Action Plan
Our goal is to limit paper use in school. We are going to do this by slowly integrating iPads into the school. The objective of slowly integrating iPads is to get teachers used to teaching with them before that's all they have to teach with. The first year, every subject (math, science, etc.) gets one class set. The set will rotate through the classes of that subject. Each class will get the iPads once or twice a week. The teachers will be able to find apps and online textbooks that will enhance their students' learning experience. The second year the district will buy enough iPads so every classroom can use the iPads every other day. Now, the teachers will be becoming less dependent on the textbooks and more on the iPads. Finally, on the third year all students and teachers in the school will have a personal iPad. This plan can vary depending on how quickly the teachers learn how to use the iPads to their full potential.
When the iPads are inserted into the school, we will also add a new elective for high schoolers called Apple Genius 101. In this class students will learn how to operate iPads more thoroughly. In addition they will learn how to fix common errors on iPads. The students who take this class will help teach other students about the software and they will fix broken iPads. This will eliminate the need for technicians for the school while letting students express their interest in technology.
This plan will need support from the Board of Education, Mr. Bolton (principal), and Dr. Dolan (superintendent). We already have Mr. Bolton's support. Next we will need to win over Dr. Dolan. While it will be very simple to explain the educational benefits, it might be hard to convince him that we will actually save money with this plan. Although the initial budget is large, in the long run it will be cheaper than text books. We will gain Dr. Dolan’s support by showing him estimates for prices, research from professionals, and successful models from other schools. Once we have Dr. Dolan’s support she will be able to convince the rest of the Board of Education to support our plan.
There are many individuals and groups that will support our plan and possibly help provide funding. Firstly, the teachers of EIS. The majority (81%) of instructors at Edison agrees and fully support our plan to integrate iPads into the school.Librarian/media specialist, Andrew Cusumano, stated, “I feel that more technology around the school sill only help our school advance learning and will provide everyone, teachers, administration, staff, with continuous access to information and data that can ultimately help us improve our school.” We have also contacted Brian Auker, the Chief Technology Officer of Westfield Public Schools. He states in an email conversation, “I support any idea to reduce paper usage since it is good for the environment”. Another group that supports us is the Louis Berger Group. They are an environmental group that is working to make earth a more habitual environment by cutting back on pollution. Another group that will support our plan is the parents in Westfield. We will get the word out with posters downtown, commercials on the Westfield Channel, and a town meeting with everyone welcome. Then we can have fundraisers to provide funding for the iPads.
When the iPads are inserted into the school, we will also add a new elective for high schoolers called Apple Genius 101. In this class students will learn how to operate iPads more thoroughly. In addition they will learn how to fix common errors on iPads. The students who take this class will help teach other students about the software and they will fix broken iPads. This will eliminate the need for technicians for the school while letting students express their interest in technology.
This plan will need support from the Board of Education, Mr. Bolton (principal), and Dr. Dolan (superintendent). We already have Mr. Bolton's support. Next we will need to win over Dr. Dolan. While it will be very simple to explain the educational benefits, it might be hard to convince him that we will actually save money with this plan. Although the initial budget is large, in the long run it will be cheaper than text books. We will gain Dr. Dolan’s support by showing him estimates for prices, research from professionals, and successful models from other schools. Once we have Dr. Dolan’s support she will be able to convince the rest of the Board of Education to support our plan.
There are many individuals and groups that will support our plan and possibly help provide funding. Firstly, the teachers of EIS. The majority (81%) of instructors at Edison agrees and fully support our plan to integrate iPads into the school.Librarian/media specialist, Andrew Cusumano, stated, “I feel that more technology around the school sill only help our school advance learning and will provide everyone, teachers, administration, staff, with continuous access to information and data that can ultimately help us improve our school.” We have also contacted Brian Auker, the Chief Technology Officer of Westfield Public Schools. He states in an email conversation, “I support any idea to reduce paper usage since it is good for the environment”. Another group that supports us is the Louis Berger Group. They are an environmental group that is working to make earth a more habitual environment by cutting back on pollution. Another group that will support our plan is the parents in Westfield. We will get the word out with posters downtown, commercials on the Westfield Channel, and a town meeting with everyone welcome. Then we can have fundraisers to provide funding for the iPads.