Brief Timeline of Technology Efforts in ISD77

Brief Timeline of Technology Efforts in ISD77 (Reflections to follow)

1991-92

• began regular technology inservices for media specialists who are given Macintosh Classics
• installed single stand alone computer in each media center with electronic encyclopedia
• added additional Apple// computers and Corvus networks to elementary schools
• installed first fax machines in school buildings
• changed District AV to District Media Technology Services. The new department is to offer computer services, library processing and support, audio-visual production and repair, the district print shop, a video/film library, and delivery services.
• hired  Media Supervisor to replace the retired AV director
• unsuccessfully attempted to move 1/2 computer coordinator, 1/2 time math teacher into department
• acquired 20 e-mail address on the Mankato State University vax for librarians. Line interface.
  

1992-93

• began first year of training for 20 elementary teachers and 20 secondary teachers. Macintosh Classic II computers, printers and 14.4 modems are given in exchange for 30 hours of non-school time for training. Program will eventually teach basic computer productivity skills to all elementary teachers.
• identified and write CODE 77 basic teacher technology skills
• installed file servers, Novell operating systems, student workstations and automated library systems in all building media centers
• installed Xpress/Xchange in each media center that provides access to news and information through cable TV network
• replaced Apple // computers with 15 Macintosh computers in Garfield lab. Cards to run Apple II software included.
• began moving elementary computer labs to classrooms adjacent to media centers with connecting doors. All school library media centers will eventually have computer labs in or adjacent to them.
• established District Media Technology Advisory Committee of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community members.
• hired district’s first computer technician
  

1993-4   

• installed data and telephone network drops in all rooms and offices at Dakota Meadows, West, Eagle Lake – our model “high tech” schools – as part of building and remodeling efforts.
• wired Kennedy school classrooms for data with help of volunteer parents and staff.
• installed 24 computers in Kennedy classrooms for teacher and student use.
• installed 80 computers in Dakota Meadows labs and classrooms.
• installed 12 station PC lab at Alternative High School.
• installed WAN network consisting of permanently connected 14 baud modems in all district buildings and connection to the Internet cloud.
  
• hired  full time as computer coordinator for district (with office in department)
  

1994-5

• started TnT Academy, 5 days of summer workshops for teachers in technology skills
• started formal secretarial training
• installed email servers and Internet connections in all buildings to provide email of all staff and students
• installed data and telephone drops in all rooms and offices at East JH and SH, Roosevelt, Monroe, Jefferson, Hoover, and Franklin schools
• installed 30 station lab in West High School media center
• installed 24 classroom computers in Roosevelt 2nd and 4th grade classrooms
• moved District Media and Technology Services from basement to 2nd floor of West High School Annex.
  

1995-6

• Information Skills curriculum written by media specialists that included the objectives for both the library/media curriculum and computer curriculum
• installed data and telephone drops in all rooms and offices at Garfield, Washington, Alternative High School, and the District Offices - all classrooms and offices have telephones and data jacks.
  
• installed lab in East Media Center for high school students
• began Accelerated Reader, a reading promotion program, in elementary schools with funds donated by PTOs
• installed many computers in elementary labs purchased through PTO donations

1996-7   

• district media advisory committee wrote first long-range tech plan for state
• implemented integrated Information Skills curriculum in two content areas at each elementary grade level
• added a lab for Franklin 6th grade center
• added 30 computers to East Media Center for junior high students
• installed coaxial wide area network (10BT shared) with cable company
• created district website
• board adopted first Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet
• first webpage guidelines written for the district
• install CCC lab at one elementary school for Title I. Runs for 3 years.
  
• hired first elementary computer technician

1997-8   

• online elementary progress reports started using home-grown FileMakerPro database
• online Individual Education Plans for special education students begun
• began advanced CODE 77 training and upgraded equipment for teachers
• TnT Academy taken over by South Central Technical College
• World Wide Web page design and FileMaker Pro training for individuals in buildings given
• added 15 station computer labs to all elementary buildings
• began replacing dumb hubs with switches and smart hubs
• remodeled Jefferson media center
  

1998-9   

• selected new student management system (SASIxp) to replace 10 year old Osiris
• started MeetingMaker – a shared calendar program for all administrators
• began using Internet services provided by regional consortium SOCRATES
• NCA visit evaluated media and technology programs
• remodeled Franklin media center
• conducted first security audit of networks
• added media and information skills to elementary progress reports
• hired Student Information System Manager 
  

1999-00  

• added networked district file space for all staff and students (YODA)
• teachers began using Classxp to take attendance and do final grades online
• purchased subscription to online full-text magazine databases and provided access to state provided databases
• remodeled Hoover media center
• add two secondary computer technicians
  

