Bring your Own Technology CHCA Middle School CHCA works to advantage learners for
Christian Leadership in
the 21st Century
Fall 2012 Hello Friends, From grade school through college, technology is changing instruction and the way we learn. A recent U.S. Department of Education study showed the effectiveness of blended instruction (online and face-to-face) over more traditional models. From building a solid base of background facts, to collaborative online projects, to thoughtful social interaction, the possibilities for our students abound—inside and outside the classroom. With those possibilities also comes the urgent need to empower our students with the skills to exercise responsible digital citizenship. At CHCA Middle School, this is why we are committed to pioneering cutting edge instruction with the integration of technology. Our Bring Your Own Technology program (BYOT), now in its second year, is our system for allowing students in seventh and eighth grades to bring their own online access devices to their academic classes. For us, this is not simply a matter of technology driving instruction, nor is it about having new tools to carry on the same old routine. Rather, our strong academic content, empowered by technology, can now drive instruction and assessment in ways that were not possible a few short years ago. As students choose to bring devices to the Middle School, we seek to help them make connections with the content they are learning and to help them relate to one another appropriately and in ways that honor Christ. BYOT is also helping our Middle School teachers expand their earlier pioneering use of “flipped classroom” approaches and online formative assessments. These pave the way for deeper application of content inside the classroom while extending the learning beyond the walls of school. To help students responsibly exercise their newfound privilege, we issue a Digital Drivers License (DDL). Students with devices must complete DDL training at school in order to help them understand the responsibilities inherent in digital citizenship. For those who earned a DDL in the previous year, they will renew the DDL each year in order to keep their student privileges current. Upon completion of DDL training, a student receives a non-transferrable “Digital Drivers License,” downloaded to his/her device. This certificate thereby grants the privilege to use that device in classes for academic purposes as teachers direct. With all this in mind, we hope this brochure will be a useful reference for you. The information found here outlines the advice, tips, and important details of how CHCA integrates technology. You will also find guidelines for making the best device-purchasing choices for educational uses, as well as student guidelines for appropriate uses of devices. Again, the classroom successes we have seen already through expanding technology make us excited to build on our BYOT program this year. We eagerly look ahead to the possibilities that await, even as we work to prepare your children with all the tools at our disposal, and to empower them to take hold of all that God has for them at our high school, college, and in the wide world beyond. Blessings, Kris Gilbert, Interim Principal, CHCA Middle School
Table of Contents Purpose .............................................................................................................................................. 1 BYOT Use Guidelines ...................................................................................................................... 2 BYOT device specifications recommendation ............................................................................... 3 Bring Your Own Technology Device Recommendations ............................................................. 3 Other Mobile Devices ....................................................................................................................... 3 CHCA Acceptable Use Policy.......................................................................................................... 4 MOODLE: Learning Management System ................................................................................... 7 Microsoft Live@edu ......................................................................................................................... 7 Wireless ............................................................................................................................................. 8 I-Safe Curriculum for Internet Safety ........................................................................................... 8 Atomic Learning ............................................................................................................................... 8 Frequently Asked Questions............................................................................................................ 9 Resource Links................................................................................................................................ 11
