Early College Textbook to eBook Proposal

Rationale:

We recognize that our students need the opportunity to build 21st century skills. The 1:1 laptop model will facilitate our expectations of using 21st century skills in our classrooms. This requirement will:

allow our students to seamlessly make the transition from high school to the higher education setting.

bridge the connection from onsite to offsite locations ensuring that our students are continuously connected with their teachers.

allow all students in the Early College program to build electronic portfolios that showcase their work for prospective college entrance committees.

utilize Epsilen, our online course management system, which will reinforce their organizational skills needed for future academic and workforce success.

encourage a global connection and foster partnerships with other Early Colleges via web based tools, video conferencing and other collaboration tools.

Provide access to the majority of their textbooks in an eBook format which will eliminate the use of overweight backpacks

RED DAY

Lightening the Load

WHITE DAY

EVERY DAY

Curricular Commitment

Teachers in the Early College model will develop online curriculum in conjunction with Epsilen. This online curriculum will align with the standards and provide additional instructional resources for the students. Students will actively use the Internet to access these resources developed or identified by the teacher. Students will also create projects and conduct Internet-based research. The laptop will be a required component of the student’s work in class and outside of class. Time has been set aside for the development of this curriculum this upcoming summer.

Funding:

Initial “startup” funding will be provided by the Center Grove Technology CPF budget for the onset of this project.

The upfront cost of the project is dependent on the number of students who enter the program. We estimate that the total upfront investment will be approximately $97,000. The approximate cost will be State QPA price negotiated at $340 per laptop which includes the HP 2140 Mininote and the bag.

There will be some additional expenditures that will need to be obtained in support of this project which will include (but not limited to) Schoolvue (software to preview student activity on the computer), carts for charging laptops, Microsoft Operating and Office software licenses, VMWARE virtual licensing.

Parent Survey

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Would you support a 1:1 Laptop Program for Your Child in Early College?

Parent Survey

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$100 or less$100-$200$200-$500Over $500

What would you be willing to pay per year towards the student laptop use?

Payment Proposal

Students will be charged a per semester fee of $45 entitled “online course fees for laptop rental”.

The CPF will fund partially this project for students on “free and reduced lunch” laptops, replacements of laptops that are out-of-warranty, and initial purchasing.

Students/parents will be responsible for the damage and/or loss of the laptop. Each family will sign an agreement with the school corporation for responsible use. Parents can opt for additional insurance at $50 a year that will fully replace the laptop if damage occurs. Parents will replace laptop due to loss.

The online course fee will be deemed a “rental fee” for the use of the laptop 24/7. After the four year period, the laptops will be designated as surplus and the graduating senior from the Early College program will be allowed to keep the laptop.

Q&A

My child already has a laptop at home. Can he/she just use that laptop?

You will still be required to obtain the designated laptop for the Early College model. The laptop will come with network access configured to the school’s network as well as access to all software utilized within the courses in Early College. Successful 1:1 laptop projects around the country adopt a standardized laptop model supported by the Technology Department.

I don’t have Internet access at home. Will I need it?

Perhaps. However we are working with many local companies to develop a partner list where students can go to access open wireless to work on projects outside of school.

What happens to a laptop that is damaged or lost? Parents who opt for the additional insurance can get a replacement laptop if the laptop is

damaged due to breakage. Center Grove will be responsible for repair for laptops that have technical errors due to malfunction in lieu of breakage. If no insurance has been purchased, replacement laptops with bags will cost $340.

Why has Early College decided to adopt a 1:1 laptop model? We believe this is the best way to facilitate the transition between high school and the university

setting.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Partnerships: Strange Brew – homework after school via open wireless White River Township library – open wireless Seeking additional partners

Collaborations: Still in negotiation with the Center Grove Foundation – possible

scholarships for students in need of wireless at home and/or funding for year of laptop

Resource Links

“Paper Cut: Missouri College Embraces E-Textbooks “- NPR

eBook Excitement – Education WorldTextbooks vs. Technology – The Right Deb

ate

The Future of Textbooks in the Classroom