EduTech Steering Committee
Monday, December 2, 2013
RIT Inn and Conference Center
Members Present:
Bruce Amey, Avon CSD Terry MacNabb, Waterloo CSD
Robert Ike, Palmyra-Macedon CSD Jim McNeil, WFL BOCES
Kevin MacDonald, GV Educational Partnership Camille Sorenson, EduTech
Members Absent: Guests:
Scott Bischoping, WFL BOCES Kelli Eckdahl, EduTech
Tim Hayes, Geneseo CSD Mike Morone, EduTech
Charlene Harvey, Manchester-Shortsville CSD Chris Saxby, EduTech
Dawn Mirand, Mt. Morris CSD
Status of the Virtual Advanced Placement Grant, Kelli Eckdahl and Mike Morone
Currently have 37 school districts take on-line AP courses
“It takes a Village”
· Cross Department Efforts
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Project Coordinator
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MTS
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Technology Coordinators
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EduTech Warehouse
· EduTech Training/AccelerateU
· Business Office
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Counselors and District Administrators
What have we done……
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Provided individual counsel and planning sessions with counselors
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Held informational sessions
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Trained and supported 25 new online instructors
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Expanded AP offerings to the region (latest being Human Geography)
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Assisted and supported districts who are using AP for the first time
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Provided orientation sessions in districts to all students participating in the grant
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Assisted and met with districts regarding planning, support and student selection
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Paid for participating students to take the PSAT exam
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Provided a laptop with a 4G filtered connection, textbooks, and backpacks (These are given to the students at orientation and theirs for the duration of the course. Return day before test. At the end of the grant district get to keep.)
One district went through orientation and info session and wanted us to meet with students. Met with students 10 times over the course of 3 weeks. We will provide whatever support the district needs.
Bruce Amey asked how it is decided when they meet. First six months of grant was educating staff on technology. Some have kids going during assigned study hall, some during lunch, and some doing on own and checking in with counselors.
Part of grant is how you make good choices for selecting students to participate in on-line AP courses. Mike worked with districts on educating counselors on this is on-line learning and this is how you look for students with these characteristics. Not necessarily the top 10 students.
Districts have flexibility to run the program as needed in their districts. We provided them with a best practice model, but gave them flexibility to administer as needed. Students are given the freedom to be in control of their own learning.
Jim McNeil asked if they shared with districts where the pit falls can be. You can still have discipline problems with on-line. Most concerns came from the technology being abused. So far this has not been an issue and counselors have done a great job with student selection. Biggest issue was within six hours students figured out they could text from their computers with Verizon 4G. We were able to resolve and take care of the issue.
Late July and early August started doing orientation sessions with students. Groups ranged from 1-2 students up to 16 students. We provided orientation session and alert on-line teachers that students now have access to the course.
Starting Oct/Nov more orientation sessions (probably 40 total). We are busy meeting with students, teachers, and administrators. The course begins the day of orientation.
Mike and Kelli have put themselves in the course as teacher assistants so students can contact them for support; over the weekends, evenings.
What have we seen….
· AP Psychology is most popular course; more than 70 students and 10 instructors
· Kids are excited, feel like college students
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Little to no issues with abuse or damage to laptops
· Kids have no patience when it comes to connectivity
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Kids seem relatively surprised that they can take equipment home and can use it during the school day
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Kids passion around topics
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Kids not fazed by WiFi connection; willing to find an area with WiFi. Adults more concerned about access than the students. Students find a way. Students are finding better to use district’s WiFi than Verizon 4G for signal strength.
· Overall 286 students enrolled in AP courses.
What have we learned……..
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Younger grades ask more questions and are more vocal than older grades
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Most kids have Internet access and WiFi at home
· Kids adjust to access issues with no problem
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Consistent communication with school contacts leads to success
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Greater structure leads to success
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Flexibility with grading options lowers risk for students (pass/fail option and GPA inclusion option)
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Time management and ability to “chunk” learning is important (Takes 5-6 hours a week to be successful)
Bruce Amey asked how often they monitor. On-Line teachers communicate once a week with district counselors.
Students are given a pacing chart/calendar. Know when assignments and quizzes are due. Students are told if they keep up with calendar they will be successful.
Kids struggle with time management. Work with them on how they take an on-line course and what they need to do to be successful. What it looks like to manage your time in the course. Our responsibility is to instill in them this carries as much weight as a face-to-face class.
Bruce Amey what are the next steps; how long does grant last, what happens when grant goes away.
Grant ends in August. At this time don’t know if state is going to extend grant. Have an advisory group that meets regularly. We are looking at has performance improved by giving them a computer. Watching as a result of this grant has it improved performance or completion rate. Next step is comparing data and results.
2014-15 EduTech Budget, Camille
Superintendents from both regions should have had an opportunity to review the budget. At this time looking for recommendation to proceed with presenting budget.
Kevin MacDonald motioned for approval and Bruce Amey seconded. Motion passed.
Camille thanked Jim McNeil for his participation on the committee and wished him well in his retirement.
Next meeting:
April 22, 2014
RIT Inn and Conference Center
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