Learning Resources
- Maria White's Curricular Resources
- Kathy Corpora's Curricular Resources
- Randy Cruz's Curricular Resources
- Mentor Schedule
- Learning Tools on the iBooks
- Curriculum Links
- Technology BFLEX
- Best Practices Submissions
Tech
Features
About SKILL
Web Links
Backround of S.K.I.L.L. 21
Successful Knowledge Integration: Learning with Laptops is an initiative designed to help Bethlehem Area School District staff and students prepare to take full advantage of modern learning opportunities. Over the course of the next several years, the Bethlehem Area School District intends to focus on 21st century learning by linking technology, teaching and learning. After a successful introductory year with the sixth grade last school year, we are carrying over the program to include both sixth and seventh grade. Our goal is to have our students a competitive edge and desire to continue to learn as they embark upon their future careers and become contributing members of society.
First Steps
The Regional Academic Standards Academy introduced laptop learning in our district with approximately 150 students. Dr. Lewis expanded this vision to include all sixth grade students. A team of technology staff was assembled to take on the project. Four technologists were hired to provide technical support at each of our four middle schools. Three existing technology staff were reassigned to provide coordination of the many pieces that make up a successful implementation--a curriculum specialist, a server specialist, and a desktop support specialist.
A number of BASD staff (technology, teachers, administrators) visited Maine and Henrico County, VA and planned for each school's rollout.
We began our sixth grade initiative by piloting laptops with our smallest sixth grade population at Broughal Middle School.
Going Full Steam
In the late winter and early spring of 2003, all (approximately 1,300) sixth grade students were issued a laptop to use in their core subject classes. Due to the hard work of everyone involved (teachers, administrators, tech staff, secretaries, maintenance) the rollout at each school was a success! Sixteen sixth grade teachers were designated as "Apple Mentor Teachers" and were given training in laptop usage and management, and instructional strategies. They provide leadership and support to teachers teaching with laptops at their school. Laptops were collected at the close of the school year and reimaged for this coming school year. Teacher laptops were reimaged with the Mac OS X 10.3 ("Panther") Operating System.
Year Two
The seventh graders continued to use the laptops they were issued the first year. Incoming sixth grade students received new laptops. Seventh grade "Apple Mentor Teachers" received training throughout the school year.
One additional technologist on our middle school team was added to help with the setup and maintenance of the student laptops in all four schools.
Mrs. Robin Lutcher was appointed Director of Technology in early October of 2004.
Laptops were rolled out to all sixth and seventh grade students by the end of October / beginning of November.
Maria White joined the SKILL 21 team as the Integration Specialist in January 2005. Many Technology BFLEX courses were available during the Spring of 2005.
Mr. Frank Arbushites joined our district as the Coordinator of Academic Computing in February 2005.
Ms. Evon Zundel participated in an Apple Roundtable discussion at the PETE & C conference in February of 2005.
The SKILL 21 Internal Evaluation Committee was formed in 2005.
Ms. Evon Zundel and Mr. Frank Arbushites presented SKILL 21 at the Road to One to One Computing Conference at Penn State in April 2005.
Dr. Ward Cates of Lehigh University conducted an external evalutation of the initiative during year two.
Year Three
During year three, all middle school students were issued laptops. The seventh and eighth grade students received the laptops they had last year and the sixth grade received new laptops.
Eighth grade "Apple Mentor Teachers" received training.
Summer Technlogy BFLEX courses have continued throughout the summer.
Teacher laptops were re-imaged with the "Tiger" Operating System with software updates in the Spring and Summer of 2006
Year Four
Ninth grade students went to their High Schools to find a slightly different environment. Each department in the ninth grade has laptop carts available to them throughout the day. "Apple Core Teachers" are being trained. Kathy Corpora joined the SKILL 21 team as Technology Integration Specialist for East Hills Middle School. Technology BFlex classes for teachers were ongoing throughout the year.
The BASD participated in Year One of the Classrooms For the Future Grant.
Year Five
Sixth and Seventh grade students at Northeast and East Hills are scheduled to receive new MacBook laptops. Eighth graders at these schools, as well as all Nitschmann students are using the original iBooks.
Broughal is piloting a program in which laptops are assigned to classroom teachers instead of to individual students. Randy Cruz joined the SKILL 21 team as Technology Integration Specialist for Broughal Middle School.
Technology BFlex training for teachers is ongoing.
Participation in the Classrooms For the Future Grant is ongoing.