4: CONSISTENT ACCESS

To close the digital learning gap, we must make sure that students have access to technology and high-speed internet outside of school.

DEVICE STATUS

DHCS VILS Inventory Report 22-23

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?
- Currently, DHCS does not have any day users. In year three of the VILS program, DHCS teachers have successfully normed how to teach students how to appropriately care for and use their VILS devices. There are low breakage rates and low incident rates of incorrectly using the devices, so in turn, students only use a device that is not their assigned VILS device if they forgot their device at home for a specific day, which we do not consider a day user.
How are the inventory data and data usage reports guiding campus-wide culture and next steps?
- Currently, DHCS VILS data is comparable to the other CCS VILS Schools and national VILS inventory data. In response, this data suggests that DHCS has strong policies on VILS device usage and there are no next steps. However, if this data were to change, DHCS would change its approach to managing students' VILS devices.

The artifacts linked below are some of the ways DHCS rolled out VILS devices to students at the beginning of the year. DHCS believes that its strong rollout system and clear VILS device procedures have led to its positive inventory data.

This video walks students through the Student Tech Handbook at DHCS. In Part 1, the VILS coach outlines the different sections of the handbook, explains how students receive and keep their devices, and dives into the DHCS policy on how to take care of VILS devices.

In Part 2 of the Student Handbook Video, the VILS coach explains the difference between wifi and data, outlines when to use wifi vs. data, introduces school norms on device maintenance and use, and provides additional information about device norms in classrooms.

Height Copy of Handbook Hunt_Student Materials

After watch the two videos, students completed this Tech Handbook Scavenger Hunt to check their understanding of the content and practice navigating the handbook on their own. They needed to turn this handout in, in order to recieve their VILS device.

3. What systems do you have in place to support repairs and replacements? If none, how can you modify your systems?

When a student needs device repair, the teacher fills out the VILS Chromebook Service Request Form that specifies the issue. Mr. Dugan manages submissions, and devices are collected/received the same day. Devices are then shipped for repair as needed.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Guiding Questions:

How are parents, students, and teachers supported on a consistent basis on digital safety?

Digital Citizenship is supported during a weekly block that is facilitated by homeroom teachers. This year-long course covers not only Digital Citizenship, but also Social-Emotional Learning, tech topics (how-tos, new skills or sites), and more.
For the 23-24 School Year, we are exploring partnering with EverFi for our Digital Citizenship coursework.
Teachers, students, and their families are supported with internet safety by using our internet filtering system called Securly. Securly allows teachers to monitor screens in real time and control what tabs are open. Our Operations Manager and VILS Coach work together on managing Securly, doing spot checks daily for searches, whitelisting or blacklisting sites, and working closely with the Culture team to address major concerns. Parents received information about Securly both at the beginning of the year when signing VILS Agreements, and in November during our Report Card Day conferences.

2022-2023 Digital Citizenship Calendar

Digital Citizenship year-at-a-glance schedule with links to materials

2. How do you foster student ownership with device and data usage?

Our students are held to expectations of 75% charge every morning by their homeroom teacher, and it is enforced and/or rewarded by our school culture deposit/deduction system. Students also toggle data off in homeroom and ensure they are using school wifi during the school day and when it is available at home or at other places, such as the library. It is rare for a Height student to run out of data. We are helping to encourage good tech choices over school breaks by leveraging the tech team to make promotional posters and social media posts about preserving data, using appropriate websites, and keeping devices safe and clean.

STUDENT TECH TEAM

How is the student tech team serving in a leadership role on campus and supporting IT help tickets?

Currently, the DHCS student tech team works primarily in the new VILS Media Lab. For the 2022-2023 school year, DHCS hired an additional full-time staff member to manage all VILS devices and IT help tickets. In response, DHCS found that the student tech team wasn't needed as much in this sphere. However, with the new VILS Media Lab, the VILS coach identified a new space for the tech team to work within: maintaining the Media Lab.

Now, the student tech team works to maintain the space and train new students in how to use the new technology featured in the Media Lab. These students have a daily meeting in the Media Lab, where they are either trained in how to best support their peers or assigned different device maintenance tasks.

How has the student tech team supported teachers, students, and families? (student-created videos, flyers, or mini sessions)

The student tech team has mainly supported teachers when classes visit the Media Lab. When homerooms visit the space for different activities, the student tech team supports their peers and teachers in navigating and effectively using the different tools in the Media Lab. Currently, the student tech team does not support families and this is a clear area of growth for the next school year,

How are you increasing the capacity of your student tech team members?

Originally, DHCS planned to increase the capacity of the student tech team during Advisory times, weekly on Fridays. However, Advisory times were ultimately cut from the schedule and in response, the student tech team began meeting daily, during their enrichment class time. Now, students meet Monday-Thursday for 45 minutes to develop and hone their skillset.

ELEMENT REFLECTION

Self Reflection on the Element: (Choose one: Emerging, Aligning, or Optimizing)

DHCS is currently Aligning in this Element.

Strengths: How did your campus exemplify illustrating this element?

We are very strong at monitoring student device usage and ensuring that all students have access to functioning VILS devices. We have low device breakage rates and very few devices missing. Our systems for tracking and repairing devices are clear, simple, and effective.

Next Steps: What could you have done differently to better align with this element?

We need to work on clarifying the role of our Student Tech Team and develop a more streamlined approach to Digital Citizenship. With the hiring of our technology manager, we have struggled to find ways for the tech team to meaningfully contribute to DHCS tech support. While we believe their support in the Media Lab is a step in the right direction, we need to further build out this program. Similarly, Digital Citizenship has been difficult for teachers to consistently execute due to a lack of overarching vision. Moving forward, we need to have a more repetitive approach to Digitial Citizenship, so that teachers across the building can feel successful in implementing and monitoring Digital Citizenship coursework.

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