Cordova
CORDOVA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROJECT SUMMARY
Launch Year: 2006
Platform: Apple
Project School: Cordova Jr./Sr. High
Grade Levels: 7-9
Total # Users: 127
Total Project Costs: $311,950
CDL Support: $222,761
PROJECT TEAM
Superintendent: Jim Nygaard
Project Coordinator: Keith Zamudio, IT Director
IT Coordinator: Keith Zamudio, IT Director
ROLLOUT DATE
Apple Initial Rollout:
Teachers: November 9, 2006
Students: November 13-15, 2006
PHOTOS
NEWS
STUDENT & PARENT INFORMATION
Cordova High School CDL Project Overview
PDF downloads and website links for families considering Internet access on student issued laptops.
QUOTES
More CDL District Testimonials
Keith Zamudio, Cordova School District Technology Director
“Our students live, work and play in a digital world. Life and school tasks are increasingly Internet dependent. It is second nature for our students to interact in digital environments. With students facing the prospect of changing jobs many times in their lifetimes, Alaska’s schools must prepare them to be workers who are conceptual, inferential, procedural and able to face systemic challenges.
Students, teachers and staff members need the capacity to be responsible, active and productive people in a 21st century global society. To realize their full potential to successfully live, learn and work in the 21st century, a computer for students and teachers is an essential learning tool. The opportunity to utilize a laptop to facilitate learning allows learners to create and develop a knowledge base that can be used to demonstrate their learning, create new knowledge and establish meaningful learning opportunities that occur beyond the four walls of the classroom.
We are part of an ever-expanding digital frontier. The Consortium for Digital Learning (CDL) project has empowered the Cordova School District with instructional technologies to develop information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy skills. Cordova’s participation in the CDL project has positioned us to teach our students to make safe and informed decisions in their digital world.
Learning for the 21st Century is a report published by The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org). This public-private coalition contends that, “Today’s education system faces irrelevance unless we bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn.” The Association of Alaska School Boards’ Consortium for Digital Learning provides the vision and tools to help Alaska’s schools, “bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn.”
Thank you for your vision and support.”
Wes Woodruf, Parent
“My two sons received laptop computers this year. Since then I have seen them get excited about some class projects they use their computers for. They seem more organized with school work and have taught me new computer skills. They are often eager to show me what they are doing in class. The laptops make it easier to get some projects done because they don’t have to wait for a free computer in computer lab.”
Adam Low, Science Teacher
“Science is a tool by which we explore the world around us. Technology has given science a way to explore our world more thoroughly. I want my students to use the types of tools that professional scientists use to gather information and analyze it. Students need to have a personal computer with data analysis software and the knowledge to know how to use it.
Before becoming a Geology teacher, I worked as a geologist with several mining companies. As a geologist I used GIS (geographic information system) software to help me better understand the patterns in the rocks. As a teacher, I have had the opportunity to involve my more talented students in independent study GIS projects, but I have not been able to have my general classes use this software. With every student having a computer, I am excited about re-designing my class to make use of this powerful tool. We will be able to download magnetic maps of the region, and superimpose them on top of geology maps. We will be able to take small GPS units in the field and take measurements that can then be added to layers and compared to other information. The students look for patterns that become apparent with this graphical interface and try to explain them.
This is the beginning – looking to nature, and seeing what there is to observe, once the patterns are identified, the next stage of knowledge acquisition begins.
In today’s digital world of easily accessible information, the important skills that our kids need to know begin with the ability to frame a question, and then to analyze the response. The results of each query, must be quickly evaluated for a host of criteria that whittle the choices down to a few sources that can be thoroughly evaluated. This is how scientists work. This is how I want my students to work.
I have learned though my years of teaching, that it is impossible to require something, when not all of the students have the same resource. I am so glad that the one to one laptop program is coming to my geology class!”
Christina M., student
“The laptops help with schoolwork because I can work on it at home instead of waiting for the computer lab to open in the morning. The projects can be more original and fun to watch instead of a boring old poster. I can do work more efficiently and can it’s nice having the internet resource at hand in the classroom. The laptops are really reliable and make learning more fun!”
Dane M., student
“I think the laptops help in schoolwork because it is a lot easier doing projects, and we do a lot of computer projects in some of the classes. It’s also great that we don’t need to print everything any more. We can just put it in the teachers drop boxes with these computers.”
Jenny R., student
“Having these laptops has helped me accomplish more tasks. I can get an assignment, and have confidence that I can get it done. It makes it a lot easier and way less stressful.”
Jessica S., student
“The laptops help me to do projects because I can use PowerPoint and it is a lot faster than doing other projects where I have to print stuff out. I can also look up information at school instead of doing it all at home. I can put pictures on projects really easy, and I can easily print stuff out at school.”
Allyssa M., student
“The computers have helped me because I can do research easier and find the information I need in order to do the work I need to do. The computers have also helped us do our school projects. It is easier to do things and they let us be on them when we need to be for our class. We don’t have to wait forever like we did with the old computers. Thanks.”
Gerald C., student
“This laptop has helped me in lots of ways with school work. Writing papers it really helps because it has the right programs. Also it has helped in research projects.”
Janalie H., student
“Before we had the laptops there were so many C.D.’s that didn’t work and papers lost. But now all we have to do is take out our computers. They have helped me because now whenever I have a spare minute I can just open my laptop and work on a project instead of staying up late trying to get it done. The laptops have helped me with a lot of assignments.”
Garrett F., student
“The laptop makes it easier for writing papers, unlike the few computers in the library that are always taken. And you can work on stuff when you want, even you’re not on the school network. The camera is cool for movies and stuff. You can get extra credit for using it on a project.”
John B., student
“I think these laptops have helped this school in a bunch of ways…now I actually don’t mind doing writing assignments and taking notes. Ever since I got my new laptop I have been a lot more into school and I like doing my school work.”
Sierra D., student
“These laptops have so many programs to offer. They make it so much easier to make and present projects. Researching is a lot easier with the web browser. Thanks.”
Glacier R., student
“I think these computers are food for the school because it allows the students to have a good amount of experience with technology and computers for the future. It allows them to get their work done faster and gives them basic knowledge of them too.”
Jacob F., student
“The MacBook laptops have really helped me with school. It has pushed the school into the 21st century and made school more fun.”
