Case Study: Technology-Driven Learning Environment for OESJ Central School District
When new Superintendent David Halloran walked into Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville (OESJ) nearly three years ago, his School Board’s first challenge was to build a technology infrastructure that would completely change the way their students learned and how their instructors taught. The goal was to implement a new and innovative educational environment that was technology-driven, collaborative, and where the students could engage in meaningful and authentic learning through research-based instructional practices. The objective was to prepare students to be self-motivated, lifelong learners with a solid technology foundation that positioned them to meet the challenges of life in the 21st century.
“We needed a new technology-based learning environment that would transform the way our students learned and our teachers taught.”
— David Halloran, District Superintendent
The IT Challenges: An Outdated and Disconnected Environment
The Oppenheim-Ephratah-St.Johnsville Central School District (OESJ CSD) started the 2013-2014 school year as a newly formed school district, created by the merger of two school districts in the Mohawk Valley of New York with a focus on school and community activities. The district had a vision of a new learning paradigm that would empower their students to use technology effectively. Achieving this vision with their current technical infrastructure, however, wasn’t possible. The school’s two campuses had a mix of disparate end-user devices—computers, laptops, iPads, smart boards—but no integrated environment to bring them all together.
The problem was compounded by internet connectivity issues and sporadic wireless access, creating limited or no continuous connection from one classroom to the next. Sitting on the Superintendent’s desk was an unfulfilled purchase requisition to buy MacBooks for all the students, but no plan for integrating them into the current environment or applying them to the learning process. It was clear that an upgrade to the infrastructure was required, but first, they had to determine where they stood and design an integrated structure to support the dramatic changes envisioned by the School Board.
IT in education poses different challenges compared to IT in the business world. In New York State, schools traditionally depend on the Regional Information Centers (RICs) for IT consulting services. At that time, the district was presented a “standardized” philosophy towards technology, rather than customizing the infrastructure to support the district’s mission and goals. Dave Halloran felt the new learning paradigm demanded a pioneering approach that would individualize their design, yet still allow them to use state funding and RICs where appropriate. IT Director, Bill Cooper, was brought on to provide business-world experience, determine their needs, and to deal directly with vendors. After a brief search, Bill brought in Computer Professionals International (cb20) as the district’s technology partner. “We had all the carts but no horse to pull them,” added Mr. Cooper.
The Solution: Comprehensive Managed IT Infrastructure
From the get-go, the cb20 team took a collaborative approach to the project, working together with the district to assess their current situation and develop a design and a plan. To support the district’s initiatives, the current technology plan and the MacBook purchase were put on hold and a new network and technology improvement plan was devised. The integrated structure would use state-of-the-art wireless connections to support a one-to-one program across all grades, with students and teachers each having their own devices.
The team settled on Chromebooks for all, which fit the technology structure better, were cost-effective, and suited the needs of both students and teachers. cb20 took the time to lay out a comprehensive blueprint for a district-wide network, including wiring, access points, and servers. With their broad experience in both school districts and business settings, cb20 made recommendations for preferred manufacturers and vowed to help the district make informed purchasing decisions that were both cost-conscious and technically competent solutions.
Adding to the project complexities was the aggressive timetable for completion. The work had to be done while school was out for the summer. The goal was to open the school year with the students, and their instructors, in a live environment. Not only did the infrastructure need to be in place and reliable, but teacher training needed to be ready to go. cb20 was there every step of the way, setting up pilot programs with Chromebooks for teachers, going back to school in September with the students, and standing at the ready to address any glitches or adjustments in the live environment.
The Outcome: Improved Graduation Rates and Student Engagement
The District’s vision of a new learning experience was grounded in the belief that schools can offer a more effective experience through well-planned and executed technology integration that entertains, educates and informs—all at the same time. OESJ CSD is experiencing this in real time with the successful implementation of its new technology platform. The students are more engaged than ever before and have become dynamic participants in learning rather than passive vessels. Through their Chromebooks, they have the collective knowledge of the world at their fingertips. They have become active learners, innovators, and collaborators who can work in isolation but come together in project-based initiatives. As a student collective, they research together, educate each other, and are discovering that they can compete globally with the best students across the country.
As a result, the District has realized a 20% improvement in their graduation rate (from 58% to over 80% in the 2 years since implementation), growth in ELA and math scores, and a notable decline in discipline reports. Attendance has improved, as has Regents performance.
The impact of the new technology platform is being felt beyond the student population. The District’s teachers, through their Chromebooks, are now able to monitor student performance daily. With the data available to them, they quickly pinpoint holes, lagging students, and commonly misunderstood concepts and themes. The flow of information has become a game changer for the District, informing teacher instruction, and allowing them to respond immediately to situations that, before, would have taken weeks or months to become apparent. Technology now acts as a guide for the delivery of instruction and to improve communication with all students regardless of location.
The OESJ CSD takes great pride in providing the best education available to their students. Partnering with cb20 to implement their vision of a new learning environment has enabled the District to prepare their students to be self-motivated and engaged learners and ethical users of today’s technology.
“cb20’s focus on customer satisfaction speaks volumes about the integrity of the people in their organization. They truly became a partner, participating in school sponsored events on their own time and even offering a scholarship. With the true commitment they demonstrated, they were invaluable in translating our vision into reality.”
— David Halloran, District Superintendent
About cb20
cb20 is a technology solutions provider of choice for organizations that value IT and Managed Services expertise and category-leading customer service. We partner with the world’s leading hardware and software companies to deliver end-to-end consulting, implementation and managed services across the U.S. With world-class engineering talent and 30+ years of experience cb20 delivers confidence, security, a true sense of control and the highest-quality, end-to-end customer experience in the business.