Timeline Before and After the Great Paradigm Shift

 the case, it began with a simple memo.  The memo let  Kathy Showman know that  in the next few months the entire network  with all its component parts would metamorphose.  All computers at West Friendship  (and soon throughout the county) would make the transition to OSX Tiger, the latest operating system from Apple.  Any computer that was too archaic to withstand this change, would meet a quick, untimely end and be replaced by a newer computer. The mobile lab consisting of 15 iBooks would also be replaced with new operating systems.    All children would get their own login id.  They would then be able to access their own unique desktop anywhere in the building.  Every teacher would get his or her own computer, either iBook or desktop. All previous programs except the Office package (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and a few other programs (Inspiration, Kidspiration, Type to Learn) would be nixed. The emphasis for software instruction would focus on using the tools of Office to meet curriculum needs.  
     How did this affect our portfolio plan?   It pretty much demolished it.   The objective was still intact, but the process was totally disrupted.  We had planned to have a Technology Night in the spring.  The students would create something in their studies to showcase using the technology in the building.  We would then invite parents and families to view and celebrate the creations.  This would have been a challenging enterprise, but it would have been doable.  With the help of the Media Specialist, the GT teachers, and a few more tech-savy staff members, it would have been a successful venture. 
     After the Great Shift, it was not feasible.  Teachers, instructional assistants, everyone had too much on their plates. They had to learn a new operating system, work out the kinks in a new network, and help their students make a successful transition to OSX.  We couldn't also require a Technology Night.  Instead we realized we had to help the teachers become comfortable and successful with the new operating system and the new computers. 
     So as you view the timeline below, please note that although the overall objective of technology integration did not change, the process did.  We began working with various teachers on saving their old files on CDs, learning how to adjust to OS Tiger, and working on a host of networking challenges (and headaches).   We also had the additional task of helping staff members make the adjustment to electronic report cards and interims.  The staff had enough learning to do this year without having to worry about a Technology Night.  

Technology Timeline for the 2005-06 School Year

Date	Event
9/14/05	Tech Survey designed to assess staff needs
9/18/05	Survey emailed to WFES staff
10/05/05	Survey results printed and evaluated. Plan made for November 4, 2005 In-service.
11/04/05	Staff In-service
11/04-11/07	Samples of staff compliments and suggestions evaluated
11/15/05	In-service feedback on Test Pilot created.
11/28/05	Staff feedback due
11/22/05	County-wide replacement plan appears in eCurrent. Bits of rumor circulating.
12/08/05	Elsa's letter to Lisa about Technology Day and a brainstorming session concerning integration of technology.
12/22/05	Memo of replacement plan placed in principals' mailboxes. Kathy is made point of contact at West Friendship for the Great Transition.  Kathy shares the news with her Portfolio cohorts.
1/24/06	Kathy and Lisa meet with OEMT regarding preparations for the replacement plan.
2/06/06	Kathy, Tom, and Elsa help staff burn cds of their old files before the transition occurs.
2/6-2/8/06	All desktops in classrooms are sent to computer lab to be decommissioned or upgraded.
2/09/06	Computers disassembled and ready for pickup.
2/10/06	Computers picked up.
2/17/06	New laptops unpacked, labled,  and inventoried. Kathy works with OMET with set ups. Update of CID file.
2/21/06	In-service for staff (both laptops and desktops) See email from Lisa for schedule.