2000-01  

• upgraded network that connects all buildings to shared Ethernet 100BT fiber network leased from telephone company
• aligned Information Skills curriculum with Graduation rule requirements
• began recording and reporting of Basic and High Standards in student information systems
• purchased and implemented IntegradePro at middle schools
• piloted online grade book system (ParentConnectxp) accessible by parents at East Junior High
• began datamining project to help determine effectiveness of educational programs
• library programs nominated for national award
• implemented web-forms for teacher pages
• began using SmartFinance online accounting purchasing system
• add second elementary technician
  

2001-02   

• wrote technology benchmarks for student 9-12 and placed technology skills in required classes
• acquired World Book Encyclopedia online for school and home use by students
• upgraded schools library catalogs to make them web-accessible
• created listservs for district parents
• installed system wide virus protection system
• installed electronic entry system in all buildings
  

2002-03

• purchased and implemented IntegradePro at high schools
• expanded online grade book system accessible by parents at all middle schools schools
• developed cheating and plagiarism guidelines
• monitored tech skill inclusion in Grad Rule packages
• built database of elementary IL/tech projects
• provided MarcoPolo training
• started media and tech department monthly newsletter (in e-mail format)
• worked with new staff development coordinator to formulate long-term staff development technology plan.
• installed Apple Network Administrator on all teacher computers
• pilot Read (un)Naturally in one elementary building
  

2003-04

• worked with staff development coordinator to formulate long-term staff development technology plan.
• installed wireless 802.11a base stations in each media center and study hall for use by students and staff with wireless laptops
• conducted marketing/advocacy campaign for Mankato School Library Media Centers.
• employed spam filtering software for staff email accounts.
• conducted training sessions on data mining for administrators and building site teams
• rewrote state required long range technology plan
• contracted for regular security sweep of the district’s networks.
• create VPN for security purposes.
• wrote security policies.
• completed authentication database
• Apple OSX in all elementary schools

2004-05

• expanded online grade book system accessible by parents at all high schools
• work with new staff development coordinator to formulate long-term staff development technology plan.
• worked with Curriculum Council on placing information literacy and technology standards in secondary written content area curricula based on survey.
• install and inservice teachers on Digital Curriculum.
• improve interface of district website and conduct usability study.
• training and using AtomicLearning.
• begin transportation database project.
• install X-serve servers and begin using Apple Profile
• install and configure NAS backup device for servers.
• create position of Administrative Systems Manager
  

2005-06

• continue work with Curriculum Council on placing information literacy and technology standards in secondary written content area curricula based on survey.
• review current technology benchmarks for K-8 to ascertain that they will meet the requirements of NCLB.
• form library media study groups to discuss best practices and the media/technology program’s contributions to student achievement.
• implement NWEA online testing, grades 2-10
• work with staff development coordinator to formulate long-term staff development technology plan.
• write guidelines for student owned technology used in schools
• implement databases for reading and math achievement in all elementary schools
• implement district-wide facility scheduling program for Community Ed
• switch from Novell to Windows NOS
• finish adding voice mail to all schools
• pass technology referendum for $500,000 per year for seven years to 1) improve student access to tech resources, provide projectors and interactive white boards in all classrooms, improve infrastructure (move to 100 mb switchedWAN)

So this is what I have a record of and/or remember. Observations in next entry.

Comments

[C Chausis]

Doug,
I feel as if you are writing about my school.... We've also done a fair-poor job on staff development. We've identified teacher competencies, but like you, these are not used for evaluative purposes. We offer voluntary training opportunities and a "just-in-time training" model which a few teachers take advantage of.
Thanks for articulating...

[Deborah Stafford]

Here is my 2 cents worth.

Staff Development - Integration
-- I agree we haven't done very well. but, my experience is that if the staff development is about managing email or other similar topic teachers are there. But if it is about using technology with kids they are not. The WHAT of staff development is as important as the when. If we want true integration the staff development needs to be about the final product and the tech tools are seen as tools, otherwise we don't get integration.

This was an interesting article a friend sent me;

When Teachers Don't Get It: Myths, Misconceptions,
Taradiddle
By Jim Holland
Dec 1, 2005
URL: http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=174401519

Puts the "discussion" in another perspective.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Debbie,

Good to hear from you.Your 2 cents worth are worth a good deal more than that!

Interesting you mention the Holland article because it really offended me and I wrote a response to it that can be found at:

http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2005/12/2/when-techies-dont-get-it.html

Hope things are good in Germany!

Doug