With $2.5 million in hand from the 25th Alaska legislature, Consortium for Digital Learning (CDL) staff moved quickly to review the 1 to 1 laptop applications submitted by districts in an effort to fund as many projects possible, despite the fifty percent reduction in anticipated funding. Starting with the vendors—Apple and Dell—negotiations were launched to create a total solution from each vendor that would ensure success within the financial constraints created by the Governor’s reduction in funds for CDL.  Staff next engaged each applying district in an effort to reduce the scope of projects where feasible to fit the funds available.  Fairness to all districts, both new partner districts as well as districts desiring to expand, was a central theme as projects were negotiated and eventually awarded in mid-June. 

Project Awards

AASB is pleased to announce that ten new projects and seven expansions of current CDL projects were awarded. Collectively these projects will involve nearly 3000 users at 40 schools.  Districts launching new Apple 1 to 1 initiatives include Bristol Bay, Iditarod, Kashunamiut, Ketchikan, Pribilofs, and Wrangell.  Expanded Apple 1 to 1 projects will take place in Anchorage, Denali, Dillingham, Juneau, Lower Kuskokwim, and North Slope school districts.  New Dell digital learning projects will be introduced in Copper River, Kenai, Northwest Arctic and Valdez school districts. A pilot project utilizing new “mini-laptop” devices will also be launched in Anchorage.

Mini-Laptop Pilot

CDL is excited to partner with Anchorage to provide a mini-laptop pilot project to over 1200 users at the 9th grade level. The project will be a proving ground to test the possibilities of these new, lower-cost devices. If the pilot proves effective, mini-laptops will be incorporated into the CDL initiative as part of our long-term strategy to help address the issue of equity in student access to technology.

It is our sense, that mini-laptops will have a profound impact on 1 to 1 digital learning and the future of CDL as companies more fully develop and market these devices. From our perspective, this is a natural evolution directed toward having multiple solutions available for our students—highly sophisticated hardware and software when the task requires and more cost-effective hardware and public domain software where feasible.  The lower-cost, lightweight laptops available at $300-500, will enable CDL to support the expansion of 1 to 1 computing at an accelerated rate helping achieve the goal of instilling 21st century skills in all students.

While low pricing and durability make mini-laptops a potentially attractive option for school use, some companies offering these high access devices do not supply the same array of solution components now provided by our current CDL vendors—Apple and Dell.  CDL remains committed to complete solutions that consist of hardware, software, internet connectivity, professional development and ongoing technical support.  To avoid a do-it-yourself approach to 1 to 1 digital learning when selecting a mini-laptop option, both CDL and individual districts will need to be prepared to creatively “fill the gaps” when securing staff training and technical services.

Digital Learning Gains Momentum in Alaska

We are excited to support the launch of seven new CDL projects and ten expansion projects this fall. With 28 of 53 Alaska school districts now participating in CDL, we have passed the halfway mark for district involvement since the initiative began in 2006. We will continue our efforts to educate our membership about the importance of 1 to 1 digital learning, and work to influence legislators and the governor during the upcoming legislative session to provide additional funding for further expansion of CDL in 2009.