To close the digital learning gap, we must make sure that students have access to technology and high-speed internet outside of school.
Guiding Questions:
How many day users does the campus have? What factors contribute to the number? If the number is high, what are your next steps?
There are currently 5 - day users.
Reflect on your current broken, lost, and stolen count for devices. What are your next steps?
Without a doubt, it has been a struggle this year but we have made efforts to realign expectations throughout the year and plan to have even more rigorous PDs for teachers and training for students next year.
It's critical to work with teachers and leadership to determine the repercussions of willful computer damage and neglect. Students are held to high standards when it comes to their devices. All CCS coaches are working to coordinate their rules on fees, breakage, and sanctions.
How are the inventory data and data usage reports guiding campus-wide culture?
We use Securly to monitor students in order to prevent internet misuse on our devices. When a student violates our technology handbook agreement, we take deductions out of the scholar's "paycheck" that they earn daily. Beyond that, for repeated misuse or egregious activity, the Culture team is involved to determine the consequences. For multiple infractions, the day user status may be extended or removed entirely.
What systems do you have in place to support repairs and replacements? If none, how can you modify your systems?
Guiding Questions:
What systems do you have in place to support repairs and replacements? If none, how can you modify your systems?
When a student's device requires repair, the teacher completes the VILS Chromebook Service Request Form, which details the problem. Ms. Gavin handles submissions, and devices are collected as soon as possible and sent to Samsung for repair if necessary.
Are students using their devices outside the classroom? How has that impacted student learning?
Students use their devices for homework and other assignments during school breaks. Most teachers have used technology to compensate for lost learning due to three weeks of hurricane days. Thanks to consistent access, scholars can catch up on missed assignments, and we can limit lost learning.
Ongoing digital citizenship program for students, families, and caregivers
How are parents, students, and teachers supported on a consistent basis on digital safety?
Completing a series of Digital Citizenship lessons is a requirement before scholars can take devices home and are supported throughout the year. This year-long course covers Digital Citizenship and Social-Emotional Learning, tech topics, and more. All grade levels use Common Sense Media's curriculum, which also leverages Nearpod for student engagement.
Teachers, students, and their families are supported with internet safety by using the internet filtering system called Securly.com. Teachers can monitor screens in real-time and control what tabs are open. Ms. Gavin, the IT manager and VILS Coach Ted Gould, manages Securly, doing spot checks for searches. We can white or blacklist sites and work closely with the Culture team to address significant concerns. Parents received information about Securly at the beginning of the year when signing VILS Agreements and in November during our Report Card Day conferences.
How do you foster student ownership with device and data usage?
Scholars are expected to have a 75% charge every morning which is monitored by their homeroom teacher. This standard is enforced and/or rewarded by our school culture deposit/deduction system. Scholars are expected to toggle data off when they are at school and ensure they are using school wifi during the school day or when it is available at home or in other environments that provide wifi access.
We have offered the incentive of dress-down day vouchers for kids who consistently have their charged device and all accessories.
We allowed responsible Gators to play games on a game truck provided by NoLa Games On Wheels. Unfortunately, not-so-responsible Gators who owed outstanding loss or repair fees were not allowed to participate in end-of-year activities.