The Digital Education Revolution
Have you ever heard of the saying "There's light at the end of the tunnel". At times, during this "revolution" I was unable to see the light even though I knew the end of the tunnel was getting nearer - there must have been a bend in the tunnel!
Well we can now see the light and it's getting brighter. The wireless system for our new laptops program is being installed from Monday September 28th. It is anticipated it will take up to a week to fully install the first phase. There will be wireless points in about 12 rooms around the school and hopefully there will be some "hot areas" outside classrooms where students can continue to work outside of classes (recess, lunch, before and after school). This installation program is significant because it means the delivery of the laptops is not too far away.
The laptops are being delivered in the first weeks of November. There is some work needed to be done before they can be distributed to the students and there needs to be a parent meeting. All parents are required to come to school and sign a document. We need to speak to all parents to ensure they are aware of the responsibilities of students being issued with a laptop. Some parents might choose not to agree to this process. If this is so then it is unlikely their children will be issued with a laptop. Unfortunately for us the new wireless will not automatically link in with our existing network. There will be some interaction between the two but it will not be easy.
Students will be encouraged to use OneNote - a Microsoft Office 2007 product that will be loaded onto the laptops. I believe most schools are using this program. Our TSO will be taking all students through the software.
This is the beginning of the revolution! Viva La Revolution!!