digital resource initiative

Digital ResourceInitiative

55 Miller Street

Enola, PA 17025-1640

Tel 717.732.8400

Fax 717.732.8414

info@caiu.org

www.caiu.org

Mark HennesSpecial Projects Supervisor

Jill MachemerSupervisor of Instructional Technology

Agenda

• Orientation to the project• Timeline• District Commitment

http://digitalcontent.wiki.caiu.org

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 21st 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 21st century learning environment --- improve

individual access; improve online learning skills; improve Web 2.0 teaching skills

Create conditions for future digital initiatives

What we’re building

• Digital textbooks with integrated online resources

Videos Virtual Labs

Podcasts Collaboration

Simulations• Hosted in a Moodle 2.0 platform• Student-centered learning• Engaging, 21st century learning environment

enabling authentic assessments• Initial focus on high school courses

Project TimelineAY 10-11• 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 11-12• 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

Project Evaluation

Qualitative• Surveys• Focus Group Interviews• Pre- and Post-

Quantitative Evaluation• Student Performance• Cost Analysis

First and Second Semester AY 11-12

Digital Resource Provider

CK-12 Foundation www.ck12.org :

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

District Responsibilities1. Select courses, select teachers, estimate # of

students and periods

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. Sign and return the letter of commitment by 28 Feb 11

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

Financial Commitments

• Efund grant covers most costs, except• Professional Development Services in 3rd & 4th

Qtr, AY 11-12• Additional teachers: ($1,000/quarter, beginning 4th

Qtr, AY 10-11, thru 4th Qtr, AY 11-12)• Moodle 2.0 hosting/conversion• Student & teacher hardware• Building infrastructure

Note: TBD by number of districts that participate

Related InitiativesUnderway

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

Possible Timeline for Digital Textbooks

PilotProject

Core Math &Science

Core Language Arts

& Soc Sci

Languages

Electives

AY 11/12 AY 12/13 AY 13/14 AY 14/15 AY 15/16

Contact Info

Mark Hennes – (717) 732-8427

mhennes@caiu.org

Jill Machemer – (717) 732-8406

jmachemer@caiu.org

Karen Ditzler – (717) 732-8400, ext 8300

kditzler@caiu.org

“Thinking of the problem as ‘how do we get a textbook onto an iPhone’ is framing it wrong. The challenge is how to make the best use of a medium that already shares three of our five senses—sight, speech, and hearing—along with geolocation, color video, and a nearly always on Web connection, to accomplish the ‘job’ of educating a student.” —Andrew Savikas, Vice President, Digital Initiatives, O’Reilly Media

http://digitalcontent.wiki.caiu.org

Efund Districts

Big Spring SD

Camp Hill SD

Central Dauphin

Cumberland Perry AVTS

Derry Township

East Pennsboro

Greenwood SD

Harrisburg City SD

Lower Dauphin

Middletown SD

Newport SD

Northern York SD

South Middleton SD

Steelton-Highspire SD

Susquehanna Township SD

Upper Dauphin SD

West Shore SD

Non-Efund Districts

Carlisle Area SD

Cumberland Valley SD

Halifax Area SD

Mechanicsburg SD

Millersburg SD

Shippensburg SD

Susquenita SD

West Perry SD

Dauphin County TS

Non-public Schools