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Global Learning Communities for WCS
With a year until we move into our new facility and a district plan to establish Global Learning Communities within reach of all Watauga High School students, we launched on a focused readiness plan. Moving into a new facility laid the foundation for implementing a 1:1 laptop initiative. The new building would contain an enterprise wireless network throughout the campus and classroom technology that would include integrated projection, sound and video capability. -
Staff Development is Key
Using our web page as the platform, ongoing staff development was a critical force in preparing our staff for the challenges ahead. We established the WHS 1:1 Planning web page, accessible only to our faculty/staff. This page contains announcements, schedules, teacher resources/lesson plans and the training materials used in our staff development sessions. -
Focus on Teaching in the Block Schedule
Teaching in the Block, Differentiated Instruction and Marcia Tate's Brain Compatible Strategies were the focus of our Fall 2009 Staff Development sessions. Teachers attended mandatory sessions twice a month, during their planning periods designed to focus on curriculum and instruction within the framework of the block schedule. -
Logistical Planning
Logistical Planning was a reality overlaying the entire school year leading up to our physical move and 1:1 computing transition. We placed emphasis on inventory, surplus, planning for the physical move and layout of the new space. -
Spring Semester Staff Development
The Spring semester was all about making the connection from the Fall sessions to the 1:1 Classroom. We spent time "Visualizing the 1:1 Classroom," discussing Classroom Management and creating 1:1 "Brain Compatible" lesson plans. These sessions were a continuation of the Fall semester SD sessions. The required sessions were held every other Wednesday during planning periods. Scheduled into the off/optional weeks was a series of "Basic Skills" sessions. -
Visualizing the 1:1 Classroom
Staff Development conducted to help teachers start to visualize and plan their 1:1 classroom. How would it change? What classroom management strategies would they employ? What would be the physical and logistical changes be to their classroom...and how would they adjust? -
Basic Skills
Basic skills assessment of all faculty/staff was conducted earlier in the school year. Topics such as file management and a review of Web 2.0 tools were included in this series of workshops. -
Internet Searching Skills
Staff development designed to help staff hone their searching and evaluation skills. This topic was modeled as a lesson that could be used in the classroom. -
1:1 Lesson Planning
A two seesion topic, we conducted this SD online using our classroom management platform. The first part of this session acquainted teachers with the online course delivery format and curriculum resources available through Thinkfinity. The second part of this session was designed to create finished product, which we shared among the curriculum areas. -
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Community Communications
Communication and involving the community is critical to the success of any school-based 1:1 initiative. We started by featuring our transformation in public links on our WHS Web Page. FAQs, helpful guidelines, as well as the laptop handbook/agreement were made available to all leading up to the implementation. -
Established the WHS Help Desk
For laptop receipt, imaging and deployment, a new Help Desk facility was established. This site serves as an ongoing service center for the students and staff. -
Equipment Readiness
1500 laptops were delivered to Watauga High School in the June-July timeframe. Pallets were moved, laptops unboxed, inventoried and imaged. This was just the beginning of the staging process prior to student deployment. -
Student/Parent Training
Students and parents attended an Orientation session the week before school started. Those in attendance received an overview of the 1:1 Laptop Program and completed their Laptop Agreement paperwork. -
Opening Day!
Students arrive on our new campus Wednesday, August 11, 2010 -
Student Laptop Deployment
Students attended hands-on training sessions during the 10-day period. Process: laptops were checked out to students (Destiny) and labeled, staged with paperwork and distributed by advisory. We conducted 6 sessions each day to accomplish this goal, deployment sessions were 45 minutes each. Deployment agenda: included hardware overview, network login and orientation, briefing on wireless connections, printing and document storage. -
Today in the Commons Area
Today students taking Distance Learning classes, through North Carolina Virtual Public Schools and other locations, connect wirelessly and participate in their online classes. -
Foreign Language: a natural!
Spanish classes have integrated the technology into their learning communities seamlessly. Flexible classroom furniture, state of the art technology and the teacher on-the-side!
