go in teachers rooms and physically help teachers
with any kind of technology they need.
 Rollout to parents:
 Paul admitted that BYOD is an expensive process that takes time. When more and more kiddos bring in devices
we have to have the wireless support to use it.
 Parish is a Google App School
 This past Thanksgiving Parish sent out a letter to Parents about the direction the school was going with BYOD.
Since Christmas was around the corner, the school recommended technology devices that would come in handy
next year when the policy was in full. See below in RED.
Academics  Instructional Technology
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
At Parish, we believe that the future is now when it comes to technology in education. We leverage the power of technology to enhance the flexibility and
effectiveness of our educational programs and environment. Students in every grade level have the advantage of computers in classrooms, libraries and
computer labs, linked by robust wired and wireless connectivity.
Our vision is that Parish students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to select and manage digital tools that will empower them in all phases of
the learning process, including research, project-based learning, content creation, communication and collaboration. Our use of cloud-based apps for
education gives students access to a comprehensive suite of tools for productivity and collaboration anywhere, anytime in order to extend learning
beyond the classroom.
For the benefit of our students, Parish embraces the "bring your own device" (BYOD) model. This approach puts students and their parents in control of
choosing the device with which they are most comfortable. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, every student in 7th through 12th grade will
be required to bring a device to school each day.
As Parish works toward meeting our strategic initiatives, we know questions will arise. We are committed to keeping you informed and will keep a
dynamic list of FAQs on this site. If you have a question that you don’t see below or need further assistance, contact Parish’s Instructional Tech Team
at iTech@parishepiscopal.org.
Technology Requirements and Recommendations:
Lower School
Lower School students will experience incremental increases in technology usage for educational purposes as they progress through Parish’s academic
program. At this time, the School does not allow Lower School students to bring mobile learning devices to school unless they are part of an
accommodation plan. Students in the Lower School have access to computers and iPads under the guidance of our faculty and staff. These devices are
located in classrooms, the libraries of both campuses and computer labs. At home, Parish recommends a desktop computer placed in an easilyaccessible location.
Middle School
At the Middle School level, students experience a technology-rich learning environment that incorporates challenging and innovative curricular programs.
Every student in 5th through 8th grade has a Google Apps for Education account which provides a full suite of productivity tools that are accessible both
on and off campus. Other online tools include digital textbooks, learning management systems and other creativity and assessment tools.
5th and 6th Grade
Computer access will continue to be available in classrooms, computer labs and libraries. Faculty may encourage students to bring in their own devices
for some assignments and projects, though this is not a requirement in these grade levels. Parish recommends that students in 5th and 6th grade have
easy access to a computer at home.
7th and 8th Grade
Currently, Parish encourages students in 7th and 8th grade to bring a mobile learning device to school. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year,
every student in 7th and 8th grade will be required to bring a device to school each day. General device requirements can be found below.
Upper School
At the Upper School level, students experience a technology-rich learning environment that incorporates challenging and innovative curricular programs.
Every student in 9th through 12th grade has a Google Apps for Education account which provides a full suite of productivity tools that are accessible
both on and off campus. Other online tools include digital textbooks, learning management systems and other creativity and assessment tools.
Currently, Parish encourages Upper School students to bring a mobile learning device to school. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, every
Upper School student will be required to bring a device to school each day. General device requirements can be found below.
General Requirements for Mobile Computing Devices
Minimum system specifications for our BYOD program are driven by curricular objectives. Students and families may already have a device that meets
these requirements. If not, they may upgrade a current device to meet the requirements or purchase a new device that meets the
requirements. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, every student in 7th through 12th grade will be required to bring a mobile computing
device to school each day.
Devices such as iPads, Android tablets, Windows RT tablets, as well as eReaders such as the Nook and Kindle, generally do not meet Parish’s device
requirements. While these devices have a solid place in the computing market, they do not support the full range of specific classroom applications.
Students are permitted to bring and use these secondary devices at the discretion of the faculty, but they should have and be prepared to use their
primary device at any time during the school day.
General Device Requirements:
Access to the Internet via Wi-Fi
Ability to display Adobe Flash content
Minimum of 4-hour battery life
Productivity suite (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, Apple’s iWork Suite, etc.)
Virus, malware and spyware protection (current versions with automatic updates)
Additional Recommendations:
External hard drive or flash drive for backing up files
Additional AC power adapter (one for school and one for home)
High-capacity battery if available
Headphones or ear buds
Protective laptop computer sleeve or backpack with a laptop compartment for increased protection
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LS recommend they have access to a computer at home but does not require those students to have a particular
device.
Future ideas include printing capability using wireless functions from both student laptops and tablets.
BANDWIDTH- Parish started on a 50 MB circuit but soon realized that they needed at least 100 MB. They were
able to work out a deal with their provider to pay for 50 Mb but during their busy periods have access to 100
MB. For example: during classes the students might use 75 MB but during chapel the amount was lowered to 10
MB. They basically pay for an average use instead of a maximum amount.
Every year the teachers get a minimum software package of up-to-date Windows, Photoshop, or any specialized
programs they need.
Recently they initiated the LS developing a digital portfolio that continues which each student as they progress
through the levels. The students are given a template to follow and each trimester they are to report to their
digital portfolio (googlesites) GREAT IDEA!!!
Since each teacher has an assigned laptop, they can connect to the network via VPN from anywhere outside of
school (I personally don’t know anything about VPN’s)
HP Elitebook with docking stations in each room
IT guys can also push any software over the network if needed.