|
Northern Engraving
assisted with initial Internet access by providing a $4000 grant to help with
acquisition of equipment and staff training. XYZ Area Schools have worked
closely with Western XYZ Technical College, UW-LaCrosse and CESA#4 in providing
teacher inservice with respect to School-to-Work and general education.
XYZ College is currently
providing on-site technology education to ninety-six XYZ teachers in one and
three credit classes in the use of Microsoft Works for teacher utility and
instructional strategies made possible through technology. The classes have
received rave reviews from staff. XYZ is also continuing to work with CESA#4
for developing a distance learning center (part of the proposed building
program). XYZ is also a charter member of the XYZ Technology Foundation. The
West Salem Schools and the XYZ Schools have also forged
partnership for programming in the areas of reading, gifted and talented, youth
apprenticeship and school-to-work.
The computer coordinator and
Library Media Director from both districts also enjoy a strong professional
relationship. The West Salem School District has a
close campus of K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 buildings connected by fiber optic - a result
of a recent building program. The XYZ School District is also a member of GAP
(German American Exchange Program) and have exchanged visits between XYZ
students and German students-The Internet will enhance this international
relationship.
Summary
"Connect XYZ" will assist
students in meeting their needs to participate in an increasing global economy
and a society that is rapidly changing (see Mission Statement and
Expectations). "Connect XYZ" will also provide an additional communication link
with parents and community. The current limited Internet connection has already
provided valuable political information for pursuing good decision making in the
democratic process.
Problem/Opportunity
Definition
"Connect XYZ" will
address four problem areas:
1)
There exists the need for teaching staff and students to use telecommunication
(local area network, wide area network and Information Super Highway)
effectively and efficiently. The desire exists but the know how and technology
is currently very limited. Learning to use telecommunications was identified as
a prime inservice need on a survey completed in August of 1995.
2)
With eight locations serving students and the central office, communication
between grade levels and between district committee members is very difficult.
Current communication links include telephone contact (phone tag is a very
frustrating game) and mail service with a minimum two day turn around time.
"Connect XYZ" would provide for "real time" communication with E-mail serving a
need for timely not time consuming communication.
3)
Because of financial constraints and the rural nature of the XYZ School District, limited
resources exist for many students and staff to reach beyond the local community
for information. Even with current limited access and minimal home use, the
Internet has provided valuable information for research, sharing, debate, work
and recreation. "Connect XYZ" will make it possible to add easy access for
students and teachers to the Internet.
4)
Many parents of XYZ students have limited, if any, contact with
telecommunication technology except through the use of television. The
information age and its importance for education and the economy are foreign to
many parents in the XYZ District. Their support for hooking onto the
"Information Super Highway" is limited because of a lack of knowledge and a
sense of "I don't understand"- a frustrating situation. "Connect XYZ" will help
begin to bridge this gap by providing at least some access to telecommunication
for parents.
Project Goals and
Objectives
"Connect XYZ" has four main
goals. The accomplishment of these goals will result in improved educational
opportunities for all students.
Goal one
is student and staff training in the use of telecommunications to access and
share information for the improvement of educational opportunities. Students
will receive instruction in the use of the Internet through the Library Media
Instructional Centers. Teachers will learn how to communicate electronically
within the district and to incorporate resources available through
telecommunications into their lesson plans. Twenty XYZ teachers and 5 LMC
Directors will participate in a three credit course directed toward using the
Internet to enhance educational opportunities. Sixty XYZ teachers,
administrators and LMC Directors and fifteen West Salem teachers will participate in a one credit graduate course on accessing
telecommunication through LAN, WAN and "Information
Super Highway". A XYZ class will also be offered by an Internet/Library Media
Specialist to interested teachers focused on using the Internet as a tool of
instruction and motivation.
Goal two
is to establish a wide area network to include XYZ's six elementary schools,
middle school, high school, and district office. The network is necessary to
improve communication and limit time lost to travel.
Goal three
is to access the World Wide Web "Information Super Highway" beginning with
neighboring school district (West Salem), area technical college (Western XYZ
Technical College), four year college (XYZ), and many other web sites including,
but not limited to, the XYZ Department of Public Instruction, University of XYZ
Campuses, XYZ Education Association, Association of XYZ School Administrators,
Scholastic Services, and the world.
