Digital Resource Initiative 55 Miller Street Enola, PA Tel Fax Mark Hennes Special Projects Supervisor Jill Machemer Supervisor of Instructional Technology

Agenda Project Update Workshops and Work Sessions Questions

Mission Statement The member districts and the CAIU will increase and extend learner options by leveraging our wide area network and collaborating to develop and implement digital content, thereby effectively utilizing the latest technologies and research-based instructional strategies to create a 21 st century learning environment.

Project Goals Create a two-year, pilot project that will:  Increase student engagement and achievement  Aggregate and share resources and expertise  Achieve cost savings for districts thru conversion to digital resources in lieu of paper textbooks  Create a 21 st century learning environment --- improve individual access; improve online learning skills; improve Web 2.0 teaching skills  Create conditions for future digital initiatives HS Geometry, Biology, and Physics

Participating Districts Big Spring SD Camp Hill SD Central Dauphin Derry Township Lower Dauphin Newport SD Northern York SD Steelton-Highspire SD

PD Workshops 7 AprilIntroduction and Orientation 14 AprilDigital Resources I (Videos) 28 AprilDigital Resources II (Simulations, Virtual Labs, and Exercises) 5 MayDigital Resources III (Collaboration) 12 MayDigital Resources IV (Different Learners and Learning Styles) 19 MayAssessment Design I (Formative) 26 MayAssessment Design II (Authentic) 2 JuneWrap-up & Next Steps

PD Workshops Teachers and Coaches Must attend all 8 sessions Bring own laptop Be present, participate, and yes, there’s homework

Summer Work Sessions 21 and 22 June 19 and 20 July 18 August Goal: collaboratively assemble and organize resources and prepare teachers for successful implementation

Project Evaluation Focused on improvement in student engagement, improvement in student achievement, and possible cost savings Qualitative: Surveys, Focus Group Interviews, Pre- and Post- knowledge, satisfaction, use Quantitative: Student Performance, Cost Analysis First and Second Semester AY 11-12

District Responsibilities 1.Select courses, select teachers, estimate # of students and periods [see District Data Sheet] 2.Release teachers for PD workshops (Every Thursday, 7 April to 2 Jun)[Districts reimbursed for cost of substitutes] 3.Teachers must attend summer COP resource development sessions [Teachers receive stipend] Note: this must be the same person

District Responsibilities (cont.) 4.Determine student and teacher user hardware and internet access solution. Consider: Family provided District provided Combination Extended Learning Center/Tech Lab/Library hours Cooperative agreement with local libraries 5.Ensure high speed wireless access in designated classrooms

District Responsibilities (cont.) 6.Participate fully in the pilot, including using the resources in classes and participating in collaboration and sharing 7.Participate in the evaluation, including a.Providing access to students and teachers (surveys, interviews, etc.) b.Providing student data for evaluation purposes 8.Fill out District Data Sheet and return by March 18 th to Mark or Karen

What the Grant Covers Efund grant covers PD Workshops for 2 teachers and 1 Coach per high school (meals, subst reimbursement, & instruction) Summer sessions for 2 teachers per high school (meals and stipend) Moodle 2.0 hosting/conversion, and other licenses Ongoing support (PLC’s, help desk, coaching) Other administrative costs

What the Grant Doesn’t Cover Efund grant does not cover Travel Hardware (e.g. student laptops, teacher laptops, classroom or network equipment) See Apple bundle options & pricing on wiki

Possible Timeline for Digital Textbooks Pilot Project Core Math & Science Core Language Arts & Soc Sci Languages Electives AY 11/12AY 12/13AY 13/14AY 14/15AY 15/16

Contact Info Mark Hennes – (717) Jill Machemer – (717) Karen Ditzler – (717) , ext 8300

What we’re building Digital textbooks with integrated online resources VideosVirtual Labs PodcastsCollaboration Simulations Hosted in a Moodle 2.0 platform Student-centered learning Engaging, 21 st century learning environment enabling authentic assessments Initial focus on high school courses

Project Timeline AY Secure E-Fund (PA Act 183) grant to fund project startup Acquire digital resource provider(s) through competitive process Provide professional development and oversee development and sharing of resources AY Pilot high school courses using digital resources Facilitate professional learning communities to share resources, methods, and strategies Evaluate pilot objectives Develop expansion and replication plans

Digital Resource Provider CK-12 Foundation : Selected as best alternative in terms of Quality, Flexibility, and Cost Non-profit foundation “with a mission to reduce the cost of textbook materials for the K-12 market” Numerous textbooks accepted by CA Learning Resources Network and in use in CA school districts

Teacher Selection Considerations Budget supports 2 teachers per district (additional slots may also be available if Efund districts drop out) Efund districts may pay for 2 additional teachers Selected teachers need not be digital experts, but should be content experts Selected teachers should be familiar with using online resources and have basic computer skills Selected teachers must be open to the challenges and opportunities inherent in this initiative

Course Selection Considerations Although we reviewed 7 courses, the grant amount, project evaluation, and consortium resource development process supports reduction in course choices to 2 courses High school focus, course sequencing, and Keystone Exam Phase-in suggest using Biology and Geometry for this initiative Districts may select additional courses, but must provide at least 1 teacher and classroom for Biology and Geometry. Also, support for additional courses will be limited

Related Initiatives Underway Virtual Desktop Moodle 2.0 Upgrade and PD/training Cloud Computing and Hosting Under Consideration Moodle to Powerschool Integration Consortium Purchasing/Leasing of User Hardware Wireless Internet Access Grants Blended Learning