ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROJECT SUMMARIES
Launch Year: 2006
Platform: Apple
Project School: Wendler Middle School
Grade Levels: 7-8
Total # Users: 300
Total Project Costs: $658,972
CDL Support: $472,252
Launch Year: 2008
Platform: Apple (project expansion)
Project School: Wendler Middle School
Grade Levels: 7
Total # Users: 134
Total Project Costs: $157,965
CDL Support: $104,257
Launch Year: 2008
Platform: Pilot project utilizing Dell “high access” mini-laptop devices
Project Schools: South High, East High, Bartlett High, Eagle River High, Service High, Save High, West High, Mirror Lake Middle School, Elementary School (TBD)
Grade Levels: 6, 8, 9
Total # Users: 6001
Total Project Costs: $375,000
CDL Support: $250,000
PROJECT TEAM
Superintendent: Carol Comeau
Project Coordinators: Darla Jones, Ed. D., Coordinator of Educational Technology (Secondary), Mary Wegner, Coordinator of Educational Technology (Elementary)
Curriculum Coordinator: Dr. Enid Silverstein, Exec. Director of Curriculum and Instructional Support
IT / Technology Coordinator: Patrick Moore (Wendler Middle School), Denise Trujillo (“high access” mini-laptop pilot pilot project schools)
ROLLOUT DATES
Apple Initial Rollout: December 15, 2006
Apple Expansion Rollout: TBA
Pilot project utilizing Dell “high access” mini-laptop devices: TBA
PHOTOS
Wendler Middle School Rollout, December 15, 2006
MOVIES
Alaska Shift was produced in May 2007 by internationally acclaimed teacher/filmmaker Marco Torres with assistance from Apple and AASB. The film features interviews and scenes from Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School in Juneau and Wendler Middle School in Anchorage. Time: 9:00
Wendler Rollout - Changing Learning...Preparing for the Future
12-15-06 Produced by Wendler Middle School for the rollout ceremony. Time 6:09
NEWS
Replacing Books with Computers Shows Promise
12-30-06 Anchorage Daily News
TV News Coverage Compilation: Wendler Middle School 1 to 1 Rollout
12-15-06 Anchorage TV News Coverage, Time 1:56
QUOTES
More CDL District Testimonials
Joel Roylance, Principal at Wendler Middle School
I am so pleased with what is occurring at Wendler on the Kodiak Team since we implemented the 1 to 1 computer initiative. I get to watch daily as a teacher that was seriously ill and missed an incredible amount of the last school year blossom and take control of her life as she recovers her vitality and ambition. It is almost like seeing the idealism and energy that a new teacher brings to this calling infuse a long time teacher and peel years away from her step. I am thrilled to watch a team of teachers struggle to learn a new paradigm for instruction and learn along side their students. Their starry eyes, willingness to take on multiple challenges and the struggle as they coordinate new methods of delivering standards based instruction have convinced me that this is the most effective instructional strategy that I have seen implemented at a middle school.
When a teacher describes how they are going to teach writing using the Six Traits Method utilizing laptops, font and style changes, folder drop boxes and multiple drafts I know we are using this opportunity to truly improve instruction and learning. When teachers explain how they are implementing a peer tutoring process referred to as iTutors where students help each other with the mechanics of using a laptop as a learning tool I know we are providing them skills, which they will need in this digital world. When students give up their lunchtime to continue projects in classes with laptops I know we are teaching them skills every employer wants and needs in our global society.
As we prepare students for an emerging world that is global and flat, where three out of five jobs that they will compete for don’t even exist, I am convinced that this laptop initiative is providing skills that will serve the students well, regardless of the career path they pursue. As “digital immigrants” we adults struggle to understand our place in this society. As “digital natives” equipped in school with a digital tool to both learn with, and learn about, these young people will have a competitive advantage in this same society.
Enid Silverstein, Executive Director of Curriculum
"What's going to redefine service, products, and human relationships is the ability for someone to make a connection with somebody else. Some kind of human connection. Something where they can actually convey a piece of themselves, either through their voice, or through a picture, or through some composition that they've developed. And that is what I think technology is moving towards allowing people to better be able to do. It allows people to make a statement about themselves, which is your ultimate goal as a human being: to leave a mark."
Holly MacInnis, Kodiak Team Teacher at Wendler Middle School
Our team talked and we've definitely noticed a tremendous difference in the behavior of our Laptop kids compared to the "regular" kids. The Laptop kids are focused and we rarely deal with off-task behavior (writing/passing notes, excessive talking, zoning out during class discussions). Since starting the Laptop Initiative, we've seen a drastic reduction in detentions due to tardies/off task behavior, and the overall attendance of those 60 students is better. Personally, I haven't had classes this alert and listening to my every word since I taught Sex Ed two years ago - ha-ha.
Some of the concerns we had at the beginning of the project have gone away. For example, we were really concerned about how the kids would get their computers from class to class. The computer bags provided by Apple are working out great! The kids pick up their computers in their 1st hour class and travel to their next class with the computers in those bags. We haven't had a single computer dropped or banged up so far. Kids are also respecting the "Only My Hands Touch My Computer" rule and when helping out another student, they must talk to them; they aren't allowed to touch the other's keyboard at all. (I even find myself trying to take over a keyboard and have to pull myself back.)
Kids are eager to help other students with computer issues such as turning in an assignment into a teacher's drop folder. We call them iTutors when they help other kids. :-)
Our team feels like the kids are getting past using the novelty of the technology and are so comfortable with it, that they expect to use the laptops in every class - if only the batteries would last the beginning or at the end of their class period to allow the computers to recharge or go into sleep so kids till have battery life during 3rd and 4th periods.
