Minutes of the Greenwood Technology Committee

1:30PM - September 4, 2001

Present: Dr. Moseman, Linda Azeez, Hugh Brewer, Shae Johnson, Joe Shantz, Dea Borneman, Mike Garton, Dr. Chris Craig, Dr. Mary Byrne, Kathi Beasley

Mike Garton from the COE gave an update on the Emints computer installation in grades 3 and 4. He reported that the state has decided to fund 14 out of 30 computers. The original delivery date is now scheduled for mid January. A strategic donation from Gateway is still being pursued. Ethernet should be connected any day in Emints rooms. Smart boards are in. Teachers asked for all due speed for these boards and requested that they use daytime hours if necessary. As soon as Ethernet is installed, teacher workstations will come in. Emints normally provides some dollars for maintenance. Since maintenance in Greenwood’s case will come from Missouri State, these dollars can be utilized for computers. DESE will pay for the machines and Greenwood/COE will be able to pick the model of choice. They will need to be Gateway computers.

With regard to personnel at Greenwood, it was reported that a new 5^th grade teacher for next year will be needed and should be comfortable with teaching Emints classes as long as the program is functioning well.

A network upgrade will be occurring on campus. Missouri State will be put on a schedule to expand. Connection payments will still be necessary with upgrade.

The wireless capabilities at Hill Hall computer lab are now providing wireless Internet. Students with laptops can now access the Internet. Greenwood could look into such a system for high school perhaps. Six access hubs would cover the Greenwood campus and could be a cost-effective way of utilizing Internet. Computers would need NIC cards and would be charged $5/month for access. Wireless hubs could be installed for less than $5000 and this method is seen as less expensive in the long run both for installation and maintenance.

Dr. Moseman said that blackboard classes are wireless and difficult for students to access at the present. Laptop use at Greenwood would solve many problems with funding and logistics for all Greenwood students, especially high school students.

Mary felt that DESE might have to alter plans to include use of wireless to reduce costs for all schools in the state. There are much cheaper ways to implement technology into the classroom with these new capabilities.

Chris Craig stated that Greenwood is part of the COE plan for technology and wants its technology plans to be a sub goal under the COE plan. He invited all on tech committee to attend when these meetings happen.

Dr. Moseman gave his thanks and others to Chris Craig and Mike Garton for all their expertise and tremendous support.

Mike thinks we could train the teacher at Missouri State or send to Emints for training and then do our own planning for equipment. The biggest cost of equipment could be the servers if we utilize thin client installation. Think client systems allow older computers to be utilized with a smart, fast, server that runs software. There are problems however, when older equipment needs repair. Mike has a Techweb discussion forum online from COE. He has 5 people that can assist in using the website. Minutes from tech meetings could be posted after approval by Dean Hough.

Mary asked for a status report on Emints expansion to grades 5 and 6.

Mike said that we can expand technology, but it will not be an Emints program. We will have to expand with other monies.

Mary wanted to know if she should proceed with grant writing for the expansion through 6^th grade.

Everyone agreed that learning is affected much more by expanding upward from grades 3 and 4, rather than downward to K-2.

Mary needs a 3-5 year plan for grant writing and wanted to know if COE would support expansion.

Mike stated that 5/6^th grade expansion is on the agenda. He felt that Emints refund dollars for maintenance could buy older machines for next year’s 5^th grade if they were upgraded over the summer.

Mary thought that multimedia should be part of middle school/high school curriculum in grades 7-12.

Mike is looking to buy more smart boards at a greatly reduced price.

Linda wanted Mike’s view on how we should proceed with expansion to upper grades.

Mike felt that the Thin Client Model would be an excellent way to show this new technology to those who have not been exposed to it. With this model, 30 older 486 machines could run off a $15,000 server. Servers could be paid off with E-rate at schools that qualify. He also feels that the new faster wireless technology should be showcased at Greenwood somehow. He suggested that everyone navigate eschoolnews.com for more good information. The school could get a subscription to this information for $175 dollars a year. Mike said he would check with Dean Hough to see if this could happen.

Mike stated that his best advice is to look to the new faster wireless capabilities along with student owned laptops or leasing program for upper grades.

Mary wanted some confirmation that upward instead of downward expansion along with newer technologies can be utilized.

Mike was also aware that St. Louis has its own Emints trainer. He felt that Missouri State might do the same thing and tailor training to the needs of Greenwood and be more cost effective.

Mary stated that Greenwood could be a great site to fine tune Emints and aid in research in this direction.

Linda said that 5^th grade expansion with Emints refund dollars should be part of next year’s plan and we should proceed as such.

Mary saw personnel for maintenance and wiring as our biggest obstacles so far along with ongoing technical support. More grant money may be needed for personnel.

Mike said that Thin Client machines have a greater lifespan of use, 5 years instead of 3, and could help lifecycle funding concerns for equipment. Furthermore, Gateway has a better 24 hour support. He felt that Missouri State might retune its IMT A+ courseware to include Emints training. Gateway would then pay $50 per event to a qualified technician in schools. This money would help justify the cost of repair and troubleshooting people for all schools in the nation and help draw students to Missouri State for this type of training.

Mary wants 5 year tech plan feedback from COE.

Mike suggests reviewing Helen Barrett and her reports on how laptops have had an effect on her students at University of Alaska. This should be called up at eportfolios.com.

Mary said she would begin drafting a 5 year plan.

Mike suggested a techbuilder website that he recommends.

Mary will check this out and asks that Mike begin work on 5^th grade expansion.

Mike warns that laptops are more difficult to repair and we may want to think about staying with Emints model for 5/6^th graders.

Mary thought Greenwood might be able to show DESE some new models exploring the use of wireless laptop setups in class.

Mike also thought we should approach Emints with the idea of using Thin Client models for 5/6^th grade.

Mary felt that we might need to keep things more compatible in grades 6-12. She said that new wireless and laptops might follow more in line with new approaches being undertaken in COE.

Linda said that access to Missouri State blackboard has been difficult for Greenwood students. Science students at GLS were trying to use this tool and were having difficulties.

Mike said that computers on carts from Missouri State could be utilized at Greenwood if only one hub for $650 dollars was put into place at Greenwood. He will look into this and other backup options for GLS students including some computer labs at Missouri State. Ivan Lowsky coordinates these sites and can be contacted for access. Also, the Black Board administrator has, in the past, let some GLS students set up gold accounts for services and email. He will see if this were possible for all that would want or need it. Anyone using the system would need to comply with university styles for website creation.

The meeting adjourned at 3PM. The next technology meeting is scheduled for October 2^nd at 1:30 P.M. in the GLS conference room.