E-learning Strategy

2011 - 2013

Vision
Fostering creativity and excellence through e-learning, both within and beyond the four walls of the classroom.
(Whatever, Whenever, Wherever)

Te Apiti ICTPD Cluster Programme

Special Needs - National Standards

Active Participation - Sports Strategy

Maori _ Points of Reference School Charter

Curriculum Design Wiki Library Strategic Plan

eLearning Strategic Plan

Achievement and Curriculum Reporting

Curriculum and Professional Development

Long Term Property Plan 2010 - 2020

Introduction:
Russell Street School has continued to seize on the importance and benefits of digital technologies as a key learning tool. Previous strategies have provided a foundation for moving forward with e-learning, developing infrastructure capability, content and connections. Russell Street School has been an early adopter of advancements in e-learning with a well evaluated and measured approach to its impact on student achievement. This e-learning strategy (2011-2013) forms an important part of the schools strategic plan and charter. The goals and actions in this document are intended to build upon previous success and provide a guide for developments in a constantly changing digital environment. It identifies our beliefs about e-learning and sets the framework for maximizing opportunities for learning excellence and creativity through e-learning. The continued development of e-learning at Russell Street School requires a partnership between our school (BOT, staff and students) central government and our local community. The Ministry of Educations commitment to e-learning through initiatives such as the 2006-2010 e-Learning Action Plan for Schools, e-learning fellowships, TELA laptops and projectors for teachers scheme, LMS and SMS development initiatives, SNUP upgrades, rollout of super high speed internet, digistore resources, e-ASTTLE, virtual learning network and ICTPD clusters, show this is an area of strategic importance. Educational research and past experience has shown us the benefits of well planned and effective use of e-learning. By extending our capability and use of elearning at Russell Street School we will be able to encourage and develop creativity and excellence as highlighted in our vision. We will also develop many of the values from the charter in a context of e-learning and demonstrate the driving forces through this model of learning. Russell Street School is committed to developing students capability and supporting their growth as digital citizens. This strategy is about identifying the future direction for learning at our school, our core beliefs, opportunities and barriers that e-learning presents and provides a planned and considered approach to them. e-Learning is one component in the school charter/ strategic direction and should not be considered in isolation. It will be an ongoing living document regularly reviewed and updated as new technologies and initiatives become available.

Definitions Digital Citizen

Digital citizenship can be dened as the norms of behavior with regard to technology use. As a way of understanding the complexity of digital citizenship and the issues of technology use, abuse, and misuse, we have identied nine general areas of behavior that make up digital citizenship. 1. Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure 2. Communication: electronic ex- change of information 3. Education: the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology 4. Access: full electronic participation in society 5. Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods 6. Responsibility: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds 7. Rights: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world 8. Safety: physical well-being in a digital technology world 9. Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety

e-learning
e-learning is exible learning using ICT resources, tools and applications, focusing on interactions among teachers, learners and the online environment. e-learning usually refers to structured and managed learning experiences compromising all forms of electronic support including but not limited to web 2.0, Skype, animation, blogs, photography, fax.

Digital Literacy
learning how to effectively nd, use, summarize, evaluate, create, and communicate information while using digital technologies, not just being literate at using a computer.

Information Literacy
a set of competencies that an informed citizen of an information society ought to possess to participate intelligently and actively in that society. Is able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

ICT (Information Communication Technologies)

the term used to describe the items of equipment (hardware) and programs (software) that allow us to access, retrieve, store, organise, manipulate, and present information by electronic means. Examples include; computers, digital cameras, fax, projectors(Hardware) / phone, skype, google docs, blogs, internet, youtube, databases and presentation tools (Software).

Driving Forces in e-Learning

We believe: technologies strengthen the process for learning, they open new opportunities and transform the way we learn. e-Learning is only effective when designed with strong pedagogical practices in mind. e-learning must be authentic and infused in the learning programme, promoting higher order and creative thinking and be of high interest. e-learning enhances opportunities for students to be creative and innovative, participating in higher order learning in more self-directed ways. technologies foster and encourage participation and community partnerships and share the language of learning. (We now communicate in ways never experienced before: TNB, e-Portfolio, Class Blogs etc) an audience for e-learning enhances and celebrates student voice and increases engagement. any member of our school community should be able to access information and communicate digitally, whenever, wherever. (highlighted by the development of mobile technologies, and demand for access outside the 9-3 hours) a mix n match approach to professional development where individual needs and passions are met. (just in time help, skill learning workshops, tutorials, collaborative planning and in class support) effective e-learning requires high quality access for all; where private providers, families and whanau are in partnership with the school. we must ensure that as a learning community we develop digital citizens through safe use and promotion of I.C.Ts. high quality access for all can only be gained when a partnership between the school, family /whanau and private providers is successful.

