Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, & Students Statewide 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Distance Learning is an educational process in which most of the instruction occurs when the student and instructor are not in the same place. Instruction may be delivered and received at the same time (synchronous) or at different times (asynchronous). Distance learning may employ printed materials, audio, video or computer technologies.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

“Distance Learning is not a future possibility, it is a current reality.” (American Association of University Professors – AAUP)

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Mission

To provide an infrastructure that delivers quality learning opportunities for all citizens

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Goal

To provide additional educational offerings for all Alabama public high school students

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Governor’s Task Force on Distance Learning 5/1/2020 Dr. Susan Aldridge Troy University Margaret Blake Mobile Co Public Schools Dr. Jack Hawkins Troy University David Ivey AL Supercomputer Authority Tommy Whitten Madison County Schools Lisa A. Woodard AL Supercomputer Authority John Cannon Michele J. Korf Robert Youngblood Governor’s Task Force on Distance Learning Sallie Chastain Dr. Robert E. Lockwood *Donna Fuller Talladega County Schools AL Dept of Postsecondary Edu.

ALSDE Dr. Anita B. Commander ALSDE Dr. Carol Doucet Montgomery Co Schools Dr. Debbie Fortune ALSDE Randy Fulmer AL Supercomputer Authority Dr. Melinda Maddox ALSDE Dr. Charles Nash The University of Alabama System Craig Pouncey ALSDE Bill Thomas SREB *Tiffany Davis AL Supercomputer Authority *Denise Oliver ALSDE *Don Marchant ALSDE *Jerome Browning ALSDE *Additional Support Provided by ALSDE Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Problem

• Many rural and low-income schools have limited course offerings for students. o Some schools cannot offer the Advanced Diploma, which is required by state law o Alabama ranks 14 out of 16 Southern states in AP offerings o Many schools cannot offer courses such as physics, calculus, or trigonometry o Many other course needs 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Objectives

• Provide access to advanced diploma courses • Provide access to additional course offerings • Provide access to advanced placement or dual enrollment courses • Provide access to remediation and supplemental resources • Leverage existing resources and distance learning offerings • Provide teachers with additional multimedia and technology tools to enhance instruction 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Modes of Delivery

Web-based Videoconferencing

• Website Portal • Multimedia content • Site Visits • Electronic office hours • Real Time (two-way audio / two-way video) • Streaming • Site Visits • Electronic office hours 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Operational Plan

1. Create Distance Learning via Internet 2. Optimize Videoconference Instruction 3. Pilot 12 Videoconference/Internet Labs 4. Ensure Plan is Scalable

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Distance Learning via Internet

 All Alabama high schools have access to the internet. This existing connectivity allows for the creation of an online distance learning program that gives students access to nearly any course they may need over the internet.

 Total students served is expected to grow in future years relative to available funding.

 Teachers will have access to all online supplementary materials such as lessons, assignments, informative content, and multimedia resources .

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Optimize Existing Videoconference Infrastructure

• Currently, over 40 school systems in Alabama have schools with videoconference equipment. • For a variety of reasons, many are not using this technology.

• Replace outdated equipment and link existing videoconference technology.

• Give appropriate training and support for all schools to utilize the technology. 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Pilot 12 Videoconference/ Internet Labs

• Utilize cutting-edge technology that blends videoconferencing with internet delivery. • Using both methods of delivering instruction can maximize learning opportunities for the individual student. • These labs will be awarded to schools through an RFP process administered by the Department of Education.

• Schools will be prioritized according to need. 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Ensure Plan is Scalable

• The distance learning plan is designed to create the one stop location for distance learning in Alabama. • This model can grow to incorporate additional instruction, professional development, and workforce training for use by K-12, higher education, licensing and regulatory boards, and/or others.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Students Served

• Every public high school student in Alabama will have access. • At least 10,000 of a total 205,000 high school students can be served in Year 1 o At least 6,000 students can receive access to needed courses currently unavailable o At least 4,000 students can receive access to online graduation exam remediation courses 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Implementation Timeline

Pre – Implementation

November 04 – September 05 •Conduct a comprehensive student needs assessment to determine the extent of critical curricular needs.

•Evaluate data and refine plans for Phase I.

•Complete FCC E-Rate application and identify state matching funds.

•Determine preliminary course offerings for pilot schools.

•Distribute proposals (RFP) for Support Centers.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Implementation Timeline - Continued

Phase I

October 05 – September 06 Complete the course catalog of existing online advanced diploma courses with seven additional online courses.

Connect existing videoconference labs to the state network so that coursework and teachers can be shared statewide.

Expand and upgrade the state technology infrastructure.

Upgrade desktop technology in distance learning classrooms to support interactive assignments and multimedia.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Implementation Timeline - Continued Establish a program office and appropriate support to work with all stakeholders in implementing the recommended plan of action.

Establish 12 pilot sites for additional interactive videoconference labs using technologies that blend online and interactive videoconferencing (IVC).

Prepare Master Schedule.

Hold workshops for principals and guidance counselors.

Train teachers and facilitators.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Implementation Timeline - Continued On-going needs assessments and evaluation.

Evaluate Phase I and refine Phase II plans as needed.

Deliver courses to pilot schools (January 2006 – July 2007).

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Implementation Timeline - Continued

Phase II

August 06 – July 07 Provide access to Advanced Diploma option to any public school student in Alabama.

Provide access to AP classes to qualifying public school students in Alabama.

Expand elective course delivery.

Provide support.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Benefits

• Reaching underserved regions.

• Broader educational opportunity for students who are unable to attend traditional schools.

• Access to resources and instructors not locally available.

• Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), foreign languages, lab sciences, dual enrollment courses, advanced diploma courses, and more.

• Increases in student-teacher communications.

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Budget Narrative

• Local Schools & School Systems - $7,161,000 – Delivery of 6,000 student credits in any available course – Equipment for Asynchronous (web-based delivery) – Equipment for Synchronous (videoconferencing) – Infrastructure and Connectivity • Technology Infrastructure- $1,392,000 – Connectivity of existing video sites to a state network – Web Development 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Budget Narrative, continued • Online Courses - $787,000 – Develop additional courses – Upgrade existing core courses – Complete & deliver AHSGE remediation and practice exam for 4,000 students • Support Centers - $571,000 – Facilitate Distance Learning – Provide professional development and support – Helpdesk Support 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Budget Narrative, continued • ALSDE Distance Learning Coordination - $414,000 – Staff and Support (Management, Course Approval, Web portal/support, Professional Development Coordination and Material Development, Promotional Development) – Outreach and Promotional Materials – Outside Evaluator • Total FY 06 Budget…………………….

– Total Non-Recurring $4,130,000 – Total Recurring $6,195,000 $10,325,000 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Investment Break-down

4% 5% 8% 13% ALSDE DL Coordination Support Centers Online Courses Technology Infrastructure Local Schools & Systems 70%

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Recurring and Non-recurring Costs

40%

Recurring and Non-recurring Costs

60% Non recurring Recurring

5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama

Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, & Students Statewide 5/1/2020 Expanding Learning Opportunities through Technology in Alabama