November+30+Meeting+Notes


 * Current iPad pilots:
 * middle school
 * 12 a piece
 * checked out through libraries
 * kids enjoy and have no problem using
 * problems have been with purchasing issues
 * Robb Gonda says there have been several roadblocks--Jeff is looking into this--what to do with typed papers, etc.
 * gave iPad to special needs student at Jones; teachers are doing everything on SMART Board and Moodle--used remote program so student can remote to teacher computer and zoom, take screen shots, open documents
 * Pat--question about working with documents. Jeff says his vision is that documents are stored in the cloud.
 * Jeff says printing is a challenge. Device is meant for individual to use at home--a lean back device--not forward. We are in a weird situation educationally with this. Syncing and purchasing are biggest hurdle.
 * middle schools have two accounts--syncing 6 devices at a time. Apple has been working on this for 8 weeks. Jeff meeting with coaches this afternoon to share info. for Apple
 * Shelley shared Pat's info. with Jeff re: sync station. Not sure where company is with production.
 * Shelley discussed function of e-readers in classroom--has seen benefits with her Kindle.
 * Pat says group mostly looking for non-writing uses. Jeff said reasonable for writing 1-3 page documents--may develop better typing skills--more natural.
 * Stacy--looking ahead to accessories for iPad
 * 3 levels of grant-
 * Level One: 215 in 8 class sets/25 a piece--4th and 5th grade; 10 gifted; 5 IS; 8 carts; 15 cases
 * Level Two: 115 in 4 class sets; 10 gifted; 5 IS
 * Level Three: 1 class set of 25; 10 gifted; 10 5th; 5 IS; 2 carts
 * not a check out--small group work
 * Jeff--Apple discount 6-8 %; Apple created volume purchasing program; buy gift card then have schools use but auditors don't like gift cards; have to have an authorized purchasers use POs to get voucher (Jeff); program facilitator in each school; special website for program facilitator to use voucher; Jeff will discuss possible procedures with coaches today
 * special iTunes account has to be set up; don't have to associate with credit card or gift card; you can sync as many devices as you want; Jeff has synced 12; sales engineer has warned that trouble has occurred with syncing between 30-32 devices
 * Jeff found Calibri--free program--converts pdfs to ePUB
 * Jeff says tough thing is management--will be challenge at teacher level--teachers have to step it up--don't have resources at district level to support devices--a lot will come down to teacher level for troubleshooting; district will have to train teachers well for this to happen
 * Pat says buy-in will be critical
 * Shelley says accountability will be important--course credit--monthly support meetings
 * Jeff says we will struggle with wireless initially; RFI has been sent out to vendors; want robust wireless for all buildings; looking at summer installation; want to make sure we get centrally-managed system; 802 11 N technologies (newest wireless standard)
 * Jeff says we are ahead of the curve with a transformative technology; future development of iPad will be important; 21st century learning if used deliberately
 * Jeff says we must start looking at classroom sets for technology; computers eventually may be pulled out; teachers may have laptops--not sure what this will look like--just in brainstorming phase now--definitely will be a transition period
 * Shelley--need to change the way we use technology so that it is not artificial; iPads can effect meaningful change
 * Timeline still under discussion; team is ready to write grants NOW
 * What will new iPad look like?
 * Next steps: set up meeting with Joanie Duggar; invite Denise, Melissa, or Darlene (Tom's suggestion); figure out timeline; decide what projects will look like at Tremont--what is our goal; how will we communicate our experience?