SLES PTA MeetingJanuary 14, 2014

Agenda

January PTA Business

O Approval of November Meeting Minutes

O Budget UpdateO Upcoming Events

Technology DiscussionO SLES

Technology Needs

O Where other cluster schools stand

O Discussion

January PTA BusinessO Approval of November Meeting

Minutes

O Review Nov. 12- Jan.13 Budget Report

O Upcoming events

November 12 - December 9, 2013 (cont.)

Upcoming

Events Volunteer Needs

O Sixth Grade Bingo Night

O Spelling BeeO Science and

Engineering FairO Multicultural NightO Spring FlingO Trash to Treasure Art

Night

O Multicultural Night Chair

O Teacher Appreciation Monthly Lunch Coordinator

O Spring Fling HelpO Arts Coordinator

TechnologyiPads Laptops

O Total cost of 30 iPads is $22,218

O Main wish of teachersO 77% of parents

surveyed approved of purchaseO Of those saying no,

many wanted more details before agreeing to purchase

O SLES is severely short of laptops and many that we have on hand are in poor condition

Where the Cluster Stands

Elementary Schools

Carl Sandburg Middle School

O Waynewood now has 120 iPads, 4 carts

O Hollin Meadows has a few since they had 20 stolen last year

O Fort Hunt has them for Special Needs Program

O Belle View has a handful

O No plans for iPads at this point

O Focusing on bettering the student/laptop ratio

O Beginning work on BYOD

Waynewood(furthest along in Cluster in iPad usage)

Here are the reasons Waynewood has invested heavily in iPads and some results WW has seen:

1. Ease of use2. Instant on not wait time for boot-up3. Less repairs and problems than computers4. Kids are very comfortable using them5. With little training teachers are very comfortable using them6. Allows kids to learn  in new ways7. Using technology that kids are already using8. Apps that target specific skills and standards9. Promotes a great deal of creativity and thinking 10. Research, create, and present on one device11. Allows for exciting learning projects not possible on computers such as QR Codes, Augmented Reality, and apps that do some amazing things12. Engaging:    - Kids with behaviors tend to have less behaviors    - Kids who are very talkative tend to become more engaged    - Addresses the needs of a variety of learners

How Waynewood uses iPadsO Popplet (like Kidspiration & Inspiration),  allows students to research a topic

oniPad, gather info, organize it into a web & add pictures, then project & present to class.

O Scavenger hunts - going around the school looking for shapes & then taking photo

O Learning about other people and topics, such as bringing iPads to the science fair, taking notes and pictures of science presentations.  Then this is brought back to class to present to peers.

O Accessing Blackboard and school websites.; center workO Todaysmeet.com to encourage discussions and share info such as websites.O Polleverywhere.com to gather data and create exit tickets.O Storytelling apps such as Toontastic or Puppetpals  to create stories which

may include pictures, artwork, text and narration.  Also great for developing social skills

O Whiteboard apps such as ScreenChomp and Showme to demonstrate and share skills and ideas with others.

O QR Codes - links to videos, student writing or artwork, scavenger hunt, general information, answering questions, games

O Google Apps - creating documents and presentations individually or as a team, sharing with other students and teachers, email, calendar/shared calendar

O Access to MyOn or TumbleBooks for reading

Money MattersO Rock ‘n Run FundsO The PTA is currently working on

writing grants for technology and art initiatives

O Asking for donations of equipment from businesses, families, etc