Digital Learning Initiative
Welcome to the Buncombe County Schools Digital Learning Initiative. Our goal is that all students will graduate as high-achieving and globally competitive learners with 21st Century skills. Our implementation of student devices began with a 4th through 6th grade rollout of Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e laptops in January 2016 and continued with the 2nd phase for grades 7-9 in October 2016 and the 3rd phase for grades 10-12 in August of 2017. Phase IV will include iPads for K-2 and Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e for 3rd grade rolling out starting in August 2018. Implementing this plan (see timeline and brief overview below) ensures students will actively engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) across the curriculum, leading to a world-class global education.
The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e (3rd-12th)
The iPad 6th Generation 9.7" (K-2)
The Dell 3190 2-in-1 Selected For 4th-6th Refresh August 2019:
Dell 3190 2-in-1 Windows Touchscreen, Pentium N5000 Processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Dual facing camera ($400 + tax).
The 3190 2-in-1 as specified above will make a great student (and teacher) device.
Campus Technology Reader's Choice Gold Award Winner
(Note: We are not buying the optional pen and will continue to repair in house.)
*An Overview of the Initiative Timeline:
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- 2016/17-2018/19: 4th -12th grades received a Windows touchscreen device with a keyboard in three phases. K-2 will be 1:1 ratio with iPads (6th Generation 9.7" 32GB w/ Brenthaven Edge 360 Cases) and grade 3 will be one-to-one Windows touchscreen starting in August 2018. All 24,000+ students in Buncombe County Schools will be 1:1 by October 2018. All K-12 teachers have had 30+ hours of professional development with K-3 completing their BEST 1:1 cohort in March 2018. Life cycle refresh begins on 4th-6th devices in summer 2019.
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- -Curriculum coaches and Digital Learning Facilitators will provide ongoing, high quality professional development, incorporating digital learning strategies across the curriculum.
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-Dell and others will offer additional no-cost One-to-One Professional Development.
- -Through surveys, the Digital Learning Team will work with teachers and administrators to constantly evaluate and update the program.
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1:1 REFRESH PLAN/TIMELINE UPDATE:
Purchase Order for 5700 units for 4th-6th student device refresh issued July 15, 2019. Rollout in August/September.
All 4th-6th "Gen 2" Yoga 11e student devices sold to reseller in September/October 2019 for ~$250,000 (~$50/unit).
Funds from sale plus $150,000 from Capital used to purchase approximately 934 Dell 3190 2-in-1 devices for staff (Phase I).
PO for 5700 units for 7th-9th student device refresh issued July 5, 2020.
All 7th-9th "Gen 3" Yoga 11e student devices sold to reseller in September/October 2020 for ~$250,000.
Funds from sale plus $150,000 from Capital used to purchase approximately 934 Dell 3190 2-in-1 devices for staff (Phase II).
PO for 5700 units for 10th-12th student device refresh will be issued July 5, 2021.
All 10th-12th "Gen 4" Yoga 11e student devices sold in September/October 2021 for ~$250,000.
Funds from sale plus $150,000 from Capital used to purchase approximately 934 Dell 3190 2-in-1 devices for staff (Phase III).
This effectively adds four year staff device life cycle refresh to our digital learning timeline.
Thanks educators for everything you do to deliver the absolute BEST learning opportunities for students.
Buncombe County Schools remains committed to providing adequate resources to ensure the development of Information and Technology Essential Standards among our students and to prepare students for a diverse, global society. The Digital Learning Team will use ISTE Standards for Students to evaluate the skills and knowledge students need to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly global and digital world.
For more information please email Jennifer Hand, Digital Learning and Media Specialist