Purpose Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy provides for students a learning environment that honors God and prepares Christian Leaders for the 21st Century. Both in its technology and information literacy curriculums and in academic content curriculums CHCA states goals for student learning that include collaborative social interaction, communication, gathering resources and information, creativity, problem-solving and decision-making, all of which technology aids. CHCA students operate as digital citizens exercising responsible and ethical use of technology for academic and personal purposes. Use of technology will extend the student’s world and sphere of influence. Teachers are integrating those dispositions into units of study across the content areas. These digital fluencies help equip students for their futures. During school year 2011-12 CHCA will allow students in targeted grades or courses to bring their own technology devices to use at specified times during the school day. Use of these devices is meant to enhance learning in the classroom, and student owned devices will be permitted for use in classrooms by permission of individual teachers when deemed appropriate and at the teacher’s discretion. Requisite to students bringing their own technology devices is compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy and the Bring Your Own Technology Guidelines.. CHCA teachers have taken advantage of the Learning Management System, MOODLE, training in cloud computing using Microsoft Live@edu, and the I-Safe curriculum for teaching students and training teachers in internet safety. CHCA now provides a learning environment available to students both in and outside the classroom, using the wireless network at school, Moodle as our learning management system where teachers’ courses provide content and interaction to only enrolled students, and cloud computing accounts for students to access files, email, and productivity tools easily. Students in college and persons in the workforce use technology to fulfill their job roles and to spend leisure productively. Students’ use of this enhanced learning environment will advantage them as they prepare for their futures
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BYOT Use Guidelines Guidelines: Students bringing their own device for educational use are to use the school wireless network which offers a filtered internet experience. Any personally owned device will not be in compliance if accessing unfiltered internet during times when the device is on school grounds. CHCA will allow personal devices on school grounds and on the CHCA guest network for students who follow the responsibilities stated in the Acceptable Use Policy and the attached guidelines regarding Bring Your Own Technology. Further, students participating in B.Y.O.T. must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, and all Board policies, particularly the Internet Acceptable Use Policy and B.Y.O.T. Guidelines for student-owned devices. Possession of pornographic images or video on any electronic device is prohibited. Each teacher has the discretion to allow and regulate the use of personal devices in the classroom, on the campus, and at school events. Devices do not include phones at the Middle School. Approved devices must be in silent mode while riding school buses and on school campuses, unless otherwise allowed by a teacher. Students are not permitted to walk the halls with earbuds or other listening devices whether in use or not in use. Devices may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests, or for non-instructional purposes such as making personal phone calls and text/instant messaging. Students may not use devices to record, transmit or post-photographic images or video of a person or persons on campus or during school activities and/or hours. Guest access to the network does not permit printing. Students wishing to print content must access their account from a school owned device where printers are then accessible. Printing is with teacher permission and payment is due for copies printed. Devices may only be used to access files on computer or internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum. Games are not permitted, unless otherwise allowed by a teacher. CHCA IT will not support or fix any personal device. Any troubleshooting of a student device by school personnel will be done in the presence of the student and may not result in a solution. Any software or application that is loaded on a personal device cannot access T.V. or sites not in keeping with educational content. At any time it is at the teacher’s discretion as to what is deemed appropriate use.
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BYOT device specifications recommendation Bring Your Own Technology Device Recommendations Cincinnati Hill Christian Academy encourages students and parents to use the following information to help guide them in equipping their students at the CHCA North Campus. The following are recommendations only.  If you will be purchasing a new laptop device (Mac or PC) for your student, you will very likely have a compatible system for the program based on current industry minimum computer specs.  If you plan to use an existing laptop device for your student, you possibly have a compatible system if the laptop was purchased within the last 3 years. If your laptop device was purchased more than 3 years ago, please consider the following recommended specifications (with some components, such as memory and hard drive, it may be possible to upgrade): dual core processor (2.0 GHz or more)
2 GB memory or more
200 GB hard drive (or more) longest battery life possible Recommended Apple operating system: Snow Leopard
10� screen or larger Recommended PC operating system: Windows 7 Recommended software: Microsoft Office
