Essential+Tablet+Questions

Have the tablet as the binder. Small groups in study skills. Guinea pigs this year- use the sixth grade students.
 * Thoughts on this Year and Next**


 * 1) Like the idea of one unit throughout the year as a plan. Offers opportunities to check.
 * 2) Use it throughout the year as an organizational tool (assignments, reminders) but only 1 educational unit per teacher during the year

I think that it would be necessary for all the basics - LA, Math, SS, Science, Spanish. The Specials could decide what they want. If they are not needed there, could they be charging while the students are in those classes? (Kristi)
 * Will students bring their tablets to every class?**

It seems to me that the tablet can replace or be an addition to the white travel binder, so yes, it should go with them everywhere whether they will use the tablet for a lesson or not. Homework assignments can be written in the notebook, among other things. Our goal would be to teach the children to be prepared for whatever might come their way, and being prepared means having their tablet. (AWK)

Students should be responsible for charging their tablets at home. Trinity will also provide a charging solution at school for the situations when heavy use drains the battery (WK).
 * If so, how will the students charge their tablets?**

By the time they get to math/science in the afternoon, they would have to have a place to plug in so they could take notes, etc. (Kristi) Also, they could charge for an hour during lunch/recess before math/science. (mmh)

One option would be to replace desktops in the base classroom with docking stations.
 * Will Trinity purchase docking stations?**

//Would it be possible for Trinity to install power strips (those long outlets that can accomodate several plug ins per unit) onto the underportion of each table in base classrooms? That way, when the kids are in base class they can be plugged in and charging so that when they leave for specials they're almost certain to have enough power to last through specials classes (ALS)//

We could purchase extras for emergencies. However, this might take away some of the real world impact. Given the fact that these are 12 year-olds, I think we need to have a few extras available for check-out. The tablet would be similar to a bookbag or travel binder - how often do kids forget those - rarely.
 * What happens when a needed component is left at home? Power cord? CD-Rom?**

//It seems logical that each classroom where tablets might enter (base, and science/math) would have several components on hand (maybe kept in our "tech boxes") for such an occasion. (ALS)//
 * Where will the extra supplies "live?"**

//I think they'd have to take their power cords home, but i don't see much reason for the CD-Roms to leave, etc. (ALS)//
 * Will students take these components home?**


 * Will Trinity provide "loaner" tablets to students and families? What is the future direction of the tablet program?**

If we made students responsible for running their own updates it could promote ownership, provide real world responsibilities and make the overall task more managable. This makes sense but I don't know how reasonable it is, initially. This isn't somethign that students would naturally think about - any more than it is something that many adults don't think about. It might need to be part of "homework." Perhaps instead of a monthly media class, it could be a monthly media/tech class.
 * How will students get their needed computer updates? What is the future direction of the tablet program?**


 * What is the future direction of the tablet program? Will the tablet program move to the fifth grade?**

My opinion is that this should be a perk for the sixth graders - an incentive for those that stay. (Kristi)

We're not there yet! First, we need to implement a highly successful tablet program in 6th grade before we start thinking about other grades, but I don't think we should say never to other possibilities. (AWK)

//I think we need to first make this an outstanding program with 6th before getting into involving 5th. Work out the kinks, then expand. (ALS)//
 * Should we involve the current fifth grade students in the tablet program sometime this spring?**

Why not let a couple of 6th grade students work with the tablet around the end of the year...we can get feedback, troubleshoot, and test power supply, etc (mmh)

The program can be communicated to schools through Maryellen and Angél and/or by a letter to admission directors and middle school heads.
 * Does Trinity need to communicate with other schools about our tablet program? Will Trinity tablet users be allowed to use their tablet when they leave Trinity?**

I see the tablet as another tool that can provide children of all learning profiles an opportunity to own their learning. We will have to consider how this may change how we work with a child with learning differences, just as we have done with our more traditional approach. (AWK)
 * Will we look at programs that meet the needs of special learners?**

