1. What will be the expectations/transitions to paperless look like?

We wont be setting firm expectations for a paperless environment. While we look

forward to ancillary benefits such as saving paper, fewer trips to jammed copy
machines, and other perks, our focus is on teaching and learning at deeper levels. That
looks different for every teacher, so we want to respect and be flexible with our goals.

2. When will Microsoft Classroom be available to all teachers?
Currently, the product is only available to our pilot group of 6 teachers. We anticipate
making available to everyone in the coming months.

3. What classroom management is going to look like?
We look forward to providing lots of great strategies during training and PD! Ultimately,
the strength of a teachers classroom management plays a big role in the success of a
1:1 initiative, but we also know that these devices have the power to substantially
increase student engagement, which decreases the need for significant and direct
classroom management.

4. When will all this training occur and what time will we be given?

The first training will occur when the teacher receives the device. We will offer some
exciting PD resources prior to that, and of course we will continue to offer training and
PD after teachers and students receive their device. One of the advantages of having an
in-house tech is that the tech will be able to conduct trainings and work one-on-one with
staff who request additional support.

5. Will we have pre-service/PD on how to teach students digital citizenship, talk

about cyber-bullying, or how to work on teaching digital literacy?

Yes. We will also dedicate a full day to Digital Citizenship lessons. Students will receive
their device before school, training during 1st hour, and hours 2-7 will be dedicated to
Digital Citizenship. Teachers will be given easy-to-administer resources on Nearpod, and
each hour will focus on a different aspect. Additionally, our Drivers Manual will include
a big section on Digital Citizenship, and our Drivers Test will include several DC
questions. Students will need to pass the Drivers Test in order to retain their
administrative access on their device.
6. A statement more than a question. Switching platforms will be difficult for many
members of the staff. We NEED access to our new computers before the
beginning of the school year (or even before the end of this one) so that we can
become accustomed to them and are more prepared for when the students get
them. Trying to learn to use them, creating lesson plans, and teaching all at the
same time (not to mention every other thing teachers are doing in their lives)
would be very overwhelming and get us off on the wrong foot. We need to have a
positive experience to get everyone on board.

While I certainly agree that teachers need ample time, we believe a semester in advance
is a good goal. Thats also the recommendation of our peer districts who have gone from
PC to Mac, as well as our benchmark districts and our project managers who have guided
hundreds of 1:1 rollouts.

7. How this will effect my curriculum as I teach Computers using desktops.

Teachers who have curricular elements that require PCs or desktops will continue to have
access. This is true for many of our business classes as well as our courses taught in Mac
labs. Your curriculum coordinators have all submitted the software, peripherals, and
subscriptions used as part of your curriculum, and we are reviewing them now.

8. Will iMessage be disabled (or is that even a possibility)? I know Shawnee Mission
had issues with massive spamming, inappropriate messaging, and messaging
during instruction. I also know we are trying to teach responsibility and
accountability. Just curious.

iMessage will not be disabled. It is our goal to teach responsibility and accountability not
by limiting, restricting, and locking down to the point where the student no longer values
the device, but rather to teach the student how to use the device in an off-the-shelf,
relatively unrestricted (but still filtered) environment, just as he or she might have in a
post-secondary environment. For more information on our philosophy, check out the first
16 minutes of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPB0MGkgteY

9. Will some apps be blocked to keep students on task instead of being distracted?

Yes and no. Web filtering will remain the same. We do not intend to heavily block all the
software that one could download on their device, just as we dont do that for teachers.
There is a fairly healthy list of software titles that we wont allow, but we dont
anticipating expanding that list substantially. (see the video link above).
 10. What are the basic differences in a functional classroom.

The sky is the limit, and most of it depends on the teachers ability to embrace the new
device and transform daily instruction so that these devices take kids in a whole new and
exciting direction! Alternatively, we may have some teachers who ask the students to use
these devices minimally, which is not the direction our board, administration,
community, or parents want from this initiative.

11. Will we have to prove that we are using these devices as the middle level currently
does, I like to see the written words of kids don't need stuff emailed to me, nor do I
want it, I am not on my computer or email enough to look for student work there.

I am unaware of any requirement at the middle level that requires teachers to prove that
they are using these devices. Similarly, HS teachers will not be forced to use these
devices because everyones curriculum is different. But wed love to work with any
teacher who needs some inspiration, guidance, support, or motivation to adapt the
curriculum to prepare their students for their future!

12. Am interested in what discussion there has been at the district level with regards to
assessment and lab changes.

Many, many discussions! We are working hard to research all the various assessment
implications and ensure that the resources you have in a 1:1 environment are as good or
better than you had before.

13. Have you considered that a different kind of learning and memory processing
takes place in the brain (muscle memory) when one hand-writes notes or new
ideas? Have you considered that the AP essay tests will continue to be hand-
written?

As a high school English teacher of 19 years, I definitely have! I think there is room for
both a device and a pencil in the same classroom. Our goal is not to eliminate any
students ability to hand-write responses.

14. What will we do with paras. They rely on the student computers right now to get
email, sign in and out, and help out in class. They need to help students learn
Macbooks so they will need training too.

Paras will continue to have access. Each building is different in terms of locations within
the building that paras can access, and we will continue to provide workstations
accessible to paras. Each SPED department will also determine the extent to which their
paras need training.