Learning Technology Plan – Parent Guide

Learning Technology Plan

Parent Guide Partnering with students and parents for digital excellence.

svvsd.org/techplan

Superintendent’s Message

Dear Parents and Guardians:

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I am excited to provide you with an update about St. Vrain’s Learning Technology Plan. With tremendous backing from our community and the passage of the 2012 mill levy override, we are equipping all our schools with state-of-the-art technology.

CIO Message PAGE 3

Tips for Success PAGE 4

Learning and Support PAGE 6

Don Haddad, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Over the past two years, nearly 6,500 middle school students were equipped with iPad minis, 6,200 parents participated in tablet orientations, and 500 teachers were trained and equipped with these highly versatile learning devices. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

With the new 1:1 student-to-device ratio for secondary students and powerful upgrades to our district’s digital infrastructure, we are taking student learning to a new level. I invite you to read the details of our plan online at svvsd.org/techplan.

We look forward to partnering with you as we expand the Learning Technology Plan to our high school students over the next two years. Your support and feedback during this exciting initiative will be an important factor in your student’s continued academic success.

SVVSD.ORG

Sincerely,

STVRA.IN/LINKEDIN @SVVSD

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Don Haddad, Ed.D. haddad_don@svvsd.org @SVVSDSupt

“World class technology, combined with advanced critical thinking skills, is positioning St. Vrain students to lead America’s next generation of global innovators.”

- Joe McBreen, CIO

ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVED AN iPAD MINI IN THE FALL OF 2014.

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Tips for success Student iPads are an opportunity for the entire family to participate in digital learning experiences. Together, families can proactively address pressing parenting topics such as how to have a healthy relationship with technology and positive social media usage.

Two resources that can help set expectations are the Family Media Agreement (stvra.in/mediaagreement) and the customizable Family Technology Agreement (stvra.in/technologyagreement) from Common Sense Media.

Monitor Usage

It is important to outline when, where, why and how children access their iPad. Set up a charging station in a common area of the home or in the parent or guardian’s bedroom to monitor nighttime limits.

• Know student passcode and passwords • Limit screen time for entertainment • Discuss appropriate use of social media and review their iPad regularly

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Limit Screen Time

Just as the district has set restrictions at school, parents and guardians are encouraged to set content limitations at home. Set nighttime rules such as a standard time for the iPad to be put away each night.

Turning parental restrictions on will help restrict specific programs and apps that parents and guardians would like to limit further.

Be Involved

“The district provided iPad has provided me opportunities to engage my child in conversations about shaping her digital footprint and to prepare her for success in managing her digital life.�

Parents and guardians should: Teach students to be responsible technology users and show that parental interests go beyond restricting activities.

- Janette Haines

Parent

Have frequent conversations with students about iPad use during classroom learning, and fun new apps they are discovering.

Take time to research new apps that students may be interested in or that will support a class project.

Restriction tips: stvra.in/ipadsettings

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Learning and support Learn the Technology

Parents and guardians are encouraged to take the time to learn more about how the iPad is supporting student learning. The best way to do so is to explore student iPads and browse through the iPad’s resources and apps.

Ask students which apps are used for learning and which apps are for personal use. Ask students about their favorite education app and how it is used for learning.

Here are additional ways families can explore the iPad together.

• Check out St. Vrain’s digital library at stvra.in/digitallibrary • Visit stvra.in/ltpfamily for more family apps • Work together to create a movie or photo gallery of a favorite family moment

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Look for this helpful app on student devices.

Camp iPad for Parents

Topics include basic iPad use, managing devices at home, appropriate use of technology, social media and more. Parents have the opportunity to communicate with instructional technology professionals, educators and other parents.

For more information on Camp iPad and additional learning opportunities, visit tech.svvsd.org/family.

Additional Parent Resources

Common Sense Media: Parent Concerns commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns Tips from Parents and Experts commonsensemedia.org/video/advice Learning Technology Plan Newsletter stvra.in/ltpnewsletter

iPads in class: stvra.in/ltpspotlight

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St. Vrain Valley Public School RE 1J

395 S. Pratt Parkway, Longmont, CO 80501

The use of mobile devices in support of student learning can be powerful.

By providing increased access to tablets and other technology resources, teachers and students have the opportunity to participate in rich learning experiences that can expand beyond the classroom walls.

Through the Learning Technology Plan, students and teachers have the tools they need to investigate, communicate, collaborate, create, model and explore concepts and content in authentic contexts.

svvsd.org/techplan