Situated adjacent to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest high-tech corridor, Kent School District (KSD), the fourth largest district in Washington State with 27,000 students, is a blend of urban diversity and suburban living. Guided by the mission to successfully prepare all students for their future, KSD has long been a nationally recognized leader in implementing cutting-edge technology solutions. Most recently, KSD ranked second in the nation among large school districts on the Digital School Boards Survey, a competition conducted jointly by the Center for Digital Education and NSBA. The KSD tradition of collaboration between Information Technology and Instructional Services has resulted in a technology-enriched curriculum and classroom environment.

You will spend time in classrooms viewing programs that include one-to-one computing (now in its third year of implementation), interactive white board and multimedia presentation solutions, video creation, and video conferencing. Programs highlighting technology-enhanced non-traditional education options and technology career preparation will also be shared. After watching technology-integrated programs in action, participants will have opportunities to talk with the students and their teachers, focusing on both the process and the results.

Examples of technology integration during school tours include selections from the following:

  • Anytime, Anywhere Learning (one-to-one computing)
  • Interactive Whiteboards / Media Carts
  • Graduation and Beyond Planning
  • Electronic Portfolios
  • Simplified Teacher Web Pages
  • Technology-Driven CTE Programs
  • Video Essays
  • Video Conferencing
  • Math Manipulatives

Additional break-out sessions will review districtwide programs that:

  • involve students in leadership roles as IT interns and
  • school-based technology volunteers
  • provide surplus computers to families in need
  • use web-based communication and collaboration tools
  • electronically disseminate instructional materials, and
  • manage major construction projects online

Participants will also learn about Kent’s deployments that formed the basis for Cisco’s K-12 wireless networking model, pioneered SSL VPN technology for opening from-home access to school-based systems for students and staff, and broke ground for authentication-based application deployment using SoftGrid technologies.

There will be tried and true concepts for all school professionals, from classroom teachers to IT managers and school board members, to take back as models for effective technology implementation in their districts.

Monday, March 24

6:00 - 8:00 pm
Registration and Welcome Reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel

Tuesday, March 25

7:00 - 7:30 am
Registration and Breakfast at the Embassy Suites Hotel

7:45 am
Buses depart for Kent-Meridian High School Auditorium

8:30 am
Opening Session and Visit Overview

9:45 am
School Tours (select one)

High School Technology Academy - Anytime, Anywhere Learning (1-1 computing)

Middle School Technology Academy - Anytime, Anywhere Learning (1-1 computing)

Elementary School Technology Integration

11:30 am
Lunch - Prepared and served by high school culinary arts students

1:00 pm
School Tours (select one)

Middle School Technology Integration

Elementary School Technology Integration

Technology Integration within a Non-traditional Learning Environment (high school)

3:00 pm
Break-out Sessions at Kent-Meridian High School (choose two 30-minute background sessions)

  • Student Leadership
  • Interactive Whiteboard Strategies
  • Data Mining
  • Instructional Services / Information Technology Collaboration
  • Other topics tbd

4:15 pm
Buses depart for hotel

5:30 pm
Buses depart for Dinner at the Museum of Flight

Wednesday, March 26

7:30 - 8:15 am
Breakfast at the Embassy Suites Hotel

8:30 am
Board buses for extended tour of your choice

9:00 am
School Tours (select one)

Anytime, Anywhere Learning (1-to-1 computing)

High School Technology Integration

Elementary and Middle School Technology Integration

12:00 pm
Lunch at Meridian Valley Country Club
Job alike tables for networking with your colleagues from across the nation; opportunity to meet vendors whose products you have seen in action

2:00 pm
Break-out Sessions and Closing Event at District Administration Campus (choose two “How do they do that?” sessions)

  • Customer Support Strategies
  • Electronic agenda and tools for boards
  • Data Center
  • Collaboration Tools
  • Online Solutions for District Services
  • Other topics tbd

3:45 pm
Buses depart for hotel and airport

*Participants will be asked to select School Tour preferences before coming to the site visit.

Cable in the Classroom