District 300 plans one-to-one devices, technology upgrades

In a few years, every student in Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300's schools should have a one-to-one device such as an iPad, Chromebook or laptop computer, officials said.

District officials say the plan is to first address the infrastructure and wireless needs at the elementary and middle schools, and to move toward a fully aligned curriculum with digital content and online supplements.

"Our district has always had an interest in pursuing (one-to-one technology)," Superintendent Fred Heid said.

"We've just done better this year in refining our focus and aligning our resources. We have to kind of stage and phase this thing over time. When you move to one-to-one, it really changes the way we deliver instruction and the way kids learn. We need to help some of our parents make that transition, as well."

Improvements will be done in several stages, starting with upgrading the wiring, wireless accessibility and expanding bandwidth at the district's six middle schools and 17 elementary schools.

Work on upgrading the wireless infrastructure at the middle schools will begin this summer. The total cost is estimated at more than $345,000, of which 66 percent will be funded through the federal E-Rate Program. The work is expected to be completed before next school year begins, Heid said.

District 300 began investing heavily in SMART Boards and other classroom technology several years ago. The district also upgraded the technology infrastructure and connectivity within its three high schools.

This year, the district piloted iPads in limited one-to-one classrooms at Dundee-Crown, Hampshire and Jacobs high schools. Hampshire and Dundee-Crown students will continue to use iPads this fall, but Jacobs students will test Chromebooks for the upcoming school year.

"Then we will be able to compare the two devices and determine which makes the most sense at the high schools," Heid said. "That will also include feedback from students."

The district's elementary and middle schools have a low-density system that relies on limited access points granting Internet access to a restricted number of devices at a time, Heid said.

Aligning curriculum, such as replacing and supplementing traditional course materials - textbooks, novels, magazines, and videos - with digital content is a big part of the change. Installing student and device management software and new portals for parents, students, and teachers to aid communication and performance comes next.

"We need to be cautious about making sure we have the right curriculum selected first and teacher training," Heid said. "This also includes an understanding that all stakeholders must be supported in the use of technology in the classroom and at home."

Training for teachers, students and administrators will focus on using technology to enhance instruction, instructional delivery in a blended environment, and developing online environments for student collaboration, resource alignment, and school-based instructional and technology support.

The final step is getting the devices in students' hands.

"We must develop a plan for the purchase, deployment, and ongoing support of a one-to-one initiative," Heid said.

Officials are considering leasing devices to save money and avoid having to replace them once they become outdated. It is expected to cost between $1.2 million and $1.5 million yearly to lease roughly 23,000 devices for four years.

"Leasing makes the most sense and that (cost) will be covered through existing revenue and also student fees," Heid said. "An additional benefit to leasing options is that the device can be purchased for as little as $1 at the end of the lease agreement. That tends to increase ownership and responsibility."

Students who don't want to wait may bring their own devices to school. Some students may decide not to participate in the one-to-one program based on individual learning styles, exceptionality or disabilities, he added.

"Textbook might be a much better option for them," Heid said. "We may even see some variation in devices as we move from grade level to grade level ... iPads have a strong justification in prekindergarten and second grade, but then, in third grade we need to move to a more keyboard-based laptop device."