Nearly 150 teenagers and a dozen teachers at Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School are poised to make the leap to digital learning on Monday, October 30. Yaakoos is one of 51 project sites in 18 school districts across Alaska participating in issuing laptop computers to their students. The statewide project seeks to mirror some of the promising results seen nationally in similar “1 to 1” initiatives—improved academic performance, increased attendance, decreased dropout rates, and students more engaged in their formal education.

“Today’s teens are immersed in technology; it’s second nature to this generation,” said Superintendent Peggy Cowan. “We believe we can keep kids in school longer and get them to produce better results with immediate, hands-on access to the world through digital learning.”

The Alaska State Legislature’s 2007 Capital Budget included $5 million for the Association of Alaska School Board’s Consortium for Digital Learning (AASB-CDL) to develop digital learning pilot projects statewide. The funds enabled AASB-CDL to cover two-thirds of each participating district’s overall project costs. The Yaakoos four-year project totals $370,000. Of that amount, AASB-CDL is providing $247,000, with the district supplying the remaining third of the cost, $123,000.

To further assist participating districts, AASB-CDL brokered a deal with Apple Computer to purchase all of the necessary hardware, software, professional development and technical support needed to set up digital learning environments in each of the project schools.

“Transitioning to a new era in education requires redefining its most basic element—the daily interaction between teachers and students,” said AASB Executive Director Carl Rose. “Digital learning truly is a pioneering effort, and we have high hopes for the success of the Yaakoos initiative.”

Every student and teacher at Yaakoos will be assigned a new Apple MacBook laptop pre-loaded with an array of productivity software. A wireless network now blankets the school building, and an upgraded server will store student projects and portfolios. The school has also been provided with digital still and video cameras, and digital projectors to aid in delivering instruction.

“We believe we can positively impact literacy with the reading supports embedded in the technology,” said Principal Laury Scandling. “What’s really exciting to see is the excitement this project already has generated. Several kids on the verge of dropping out last year are now committed to graduating and already talking college.”

Teachers will monitor student computer activities through remote access to each individual laptop. After several months, students may earn the privilege of taking the computer home overnight after satisfying a number of requirements, including good grades and steady attendance. While they will not own their assigned laptop, students and their adult co-signers will be financially responsible for any damage or loss.

An eight-member student Tech Team has undergone Apple training along with the teaching staff, and will earn credit by coaching peers and trouble-shooting the technology.

Yaakoos serves up to 150 teens, ages 16-21. The alternative high school is in its twelfth year of providing a supportive, personal environment for students at-risk of not graduating and/or for students desiring a more individualized educational program.

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ROLLOUT SCHEDULE, MONDAY, OCT. 30

8:15 a.m.Students gather at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 10th & Glacier Avenue, to see laptop demonstrations by Apple team; Q&A

9:15-10:15 a.m.i-Safe presentation on safe and appropriate use of the Internet by health teacher, Nikki Richert; Skits of acceptable laptop uses by the Tech Team

10:30-11:15 a.m.Return to YK school; Meet in advisory groups for assignment of laptop and “out-of-the-box” information and student online survey

Noon-2:40  p.m.Continue introduction to laptops; Participate in sample lesson using productivity software (NoteTaker)

PARENT PARTICIPATION

5:15 p.m.Parents gather at JDHS Library for project overview, remarks (JSD, AASB); Q&A

6:15 p.m.Parents go to YK school to sign paperwork and see student-led demonstrations of new laptops and other digital learning technology

CONTACT INFORMATION

Yaakoos: Laury Scandling, Principal                AASB-CDL: Bruce Johnson, Director

Phone: (907) 523-1801                Phone: (907) 586-1801

Email:scandlil@jsd.k12.ak.us                Email: bjohnson@assb.org

Website: http://www.yaakoosge.com                Website: http://aasb-cdl.org