Other Mobile Devices If you wish to purchase or use a smartphone or tablet device for your student, there are a few things to consider. While there may be times that a handheld device is an appropriate tool for a specific purpose, the limitations of current handheld mobile devices reveal that their focus is primarily on consumption. Many of the devices excel when it comes to viewing/consuming information, but when it comes to creating /editing /interacting with documents they lack the robustness provided by a notebook computer. While Apple tablets and devices (iPad, iPod), WebOS devices, and Android devices do possess beneficial tools, features and applications, they do not currently work with Microsoft Office applications, do not support Flash, and may not contain compatible browsers for accessing certain school-related sites. Many of these innovations would make great secondary devices, but a laptop computer (Mac or PC) will still be needed to fully utilize all of the tools and applications used in the CHCA program. The BYOT program endeavors to enhance the learning environment using web sites, the learning management system Moodle, and the ability of students to collaborate and create knowledge products all possible through a web browser compatible with flash and/or shockwave, and productivity tools available using the office suite of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software or through cloud productivity or app productivity tools. While teachers may reference mobile device apps, or bring school owned ipads into the classroom, students will be well served to have access to a laptop computer that gives him/her the ability to function in the learning environment. Should a student be designated for the BYOT pilot program in a course or grade level and not have a PC or mobile device to use, the school will make every effort to provide a day loaner during the school day. The school laptop will be checked out by the student upon arriving at school and will be checked back in at the end of the school day. This allows the student to have the laptop with him/her throughout the time while in the school building. No day loaners will be checked out overnight. All Acceptable Use policies and BYOT guidelines for use will be in effect for day loaner laptops as well as signed agreements related to damage or loss of the unit. From CHCA IT Dept. Dave Slone, Technology Director
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CHCA Acceptable Use Policy Policy Statement CHCA is pleased to offer its students and employees access to the Internet, a tool for life-long learning. In a free and democratic society, access to information is a fundamental right of citizenship. CHCA understands and respects these rights, but has established parameters for Internet use in the spirit of the Christian mission and core values of the school. Acceptable Use at School In making decisions regarding access to the Internet, CHCA considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. This policy therefore applies to students, faculty, staff, administrators or anyone else authorized to use the CHCA resources. CHCA expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the Internet throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in its use. As much as possible, access from CHCA to Internet resources should be structured in ways that point students to those which have been evaluated prior to use. While students will be able to move beyond those resources to others that have not been previewed by faculty, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to learning objectives. Families and CHCA Employees should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet that could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student’s parent/guardian or CHCA Employee would be liable. Outside of school, families bear responsibility for the same guidance of Internet use as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, radio, movies, magazines, books, recordings and other possibly offensive media. The purpose of CHCA-provided Internet access is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. To remain eligible as users, students’ use must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of CHCA. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility. Terms and Conditions of Use Students using CHCA-provided Internet access are responsible for good behavior on-line just as they are in a classroom or other area of the school. The same general rules for behavior and communications apply. Students should not expect that files stored on school-based computers would always be private. Electronic messages and files stored in school-based computers may be treated like school lockers. Administrators and faculty may review files and messages to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are acting responsibly. All USERS must abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following: Be polite. Do not be abusive in your messages to others. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language. The system will NOT be used to access, view, upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material. Do not reveal your full name, phone number, or home address, or those of others. Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. Network storage areas will be treated as school property. CHCA personnel may review files and communications. Material relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities. The sending out of “chain letters” is considered a misuse of the system and may result in the loss of the user’s account. Be reasonable in the amount of time you use the system. Be considerate of other users. Time limits may be imposed. Curricular use will take precedence over independent use. 4
Respect the integrity of the computing system. Do not intentionally develop or activate programs that harass other users, infiltrate a computer system or alter the software components of a computer or computer system. These include, but are not limited to: viruses, forging e-mail, hacking, and attempting to use administrative commands. Do not vandalize by harming or destroying the data or hardware on this system or any other system.