A community of Learners where e- learning is infused in all that we do. Through our CONNECTIONS Through our CONTENT Through our CAPABILITY

Engage and communicate with parents, students, whanau, local and global communities. Share and access learning knowledge and resources. Access ICTs that encourage learning within and beyond the classroom.

Learning with a blend of traditional and sophisticated eLearning technologies. To engage and motivate learners. To give learners a voice and an audience. To create not consume. To facilitate higher order thinking. deliberate & strategic planning. authentic, infused inquiry learning. key competencies. effective teaching and learning management. information literacy formative practice. SISOMO

Developing and maintaining expertise and robust infrastructure in eLearning.

To create a knowledgeable and reliable community of learners. effective PD for all just in time/ planned students as teachers managed hardware and infrastructure participate as digital citizen identify and manage barriers innovative users of ICTs support of early adopters can do attitude

To create networks between communities of learners eportfolios web based online communities online school environments sharing of ICT online forums/ groups audio & visual presentations PD clusters

School Culture: Where creativity and excellence through e-learning is fostered both within and beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Goals: To become a digital school by 2013:

This may be characterized by infusion and pedagogical understanding: the design of learning will include a
focus on using ICTs and digital environments, where it adds value, as part of the learning culture. Creativity is at the forefront of the design of learning.

Access to Technologies: a mix of devices, eg 1:1 ipads junior / laptops senior,

whenever needed ensuring teachers and students have access to the tools they need. This will involve developing a suite of personalized technologies around the teacher and students to deliver their program of learning.

Robust network: whatever, whenever, wherever (www), cloud,

communication, access to our documents, resources, information.

Personalized Professional development: more collaboration, mixed styles of

professional development matched to the need of the professional educator.

Quality Access: highest speed broadband. Community informed and

contributing both digitally and in person.

SWOT Analysis
This SWOT analysis identifies the strengths, weaknesses of e-learning in the school currently. It also identifies opportunities for the future and threats (or barriers) to future e-learning development. By taking time to clearly identify what we are currently doing we can provide a benchmark to measure future progress and development. A summary of the key points:

Strengths:
Teachers
Teachers have a range of personal and professional strengths and abilities

Students
students are generally aware of and use access boundaries appropriately.

Resources
A robust wireless network which facilitates anywhere, anytime learning.

Systems
Up to date Website and Online Newsletter used as a regular means of communication. Cyber safety policies and procedures in place

Many teachers are leaders offering support and examples to others Teachers generally have a positive attitude to elearning and the benet it can bring to learning Most teachers plan for the authentic integration of elearning involving higher order thinking and are creative in nature. Most teachers are familiar with a range of productive suites, apple, google Microsoft ofce.

Most senior students can connect, save and open programs effectively. students have a range of skills in apple suite software and web 2.0 tools. Many students are able to self teach and tutor others.

a range of devices to meet users computing needs.

(mobile, desktop, handheld)

2 sets of 5 laptops for class booking. 16 iPads for class use

Purchasing plan developed and regularly reviewed.

a set of 9 bookable digital still cameras and one in each class. 4 x digital cameras for recording images. Identied staff as ICT leaders and trouble shooters. ICT lead teachers ICT technician ICT literate Librarian A planned program for replacement and responding to new innovations. (strategy, think tank and lead teacher) High speed internet access and the openness to explore creative use of online learning tools. Access to the TELA laptop for teachers scheme and Microsoft Schools agreement. School and Corporate alliances (CORE, Dean Rodgers, Yoube, DTSL) E buddies (students) who support teachers and student with e-learning

Committed Bot which supports e-learning initiatives.

Some students are problem solvers, risk takers, and continue to actively seek teacher support.

SMS system in place and used to enter roll details, student enrollment data and

Teachers employ a range of effective management/ teaching strategies supported by a range of peripheral devices. Some teachers actively try and share new ideas (early adopters)

Most students are thoroughly engaged in learning .. excited... motivated.

