Instructional Networking Service with Shared Learning Objectives
(COSER 516)

General Description

This comprehensive curriculum-sharing service provides the basis for a school district's eligibility for state aid on instructional technology programs.  Internet connections are used to share curriculum projects, reporting and integrated technology resources designed to improve classroom instruction.  Service provides exploration, development and presentation of new curriculum projects each year..

Sample software and use of this service includes: 

- ClarisWorks
- CompassLearning
- NCS LEARN
- Internet
- Lightspan
- Mac Pac

Service Delivery Standards

Hardware used in this service is IBM, Hewlett Packard, Macintosh or local area networks as per configuration standards of the NERIC using ethernet or token ring topologies. A school owned voice telephone connection is required for dial-up access to the NERIC or a dedicated telecommunications connection can be used. This is for sharing information, downloading data, help desk, and curriculum support. Dial up circuits may need to bypass the school switchboard. Appropriate hardware, software, and telecommunications must be in place to access the Internet.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

This service is available to all school districts in the service area. Internet and training services are prerequisite services.  Districts are required to prepare and evaluate information in support of the Shared Learning Objectives each year as per the criteria set by the participants.

Initial Implementation

1. The District selects a standard hardware configuration.
   
2. The NERIC will assist an installing dealer in providing the district with a detailed cost proposal for hardware, software, and telecommunications after consulting with the district to assess needs.
   
3. The district requests networking service from the NERIC in a commitment letter submitted to the school's local BOCES with a copy to the director of the NERIC.
   
4. The NERIC provides complete coordination for the ordering and installation of equipment.
   
5. A telephone circuit (dial up or dedicated) is established between the school and the NERIC. Dial-up phone lines are district-owned and non-aided.
   
6. SYSOP training is provided to two individuals designated to take responsibility for the troubleshooting and in-house functions necessary for maintaining the network.
   
7. Following configuration, installation, testing of the network and the establishment of the telecommunications link between the district and the NERIC, staff and teachers are given five days of training in support of the shared learning objectives. This training is from the Instructional Support Unit at the NERIC.

Ongoing Support

After initial implementation, the following services will be provided on an ongoing basis by the NERIC.

1. Yearly meetings will be held to review shared curriculum objectives, generate a report as per materials provided by the districts, and share curriculum strategies via the Internet.
   
2. Training - In ongoing years three days of training will be provided to the school district in support of the shared learning objectives by NERIC staff.
   
3. SYSOP training will be provided as needed at no additional charge.
   
4. Equipment servicing - The NERIC will maintain the NERIC owned Intel hardware. This maintenance includes parts and labor. Equipment relocation, equipment upgrade, or relocation which requires a data circuit to be moved may incur additional charges. (Laptop maintenance is NOT included. Macintosh maintenance is not available.)  
   
5. Technical Support - A support technician will be available via telephone from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for troubleshooting problems. NERIC coordinator will assist district with management of the system with on-site technical support as needed.
   
6. Additional On-site assistance - As an option the district may purchase the services of an Instructional Support coordinator to assist district service personnel and teachers in the use of technology in an on-going basis.

NERIC Standard Software

NERIC staff is prepared to train on, purchase and technically support the following software. Other software can be loaded on the network but must be purchased and supported by the district. Training may be available.

C Term
Clarisworks 2.x, 3.x, 4.0
SuccessMaker
DOS
Express Publisher
Excelsior Grade 2
FTTerm
Hypercard
Hyperstudio
ICLAS
Internet, Netscape
CompassLearning
Linkway
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Works 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 Microsoft Works for Windows
ProComm Plus
Quiz Maker
School Vista
System 7 (Mac)
Teaching and Learning with Computers (TLC)
Webwacker
Windows 3.1
Windows 95
Zterm

Hardware and software costs are based on current bids, the number of terminals, and the kind of terminals used. The NERIC can provide an approximate cost for hardware and software which is identified as NERIC standards. An estimate will be generated for the district which includes all of the required elements of the service.

* NOTE - Non-standard software must be purchased by the district directly. NERIC technical staff will load and test these packages to the first screen. Additional support and training should come directly from the vendor.

