Technology Initatives 2017-2018: Updated Apr 5, 2018
1. Internet Upgrade: DS3 45Mbps upgrade to 100Mbps scheduled for July 1st, 2017 was completed Sept 2017. Effective July 1, 2018, the fiber internet circuit will be upgraded to 300Mbps, fulfilling the FCC directed goal of 1Mbps per student in public schools (300 students = 300Mbps). The federal eRate program funds 70% of the upgrade and continuing cost of internet at the school.
2. Complete buildout of TV/Media Production classroom. Completed, with some tech issues involving the MimoLive application. Parts received to extend the output signal down to the MDF where it will become one of four channels on the school's cable TV system (other three will be channels on the cable boxes).
3. Continue 1:1 Chromebook initiative and digital textbook transition. This will continue over the next several years. Each incoming 7th grade class is issued a current model Chromebook for school and homework use. A $20/student technology fee funds the purchase of repair and replacement Chromebooks. The primary repair is screen replacement due to crackage, or battery replacement.
4. Increase Professional Development to include monthly training supporting technologies used throughout the building, especially Infinite Campus, Google Classroom, Google Docs. Continues through online professional development, and attendance at local conferences. KnowBe4 has been contracted to provide online learning about safe web browsing, password security, anti-phishing and hacking campaigns, etc.
5. Hire a PT Information Technologist, to manage Infinite Campus, AIM, building inventory, NWEA Map database, Renaissance Learning database, CRDC bi-annual submission, web page, Facebook, TEAMS reporting, etc. Est. 20 hrs/week first year. A student was hired and completed over 100 hours of PT work assisting the Tech Director in technology initiatives around the school.
6. We're investigating the purcase of a mobile camera system to broadcast the football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling games, and other events held in the north gym, over the internet, via the NFHS program link. Those who can't attend the games in person can subscribe to the NFHS feed and watch all the games featuring their Cascade Badgers.
7. Raptor cam: We're working with Northwestern Energy to mount a camera above the Osprey bird nest that was installed last year when the nest was moved from atop one of the football stadium lights. The camera will be focused on the next and video accessible by the public, and for use in lessons here at school.
Summer Projects 2018:
Cable in the classroom: Charter/Spectrum will provide a new cable system amplifier and has helped us engineer a system that will provide 4 TV channels to our classroom TVs without the expense of purchasing/renting cable TV boxes for every TV in the building. An RF Modulator has been purchased to complete Phase 1 of the upgrade. Additional equipment planned for purchase from the 2018-19 tech budget will complete this project, allowing the same TV signals to be accessed by staff computers; helpful for those staff who don't have a TV in their office. The school's TV studio will be linked via this system, so morning announcements, special broadcasts, and emergency information can be distrubuted to the classrooms via the system.