Parents and community who are receptive and open-minded to the opportunities of e-learning

Students are generally able to transfer skills between applications.

Robust server that stores information and manages school trafc well.

Teachers are becoming more condent at technical problem solving.

Most students work well together and are quick to learn.

Teachers participate in reective discussions about e-learning There is a range of understanding and participation in teacher inquiry. Some staff members have pursued PD opportunities outside of school/ cluster initiatives. Attendance @ leading elearning conferences spread amongst staff.

All students enjoy creative, open ended opportunities to learn.

Access to a visualizer, 9 Bee-bots,5 easy speak microphones etc to support learning programs. Projectors, interactive whiteboards and or T.Vs in every learning space.

Weaknesses:
Teachers
Meeting PD needs of the range of personal and professional strengths and abilities is difcult. Some teachers rely heavily on one tool (Kidpix) Is this at the expense of innovation? We have almost no access to advisors post ICT-PD cluster.

Students
Balancing access and monitored safe practice can be difcult.

Resources
Wireless network will struggle as more and more devices are added.

Systems
Online communication relies on the recipient taking responsibility.

Students and teachers often forget their passwords for google apps and server. Students can be allured by the bells and whistles of web 2.0 losing focus on the learning opportunities. Time to work on individual projects can be eaten up by class activities and supporting others.

Newer mobile devices will not access all applications on the web.

Times when the timetabling bring infrastructure to a crawl.

2 sets of 5 laptops for class booking is sometimes not enough with high demand times. Mobile laptops are more expensive than xed machines, are less robust and have shorter life.

Server needs regular maintenance and technical expertise. Currently could use extra RAM

At times the use of skill and drill activities is overused where higher order activities could be used instead. Some teachers are reliant on one productive suite and are reluctant to move between applications.

SMS system can be used for much more eg reporting and tracing academic records. Timetabling is exible so not always equitable. Needs monitoring and negotiating at times.

Access to technologies is not 1-1 so at times management of access means missed opportunities. Students need to be encouraged to be creative taking on challenging tasks not quick rewarding drill and skill activities.

With the proliferation of web 2.0 it is harder to keep track and manage what is suitable and educational software for schools. Replacing older machines is expensive. 90 e-macs need to be replaced in the next few years.

Not all teachers utilizing the peripheral devices in their classes.

Managed ltering requires local machine to have proxies turned on and the server running.

Staff turnover leads to loss of knowledge and skills.

Dependance on internet access for learning programs. TELA laptop for teachers scheme and Microsoft Schools agreement does not cover many of our apple needs. School and Corporate alliances under economic pressure and less generous. Time hard to nd to train and up skill E buddies (students)

Only a couple of staff able to manage ltering.

Some teachers are unable to technical problem solve leading to frustration.

Intranet is cluttered and hard to negotiate to nd templates and models.

Some reluctance to take on e-learning innovation staying with status quo. Links to external PD are limited and conferences are expensive. Managing new staff induction needs to be carefully managed to avoid overwhelming them.

Ongoing cost of maintaining projector bulbs.

Opportunities:
Teachers
Flexibility to design tailored learning for their students.

Students
Opportunities to communicate and participate in authentic learning. Open minded and skilled users.

Resources
Development of web 2.0 as a cost effective learning/ communication tool.

Systems
New wireless technologies becoming available.

Contestable PD funding pools - Ministry of Education (becoming limited) Continued liaison with leading e-learning schools. Strategic alignment with other schools.

Free online software negating the need for expensive software and licensing. Laptops / projectors for teachers scheme. Relationship with DTSL/ Apple Dealers/ School cluster Parters Trust funds applications

Access to SNUP (internal school network upgrade).

Inspire internet service support Microsoft schools agreement.

E-fellowships and study awards. Links with Massey to develop and review initiatives, access resources and student teacher ideas and support.

Trialling new technologies and resources as they become available.

Parents open mindedness and high expectation for the quality of public education.

Threats:
Teachers Students Resources
Budgeting constraints. Govt expectation exceed operation budget realities. Increasing costs of maintaining and replacing old equipment.

Systems
Increasing cost of being connected. Memberships, access fees etc. Managing the ability for stakeholders to be able to access the information from the variety of systems in the school. The nature of being digital has complications for the library and its systems and processes.

Overcrowded curriculum Not enough time for teachers and students to be creative/ innovative. National Standards. Possible narrowing of the curriculum and shift of focus from creativity to compliance.

