Questions+to+Ask

//FROM EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATORS://

This Excel SS is a compilation of the questions from your WIKI and the focus questions from the EC team. We used the same categories as you had on your WIKI. I believe this form will be excellent if you divide the questions (catagories) between your visiting team so they can focus on certain areas and be most efficient in each of their visits. I would suggest they enter their findings in the SS format--the cells will grow according to the amount of text they enter.



This is also an Excel SS. It is in a rubric format and will help you identify what makes a Quality 1:1 program. If you are not familiar with the use of "Baldrige Tools," Quality Indicators is one of Malcolm Baldridge's terms. Again with this document, I would suggest your team enter data into the SS and also suggest that you divide the questions (categories) between team members.


 * __TEAM QUESTIONS__**

Latest version:

>indicates added from EC suggestions
 * new additions/changes

How long have you had your 1 to 1 program in place? Give us an overview of how this began.
 * Background and Demographics **

>How many teachers are involved with this program? >How many schools are involved?

How many students in your school/district have their own laptop? >What grade levels do you serve with your program?
 * * ** If you have not included K-2 in this plan, do you plan to?

>If your program is not currently in all grade levels or content areas, do you plan a full implementation in the fugure? Why or why not?

Did you have to modify your physical plant in any way to accommodate 1:1 (lockers, power, etc.)? (aside from the addition of wireless).

How did you educate your School Board/Directors and your community about this program so that it was supported? * What were common parent concerns?
 * Parent and Community **

Do you do anything special to communicate with parents on-going basis about this program?

What type of training did you provide for parents and students initially?

>Who was involved in the initial planning for your 1:1 program (Governing Board, Administration, Teachers, Students, Parents, Community, Vendors)?
 * Planning and Implementation **

>Were concerns express about the program in the following areas by any of your consistuents?
 * Classroom Management
 * Student distractability
 * Focus on technology could cause basic skills to deteriorate
 * Finding quality electronic resources
 * Ethics
 * Student Internet safety, cyber bullying and etiquette
 * Inappropriate material on the internet
 * Lack/loss of privacy
 * Students more adept with technology than teahcers
 * Teacher confidence with technology
 * Time needed to learn to use technology
 * Less face-to-face time with students -- loss of personal relationships
 * Loss of classroom time due to technical glitches
 * Availability of timely technical support
 * Availability of appropriate professional development
 * Faculty input on program planning, implementation and assessment
 * Internet Speed
 * Network reliabililty
 * Battery management and charging
 * Laptop security on and off campus
 * Enforcement of rules related to laptops
 * Sustainability/cost of program
 * Maintaining good communication about the program with stakeholders
 * Other

* How do you handle students that keep "forgetting" to bring their laptop/tablet with them to classes - if we are too generous with loaners, it will be easier for them to just constantly "forget"?

How do you evaluate the program's effectiveness?
 * Evaluation/Assessment/Effectiveness **

* What difference(s) have you noted with student behavior and learning since moving to 1:1?

* What negatives have you encountered and how have you addressed them?

Do you have any specific examples where you think the one to one program has created a unique and highly effective way to instruct students and promote achievement?

How many teachers are expected to implement a one to one environment in their classroom?
 * Expectations and Professional Development **

Do you have a documented set of expectations for teachers in terms of using one to one in their classroom? Are there certain technology expectations that your students are required to master?

Do you feel you have 100% "buy in" from your staff or are there still a few reluctant teachers who aren't buying in at this point?

* How did you promote teacher buy-in and acceptance of this?

* How did you prepare your staff for this and address teacher capacity to handle it?

How much structured built- in professional development opportunitities did they have in anticipation of implementing this program?

How much scheduled professional development time do they currently have to learn more ways to successfully implement one to one? How do you train new teachers to your school or district?

How have the training opportunities been structured?

* What extra training do you do now when new staff joins your faculty?

How do you currently finance this project? * Are there any promotional discounts if you allow advertising or use of your "story"?
 * Financing/Acquisition **

Do parents pay any portion for the laptop/tablet or does the district pick up all of the cost? (If parents participate, what % do they contribute)

>If parents purchase the laptops in some capacity:
 * How do you handle software licensing?
 * Do you specify the type of laptops?
 * Do you specify standard software to be installed on their machines
 * Do you require studnets to purchase additional accessories (please specify).
 * Do they purchase from/through the district?

* If students/parents participate in the cost for this, is there a scholarship/grant program for students who can't afford it and how is that funded?

>What percentage of your students receive a "scholarship/grant" computer to use?

Do you lease or sell the computers?

How do you handle insurance: accidental damage, intentional damage and theft? * (is there any personal/home insurance involved?)

>What "accessories" do you recommend to be purchased for the laptops/tablets? (i.e. you strongly recommend they purchase a new battery after two years, or include this in the cost of the pc upfront)

What is your replacement cycle? How long do you expect a laptop or tablet to last? What do you do with the outgoing equipment (if not owned by students)? Do students have a mid-term (2 year?) upgrade option?

Has the district actually saved some money in some areas over time going to a one to one program? (i.e. paper reduction, textbook costs, etc.)

* How do you handle/finance an unexpected influx/enrollment of students? How do you handle mid-term enrollments (how many extra loaners do you keep on hand for this)?

 What kind of break/fix support do you have?
 * Support **

How many technicians do you have supporting how many computers?

Do you have service-level standards/expectations and what are they?

Do you stock parts? If so what percentage?

* What percentage of your purchase do you use for "loaners"?

Do you do all service in-house? Do you send machines out for repair and what is the turn-around time?

Do you have people in place that can assist teachers integrate technology with the curriculum? If so, how has this been established and do you have a list job responsibilities that you could share? Are they full time or do they do this in conjunction with another duty (like teacher or librarian)?

Do you have problems with vandalism or theft? Do you have specific preventative measures in place to help reduce this issue?

What kind of support is available for students on evenings (after school hours)/weekends?

**Advice**

What have you learned from this experience? Are there things you would do differntly knowing what you know now that would prevent or avoid problems?

What other schools or districts do you think were helpful to your organization in implementing your one to one program?