Digital Literacy Q and A Part III

How will the district measure success?

Three years ago, the district created a community-based School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC). This committee generated four global school improvement goals for the district. One of these goals is all about measuring our progress on digital literacy. The goal has two parts: one part measures how deeply teachers are designing instruction with digital literacy in mind; the second part collects student achievement data from common digital literacy assessments given to all 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th graders. We believe that by looking at both teacher and student data, we can better understand how to deeply leverage this type of learning for all Prairie students. The data from both parts of this goal will be reported to SIAC annually.

Can students decline the district laptop and bring their own instead?

We are preparing our staff to create learning experiences that use the standard software and tools that will come with the MacBook Airs. Having students bring their own devices will not give us a uniform learning environment. This could create situations where some students have the required software and tools and others don't. So, we are asking that all parent who consent to their student using a laptop, to use the one issued by the district.

Will students become socially isolated if they have a school issued computer?

We strongly believe that learning is a social endeavor. Students will continue to do face to face work with and without technology. We value teaching and modeling positive social skills and work ethic for all students. We believe that laptops will enhance our ability to have students collaborate and socialize in a positive way.