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PACE Pilot Program a Success
Three Guilford County Schools sites wrapped up a one-month pilot with the new Amplify Tablets that will be used when the Personalized Achievement, Curriculum and Environment (PACE) Project relaunches for the 2014-15 school year. Dr. Jake Henry, executive director of instructional technology, provided an update to the Board of Education on June 10.
Between May 5 and 30, students and teachers from Northern and Jamestown Middle and Penn-Griffin School of the Arts participated in a pilot of the new tablets. The pilot program included one team of four teachers and 100 to 120 students per school.
Students and teachers used a standard version of the new tablets, but will have customized tablets for the relaunch when the new school year starts.
Teachers completed a survey at the end of the pilot. Ninety-six percent said they were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the new tablets. In addition, teachers saw a variety of instructional uses in classes, internet and network connectivity met standards and there was better tablet durability.
Challenges teachers reported included issues with Amplify App, which was resolved and lag time with the Amplify tools, which is being investigated. At times the on-screen keyboard wasn’t working properly, but the keyboard driver will be different for the customized tablet, which should resolve the issue.
Students also completed a survey at the end of the pilot program. Eighty-six percent of students said the new tablet was stronger/sturdier than the first tablet, and 85 percent said the battery lasted all day.
In addition, 69 percent said it was easier to get assignments on the tablet, and 56 percent said it was easier to turn in assignments on the tablet.
Students also experienced some challenges. Fifty-nine percent said it was easy to carry and 45 percent said the keyboard responds well to touch. Sixty-four percent said school was more enjoyable with the tablet, and 86 percent said they liked or really liked using the tablet in class.
Middle school teachers will receive training with the customized tablet over the summer. District staff will use teacher feedback to make any adjustments needed before deploying the tablets to students in the fall.
Henry also provided information about a proposed tablet-replacement procedure, in case tablets are lost, stolen or damaged. The first time a student is in that situation, he or she will not be permitted to take their tablet home for a week and will need to complete an online course. The second time, a student will not be permitted to take their tablet home for a week and must pay $25. The third time, and subsequent times, the fee will be $50.
Schools may establish payment plans for families in need. In accordance with the GCS Code of Conduct, if a student intentionally damages or vandalizes a tablet, restitution, which could include the full cost of the tablet, could be an appropriate consequence. Students will be responsible for the full cost of replacement accessories, including earphones, chargers, cords and the stylus.
The PACE initiative is funded by a $35.2 million Race to the Top-District grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program launched in 18 middle schools in the 2013-14 school year with Amplify tablets manufactured by ASUS. GCS suspended the program in early October 2013 after concerns about the quality and safety of the tablets and related items.
The Guilford County Board of Education approved a new contract with Amplify on Thursday, March 27. The contract provides new tablets, designed in collaboration with Intel Education, for more than 19,200 students, teachers, administrators and parents and extends the partnership one additional year.
According to Amplify, the new tablet “features a durable industrial design that can withstand drops and spills; a break- and scratch-resistant screen made of Corning® Gorilla® Glass; an advanced Wi-Fi radio; and a tethered stylus.” The tablets also have better connectivity and improved processor speed.