LMS Technology Committee
Accelerated Technology
Strategy for 2015
Introduction
The LMS Technology Committee was developed in order to define a cohesive long-term technology strategy for LMS. The following document outlines a 1-year technology strategy based on the input of teachers in consultation with parents and technical experts.
We have listed High Priority Objectives for the next year. These objectives all were developed with the goal of empowering staff, parents, and students to make the most of their time while serving or attending LMS.
The technology at LMS has not been upgraded or replaced in a very long time. For this reason, we will require larger initial investments to “catch us up” but, after the initial larger investments in the first year, we expect the technology budget at LMS to be very reasonable.
NOTE: The budget provided only includes new technologies or upgrades to existing technologies that are needed. It does not include perpetual expenses for software or systems that already exist (e.g. ink for printers, software licenses, etc.).
Goals
The technology committee has identified three goals to be achieved by 2015:
Upgrade Existing Environment – The current technology investments need to be upgraded, repaired, and/or organized. Our initial goal is to make sure that we are taking care of what we have so that it can be leveraged for future growth.
Meet Existing Needs – Due to a lack of investment over the years, there are many staff needs that must be addressed. This phase will include additional upgrades or new purchases to meet immediate needs by staff or students.
Empower the Staff – In order for teachers and staff to effectively perform their jobs, they must be given technology that will allow them to engage students or perform back office tasks much easier.
Vision
The Classroom
Every classroom will be equipped with a projector, a document scanner & Laser printer. All teachers will have their own school supplied laptop so that they can use the classroom equipment as they need to while also being able to access online resources including “teacherease”. Teachers will have access to premium Internet content so that they are able to stream educational programs into the classroom as needed. Each student will have access to a laptop in the classroom when the teacher requires it. Students will access the AR reading system and Library software via an online solution.
Back Office
Teachers, students, and staff will embrace cloud based technologies, so that they can access their research or data from anywhere they have an Internet connection. The local area network will be upgraded to ensure that any and all technologies can be supported and that the network is safe from power outages or power surges.
Library
The library circulation system will be accessed via a web-based system that is continually upgraded by the hosting company.
Proposed Accelerated Technology Rollout Timeline
2014-15
Spring 2015
Upgrade the Local Area Network
Upgrade the Internet circuit to at least 100 Mbps access
Upgrade the Website
Provide every teacher and administrator a laptop ( Windows or Chromebook based )
Provide each teacher and administrator an email account via Google Apps for Education
Provide Google Drive based centralized storage for all staff
Provide every classroom with a projector
Provide every classroom with a document camera
Provide every classroom with a laser printer
Provide each classroom access to premium Internet content
Begin providing regular technical support for staff
Summer 2015
Upgrade the Library System
Upgrade the AR Reading System
Purchase two smart boards for use as shared resource
Provide teacher training for using the smart boards in classroom
2015
Fall 2015
Provide each student with an email account via Google Apps for Education
Provide Google Chromebook laptops for every student in the school
High Priority Objectives Defined
Upgrade the Local Area Network
Currently, the LMS Local Area Network (LAN) is not well designed or documented. The infrastructure is old, ports are not labeled, cabling is tangled, and most importantly, there is not proper power surge protection. Any technology that sends data over the LMS network (e.g. wireless, Internet, file sharing, printing) relies upon the LAN. Therefore, it must be upgraded to support our current and future initiatives. This project will focus on the administrative tasks of labeling all ports, organizing cabling and then upgrading where needed to ensure fast speeds and appropriate power protection in case of power surges or outages. This project would increase all LAN ports to gigabit speeds on reliable infrastructure platforms and allow for remote access to the LAN should they require remote support.
Upgrade the Internet Circuit
Currently, the LMS Internet Circuit is rated at 30 Mbps. To handle the increased student Internet usage the Circuit should be upgraded to at least 100Mbps or higher.
Laptops for Every Student, Teacher and Administrator
Every student should have access to a laptop to research topics, watch instructional videos and type out their assignments on. Laptops would allow students and/or teachers access to the AR reading system when it goes to an online version (see ‘Upgrade AR Reading System’ later in document). Many if not all local area public and private schools have this capability and Luther Memorial shouldn’t be the exception.
Upgrade the Website
Currently, the LMS website is out of date, poorly designed, and is not a reliable source of information. A new website should be used a vital communication tool for staff, parents, and for the families of prospective new students. The most important part of any website is content and those who may be currently working a version of the website can provide the content they have already. This project will focus on developing a website based off of the most widely used website platform WordPress. Administrative access to the website can be given to any members of the administration and staff that need to communicate with the Luther family and prospective new students. The new website should be completed by the Spring of 2015 before the end of the school year.
Upgrade the Library Circulation System
The current library system is running on an antiquated computer what appears to be an outdated circulation system. This project will focus on researching software (e.g. Follett Destiny Library Management System) that will empower the librarian to seamlessly track library book circulation. The new platform should be Internet based and accessible to students from their laptop in the classroom and from home.
