Getting+Started


 * BEST PRACTICES**

Allot plenty of time for planning — six months to a year is not unreasonable. The planning phase includes an infrastructure evaluation. Internet access must be fast, reliable and available throughout campus. Wireless coverage should be as ubiquitous as possible. At minimum, the wireless network should cover all classrooms and common areas such as the library and cafeteria. Determine technology staffing needs (for example, lab facilitators and technical support) and hire them before ordering equipment.
 * Plan thoroughly **

A successful program depends on key staff, including the school’s technology facilitator, media coordinator and especially the principal. They must be comfortable with technology and unafraid of change. Support for the project must occur at all levels — technology strategy and objectives must be presented to teachers, staff, administration, parents, students and taxpayers. Set realistic expectations of timelines for deployment and measuring results.
 * Ensure stakeholder support **

Help teachers and faculty members understand the differences of the evolving classroom and how it improves teaching and learning. Realize that not every teacher will have the same level of commitment immediately. Don’t scrimp with student or teacher technology — make sure that everyone has what they need to do their job easily and well, or teachers may see the effort as a failure and withdraw support for future projects.
 * Cultivate teacher commitment **

Don’t forget about professional development. To be successful in the evolving classroom, educators must feel confident about how to use technology, and most important, how to integrate it into their teaching and assessments. Enlist vendors’ help to provide predeployment training and technical support on the go-live date. Provide ongoing training throughout the school year and summer if needed.
 * Prioritize professional development **

Online education should be dependent on student maturity level, time management and planning skills, and the ability to work and study independently. Depending on your students’ age and maturity level, consider implementing transitional or training options for those that aren’t mature enough to jump into fully online models right away.
 * Understand student maturity **

There’s more to the evolving classroom than Internet access and student laptops. In-class technology can help both on-campus and online students. Make sure classes have core technology such as interactive whiteboards, projectors, digital/video cameras, and don’t forget subject-specific equipment such as laboratory microscopes and math software.
 * Use diverse in-class technology and tools **

A student advisory panel can help review and recommend proposed technologies and initiatives. In exchange for learning credits, a student technical assistance team can provide support such as network maintenance, repair or re-imaging laptops.
 * Enlist student help **

To ensure students’ Internet safety, develop an acceptable use policy (AUP) that defines responsible and educationally appropriate use of computer resources. An AUP requires parents, students, teachers and administrators to agree to a code of conduct for usingschool technology and personal technology on schoolproperty. This can include regulations on respectingothers’ privacy, plagiarizing digital content, and the useof inappropriate or illegal material or behavior on theInternet. It may also include a provision reserving theright to discipline the student for on- and/or off-campuscyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, and cyber-harassment ofother students.
 * Develop an acceptable use policy **

<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Federal and provincial laws require schools to protect students from inappropriate Internet content and safeguard their personal information. Proper filters, firewalls and other security measures can safeguard your networks, data, students and staff from viruses and hackers.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Meet federal and provincial cyber safety and privacy requirements **

<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Technology can help students with special needs access and participate in the general curriculum. By personalizing instruction, schools can provide an inclusive environment for English language learners; students with learning or behavioral disabilities; and those with visual, hearing and speech impairments, and other disabilities.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Include special education **

<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">From: the Center for Digital Education's //Converge Special Report: The Evolving Classroom// p.12