Learning Empowered by Technology

B.C. leads the country on internet connectivity – 85% of British Columbians use the internet on a regular basis. BC’s Education Plan will encourage smart use of technology in schools, better preparing students to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Students will have more opportunity to develop the competencies needed to use current and emerging technologies effectively, both in school and in life. Educators will be given the supports needed to use technology to empower the learning process, and to connect with each other, parents, and communities. Schools will have increased Internet connectivity to support learners and educators.

Action Items
  • Learners, educators and families will have improved access to digital tools and resources that support both face-to-face and online learning.
  • The Province will promote the use of technology for both students and educators.
  • The Province’s new agreement with TELUS to provide all telecommunications services for government will allow for improved access to the Internet in B.C. schools
  • An improved provincial student information and reporting system will help teachers plan a more personalized learning experience with students and teachers.
Initiatives

Student Information System

Topic Description

Procure a new common student information service to replace BCeSIS.

Actions Being Taken

  • Conduct an engagement process which ensures that all stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute to the requirements for a new common student information service.
  • Develop the Request for Proposals (RFP) document.
  • Issue RFP to the list of pre-qualified respondents, select lead proponent, and award contract.

Progress to Date

A Core Evaluation Committee has been established to provide input into requirements, draft evaluation criteria, approve RFP documents and evaluate responses. They are being supported by a group of district Subject Matter Experts who will provide expert opinion during the vendor selection process.

The Ministry has undertaken further consultations with school districts and stakeholder groups to confirm the functional requirements and discuss plans for implementing the new common student information service. Updated requirements documents; were posted on the Education Plan website so that individual teachers, school/district staff, parents, students and the public could provide feedback. The deadline for comments was extended to December 5, 2012.

The RFP was sent to all pre-qualified respondents on December 7. Please note the new closing date is now February 21, 2013. The RFP has been posted on the Education Plan website for the information of interested stakeholders. The RFP has been provided solely for informational purposes and the Ministry is not soliciting feedback at this time. Neither input nor lobbying will be considered, and all subsequent information regarding this Request for Proposals, including changes made to the RFP will be sent to pre-qualified respondents and will not be posted on this website.

Last updated Feburary 14, 2013

Timeline

Distribute the RFP to qualified vendors in December 2012. Select a supplier to enter into contract finalization for the new common student information service by June 2013.

 

Digital Literacy Standards

Topic Description

Develop provincial standards that define the skills and knowledge students need to be considered “digitally literate” in today’s society.

Actions Being Taken

Development of Standards
A group of B.C. educational leaders have begun identifying digital literacy standards for our learners. These standards identify the knowledge and skills learners need to be successful in the 21st century. The group’s goal was also to identify how to better use technology as a teaching and learning tool.

Development of Digital Literacy Profiles
This group also began developing a general set of profiles describing technology literate students at key developmental points (K-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-9, and Grades 10-12). These profiles were based on the International Society for Technology in Education’s NETS standards, and then correlated to BC’s core competencies.

Coupled with the standards, the profiles provide a set of examples for how educators can help prepare students to be lifelong learners and contributing members of a global society.

Progress to Date

A draft version of the digital literacy standards and profiles has been posted at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/dist_learning/dig_lit_standards.htm.

The profiles will also include some sample learning activities as a way of bringing the standards to life. This is a starting point only, and we encourage educators to contribute additional examples as we expand this resource.

If you have suggestions on the standards or samples for the profiles, please share them with us at http://engage.bcedplan.ca/2012/10/developing-digital-literacy-standards.

Improved Access to Digital Tools

Topic Description

Work with districts and leverage the TELUS agreement to build a province wide digital resource for both students and teachers, in support of the personalized learning environment.

Actions Being Taken

  • Identify opportunities within the new TELUS agreement to develop and pilot projects that enable teachers and students to access high quality digital resources;
  • Continue to collaborate with districts to provide easy access to high quality student achievement information.

Progress to Date

The Ministry has established a virtual collaboration space and provided access to an online IT Community of Practice. This will help to promote information sharing and partnership-building across districts.

Last updated September 2012

Timeline

6 – 24 months * dependent on development of new K-12 education program

Robust IT Infrastructure

Topic Description

Provide the technical infrastructure necessary to support personalized learning in schools, enabling anytime and anywhere connectivity.

Actions Being Taken

  • Upgrade approximately 450 schools to high speed fibre-optics as part of the new TELUS agreement;
  • Establish a province-wide technology forum to support the new K-12 education program;
  • Work with districts to pilot the use of personal devices in classrooms; and
  • Identify and quantify opportunities to lower district costs for voice and data services through the new agreement with TELUS.

Progress to Date

The School District Infrastructure review was undertaken to provide a snapshot of the current state of technology infrastructure across the school districts, to understand district readiness to use technology in support of the BC Education Plan and determine where the common opportunities are; the information gathered would help identify areas for potential demand aggregation, increased joint efforts, or shared service opportunities across districts, regions or even the province.

  • Spring 2011: Initiated School District Infrastructure review, co-sponsored with BCASBO
  • Summer/Fall 2011: Analyzed results and provided feedback to districts.
  • Spring 2012: Identified and resourced six Proof of Concepts

The Ministry is also working with districts to determine if there are opportunities for School Districts to reduce their telecommunication costs as a result of the July 29, 2011 contract with TELUS.

  • Spring 2011: established a School District Telecommunication Advisory Committee

Only 217 sites remain of the approximate 450 schools receiving upgrades to high-speed fibre optics

Last updated September 2012

Timeline

School District Infrastructure review

  • Summer/Fall 2012: Initiate planning and implementation with School Districts participating in identified Proof of Concepts.