Security and Misuse Security of any computer system is essential. Access to electronic resources is intended for the exclusive use of its authorized users. Any problems that arise from the use of an account are the responsibility of the account holder. Misuse may result in suspension of the account privileges. This may include, but is not limited to:
Trespassing in another’s work or files Giving out your password or the password of others Attempting to login to another user’s account Failing to notify the supervising staff member of a security problem Giving another’s password to a third party or misrepresenting ownership of passwords Intentional disruption of the network Inappropriate use of the Internet Playing recreational games (unless specifically authorized by supervising teacher) Transmitting or knowingly receiving any materials in violation of any United States or state regulation Using the CHCA network for commercial activities Conducting personal and/or private business (faculty/staff to be governed by reasonable use)
CHCA will periodically revise the Acceptable Use Policy and will make determinations on whether specific uses of the network are consistent with the intent of the Policy. Social Media Items placed on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, and other internet sites by students who in any way identify themselves as a CHCA student must reflect Christ-like conduct as outlined in this Handbook. As representatives of CHCA, students should not submit anything to a site that includes objectionable content or that reflects negatively on others. Violation of these policies may result in: Detention and parent contact Saturday Detention In-School Suspension Suspension Expulsion (The severity of the offense will determine which of the above consequences are assigned.) Consequences of misuse Any violations of school policy and rules may result in loss of school-provided access to the Internet. CHCA may monitor any users’ school-provided access to the Internet to ensure appropriate use. Such monitoring may include (but is not limited to) monitoring of web sites visited, “chat room” conversations, and e-mail contents. Disciplinary action may be determined at the building level in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding inappropriate language or behavior. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved. Faculty and staff are held to the same standards; violations could result in dismissal. Disclaimer CHCA makes no warranties of any kind, neither expressed nor implied, for the Internet access it is providing. Internet access to CHCA is through the Hamilton/Clermont County Cooperative Association of Boards of Education (HCCA), which filters for student use. A list of subject/word categories filtered by HCCA is available from the CHCA technology department. The school will not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including –but not limited to – loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. The school will not be responsible for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information stored on school diskettes, hard drives, or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information 5
gathered through school-provided Internet access. The school will not be responsible for personal property used to access school computers or networks or for School-provided Internet access. The school will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from School-provided access to the Internet. While the school’s intent is to make Internet access available in order to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. Even should the school institute technical methods or systems to regulate students’ Internet access, those methods could not guarantee compliance with the school’s Acceptable Use Policy. Ultimately, however, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.
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MOODLE: Learning Management System Some classroom teachers at CHCA will be using our Learning Management System, Moodle. Those teachers will instruct their students on access to this online learning environment. A learning management system (LMS) is a software application or Web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific learning process. Typically, a learning management system provides an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance. A learning management system may also provide students with the ability to use interactive features such as threaded discussions, video conferencing, and discussion forums. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy has chosen Moodle.org, an open source, learning management system to extend and enhance the classroom learning environment by allowing instructors to make available content in any digitized form. For students in grades five and above, under close instructor supervision and coaching in online etiquette and ethical behavior, Moodle allows interaction either singly with the instructor, in small groups, or as students are developmentally more responsible, to engage in group exchanges around the course content. CHCA encourages parents to explore and understand Moodle by entering the CHCA Moodle information page as a guest (no enrollment key/password required). http://moodle.chca-oh.org/course/view.php?id=2 where you can view “How Moodle Can Change a School,” “Moodle Explained Using Legos,” and a statement of the CHCA philosophy of teaching and learning. Who has access to Moodle courses? Students enter as logged-in users which means their log-in is recognized as being a member of that course, so they don’t need to enter as a guest and use an enrollment key. As a member of the course students see all posted content and participate in interactive features the teacher has established. Parents can enter Moodle courses using the “enter as a guest” and enrollment key provided by the teacher. This permits parents to view content. Guests do not see any interactive features nor can they “participate” in the course activities. A course may permit guest access with no enrollment key, such as in the case of Lindner Elementary school specials classes which will post information and content available to anyone who wishes to view it. No grades are posted on Moodle. NetClassroom remains the site where grades are posted, and to which parents have access to their students’ grades. Parents can learn about Moodle using the CHCA Moodle site to view CHCA philosophy of teaching and learning What is a Learning Management System? How Moodle Can Change a School (YouTube linked video) Moodle explained using Legos (Vimeo linked video) http://moodle.chca-oh.org/course/view.php?id=2 select ”log on as a guest,” select CHCA (the top listed course), select CHCA and Moodle. This “course” is open to all guests and requires no enrollment key.
