Questions (Q) &
Answers (A)
from AVIATOR Launch Presentations
We have categorized the questions we received and combined those that were duplicates.Please see Parent Guidebook for answers to most Frequently Asked Questions
Device Logistics
Q. Are you going to have the bandwidth to accommodate all the devices?
A.
Yes, we have been preparing our junior high and high school to accommodate additional devices over the course of the past three years, adding access points, IP addresses, and server capabilities to address wireless and connected devices.Q. How do I register my device?
A.
In August, families will receive information in the mail with student schedules explaining how the registering process will be handled. Along with a Student Guidebook, there will be a series of on-line student information modules that students will need to do to get their “Boarding Pass” needed to bring their device to school.Q. Will there be group purchasing ability?
A.
We have a partnership with Dayton-Cincinnati that will enable us to provide a very competitive purchase price for a variety of devices that meet our suggested district specifications. This information can be found on our websiteQ. Who helps my child when they have connection, navigation, etc. issues?
A.
Our classroom teachers have experience with some of the common connection issues; however our district technology specialists can assist with more complicated issues, if they are available at the time. Navigation of the internet for digital resources, research, etc. will be embedded into instruction or small group work.Q. Will an iPad prove to be a sufficient device or will my student also need to
have/use a laptop as well?
A.
While an iPad has excellent multi-media features, it does not have all of the productivity capabilities that may be needed for classroom work. Please see the Parent Guidebook regarding suggested devices and iPad limitations.Q. Will the teachers allow the students to leave all the books at home?
A.
Depending on the subject and instructional purpose, teachers may or may not have students bring their textbook to class each day. As textbooks and other instructional resources become available digitally, we believe there will be a decrease in the need for students to carry actual books and instead a class set may be available for those who would need an actual book vs. an electronic version.Q. Will the students be allowed to carry a bag to hold their technology and
pencil pouches, etc.?
A.
Students at the high school will still be permitted to carry a book bag or sleeve for their device. Due to space issues, junior high students will only be permitted to carry a protective sleeve for their device, along with their books and pencil case. Backpacks will not be permitted at this time.Q. Will the school district provide minimum or strongly recommended minimum
software requirements for the devices?
A.
The district has created a chart of Good, Better, and Best device specifications. It can be found in the Parent Guidebook.Q. Who will teach the children how to use their laptops at school for
schoolwork?
A.
Teachers will be helping students with digital citizenship, digital literacy, andcontent organization and research. Using the device as a learning tool will become embedded in classroom instruction and response, much like we use textbooks, paper, and pens, although those will also be used.Equity
Q. Will the school have enough devices if the student and parent need to
borrow the school's computer?
A.
Yes, each of the buildings will have a supply of devices that can be borrowed by students who forget their own device, choose not to bring one, or cannot afford to bring one. These devices may be new or older, depending on availability.Q. Will there be any financial help available if we have problems affording the
devices for all of our kids?
A.
Families who cannot afford a device for their student should contact their building principal. We have some devices that have been donated for this purpose and/or a district device can be borrowed if donated devices are no longer available.Q. When does the school district expect this plan to be mandatory?
A.
We are unsure when, or if, this would occur. We anticipate that all students will need their own device in the future, however we cannot predict exactly when, as the world of technology and digital resources changes rapidly.Safety and Security
Q. Does Google have access to my student's Personally Identifiable information
(PII)?
A.
Sycamore Schools is using Google Apps For Education (GAFE) suite of tools. GAFE provides a secure private environment that is controlled by Sycamore Schools. Google complies with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations. Google is registered with the US-EU Safe Harbor agreement, which helps ensure that their data protection compliance meets standards for educational institutions.Q. How will the school control the online security?
A.
The school district provides each student a unique username and password to login the network. Students who bring their own device to school will required to use their Sycamoreusername and password to connect to the wireless network. All Internet and network traffic is filtered and monitored and associated with each unique username.
Q. What do the students have access to and what is blocked?
A.
Sycamore Schools is required by law, according to the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA), to filter and block inappropriate materials for children. The protection measures must block or filter Internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors). We have web filtering service that block these website and any material that falls within these categories. For the BYOD program, we have an email that students and families can use to report any misuse of the network or inappropriate content that needs to be blocked: [email protected]Q. Are you estimating number of broken screens on iPads, broken laptops, etc.,
per year?
A.
We will experience some level of equipment failure and broken devices. Our goal is tominimize the amount of repairs. We have learned the success of any program is directly related to the participant’s amount of interest and ownership in its success. To encourage a
collaborative and caring environment of learners, we will provide training that focuses on proper use and care of equipment, educational benefits of BYOD and digital citizenship.
Instruction
Q. What instruction time will be spent on educating students on this new
technology?
A. We consider student devices to be a “tool”, much like a pen or notebook, therefore instruction around how to use their device will be embedded as teachers ask students to use their devices during classroom activities.
Q. What kind of assignments/applications will be used in the classrooms for
specific subjects?
A.
This will certainly vary depending on the type of content and course the student is in. As an example, assignments may be project oriented in small groups or individualized, may include researching online resources or gathering information from a newspaper or company, may require use of Google Apps or collaboration via email or Blackboard, and so on. Some courses will require certain applications (such as journalism or graphic design) which will be available via district devices or district licenses for students enrolled in those classes.Q. Why do they have to have a lap top at school? Can't they just use the Google
Docs at home?
A.
This is an option for families. We believe that a personal device at school can provide additional benefits to the student that is outlined in the Parent Handbook.A.
All homework will not necessarily need to be done online, but teachers will post assignments on their website for student access.Q. What is the expectation for teachers to integrate their process/lesson plans
with the presence of these devices in every student’s backpack?
A.
Teachers will be increasing the use of technology as a teaching tool and a student learning tool as their content standards demand and to increase student engagement and ownership.Q. Will teachers ALL start working in Blackboard or will some use it only to
report grades?
A.
Grades are actually reported in Progressbook and posted via Blackboard on Parent/Student Portal sites. All teachers have Blackboard sites and are expected to post course syllabi and assignments on their site. Many teachers have begun to incorporate other Blackboard features such as blogs, surveys, assignment dropbox, etc. This will increase as we progress withprofessional development.
Q. When will the students learn to type?
A.
Students begin to learn to type in second grade with Type to Learn Junior., progressing to Type to Learn in 3rd and 4th grade.Q. Will this be an end of the actual textbook?
A.
Publishers are moving rapidly toward on-line versions of textbooks due to the ability to incorporate more multi-media capabilities (videos, interactive activities, guides, etc.) and to update information as it becomes available. This eliminates textbooks from becoming static and outdated. Classroom sets are commonly offered with online subscriptions as an alternative for students who may requires hardback version of text.Q. Will there be teacher development to make sure he/she does not forget the
personal contact with the student and always rely on the computer?
A.
Our teachers are well aware of the need for personal connections and work very hard to establish positive working relationships with students in their classes. Just as important is the understanding that students need to develop face to face and appropriate writtencommunication skills to be ready for college and career. We teach these skills intentionally at every level, with and without technology.
Parent Support
Q. Is there training kids/parents can follow to make best use of Google Docs?
A.
Students will be receiving foundational training via online modules prior to registering their device to use in the classroom. As they use their device in their classes, teachers will beshowing them how to use tools to save, organize, and send files, and to collaborate and communicate with their peers and teachers. A couple of parent workshops will be held in the fall and winter. The dates will be communicated to parents once school has begun.
