What High-Speed Broadband Access means for Vermont Schools

 Office of Education Technology

As we look at our broadband access in Vermont in the latter part of 2010 and reflect on the current overall state of broadband services, it is important to define what broadband access represents in the context of teaching and learning in our schools.

• If there was broadband access at all schools that did not limit opportunities for learning, what would students in our schools be capable of doing?
• If high quality, high speed broadband access could help schools with day to day functions such as reporting, evaluating, and continuously improving, what would be possible?

 

As we consider these questions and look realistically at the rapid rate of change we are experiencing in the world of technological innovation, it is imperative that Vermont’s K-12 public education community define a vision as we move into the future.   The Transformation of Education, defined by the State Board of Education in 2008, took as two of its key tenets,–student centered education and the advent of flexible learning environments. Broadband access for all schools is critical in meeting these tenets. We envision that Vermont schools will use broadband resources in teaching and learning contexts to:

• Expand student learning opportunities with a variety of distance learning programs, both within and outside the state. Today’s online courses are not simply lectures presented online, they include robust activities including  access to and participation in  video, audio podcasts, and innovative course programs that require students to engage in gaming-type environments.  For example, Conspiracy Code is an online US History course that takes place in a virtual gaming environment.  As these courses become more sophisticated and multiple schools are using them, robust broadband access will be essential. Online courses engage students and provide all schools and students with an array of options. Vermont looks to online course delivery as a key avenue for providing flexible learning environments that take learning beyond the traditional school day.
• Use video conferencing resources: The Learning Network of Vermont provides access via high quality videoconferencing cameras to over 110 sites across the state. Coupled with an integrated desktop system, available at almost any computer, this system provides multiple opportunities for sharing and disseminating communications and collaborations with other classrooms, cultures and countries.  Investment in virtual field trip opportunities continues on both the state and local levels. These examples should be continued and expanded in order to create enhanced learning opportunities for students in all subject areas.
• Gain access to media-rich resources via multiple devices throughout the school day.  These resources include but are not limited to audio files, picture files, video, (both downloaded and streamed).  
• Use data to make informed decisions about curriculum materials as students move through their school career. Schools are continuing to move to online systems where student information is crucial in making adjustments to curriculum depending on student need. Broadband through-put that allows schools to create wide area networks across campuses moves Vermont in a direction of streamlined data reporting and analysis both at the local and state levels.  As more data is available concerning student progress and needs, broadband access must expand to keep up with demand. Federal, State and local reporting requirements and needs continue to be expanded in order to more succinctly study gaps in school support.  Without the ability to efficiently collect data from ALL schools efficiently, many students will be at a disadvantage in the services they receive. Additionally, as we move to online assessment both locally and at the state level, this becomes even more important.   
• Access more technology: Student Centered learning, a key component to today’s communication and collaboration-rich world, is best supported when students have adequate access to computing devices and media. One-to-One computing, the ability to allow students full time access to a computer, is becoming available in many schools across Vermont.  One-to-One implementation requires robust connectivity to allow for multiple access points to the Internet throughout the school environment. As portable hand-held devices continue to be developed, more students and parents will demand access to broadband connectivity at their schools. Schools must anticipate this need and plan for growth.
• Utilize “cloud computing”: to minimize local hardware expense and redundancy, and move beyond systems that are management intensive and limited in life span. As schools move to models that store information “in the cloud” as opposed to local servers, the need for high-speed broadband access becomes even more necessary to make these systems operate efficiently.
• Develop Avenues for K-12 use of Internet2:, a non-commercial network dedicated to education and research. Providing faster speeds and allowing only education and research institutions access, this network could provide more access to high quality research tools and data for schools.

 

All of the opportunities listed above will require continual assessment in regards the increase in broadband capacity.  Students in Vermont that are not provided with the same learning opportunities as their urban counterparts in other states continue to be at a disadvantage as they consider their path for life long learning. 

In 2010, Vermont has two opportunities for expanding our broadband capacities.  These opportunities, from the Vermont Fiber Connect project and the Vermont Broadband Enhancement Learning Link, represent viable opportunities for schools to work towards realizing robust broadband access in the future. The Vermont Department of Education is working diligently to move schools towards connectivity on these and future projects across the state.    

Concurrently with the goal of robust connectivity, comes a need to significantly expand the E-rate reimbursements that schools can receive to cut costs as they deliver faster and more efficient broadband speeds for student learning and success. Ways this could be realized include the development of a consortium of supervisory unions that purchase common services and apply for reimbursements as a unique entity.  As the consortium expands, reimbursements could be increased across the board for all schools.

The need for robust, high speed broadband access is of the utmost importance as we move forward with our efforts to transform education in Vermont. To continue with a system that does not meet today’s needs of all schools across Vermont in an equitable fashion is akin to asking students to use yesterday’s tools to build the future of tomorrow. Vermont children deserve better.

Student-run TV Network in South Burlington Interviews Veterans

The Burlington Free Press has an interesting article in today’s paper about the South Burlington News Network, run by Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School eighth-graders. The video made by students will be broadcast on RETN, and is part of a national project by Comcast and the History Channel.  Check out the article here.

Vermont Innovation Jam 3.0

Can’t take your students on a field trip to Silicon Valley? Get them out of the classroom and into the real world at the Vermont 3.0 Innovation Jam. This exciting and informative day-long event will bring representatives from Vermont’s creative, tech and “green” companies together under one roof.

The event will be held Monday, October 26, 10-6 at the Sheraton in Burlington. Admission is free. School groups are welcome. Your students will have an opportunity to: • See and participate in state-of-the-art tech demos • Meet video game designers • Listen to local CEOs explain how they got their start • Learn how they can train for a career with Vermont’s coolest companies • Connect what they do in the classroom with cutting edge technology in use right here in the Green Mountain State For more information visit http://www.vermont3.com/. Contact: Jonathan Young at the Vermont Department of Labor at (802) 652-0307 or john.young@state.vt.us.

