Subscribe to SuperTECH News SuperTECH NEWS is the bi-monthly newsletter of the BLE GROUP, which provides small- and medium-size school systems with supplementary technology management to produce high-quality educational results and efficient management. The purpose of SuperTECH NEWS is to provide education decision makers with concise information that allows them to make informed technology decisions to impact instruction, management and communication. This is information you can use on Monday morning. Editor, Susan DeMark Web Design, Charlene Polanosky Publisher, Eliot Levinson

Our April issue theme is 1 to 1 computing in K-12. Choose from the following articles:   The BLE Group and Its Services: We offer technology and management expertise to small and medium-size school systems. We can assess where your school system is and exactly what you need to do to implement NCLB. We provide management support to implement effective technology-delivered programs. The BLE Group also helps education firms develop and deliver high-quality products and services to schools. Theme of the Month— In this month’s newsletter, we check out 1 to 1 computing in K-12 schools nationwide. There has been a huge growth spurt in the number of these programs, and they are changing. We take you through the current state of 1 to 1 and how it’s evolving into a student-centric set of devices for distinct purposes – and we tell you what you need to consider. Products— SuperTech News examines a selection of key companies, looking at how each one defines 1 to 1 computing and how the company tailors its services and products for these initiatives. Best Practices—Lessons learned from two examples of 1 to 1 computing: Virginia’s Henrico County Public Schools, one of the pioneers of 1 to 1, is in the fifth year of a program that provides a laptop to every middle school and high school student and teacher. Guernsey-Sunrise Schools in Wyoming gets to 1 to 1 through the use of a wide array of computing devices and connection setups, including desktops, laptops, handhelds, and thin clients. Conferences—Check out the relevant conferences coming in the next several months. We want to hear from you. What do you agree and disagree with on this issue (we will post comments from readers in the next issue). Please write us at eliot@blegroup.com. DID YOU MISS AN ISSUE? You can read past issues of SuperTECH NEWS relating to NCLB online: October 2005 - Focus: Open Source May 2005 - Focus: Networking January 2005 - Focus: Professional Development October 2004 - Focus: Technology-based Early Reading Progams June 2004 - Focus: The Education Killer App March 2004 - Focus: Network and data security November 2003 - Focus: Handheld computers and software applications for these devices May 2003 - Focus: Data Warehousing and Data Management Solutions February 2003 - Focus: Web-based Assessment Products for High-Stakes Tests December 2002 - Focus: Student Information Systems August 2002 - Focus: Purchasing Hardware 2002 June 2002 - Focus: Web-based Applications for Early Reading May 2002 - Focus: Web-based Professional Development March 2002 - Focus: Technology of Accountability

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THEME: 1 to 1 Computing

The 1 to 1 movement – initiatives across the country to put a mobile computing device into the hands of each student – is moving into late adolescence. What does this mean? After well more than a decade since the first experiments and following important large-scale adoptions like Maine and Henrico County, Va., there is a huge growth spurt in such initiatives, they’re maturing, and they’re smarter in some ways and not so much in others. The next 1-2 years will see a paradigm shift to a much more sophisticated understanding of 1 to 1.

Why is 1 to 1 important? The research is clear: routine access to technology can increase student learning and achievement.

Currently, many schools are still close to the notion of 1 to 1 as putting a laptop PC in the hands of every pupil, with a focus on the device first.  This is putting the cart before the horse. In this newsletter, we will look at the current state of 1 to 1 and how it’s evolving into a student-centric set of devices for distinct purposes -- and we’ll tell you what you need to consider.

What is the current state of 1 to 1?

• 1 to 1 programs are growing at a very rapid rate. About 25 percent of the country’s largest 2,500 school districts are embarking on 1 to 1 initiatives, according to preliminary data from a report on digital schools by the Hayes Connection and the Greaves Group, who are conducting a survey on 1 to 1 implementations.  This is up from the single digits just two to three years ago.
• Schools are implementing 1 to 1 programs for varying reasons, including seeking to bolster student achievement; providing technological literacy; ensuring all students have access to technology; and enhancing the teaching and learning process.
• Research so far shows a positive impact of 1 to 1 programs. Students in these programs:
  • are writing more and producing a higher quality of writing;
  • have earned higher test scores and grades for writing, English-language arts, and mathematics;
  • are spending more time in collaborative work;
  • are demonstrating increased critical and creative thinking;
  • are spending more time in homework when this work is done on a computer.
• The types of 1 to 1 programs vary widely – schools are undertaking such initiatives in many different ways and with an array of devices. Tom Greaves, chairman of the Greaves Group, notes, “It’s all over the board, in terms of how schools are implementing (1 to 1).”  Some schools call it 1 to 1 when students check out a laptop from a mobile cart in a classroom and use it during the school day. For others, 1 to 1 means students having a mobile wireless computing device for their use 24/7, with technology integrated into every phase of learning.
• The mix of devices included in 1 to 1 ranges from desktops and laptops to thin clients, handhelds, and smart phones. Handhelds have become much more viable for school use. And thin clients – “slimmed down” machines with no hard drive or local storage – are helping schools cope with tight budgets.

How is 1 to 1 evolving, and where will it go in the next 1 to 3 years?

• 1 to 1 computing is moving beyond a straight technology definition to what is needed to transform the teaching and learning process. It begins with a focus on educational outcomes first. The devices are only one element of a 1 to 1 program, along with instructional content, the applications, the network infrastructure, ongoing and significant professional development, classroom management, security, integration strategies, and building community support.
• Look for much more student-friendly devices. The current devices still have limitations for widespread school use – due to expense, battery life concerns, vulnerability to breaking, and other issues – and an intense effort is underway to get manufacturers to create better devices for K-12 market. Vendors are now more convinced of the payoff for them.  Expect to see this break open within the next 1-2 years with even better education- and student-appropriate wireless computing devices.