Changes in personnel can lead to loss in skill, culture and shared expectations.

46 emacs older than 6 years old that need replacing ASAP.

Limited expertise of problem solving on changing technologies. Requirement to focus on other areas and the time needed to consolidate this. ie formative practice

Keeping up with the rapid advances in technology is expensive.

Summary:
Russell Street School has developed a learning community that values the benefits of digital technologies, using this as a key learning tool to provide high quality, rich, and engaging learning experiences. Russell Street School has been an early adopter of advancements in e-learning with a well evaluated and measured approach to its impact on student achievement. We have developed initiatives such as the digital classes allowing these to become an ideas centre. These classes model, test and promote what is possible when there is access to high quality equipment and a positive and creative attitude to the design of learning that infuses eLearning. The teaching ideas and equipment in the digital classes flows down to other classes and is a good model of how community partnerships (bring your own + digital fees) can supplement what the school already provides in a time when government funding doesnt. The challenge for us is to develop and extend the culture and access to technologies further replacing old equipment and accelerating our purchasing plan. We need to continue to tailor professional development opportunities to extend teacher skill and understanding and narrowing the gap between teachers. Although there is a limited amount of money available Research and Government initiatives show eLearning continues to be a focus and valuable tool for attaining high quality student achievement. There are many advancements on the horizon for eLearing providing exciting opportunities to those willing to be early adopters showing what is possible. We need to be mindful of the cost of aging equipment, our people resources and communities expectations of what quality education looks like. Strategically planning and actively managing our resources to ensure parents, students and teachers have opportunities to be engaged in learning with access to quality resources is essential.

Further Action:
BOT Discussion BOT to consider funding ! 1: Continue to fund as we are: ! ! ! ! ! ! 2: In between: Increase BOT contribution and digi-class fees while actively promoting for the community to bring their own devices. 3: Flip it on its lid. Work with community with the expectation that in 2013 children will bring their own device. We would need to organise a lease, hire scheme with support for those that cant afford it as well as procedures and expectations for this.

Complete stocktake with focus on life expectancy of our devices. Complete Annual Planning 2011 -13 Section

Draft Annual Outline:

Below are a sample of the estimated costs and planning already in place for 2011 - 2012. With the further discussion and direction from this document 2012 and 2013 on can be completed.
2011 devices

Details Renew lease on junior teachers TELA laptops. Grant 4 new 21 imacs 15 iPad 2s 4 teaching stations
Complete a assessment of resources as to their life expectancy Maintain devices as needed

Estimated Cost

$8,000 (Grant) $15,000 $12,000 From class upgrade $1500

Maintenance

Robust network

Upgrade to U.F.B Maintain server Addition of more ip addressed Network upgrade in refurbished classes Extra WAP purchased Laptops Internet
Digital subscriptions (blogs etc)

Covered by inspire $1000 From class upgrade $300 13 x $360 teacher lease. $300 $225 per month

Service Costs etc

Professional development infusion

Te Apiti ICT Cluster (eShare, ICT lead teachers, 1:1 tutoring Lyn, in class observations, workshops, just in time support James, eStudents) Learning @ School ULearn Stuart Hale PD workshop Teacher Reection Site Appreciative Inquiry Online newsletter Texts capability All Classes with Blogs

Teacher release.

$415pp $599pp No cost No Cost $200 From subscriptions

Access

2012 devices

Digital class gear replacement 10 x iPads 7 x iMacs Replace 11 emacs and 4 G4s with digital class gear. Replace 10 emacs from Bot funds??? Replace 1/2 digital still class cameras. SNUP upgrade Investigate additional wi complete curriculum wiki Laptops Internet
Digital subscriptions (blogs etc)

20K School (Bot) 15k Parents 15k Digi Fees

Maintenance

20K School (Bot) 7 x $200

Robust network

$2000

Service Costs etc

13 x $360 teacher lease. $300 $225 per month Teacher release. $415pp $599pp No cost

Professional development infusion

Final Year of Te Apiti ICT Cluster Formalize strategic partnerships Learning @ School ULearn Stuart Hale PD Workshop Teacher Reection Site Appreciative Inquiry Live streaming assemblies review newsletter/ website Increase parent participation in class blogs. Online newsletter Texts capability All Classes with Blogs

Access

No Cost

$200 see subscriptions

2013

devices Maintenance Robust network infusion Professional development Access