I Challenge You to a Dual…Enrollment

Over the summer, Community College of Vermont received a grant to design and implement a

Courtesy of CCV

website for the Vermont State Colleges Dual Enrollment Program. We would like to share it with all of you, so that you can use it as a resource for answering students’ questions about the program.  Dual enrollment is the formalized arrangement of a high school student enrolling in college courses in addition to high school courses.

The link to the site is www.gotocollegevt.org. You will see several questions and answers animate the screen, and then you can choose to view the information as a student, parent or guidance counselor. Whichever view you choose, there will be a “Contact Us” link.

Read, enjoy, share with students. Thanks to DOE’s John Fischer for this update.

Commissioner Vilaseca Checks Out Advanced High School Program

The Brattleboro Reformer has a great article about their Windham Collegiate High School program, which gives high school students college credit for work they complete in advanced high school classes.

An excerpt: “This has been a dream of mine for over 40 years,” Vilaseca said after Stahley and project director Tom Yahn talked about the program. “This is exactly what we are talking about when we talk about transforming high school. This is a way to make school relevant.”

Check out the full article here.

Making the Most of the Middle

The Department’s own 21 Century Community Learning Centers Coordinator Holly Morehouse was recently published in the national magazine Afterschool Matters. Published by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, Afterschool Matters is a national, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to promoting professionalism, scholarship and consciousness in the field of afterschool education.

Holly’s article is Making the Most of the Middle: A Strategic Model for Middle School Afterschool Programs (Be patient – it may take a while to load). “Building on—rather than trying to overcome— the unique characteristics of early adolescence, Vermont’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers are using the ‘five Rs of program design’ to improve middle schoolers’ attendance and youth development outcomes.”

Holly continues with a point that pretty much sums up Transformation. “The most effective programs for middle school youth strike a balance between exposing young adolescents to a wide variety of activities and experiences while providing opportunities for youth to develop mastery and focus.” Take some time to read this important article about Vermont middle school afterschool programs.

Reading Books You Actually Like

What a concept! The New York Times has an interesting article about a new approach to reading. The example of a class in Georgia, “in which students choose their own books, discuss them individually with their teacher and one another, and keep detailed journals about their reading, is part of a movement to revolutionize the way literature is taught in America’s schools,” according to the Times.

Agree or disagree, it is worth checking out.

I recently got hooked on the television series “The Tudors,” about Henry VIII, enough so that I have been scouring Amazon for books on the subject. It isn’t often that TV inspires one to read, but the idea is the same. I am pursuing a book on 16th century England for personal interest. Would I have done that in 11th grade like these kids? I will never know. – Jill

New Student member of the Board of Education

Robert Kelley, the newest member of the State Board, spoke with VPR’s Jane Lindholm this week. He is an incoming junior at Otter Valley Union High School, where he also serves on the school board.

He makes some interesting comments related to Transformation, noting that high school has limits to what it offers related to what students want to do beyond high school. In addition, he makes some key points about the current expectations on students in high school and how he hopes his time on the Board can change that. To listen to the complete interview:

Click Here

Did you know…? DOE Awarded Transforming Instructional Practices Grants to Three Vermont High Schools

The DOE’s own Carol Duley breaks down the ins-and-outs of Transformation Grants, just for us:

As part of the Vermont Secondary Schools for the 21st Century initiative spearheaded by Kay Charron and Carol Duley (and formerly Bill Romond), the DOE awarded three Vermont schools grants for $75,000 to support school-wide transformation of instructional practice.

Grants were awarded in November 2008 for the period of November 2008 – June 2010. Because transforming instructional practice is challenging, difficult and time consuming, there is the potential to support a two-year project (pending legislative approval). Funding for the second year could be $50,000.

The three schools: Vergennes Union High School, Mt. Anthony Union High School and Harwood Union High School demonstrated a high degree of readiness through prior related work, leadership support and strength of faculty commitment. Project goals reflect current research and best practice.

Vergennes Union High School’s goal is to increase the percentage of students who go on to post-secondary education from 50 percent to 80 percent, while ensuring that 100 percent of students leave high school with viable plans for the immediate future. Grant strategies include creating a set of cross-disciplinary, performance-based, 21^st century graduation requirements to be fully implemented for the class of 2015. In addition, VUHS is strengthening the curriculum, assessment and instruction by implementing Understanding by Design, differentiated instruction, formative assessment and collaborative leadership.

Mt. Anthony Union High School plans to increase the number of content-area teachers who incorporate research-based literacy practices. These practices will increase student content area learning through critical thinking and the linked skills of fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing proficiency.

Harwood Union High School will focus on inquiry- and standards-based instruction and assessments grounded in 21st century skills. Graduation requirements will be aligned with competencies that fulfill the Harwood mission statement and grade level expectations and will be demonstrated in students’ independent studies, service-learning projects and digital portfolios. Harwood’s academic support system will be redesigned.

For more information on these grants, contact Carol Duley at (802) 828-3843 carol.duley@state.vt.us or Kay Charron at (802) 828-5133 or kay.charron@state.vt.us.

 

Vermont’s graduation rate is better than most.

Here’s a link to local blogger, The Vermont News Guy. In this piece, he writes about the state’s ecomomy more than anything else, but notice the final-3rd  of the piece.  He focuses on a survey that Education Week Magazine released, concerning high school graduation rates. Well, it turns out, Vermont’s graduation rates are pretty good.

Sixth-in-the-country good.

Learn more about it, and find out what DOE Director of Communications, Jill Remick, had to say about our state’s results, and how they tie to the future of our state’s workforce.