This document summarizes the Key Middle School Netbook Pilot program. It discusses that students were each given a netbook to use in class and at home. Teachers used tools like wikis, blogs, and MS Office on the netbooks for lessons. The summary discusses positive impacts like increased student empowerment and achievement as students could easily revise work. It also notes benefits for teachers in providing constant feedback and differentiating lessons quickly. However, it mentions limitations like some students lacking basic computer skills and the need for traditional grading to adapt to digital work.

1. Key Middle School NetbookPilot

2. Student to teacher… “Can I redo my project after school?”

3. Hardware Netbooks (3 sets of 30) 3, 32-station carts One more set ordered

4. “I found a site that I see very useful I would like to share... Below” http://kidzone.ws/ Student email to teacher

5. Technologies Used FCPS 24/7 Wikis, Blogs, Assignment Mgr MS Office 2007 OneNote, Word, Excel, PowerPoint PhotoStory/Movie Maker Audacity YouTube Library Databases

6. Impact on Student Learning Student Empowerment Increased Achievement They no longer see revisions and changes as being “more work.” It is all part of the creation process. Constant Feedback Student are no longer relying on the teacher for the answers. They go find them on their own.

7. Student to teacher… "Will you please post the grading rubric this weekend?"

8. Impact on Teacher Instruction Planning, Planning, Planning Must be flexible and willing to change on the fly. Must model even the littlest things to make sure the students can do it. Much more of a facilitator. Must be willing to let go of the “sage on the stage.”

9. Student to teacher… "It's my turn to drive!"

10. Reaction of other Teachers Excited, but reserved Realizing how much this changes how we teach.

11. Benefits Students are learning “real” technology skills that will help them through the rest of their schooling and in the work place. Netbooks are easy to use for teachers and students. All-the-time access to computers in the classroom. Created a collaborative culture between teachers that normally wouldn’t have seen a connection between their curriculums or grade level.

12. Benefits Allows a more fluid use of eCART, Aspire and FCPS 24/7 for formative assessing. Allows for constant tracking of student learning and growth. I am able and differentiate my lesson in less than 10 seconds and it forces me to reflect with every class I teach by asking myself, “How I can make it better?”

13. Kids can't lose assignments.Parents can see all work- all the time Engagement. Ability to give more feedback to individual kids, faster, and more effectively and then to have them respond by reworking and improving what they have done. higher level work and thinking, teaching kids independence, accountability All work with kids all the time Empowerment. Students have more say in how they learn, when they learn, at what pace they learn Benefits

14. Limitations “Traditional” grading doesn’t fit. FCPS 24/7 No computer at home Time Lack of basic computer skills Transporting of work between home and school.

15. Students are NOT where we think they are when it comes to using technology. It is imperative that the students use the technology every day. The current level of web technology available to teachers and students to use needs to improve to make this easier for both parties and to truly prepare students for the work place. We are learning…