Microsoft Live@edu Cloud computing allows storage of files, email, and productivity applications to travel with the user available through internet access. Beginning school year 2011-12 CHCA will provide each student and faculty member with file storage, email capability, and productivity tools in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software accessible through their Live@edu account. This will permit students to save work while at school and access it from home, or any location that provides internet access. Caution: Should a student or staff member using Live@edu email choose to integrate other email accounts into the schoolprovided Live@edu email account, the school cautions users that all content therein is subject to scrutiny by school personnel as is the case when using any school-provided electronic service. 7
Wireless The CHCA Network has been segmented into guest and private for faculty/staff/CHCA owned devices. Students bringing their own devices will access the guest network CHCA-Guest which will allow filtered internet access through the CHCA wireless network and allows access to individual accounts in cloud computing so students can save files, access school provided email, access productivity tools, access their classroom Moodle courses, and NetClassroom. Wireless network at the N level at both the middle and high schools now provides 100% coverage to the buildings. Our CHCA network filters meet the Child Internet Protection Act compliance guidelines and a student bringing a personal device is to use the school provided internet access to be in compliance with school rules. CHCA now provides a learning environment available to students in and outside classroom, using the wireless network at school, the Moodle content where teachers’ courses provide content and interaction to only enrolled students, and cloud computing accounts for students easily to access files, email, and productivity tools. Students in college and persons in the workforce use technology to fulfill their job roles and to spend leisure productively. Students’ use of this enhanced learning environment will advantage them as they prepare for their futures. Most devices have an icon to find the wireless network. Students can choose the public/guest network called: CHCA-Guest The password for the guest network is: CHCA-Eagles. Using the school wireless network is required when students bring their own technology devices.
I-Safe Curriculum for Internet Safety CHCA has chosen to implement portions of the I-SAFE curriculum for students and training tools for teachers. I-SAFE Inc. is a leading publisher of media literacy and digital citizenship education materials and programming with worldwide distribution channels. Founded in 1998 and supported by the U.S. Congress and various executive agencies of the U.S. government, I-SAFE is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering youth to safely, responsibly and productively use Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). I-SAFE’s best practices classroom curriculum for primary and secondary school students equips students to exercise safe behaviors in the digital information environment. http://www.isafe.org
Atomic Learning CHCA Middle School and High School subscribe to Atomic Learning, an online source of tutorials in a wide range of applications software and 21st century learning skills projects for units and lessons. Teachers, students, and parents of students in these buildings will have access to this online learning site. In this way teachers can support skills requisite for a given assignment or project. If an upcoming science lesson asks students to gather data and format in a table, the teacher can cite the tutorial on formatting tables – in word or excel – in Windows 2003 or 2007 or 2010, etc., so students can review or practice those skills before the class period where that skill is applied. In this way CHCA supports technology integration at the individual student learning level. Students will ask their teacher what is the CHCA user name and password to access these tutorials.