Goal four
is to provide opportunities for students, parents and teachers to access the
Internet and the school's LAN, via telecommunication. A recent survey of middle
and high school students found less than 18% of homes had computers and less
than half of those students have access to the Internet. Because very few XYZ
students have computers in their home, there exists a need to provide laptops
with modems for check out to students. This will be essential to provide
students and parents access to their schools and the information on the Super
Highway. Password protections are currently built into all files containing
students, personnel, and financial information. "Connect XYZ" will continue to
utilize security systems that ensure privacy and confidentiality. "Connect XYZ"
will also stress the ethical and legal issues of technology use, throughout
student and staff training.
Project Design
"Connect XYZ" will utilize
the strength of existing infrastructures of 1). personnel development, 2)school
district hardware and software, 3). the telecommunication infrastructure of our
local phone company - Century Telephone, 4). neighboring educational
institutions and 5). the desire for expanding opportunities for students to
achieve the previously stated goals. The specifics of the project design are
outlined on pages 8, 9 and 10.
"Connect XYZ" adds to an
existing infrastructure components necessary to effectively and efficiently
communicate in the environments LAN, WAN and the "Information Super Highway."
Information gained from "Connect XYZ" will be utilized to plan for the future in
XYZ and will serve as a model to other school districts. "Connect XYZ" will
continue the present policy of building an infrastructure that has room for
expansion, and is flexible which will serve into the future. The collaboration
of Century Phone experts and the expertise of area educational institutions of
higher learning will help insure a system that will have longevity and
flexibility.
Applicant Qualification
The XYZ Area School District is a public
PreK-12 school district located in West Central XYZ.
1. Shawn Dunn * 20%-Technology Coordinator, XYZ Area Schools.
2. Dr. Jerry Trochinski * 10% - Director of Instruction and Inservice, XYZ Area
Schools.
3. Kevin Carlsen * 5%- elecommunication Specialist, Century Telephone Company.
4. Emmy and Bud Theisen * 12% - Professor, XYZ College.
5. Dr. Charles Anderson * 1% - Graduate Studies XYZ College.
6. Jan Wee * 3% - Library Media Specialist and Private Consultant NASA and
others.
7. Mr. Marlin Phillips * 1% - Superintendent, Appointed XYZ Area School
District.
All key staff
are currently employed by their respective participating organization and it is
anticipated they will continue their employment through the time period of the
grant and beyond. (* percentage of time devoted to "Connect XYZ.")
XYZ Board of Education:
Mr. Richard Schauf, Dr. Mark Hemmerich, Mr. Jim Leverich, Ms. Tonya Kenyon, Mr.
Dennis Lambert, Mr. David Rice, Dr. Donald Genrich.
Project Management
"Connect XYZ" is a team
effort between students, parents, teachers, administrators, institutions of
higher learning, neighboring schools, and the private sector. The basis for
"Connect XYZ" is the result of a team of teachers and administrators working
together to develop the Long Range Plan, a vision for the future. Teachers have
requested additional inservice to help them better understand and use
technology. The LAN and WAN will create an opportunity for improved
communication within the XYZ School District. The Century
Telephone Company has proven to be a valuable partner in the development of
"Connect XYZ" and their desire for success is frequently demonstrated. The
existing relationship between WWTC, West Salem Schools, and XYZ College will be strengthened by
their involvement in this project. "Connect XYZ" has been built in an
environment of teamwork. Teamwork will be required for its successful
implementation.
The one and three credit
graduate level classes for XYZ and West Salem teachers, the special inservice
for grades 6-12 science and social studies teachers, student education, parent
involvement explained earlier in this grant proposal are all critical components
of "Connect XYZ." In addition to these formal inservices, individuals sharing
their knowledge with others will be part of successful completion of "Connect
XYZ."
Project Evaluation
The evaluation of the
success of "Connect XYZ" will be directly related to the four goals of this
project.
Goal 1#-Students and Staff
will be trained in the use of telecommunication to access and share information
for the improvement of educational opportunities.
