Spring Pilot Update #1

Date: April 13, 2014 Author: Carol Glanville
​It may seem that you haven’t heard much about the L2L program and that has left you wondering what’s going on? How are we preparing? When will things be happening? Well, let me assure you, the tech team along with our 1:1 advisory committee of parents, staff and admin who also connect us to students for testing and input, have all been hard at work putting together all the pieces needed to make implementation as successful and seamless as possible.
To that end, since January, we’ve been working on setting up a pilot to test the reality of full implementation. We had hoped to have devices rolled out by now, but quickly realized in the process that we’re piloting much more than devices in the classroom. We’ve also had to set up and test our mobile device management, content filter, re-direct network traffic for optimum interaction between student / staff devices, tweak policy and procedure that pushed us to re-evaluate all Diocesan computer policies from staff to volunteers in all areas, establish a new HelpDesk procedure and more!
To top things off, Apple redesigned the way they handle licensing and distribution of apps in an enterprise setting (which is simply an environment where you manage large numbers of devices — rather than individual). That change actually made our process MUCH more manageable and has given us some valuable tools for inventorying and tracking device usage that didn’t exist before. This came up just as we thought we were ready to go, so we decided to wait and run the pilot under the system we’ll actually be using come fall.
Long story short… we’re finally ready to get devices into the classroom! Between the two schools, 6 classrooms that represent a cross section of all curriculum areas (from music to math),grade levels (9-12 — some mixed) AP and regular, and staff with all levels of tech skills will be using iPads in a true 1:1 setting for the remainder of the year. Approximately 200 students are participating. Look for communications regarding your involvement. We’ll be sending updates and information via Infinite Campus, this Website and direct mailing for those directly involved.
We’re putting the final touches on everything this week (Apr 14) and, barring any unforeseen complications, plan to distribute devices the week of Apr 21.

---