Reopening School 2020-2021Technology and Instruction

School Board PresentationJuly 23, 2020

Our goal is to provide a high quality equitable educational experience for every student, every day, in every classroom in the coming year regardless of the physical or technological setting.

It is imperative that we provide professional development in the use of technology and technological instruction to all primary stakeholders - teachers, students, parents and the community.

Technology available in March 2020

● PK-5○ 3-6 Windows desktops per classroom (most 3+ years old)○ Shared laptop carts (most 3+ years old)○ Shared iPad carts (most 4+ years old)○ Some shared Chromebook carts (average of 2 years old)

● 6-12○ 1:1 Chromebooks○ Adoption between 75-90%

● Connectivity○ 100% WiFi coverage within schools

Initial Pandemic Response● Expanded WiFi coverage with an open guest network at all

locations● Deployed Chromebooks to any teachers who didn’t have access to

a device● Provided Chromebooks to any 6-12 students who had not

previously received one or who had outstanding fees for damage (one per family)

● Provided laptops with virtual private network (VPN) connections to all “essential” employees to allow remote work

● Established drive through and remote tech support for faculty and students

Planning for 2020-2021

Initial presentation made to leadership team in anticipation of the

availability of substantial CARES funding

Presentation made via Zoom to School Board on May 7 and majority of technology

purchases made shortly thereafter

Began receiving and configuring devices for back to school 2020 deployment

Technical implementations of SSO Portal and Canvas

April 2020 May 2020 June/July 2020 August 2020

Deployment of devices to faculty and students

Technology purchased to support hybrid learning● Dockable laptops for essential personnel (110) - $199k● Laptops for teachers and other student facing instructional staff (500) -

$579k● iPad carts for PK (22) - $122k● Chromebook carts for all K-5 classrooms (116) - $963k● Additional Chromebooks and charging stations for 6-12 - $232k● Secondary chargers for all devices - $106k ● Cellular LTE hotspots including 1 year of unlimited data (1800) - $450k● Bus-based Wifi (40) - $35k● Total technology purchases using CARES funding - $2.7m

New tools to support learningSingle-Sign-On Portal (SSO)

● Allows users to login to their device once and be presented with a grid based list of their applications

● In most cases, clicking on the app will log them directly into that app

● Status - Final testing stages and will be available when school starts

New tools to support learningCanvas Learning Management System

● Provides a single landing page for all instructional content

● Includes tools to facilitate remote/hybrid learning

● Provided at no cost by VDOE/Virtual Virginia

● Virtual Virginia is providing significant amounts of pre-created content that will be tailored to fit DPS needs and provided to our teachers

● Synced to Powerschool (enrollment information/grades)

● Status - Implementation complete. Users are currently engaged in training

New tools to support learning

OneToOnePlus

● Allows IT department to effectively manage Chromebook inventory

● Allows rapid deployment○ Synced to Google Management Console○ Synced to PowerSchool

● Provides a help desk/ticketing system for use by faculty and students○ Loaner devices can be assigned and

managed● Provides reporting of device life cycle

and user history● Status - Fully implemented

New tools to support learning, support and communication

Let’s Talk

● Allows parents and students to communicate directly with those they need answers from

● Allows staff members to effectively route communication to the appropriate area

● Provides a platform for gathering input from the community

● Helps the district continuously build stronger relationships with our community, streamline communication, and spot potential crises before they happen

● Provides analytics into customer experience and satisfaction

Tools to ensure digital safety

● Enterprise class firewall with VPN support for “essential” users who must work remotely

● Cloud based web filter for all devices○ Even while off site, Chromebooks are filtered using iBoss extension

● Cellular hotspots have imbedded Children’s Internet Compliant Act (CIPA) compliant web filter○ Any devices connected to these hotspots are filtered using WebTitan,

provided by T-Mobile○ Chromebooks connected to hotspots are filtered by both WebTitan

and iBoss

Special ConsiderationsStudents or families who choose not to use technology

● For many reasons, some families will choose not to use technology. We must accommodate these families using traditional textbooks and paper assignments.

Special Education and English Learners

● IT staff will work directly with Office of Exceptional Children (OEC) and Language Instruction Educational Programs (LIEP) to ensure that appropriate technology is available for Special Education and ELL students. For instance, while Canvas has a built in screen reader, it is not compatible with Chromebooks. For students needing this accommodation, DPS will provide a Windows laptop.

Deployment StrategyTeacher laptops

Teacher laptops were primarily configured by a third party vendor and were delivered during the week of 7/6/20. IT is in the process of finalizing configuration and will deploy individually to classrooms beginning 8/3.

Individual requests for special software, printer installation, etc. will be handled via our help desk ticketing software.

Deployment Strategy

Essential staff laptops

“Essential” staff were identified in March and provided a laptop with VPN connection. Because these users already have a laptop, they will receive their updated laptop and docking stations throughout the fall. We must prioritize deployment to those directly teaching (or being taught).

Deployment StrategyStudent Devices

Student Chromebooks will be individually assigned at the school level during back to school introductory sessions hosted by school staff.

During these sessions, students and their families will log in to their devices, log in to the SSO portal and confirm access to needed resources (Gmail, Canvas, etc.)

IT staff will be available to immediately address login or device concerns.

Families will leave with a working device and access to their accounts.