Assessment will, of course, need to be addressed. On-line assessments and electronic portfolios have great potential, but we will have to consider contingency plans when the technology is not agreeing with us. (AWK)
 * How will Trinity change the way tablet users are assessed?**

How we present it: make it an honor thing, present expectations. Present that you recognize that there are ways to cheat (make it evident). This is a collaborative model. Discuss the ways lines are blurry. Educate how other schools are addressing teaching. Create added levels of security (personal logins and dropboxes).
 * How do we prevent cheating in a connected, wired learning environment?**

Guest speaker (from the field) addresses the issues give real world examples...ex: At UVA, hundreds of students were caught cheating in an intro physics class - most were kicked out, a some students had their diplomas revoked. (mmh)


 * How much ownership will students have in terms of their ability to download tools/personalize the programs on their computer?**

It is the school's property so there should not be additional programs. They can personalize it with some pictures. Do students know the policies?

Classes? How are students going to learn some of the skills?

What are the consequences?

What about email? Who can they email? How can we monitor?


 * Internet Safety**

Intro lesson on the program and then come back to monitor. Teacher would act like the student taking notes. There would have to be a partnership
 * Will lead teachers be expected to teach students how to use new programs?**

I think that this would vary as the program progresses. In the first year or two, base teachers and specials (math/science) may feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable with a program and therefore require assistance from a technology specialist. However, as each teacher becomes more comfortable with each program, they may choose to teach it themselves to their students. In any case, an extra set of hands when using laptops is always helpful, especially when screens freeze, things won't save, etc. Maybe one teacher could take the lead and another be available to put out fires. (MJB)

Great question! The accessibility to teachers increases tenfold, but I think teachers need to feel comfortable that they won't be expected to always be connected. Tablet or not, I do think that 5th and 6th grade need to look at having an after-school question and answer time for children. We want students to advocate for themselves when they don't understand, but we don't provide any formal time for them to do this except for a few minutes in the morning or at recess. (AWK)
 * How accessible will teachers be in an online educational program? Will teachers be expected to answer questions and "be connected" during certain after hours periods?**

I definitely agree - an short block of time afterschool would also allow children who have a slow internet connection at home to connect via Trintiy wireless and download the necessary items. It would obviously have to be structured, and not a hang out time with friends and tablets. (mmh)

Have an after school tutoring session that can either be F2F or online.

I think it will be important to set up certain parameters to the teachers' availibility. (Ellen) It seems silly not to do this. We can't move in a forward direction with technology and still use methods from the past.
 * Will Trinity allow teachers and students to access and post homework assignments online?**

I feel this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed. If we are truly preparing these children for middle school (and a life outside of Trinity) then having access to notes, homework, etc online is only logical. This is an excellent tool for students and I honestly do not feel that it enables them in any way, but rather it empowers them. I do question the "handing-in" protocol- do we have them handing in assignments electronically, etc? Grading on-line, etc is VERY different than our traditional practices and would take a bit of training/practice to get the hang of it and make it comfortable. (svs)

I think that the sixth grade team would be very able to accomodate this. If we shared ana ssistant within the grade, he or she could take on the responsibilty of posting the assignments of the week. The one concern that I have is when we occassionally add an assignment at the "last minute." I would hope that students would be able to take the responsibilty for such assignments and not cite the web page as incorrect. (MJB)


 * What features do we want in an online environment?**

I think we can't get around labeling. This could be done via the computer name. We may still want some type of external identification.
 * Are we going to label each student's tablet?**

Outages are inevitable. I think there should always be a backup plan.
 * What are our contingency plans for when technology isn't working? Do we plan two lessons?**


 * How do we keep the tablets clean (screen)?**

I think this is an important consideration. All schools who implement a 1:1 computer program have an AUP (acceptable use policy) which outlines acceptable uses.
 * What are the consequences for tablet misuse? What are examples of misuse?**

