Project Proposal

Selecting and Implementing a Mobile Device Last Revised: 05/25/2013

Selecting and Implementing a Mobile Device Project Proposal

Project Manager: Scott A. McKee, edudigitalteacher.com Sponsors: Merced County Office of Education (MCOE), Valley Community School Juvenile Hall (VCSJH) and Merced County Probation Department (MCPD) Prepared by: edudigitalteacher Revision History
Revision date Revised by Approved by Description of change

Project Goal
Edudigitalteachers goal is to select and implement a mobile device that can be used for teaching and learning in a digital learning environment at Valley Community School, Juvenile Hall Court School in Merced, CA.

Problem/Opportunity Definition
The resources typically used for teaching and learning at VCSJH are primarily traditional; textbooks, worksheets, and lectures using teacher-centric pedagogies. Todays learners tend to respond better to modern pedagogies using the integration of technology, technological tools, and learner-centric pedagogies; such as blended learning.

Proposed Solution
The selection and implementation of a mobile device will provide a gateway for the educational team at VCSJH to begin creating a learner-centric environment through the integration of technology and technological tools. A digital learning environment, with appropriate pedagogies, will provide the opportunity for learners to become creators and st producers in their learning, not just consumers while at the same time developing 21 century skills.

Project Selection & Ranking Criteria

Portfolio fit and interdependencies By selecting and implementing a mobile device and modernization of teaching and st learning practices, VCSJH will be able to address the needs of the 21 century learner and begin to develop a digital learning environment in a juvenile hall court school that can become a model for any court school, any student, and any teacher for any subject.

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Project Proposal

Selecting and Implementing a Mobile Device Last Revised: 05/25/2013

Project urgency The project urgency is moderate because the selection and implementation of a mobile device is targeted for completion before August 2014 (14 months). The launch of the pilot program is scheduled to begin for Science and Math classes at VCSJH for the 2014-2015 school year.

Cost/Benefit Analysis
Tangible Benefits Benefits - According to research conducted by SRI International and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (n.d.), Technology use allows many more students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher-led lessons. Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress. The research also found that, not only do teachers and students roles change in the learning process there are other substantial benefits to using technology which include; Increased motivation and self esteem Improved technology skills Accomplishment of more complex tasks More collaboration with peers Increased use of outside resources Improved design skills and more attention to the audience Value & Probability - Based on the research the value is in the potential to enhance learning, improve the level of engagement, increase on-task behavior and motivation, which in turn provides opportunity to increase the probability of success in learning for the student. Assumptions Driving Value - To this point with integrating technology into learning research supports the improvement in engagement and motivation of learners but has yet to show improvement in standardized test scores. According to Ritchell, M. (2011), schools are spending billions on technology, even as they cut budgets and lay off teachers, with little proof that this approach is improving basic learning . Yet st most 21 century educators remain optimistic that with time as standardized testing catches up with technology integration scores should improve, justifying the value of technology integration for most educators. Intangible Benefits Benefits Through increased peer collaboration in the course of learning, more positive relationships will be fostered. Through creation more opportunities for individual skills, talents, and gifts will be developed, explored, and shared. Through improved motivation and self-esteem the learner will have a greater likelihood to enjoy learning and the learning environment.

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Project Proposal

Selecting and Implementing a Mobile Device Last Revised: 05/25/2013

Value & Probability - The value and probability of the intangible benefits will only be able to be measured by the climate and chemistry of the learning environment after the launching of the project by each individual educator and learner based on their experiences. Assumptions Driving Value - According to the wiseGEEK website (2013), intangible benefits are any type of advantages or benefits that are derived from an investment but not of a nature that can be measured in terms of monetary profit or touch. The website goes on to say, since an intangible benefit is somewhat subjective in nature, the range and scope of these types of advantages will vary from one individual to another. Cost Categories Internal Labor hours External costs Equipment, hardware or software 20 mobile devices w/software 1 Mobile Lab Cart w/charger and Wi-Fi Professional Development $6500.00 / $325.00 each $2500.00 $1000.00 $10,000.00 Amount 200 hours (volunteer, no cost)

Total Project Cost

Requirements
1. Create and deliver a mobile device lab that can be used to create a digital learning environment for up to 20 learners per class. 2. Modernization of resources and pedagogies, through the integration of technology and technological tools to create a learner-centric educational environment.

Scope
Edudigitalteacher will conduct a product review, selection process, purchase, provide professional development, and implementation of a mobile device for VCSJH. The project will also include the selection and purchase of a cart for the devices to create a mobile lab that can be used for teaching and learning at a cost of $10,000 or less. The pilot implementation will begin at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year and will be used by Scott McKee in his science and math classes. Major project activities 1. Mobile Device and Cart Needs Analysis and Product Reviews 2. Mobile Device Selection Process and Purchase 3. Cart Selection and Purchase 4. Professional Development in the use of the Mobile Device 5. Implementation of the Mobile Device

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Project Proposal

Selecting and Implementing a Mobile Device Last Revised: 05/25/2013

Out of scope activities that are critical to the success of the project 1. The design of the infrastructure, policies, security, and restrictions of the district and county probation concerning use of the mobile device in the digital learning environment because these aspects will be decided after mobile device selection by specific stakeholders; primarily the school district and county probation administration.

2. Acquisition of a grant to provide funding for the project. MCOE and MCPD are not able to provide assistance financially, but will provide support regarding infrastructure and policy to facilitate implementation of the project.

Major Obstacles
1. Funding through the acquisition of grants. Grant writing to begin in August 2013 during Module 1, while taking EDU697 Capstone Research Methods. 2. Site infrastructure and MCOE and MCPD computer and internet use policies and restrictions.

Schedule Overview
Estimated Project Completion Date: 8/30/14 Major Milestones - Deadline 1. Mobile Device and Cart Needs Analysis and Product Reviews 11/30/13 2. Mobile Device Selection Process and Purchase 2/28/14 3. Cart Selection and Purchase 2/28/14 4. Professional Development in the use of the Mobile Device 5/31/14 5. Implementation of the Mobile Device 7/31/14 External Milestones Affecting the Project 1. Acquire and Secure Funding 12/31/2013 2. Site Infrastructure - 3/31/14 3. MCOE and MCPD Computer and Internet Use Policies 5/31/14

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Project Proposal

Selecting and Implementing a Mobile Device Last Revised: 05/25/2013

References
Cox, D.M.T. (2009). Project management skills for instructional designers: A practical guide. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse. SRI International. (n.d.). Effects of technology on classrooms and students. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html. Ritchell, M. (2011). In classroom of future, stagnant scores. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questionson-value.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. wiseGEEK.com. (2013). What is an intangible benefit?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-intangible-benefit.htm. McKee, S. (2013). Google sites for education. Retrieved from http://edudigitalteacher.com/welcome/edu623-final-project-google-sites-for-education. Kimbley, W. (2013). Teach interactive website. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/willkimbley/. Musallam, R. (2013). Ramsey musallam, E.ed. website. Retrieved from http://www.ramseymusallam.com/. Musallam, R. (2013). Cycles of learning website. Retrieved from http://cyclesoflearning.com/. COURSEsites. (2013). Designing an exemplary course. Retrieved from https://www.coursesites.com/webapps/Bb-sites-course-creationBBLEARN/courseHomepage.htmlx?course_id=_230722_1.

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