Wissahickon School Board Approves 1:1 Computing Concept

The voted on Monday to approve to concept of the 1:1 computing in 6 to 12^th grades at the district.

The District’s Director of Technology, John McGowan IV, said the 1:1 plan will “prepare students for a world we can’t comprehend right now.”

The plan is to put a netbook computer in the hands of each student and teacher in grades 6 through 12 over the next 4 years. The concept will also support Board goals of fostering 21^st Century Learning skills in students and bridging the digital divide.

McGowan said Wissahickon students should be prepared not only academically, but technically as well.

“This isn’t about technology…it’s about changing teaching and learning,” said McGowan.

The five year plan, with a total cost of $1,885,996, will purchase laptops for every student and teacher in grades 6 to 12, as well as the bags, software, and charging carts.

The total for the program, $6.8M, supports an additional technician, after hours support, and training for teachers.

“A good investment for the success of our students,” said Board President Young Park.

McGowan said after looking at other schools with 1:1 computer setups, the 1:1 computing and adequate support does not necessarily equal success.

As , other districts’ 1:1 programs did not work because:

• The district bought computers and other things, but did not train teachers.
• Promises were made about state achievement tests and the school district “could not deliver.”
• Some districts were “rigid.”

Now that the concept has been approved by the Board, McGowan is working on creating a steering committee of students, teachers, administrators, and board members to work on the detailed action plan for implementation of the 1:1 computing.

Currently, kindergarten through 5^th grades have rolling carts that teachers and classes share and use on an as-needed basis.

“Similar to the Smart Boards, this is our next big step,” said Board member Richard Stanton.

The first two grades of hardware will be purchased in the spring of 2012 and training of teachers and students will begin in the spring as well so that the two grades are ready to go in the fall of 2012.

All details on all components of the plan will come before the board in latter part of the spring, around the time of approving the budget, and the board will need to approve the purchase of the hardware.

Burunda Prince-Jones, Chair of the Curriculum and Technology Committee said, “The Board committee believes in this.”

“Part of this has to be a leap of faith,” she added.

“Our kids deserve this,” said Park.

The vote passed with Barbara Moyer and Seth Grant dissenting.