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Frequently Asked Questions Q: I brought my device to school to use in the classroom, but my teacher said I couldn’t use it in her classroom. Can I still use it? A: The teacher in the classroom has the final say on procedures in the classroom. If he or she asks you not to use your device, then you should follow those directions. Access is available but not guaranteed for each classroom situation. Q: I am uncertain on specific policy regarding times and locations my personal device can be used during the school day. Exactly when am I allowed to have it out and use it? Middle School Appropriate Use Student earns a digital driver’s license Yes through training then award transferred to device as verification Before/after school Yes
High School Appropriate Use Acceptable Use Policy and BYOT Guidelines
Yes
Before/after school
Yes
In class when my teacher designates use for learning
Yes
In class when my teacher designates use for learning
Yes
During passing period
No
During passing period
No
During Lunch
No
During lunch
Yes
Q: I have my laptop/mobile device with me in class. How do I get on the Internet now? A: Most laptops or other personal technology devices will detect a wireless connection when you are near one. Your device should prompt you to join an available network. The public/guest network is called: CHCA-Guest. The password for the guest network is: CHCA-Eagles. Q: My laptop is not prompting me to choose a wireless network. Is there another way to connect? A: In the settings menu of your device, there is usually a network access icon. Go to this icon and choose the public/guest network is called: CHCA-Guest. The password for the guest network is: CHCA-Eagles. Q: I need to save my work onto the student Z drive. Why can’t I access this resource from my device? A: Within CHCA buildings and extending only a few feet outside the building, the CHCA wireless network is designed to give you Internet access only. It is not the same as the network you would normally access from the school owned computer(s). You will not see the student Z drive from wireless access on your personal device, so you will need to save your work in your Live@edu account. You can access that account from anywhere you have connectivity – at home, school, and any “hot spots” in the community. Q. Can I print from my device using school printers? A: To print at school students must access their network account or cloud account from a school-owned computer and select the printer from the network and pay any associated fees if applicable. The Guest network access does not allow printing from individual devices. Q: I just can’t get my laptop to connect to the network. Can I get help from someone? A: It is not the responsibility of your teachers or other CHCA personnel to troubleshoot individual devices during the school day. Provided staff do have time, they may try troubleshooting. CHCA cannot promise solutions for problems arising from personal devices
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Q: What if my laptop or device is stolen or damaged. What recourse do I have? A: Students bring electronic communication devices to school at their own risk, just like any other personal item. CHCA is not responsible if an electronic device or other item is lost, stolen, or misplaced. Parents may wish to consider insurance against damage or theft. Q: I don’t have a personal device to bring to school. Will I be penalized or miss out on instruction? A: In the case of a pilot program designated course, CHCA will provide day loaners to students enrolled in the pilot program course. These “day loaners” will be signed out each morning by the students and every attempt will be made to issue the same numbered device to that student during the pilot period. At the end of the last period of the day, or sooner, the student will return the device to the charging cart, and sign out. Students will be held responsible for any damage to the loaned unit while in their care. In a pilot program, students can choose to bring a personal device which stays with them, of course. If a teacher chooses to engage students in learning that requires a device, a school owned device will be provided perhaps for a pair or three students. The teacher may reference resources for students to access outside of class to enhance understanding. Q: Am I required to use the CHCA wireless network? Can I use my own 3G/4G service? A: CHCA takes very seriously providing a safe internet experience to its students and the requirement to use only the CHCA wireless network while at school gives the school and the student , and parents reasonable assurance of protection on the internet. No filter is 100% effective at eliminating access to objectionable content, but the filtered internet access goes far in protecting students. Non-compliance with this requirement will be treated as a discipline issue. We suggest students and parents be familiar with the BYOT Guidelines and the CHCA Acceptable Use Policy Statement. Q: Are there any guidelines that must be followed when I’m using my device on the proper wireless network and during designated times at school? A: Yes. Behave within the BYOT Guidelines and the Acceptable Use Policy. Adherence to these Guidelines is essential to maintaining an academic environment and the integrity of the classroom and learning environment.
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Resource Links Standards for the 21st Century Learner American Association of School Librarians. Learning and Working in a Collaborative World by Elizabeth Hubbell, Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning McREL as printed in Principal Leadership NASSP. International Society for Technology in Education National Educational Technology Standards for Students. 21st Century Fluencies Critical thinking skills essential to living in our multimedia world. "Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World," draws upon a 4.5 million dollar research study of over 11,000 young people and examines how the net generation is changing the world and all of its institutions. Eisele-Dyrli, K. (2011, February). Mobile goes mainstream. Retrieved from District Administration: http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2704 Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Matt S. Kuhn, Elizabeth Hubbell, Howard Pitler, Kim Malenoski. ASCD press. The New One to One. From School CIO February 2011.
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