Deployment StrategyCellular Hotspots

Cellular hotspots will be provided to families without consistent access to the internet at home.

Using the results of electronic registration forms being sent out this week, devices will be allocated and assigned to the oldest student in a household. When a family receives a hotspot, it will be deployed along with the Chromebook to ensure connectivity.

One hotspot will provide connectivity to multiple devices in a household.

Responsible use of devices● While we do not intend to charge fees for damaged devices, we must

ensure that students and parents take responsibility for their devices.● Families will be provided a list of guidelines and tips for taking care of the

devices assigned to them.● Families must sign a commitment to care for devices.● Intentional or repeated damage will be handled at the school level as a

discipline issue.● Devices must be returned at the end of the school year or anytime

requested by the school district. Failure to return a device when requested may result in the filing of a police report or attempted recovery by SRO staff.

Ongoing IT Support● Technical support will be provided through help desk ticketing systems

○ Staff will utilize ZenDesk for all technical support request.○ Students will utilize OneToOnePlus for any Chromebook or hotspot issues.

● IT staff will attempt to remotely diagnose any hardware or software/app issues

● Student Chromebook hardware issues will be remedied by trading out devices○ At the PK-5 level, students will coordinate with their teacher to trade out for a working

device housed in their classroom cart. Teachers will then submit a ticket for repair of broken device.

○ At the 6-12 level, device trades will be managed by a combination of office and IT staff.● Actual repairs will be performed by IT Staff

○ A parts inventory is maintained and additional spare parts will be ordered as needed.

Next Steps for IT1. Deployment of teacher devices beginning 8/32. Finalizing Device Care Commitment form for families3. In coordination with school staff, finalizing logistics of deployment at each

location4. Deployment of SSO Portal, which will require a change to login practices

for Google Services. This will be communicated at least 1 week prior to the switch

5. Update IT Support website to include more FAQ/How to tips and new tools to be used

Remote Learning InstructionThe key to remote learning is leveraging technology to support continued learning when not in a face to face instructional setting.

Processes, Procedures, and Expectations for Remote Learning

● Detailed processes, procedures, and expectations for all stakeholders will be established

● Consistent communication will be paramount to the academic success of students

Instructional Delivery Methods● Traditional Instruction - face to face● Remote Instruction - online learning, student packets● Hybrid Instruction - face to face and remote learning● Blended Instruction - combines face to face learning supported by online

learning● Blended instruction utilizes a learning management system (LMS) to direct

instruction. DPS will be using the Canvas management system which is provided by Virtual Virginia and VDOE.

● There may be a need to transition from one method to another throughout the school year.

Virtual Virginia Content Rationale

The modules in Virtual Virginia have been aligned to the Standards of Learning (SOLs). Given the need for alignment, these modules can serve as:

● A resource for teachers as they plan rigorous lessons based on the SOLs

● A resource for teachers with content aligned to the individual needs of students.

Virtual Virginia Professional Learning Plan● Teachers will be trained to use GoOpenVirginia which is a bank of

resources endorsed by the VDOE ● Teachers in grades K-2 will use the Virtual Virginia modules to create

lessons for Social Studies and Science ● Teachers in grades 3-5 will use the Virtual Virginia modules to create

lessons for English Language Arts, Math, and Science● Teachers in grades 6-12 will use Virtual Virginia modules to create lessons

for all available courses

Professional Development for Teachers● Understanding the remote learning methods● Teaching remotely - strategies and resources● Using data to identify instructional needs● Using the learning management system (LMS) - Canvas ● Cross-curricular teaching to promote deeper learning experiences● Designing learning activities for independent practice of concepts

○ Creativity in learning○ Critical thinking exercises○ Project based learning○ Problem-solving activities○ Reading a variety of genres○ Writing for a variety of purposes

● Assessing student progress

Professional Development for Students ● Understanding remote learning ● Understanding processes, procedures, and expectations for remote

learning● Using a LMS

○ accessing and navigating courses○ digital textbooks○ uploading assignments○ task lists/calendars

● Requesting help or communicating with teachers ● Structuring a remote learning environment ● Using textbook resources

Professional Development for Parents ● Understanding remote learning ● Understanding processes, procedures, and expectations for remote

learning● Using a LMS

○ accessing and navigating courses○ digital textbooks○ uploading assignments○ task lists/calendars

● Requesting help or communicating with teachers ● Structuring a remote learning environment

○ space set-up○ time management○ scheduling work time

● Using textbook resources

Next Steps for Instructional Virtual and Blended Learning

● Virtual Task Force - create, review and monitor the the remote learning plan ○ Teachers○ Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRTs)○ Content Specialists○ School and Central Office Administrators○ Students○ Parents

● Ongoing professional development for teachers will begin August 4, 2020

Next Steps for Instructional Remote Learning for Families

● Principals and Central Office Leadership will be meeting Monday, July 27, to design a plan for training of parents and distribution of materials.

● People to be involved the development of training materials:○ Teachers○ Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRTs)○ Content Specialists○ School and Central Office Administrators

● Ongoing training for parents and other information regarding disbursement and device use will be shared with the School Board on July 30, 2020.

Questions?

Danville Strong!

Reopening School 2020-2021Technology and Instruction

Contact Information:

John Parris - Director of Technology: jparris@mail.dps.k12.va.us

Charlene Bowman - Chief Academic Officer - Secondary: cbowman@mail.dps.k12.va.us