I think it is extremely important to work "goof off" time into the schedule because it will be inevitable. (Ellen) However, from an Internet safety perspective, we need to be very clear about appropriate uses, applications, and the risks/rewards. I think that it is safe to say that students will begin to explore when we give them a tablet...
 * How do we monitor and curb "goof off" time on the tablet?**

This is an interesting questions...each time that I have used my tablet for note taking sessions I find myself doodling excessively (although I am doodler by nature)...I draw, delte, redraw, change color....it's amazing the fun one can have. I, being quite talented, can multi-task...I am sure that many students can do the same...but....for those who cannot? What then...it would most likely drive me crazy to be teaching while children were drawwing and coloring flowers on tablets. (svs)

If we set the expectation early and provide clear conseqences, I think that the students will get it. It will be important for the kids to have some time to investigate the tablet and discover what exactly the tablet can do. It could be for a few minutes during classtime (with a geared objective - "investigate photostory", or homework time - with a "reflection" piece as well (mmh).

//I don't think we can expect that it will be the same for each lesson in each classroom. We'll have to just be very dedicated to using it whenever possible so that it doesn't become a dusty dinosaur that we only use for one type of occasion (i.e. note taking) on an infrequent basis. (ALS)//
 * What are our expectations of students using the tablet? Will the students use the tablets all the time? In certain subjects? For a portion of each lesson?**

If you are using the tablets in the school all of the time, then you almost have to take the tablets home. It would be like not taking home your binder. Is their a responsibility problem with them taking them home? What do we do? Let them call home? The responsibility of a tablet is the same as for a binder.
 * Will the students take the tablets home? Will they use the tablet at school? Both?**

It only makes sense that these tablets be used for home-school connection, especially if this is to take the place of assignment books and other organizational tools. If they are merely tools for the classroom then students are not receiving the full benefits that they offer. (svs)

Part of taking the tablets home would be searching and finding homework assignments online. It would make sense to move to posting given the fact that they have the responsibility of using a tablet. Preparing for the next day is a life skill that is responsibility.

We will purchase online, electronic textbooks and just use textbooks at home. We should look (right now) at what is available online.

They could use a docking station or plug them directly in. Will we want to have designated times or make them responsible for accomplishing this?
 * How will students charge their tablet's battery?**

Will we provided backups or will they do without?
 * What happens when the battery runs out?**

Will we provided backups or will they do without?
 * What happens if the battery runs out and the students are in Discovery Woods?**

What kind of electronic textbooks are avilable? (Ellen)
 * Will Trinity begin using electronic textbooks instead of traditional books? Certain subjects?**

//I know their science texts are available electronically!!! And, they have pretty amazing links to supplemental materials (practice tests, animated diagrams, etc) that can be linked directly from the textbook "pages". (ALS)//

The only text book that I can see productive use with (in base classes) is the social studies text. At this time, students read and jot notes/questions in addition to their highlighting. All of this could be accomplished on an electronic text. If, however, students could not write and record notes on the text, it would not be nearly as beneficial. (MJB)

The only other option would be electronic novels - I don't think that we should substitute the real thing, but it might be interesting to experiment with 1 novel (in the spring) and get feedback from the students. (mmh)

I think in math they could definitely use the tablets in place of their journals for notes. Homework would definitely have to be handled differently - would they do it on regular notebook paper? - would they download it from their tablet somehow so we could get to it? (Kristi)
 * Will tablets replace traditional notebooks? What are the expectations of students using tablets?**

Insurance can be purchased for a nominal fee. However, there would be an interval between repaire and/or replacement. //This is why we need "loaner" tablets. (Ellen)//
 * What happens when a tablet breaks?**


 * Is Trinity responsible for providing replacement tablets?

Families?**


 * How durable are the tablets? Are the tablets durable enough to withstand the daily grind of sixth grade use? Do we need to examine other tablets?**

I think a better understanding of what does and doesn't affect performance is needed.
 * Will the server be able to handle 54 kids working on it?**

Upgrades would need to be made. However, there will always be greater limitations on the wireless network than there are on the wired network.
 * What about the wireless connection?**


 * What sort of procedures need to be developed?**