The nonprofit Project Inkwell, for example, is seeking to create a set of detailed functional standards for a school- and student-ready personal-computing device. Such a device would have the battery life, portability, screen size, ruggedness, affordable price, appropriate tools and apps, etc. to advance 1 to 1.

For one possibility of where the market is heading, check out the Fourier Systems Nova 5000, a device that attempts to fill in the gap between handheld devices and laptops with a large 7.5-inch color screen, ruggedness, good battery life, and a patented data-logging functionality geared to math and science.

• 1 to 1 programs that show the most promise and achieve positive results start with establishing a clear vision aligned with educational goals and measurable outcomes. This is why people are paying more attention to the software, applications, infrastructure, content, the implementation process, and training. Schools are coming to understand that they need a range of services to implement and sustain 1 on 1, and companies are delivering more of these services, such as back-end portals, ongoing training, and project management. These services are worth your consideration.
• Once a critical mass is reached of schools that have 1 to 1 learning, and students with anytime, anywhere access to technology, the next leaps forward will come. We are not here today. But once computing becomes ubiquitous and infusing every part of learning, the major content producers will create much more digital content for it.

Lastly, as a superintendent or CIO, here is what you need to think about for 1 to 1:

1. Think about what access students need to network-based applications, what they need it for, and when they need it. This should drive how you think about devices and the goals of having 1 to 1 computing. This is not about hardware, and it’s not about keeping up with the district next door – it is about access and instruction. It is about the entire life cycle of supporting such access, and the applications and infrastructure to do it.
2. Educational applications are moving to the Web; 1 to 1 computing means giving students access to instructional use 24/7. It both personalizes instruction and the extension of the school day. High-tech tools placed in the hands of students on a 24/7 basis are extending their learning and thinking processes. And, importantly, 1 to 1 computing can be built gradually and does not have to be an immediate, large program of devices.
3. 1 to 1 computing does not have to mean laptops only. Laptops are not a one-machine-fits-all solution to students having 24/7 access to instruction and educational technology. In all likelihood – and especially with improving technologies – this means using a variety of devices and applications.
4. What is the bang for the buck? What is your total cost of ownership going to be? And, are there times that a thin client or handheld can give you the same functionality at a lower initial cost with less breakage and support? These are issues that should be considered at the same time you’re determining the instructional need.

The next 1 to 5 years will see dramatic shifts. We’re looking at the underlying issues to push the conversation beyond the traditional 1 to 1 conception of a laptop in every hand. Now that we’ve established the groundwork, let’s take a look at Products and Solutions; a Device Chart that compares functionality, features, and possible negatives; and Best Practices examples of two school districts doing 1 to 1.

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PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS: Examples of Open Source

Note: The BLE Group does not endorse any of the examples listed below. These products and services were chosen to give a representative sample of what is out there in open source technologies and related companies.

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BEST PRACTICES :

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CONFERENCES:

Following is an annotated list of educational conferences that you may want to attend in the coming months (complete with links to information).

American Association of School Administrators: Stand Up For Public Education
This conference includes three days of briefings, receptions, and access to Congressional representatives. This initiative focuses on getting children ready for school, getting schools ready for children, and getting children ready for democracy.
May 9-11, 2006
Arlington, Va.
http://www.aasa.org/about/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2061&snItemNumber=2400

15th Annual edACCESS Conference
Through presentations, panels, roundtables, and focused discussion, this peer-centered conference is a resource for administrative computing personnel at secondary schools and small colleges. Keynote looks at the Web as a content platform for all ages.
June 19-22, 2006
Newport, R.I.
http://www.edaccess.org/conference.html

NECC 2006
The premier ed-tech conference provides state-of-the-art resources and solutions on current issues such as leadership, assessment, emerging technologies, online learning, and technology and accountability. Includes demos, roundtables, workshops, and student showcase.
July 5-7, 2006
San Diego, Calif.
http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2006/

Savvy Cyber Teacher Summer Institute
Hands-on professional development institute helps educators learn to create Internet-based resources to improve student learning in science, math, language arts, literacy, and other disciplines. Curriculum materials focus on real-time data and telecollaboration.
July 10-14, 2006, Grades 9-12; July 24-28, 2006, Grades K-5, 6-8
Hoboken, N.J.
http://www.savvycyberteacher.org/programs.html

American Association of School Administrators: Summer Leadership Conference
The Summer Leadership Institute is a high-level interactive discussion of relevant system-building issues such as value-added assessment. Among the key topics: working with the media and the public, professional career standard updates, a systemic approach to instructional leadership, and initiating and sustaining change.  
July 16-19, 2006
Keystone, Colo.
http://www.aasa.org/conferences/iMisEventDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=5649

Washington Interactive Technologies Conference
The 2006 gathering brings together pros from the education, industry, and government sectors to exchange information on technology-based learning systems, management systems, research, and applications. The Society for Applied Learning Technology’s conference explores new technologies as well as existing applications.
Aug. 23-25, 2006
Arlington, Va.
http://www.salt.org/salt.asp?pn=washington&ss=m

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SUPERTECH NEWS © 2002-2005 BLE GROUP. All rights Reserved. Do not copy or reproduce without written permission.
NOTE: The BLE Group does not endorse any of the products mentioned in this newsletter.
These were selected to illustrate the types of products currently available.