New Fairfield Middle School

Ensuring every student has access to the instructional experiences, information, and resources needed for learning, life, and work in the 21^st century is a most challenging goal today.  It is one reason we are beginning the one-to-one computing innovation at the middle school for the 2012 calendar year. The purpose of this webpage is to provide some background as to why we are implementing a one-to-one program. The accompanying documents seek to respond to those questions that you may have regarding implementation. 

The National Education Technology Plan 2010 calls for enabling 24/7 and lifelong learning.  It reminds us that we need to use the technology that the professionals use, including wikis, blogs, and digital content for research, communication and collaboration as demanded in the workforce.  Using school and student-owned devices beginning in the sixth grade, we will start to address this need. 

One way to assist us in ensuring every student has access to technology at home and in the classroom, 24/7, is the BYOD model—bring your own device.  This model allows students to bring their own computer to class.  Our commitment to every learner is to purchase a computer for those students who will not have a device to bring to school. 

The state of Maine in 2002 provided laptops to middle school students and teachers.  In 2009 this program was expanded to include high schools.  The reasons for the innovation in Maine were to prepare students to “thrive in a world that doesn’t exist yet, to grapple with problems and construct new knowledge which is barely visible to us today.”  This is one of the reasons the new goal for the New Fairfield Public Schools was created:  To incorporate technology and use data to drive and personalize instruction, ensuring continuous improvement for all students.  Students will use higher order thinking skills to become information producers, rather than just information consumers.  A teacher’s role changes from delivering information to being a mentor and facilitator for students.  As a result students become more actively engaged as learners.

Data to support the innovation include the following from The Impact of Maine’s One-to-One Laptop Program on Middle School Teachers and Students (Maine Education Policy Research Institute, University of Southern Maine Office, February 2004):

•  In Maine “teachers and students alike have reported improvements in the quality of students’ work, the students learn more, and that students have increased their understanding of what they are learning. Students of all types are more motivated to learn, and more engaged in the learning process. And interaction about learning and content between teachers and students, and students with other students has increased substantially.”
• In addition, damage rates statewide have been very low, at 1 to 2%.
• Student survey responses indicated that 75% used their computer to “be better organized and that they are more likely to edit their work with laptops.  Almost 70% indicated they do more work with their laptops, and are more involved in school and with their classmates.”

We truly are very excited about the limitless possibilities this innovation will offer and are committed to every student being successful in the 21^st century global marketplace.

Brochure

Computing Innovation - 6th Grade Parent Follow-up - December 13, 2011

Parent Information Night Flyer - November 7, 2011

Jonathan Costa presentation on October 6, 2011

BOE presentation on October 6, 2011

Questions and Answers

Presentation 11.14.11

Participation Form

The Responsible Use Agreement and one of the two agreements below it must be signed and returned before participating in the computing innovation.  If your student is bringing a computer from home, complete and sign the Bring Your Own Device Agreement.  If your student is borrwing one, complete and sign the Computer Loan Agreement:

NEW Responsible Use Agreement

Bring Your Own Device Agreement

Computer Loan Agreement