Johnston High School One-to-One Computer Initiative To Be Decided Tonight

From Johnston Community School District

After 18 months of a comprehensive study, a recommendation for a one-to-one computer initiative for students in grade 10-12 was presented to the Board of Education on May 7.

An initial overview of this study was provided to the board at a previous work session. The study committee reviewed research and best practices for integration of technology into student learning and they conducted site visits at districts that already utilize one-to-one computers with students in their high school.

Principal, Brent Riessen; Director of Technology, Tony Sparks and Instructional Technology Coordinator, Ann Wiley presented the information concerning this initiative.
 
Riessen talked about how the use of technology can improve student engagement and teaching and learning. The vision is that students become good digital citizens and are able to use digital tools for academic and personal learning by focusing on 21st Century technology skills to create, communicate and collaborate. 
 
Wiley discussed how a team would create the implementation plan, the teaching and learning goals that would be set for this plan and a timeframe for the initiative.

Committees that would be developed include communication, curriculum, infrastructure management, policy and procedure review, professional development, launching event for the initiative and implementation evaluation and assessment.

Wiley discussed the process of determining that the initiative would utilize iPads, using project-based learning though productivity apps and content-specific apps that tie into the curriculum.

Sparks reviewed the proposed budget that had an overall cost of $1.42 million spread over the course of three years.
 
The board will be voting on this initiative at 6 p.m. today at the .

Other agenda items for tonight's meeting include:

• approval to purchase school buses
• approval for increased utility fees
• approval of the fiscal year 2013 JEA agreement
• approval of several board policies