Upgrade the AR Reading System
Currently, the AR reading system for each individual class is on a dedicated personal computer which must be physically moved as the children progress to the next grade. The books currently being used are tied to a license which does not allow for the more current titles to be read. This project will move the AR reading system to an online solution (with the same company) which will allow students to access their AR readings from anywhere.
Projectors
Teachers would appreciate the ability to project information from their laptop so that all students can follow along. This includes but is not limited to videos, PowerPoint presentations, or any other instructional material that can be shown on a laptop. Eventually the projectors could be used to connect with document cameras or smartboards as well. We would initially order two projectors that could be shared among the teachers so they verify the value add prior to additional investments.
Printers
Teachers would appreciate the ability to print information right inside the classroom without having to go to a central printer. There are a number of inexpensive printers on the market ( right around $100) that also have cheap toner cartridges ( $15 per cartridge or less ). We would order 1 black and white printer per classroom.
Centralized Storage for Teachers and Staff
As part of Google Apps for Education each Teacher and Student will have access to Google Drive a cloud based storage solution. Google Drive allows students and teachers to collaborate and explicitly share documents on a per teacher or student basis. Administrative staff could use their Google Drive accounts to store sensitive data with explicit permission given only to the personnel that need access. Google Drive is currently in use by over 5 million businesses including FedEx, Roche Pharmaceuticals and the American Red Cross.
Premium Internet Content Access for Classrooms
Parents and teachers agree that offering educational videos in the classroom would be beneficial. We suggest subscribing to premium internet content so that students can view high quality educational materials when needed.
Teacher Laptops
The teachers need to have a computer to use teacherease, access the Internet, and give presentations. We would like to offer all teachers are laptop (or a pc if they prefer). If they prefer to use their personal laptop, they may decline to accept a school laptop, but we would not guarantee support of a personal system. The laptops would be new, but built to support Internet, Word processing, presentations, streaming video/audio, and e-mail applications. They would not support processor intensive applications due to budgetary constraints.
Document Cameras
Document Cameras are real-time image capture devices for displaying an object to a large audience. A document camera is able to magnify and project the images of actual, three-dimensional objects, as well as transparencies. This allows a teacher, lecturer or presenter to write on a sheet of paper or to display a two or three-dimensional object while the audience watches. Teachers have stated this would make a huge impact on their ability to connect with students in the classroom. The initial purchase would be two cameras that would be shared with a long-term vision that each classroom has a document camera.
Smartboards
The Smart Board interactive whiteboard operates as part of a system that includes the interactive whiteboard, a computer, a projector and whiteboarding software – either Smart Notebook collaborative learning software for education, or Smart Meeting Pro software for business. The components are connected wirelessly or via USB or serial cables. A projector connected to the computer displays the desktop image on the interactive whiteboard. The whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger, pen or other solid object. Teachers have stated that these would have a huge impact on connecting with students. The initial purchase would allow for the sharing of the Smartboards with a long-term vision for a smartboard in every classroom.
Technical Support
LMS is in need of regular and reliable technical support. At this time, we rely upon staff who have other responsibilities and may not be able to assist teachers when they really need help. We suggest employing a part-time technical support person with regular hours to assist teachers in the classroom and to continue ongoing support and upgrades of systems. 10/hours week.
Laptops for Students
Teachers agree that allowing students to use laptops in the classrooms would be beneficial at times. Taking a class down to the computer lab isn’t always realistic and can be time consuming. Having laptops available for teachers to use in the classroom would allow teachers to get students to use a computer or get online in their natural classroom setting.
2015
Qty
Cost
Total
Notes
Spring
Upgrade the Local Area Network
n/a
1,500.00
1,500.00
Managed switches, UPS, power
Upgrade the Website
n/a
240.00
240.00
Teacher Laptops
20
250.00
5,000.00
Projector in each classroom
11
400.00
4,400.00
Document Camera in each classroom
11
200.00
2,200.00
Laser printer in each classroom
11
150.00
1,650.00
Includes 2 additonal toner refills
Premium Internet Content Access
2
120.00
240.00
2 Netflix accounts (8 users per account)
Upgrade the Internet Circuit
200.00*
2,400.00*
*Monthly Cost Estimate
2015 Spring Total
17,630.00
Summer
Upgrade the AR Reading System
n/a
2,100.00
2,100.00
Initial fee plus yearly cost
Upgrade the Library System
n/a
2,500.00
2,500.00
Initial fee plus migration
Smartboards (2)
2
3,000.00
6,000.00
2015 Summer Total
10,600.00
Fall
Laptops for Students
120
250.00
30,000.00
For upper school students (6-8th grade)
Technical Support
2,400.00
2,400.00
Part-time tech support (10/week@$15/hr)
AR Reading System License
150
4.00
600.00
Website Maintenance
n/a
240.00
240.00
Premium Internet Content Access
2
120.00
240.00
2015 Fall Total
33,480.00
2015 Total Investment
$61,710.00