Evaluation #1 - Yes or no to
each question. a) Did 75 teachers from XYZ and West Salem complete a one
credit, graduate level telecommunication class? b) Did 25 XYZ teachers complete
a three credit telecommunication class? c) Did grade 6-12 science and social
studies teachers complete an 18 hour PACC class with the guidance of a
telecommunication expert? d) Did the LMC Director instruct students on the use
of the telecommunication?
Goal #2 - Establish a WAN
between XYZ elementary, middle, high school and central office.
Evaluation #2 - Yes or no-Is
there a functioning WAN connecting XYZ elementary, middle, high school and the
central office?
Goal #3 - Provide access to
the "Information Super Highway" for XYZ students and staff.
Evaluation #3-Do the teacher
and administrator logs demonstrate use of the "Information Super Highway" to
connect with West Salem teachers, DPI, AWASA, WWTC, XYZ College, UW campuses,
and other sources of information? Do teachers and LMC Directors report students
using the "Information Super Highway" for research and sharing of information?
Goal #4 - Provide
opportunities for students, parents, and teachers to access the internet and
school LAN via telecommunications.
Evaluation #4 - A phone
survey will be made to a random sample of parents and to 20% of 11th grade
parents to determine the access use by students and parents. Teacher log
reports will indicate use by teachers. The Technology Advisory Committee will
evaluate the overall impact of "Connect XYZ" and make recommendations for
improvements.
Partnership and Community
Support
"Connect XYZ" is built upon
linkage and collaboration with other agencies and organizations to provide not
only hardware and software necessary for telecommunication-also the important
factor of inservicing people is hallmark. Throughout this grant proposal the
connections of all stake holders: from district to region to global community
are outlined.
Following the project year
of "Connect XYZ", the project will continue to be successful because the project
has leveraged a quality infrastructure for personal growth and development and
solid hardware and software infrastructure. "Connect XYZ" has not relied on a
one time contribution from the XYZ Area School District, rather the dollars
allocated for this project have been allocated for similar needs in the past and
will continue into the future. People are the key to the long term success of
the "Connect XYZ."
Applicant Financial
Resources/Project Budget
The WESSAS accounting system
will be used to maintain financial records for both revenue and expense.
"Connect XYZ" will be audited using standard auditing procedures.
Model
The "Connect XYZ model and
the associated partnerships are intended to serve XYZ students now and into the
future. The "Connect XYZ" model also has the potential to serve as a model for
other XYZ Schools. Many school districts in XYZ are comprised of multiple
elementary sites with one or two middle schools and high schools and district
offices.
By joining all district
facilities is a "real time" configuration of a Wide Network with access to the "Information Super Highway." XYZ
students will continue to benefit from the neighborhood schools support and
maximize into district communication while minimizing travel time. "Connect
XYZ" will also be able to demonstrate that economically disadvantaged rural
students need not be further discriminated against because of their lack of
access to information and equally important they will visualize their abilities
as being on a level playing field with their counterparts in more affluent
communities. The access capabilities from home is intended to stimulate
interest on the part of parents to be excited about the educational
opportunities of their children. Parents will also learn to access the
"Information Super Highway" and even though they may not have the means to be
regular internet users they will be able to experience the excitement of
technology and not become further disenfranchised from mainstream America.
Resumes
1. Kevin Carlsen is a
telecommunication Specialist for the Century Telephone Company with
responsibilities for all locations served by the LaCrosse Office. Kevin has been
instrumental in planning and implementing internet access via Century Telephone
Company.
2. Shawn Dunn currently
serves the XYZ School District in the capacity
of Computer Coordinator. Shawn's previous responsibilities included on-line and
internet customer service for the Postal Soft Corporation and LAN/System
Administrator of SnyderGeneral Corporation. Shawn has extensive Novell, token
ring and Ethernet experience.
3. Bud Theisen is an
Adjutant Professor fir XYZ College specializing in
off-campus graduate education in telecommunication and multi-media in the
classroom. Dr. Theisen earned his Ph.D. from Marquette University and has been
actively involved in secondary, college and graduate education since 1959.
Currently he serves as "Technology Consultant" to Watertown, Wauwatosa and
Mauston public schools.
|