Concessions

If state aid is being used the NERIC maintains ownership of the software and hardware purchased in conjunction with this service. Districts will need to provide information to the NERIC electronically each year and will need to assist in the preparation and evaluation of the data for this purpose.

NCS Learn

Computer Curriculum Corporation’s premier product, SuccessMaker software, includes more than 30 curriculum-based courses offering 3,000 hours of interactive learning in reading, language arts, math, and science, and life-skills development (see attached for course titles). By using state-of-the-art multimedia features, such as colorful graphics, video, animation and digital sound, SuccessMaker addresses the needs of today’s student. Only SuccessMaker automatically monitors each student’s progress with each keystroke. By analyzing individual student data, SuccessMaker automatically adjusts the lesson to the student’s learning ability. The result is that fast learners continue to stay challenged and slower learners are not discouraged.

SuccessMaker offers a balanced, flexible curriculum that unifies support for essential learning strategies with innovative environments for open-ended learning. And this unique combination comes with a set of powerful but easy-to-use tools that let educators manage their options.

Foundations: Broad, flexible programs designed for learning fundamental strategies in math, reading, writing, and science.

ExploreWare: Rich multimedia-based courses that allow the application of fundamentals with guided, open-ended explorations to stimulate higher-order thinking skills and reasoning strategies.

Management System: A single, built-in management system for managing your classroom, assessing performance, managing online portfolios, and generating detailed reports.

SuccessMaker benefits for Educators

• Automated planning system to customize instruction, so more time is spent teaching
• Varied assessment tools to measure student, group, and class progress in all learning areas
• Automated reports to keep parents and administrators up to date
• Reliable forecasting of the time each student needs to reach selected learning goals
• Courses based on district, state, and national standards

SuccessMaker benefits for Students

• Challenging, engaging multimedia learning environment
• Self-paced learning so students of all abilities achieve success
• Critical-thinking skills development through real-world applications
• Interdisciplinary instruction to enable students to make connections to the real world

CompassLearning

A+dvantage Management System

A+dvantage, CompassLearning Learning’s cross-platform instructional management system, allows educators to maximize their resources by integrating Mac, DOS, and Windows computers on a single network. A+dvantage provides individualized assignments, reports, assessment, and third-party integration.

Compass Curriculum Manager

Program Features

• Comprehensive, cost-effective instructional management
• Instruction suited to meet students’ needs
• Teacher access to assignments or students’ scores from any Macintosh or Windows station
• Ability for teachers to quickly and easily create cross-curricular or thematic lessons
• A variety of reporting options available
• Third-party curriculum integration

Tomorrow’s Promise is the newest comprehensive, multimedia curriculum from CompassLearning Learning. Offering comprehensive instruction and complete objective coverage in the core areas of reading, mathematics and language arts, Tomorrow’s Promise empowers children to explore and achieve their full learning potential. Tomorrow’s Promise offers what teachers want – solid instructional content and comprehensive curriculum. This is combined with what engages today’s students, interactivity and stimulating multimedia effects. Our newest programs captivate and maintain students’ attention, while motivating them to explore, experience and master the challenging subject matter.

Tomorrow’s Promise Reading curriculum instructional features:

• Presents reading and writing as interrelated skills and processes
• Meets guidelines recommended by National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE), the International Reading Association (IRA), and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
• Familiarizes students with a variety of genre from folk tales to mysteries
• Motivates students to read with engaging multimedia features
• Supports multiple instructional models, including thematic instruction
• Offers complete objective coverage at grades K-8 to five of the major standardized tests

Tomorrow’s Promise Mathematics curriculum instructional features:

• Meets National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) and National Research Council guidelines
• Supports multiple instructional models
• Utilizes an on-line calculator, ruler, or protractor, and a glossary of mathematical terms to enhance the learning process
• Offers rich interdisciplinary content
• Each lesson has on-line assessment
• Offers complete objective coverage at grades K-8 to five of the major standardized tests

Tomorrow’s Promise Language Arts curriculum instructional features:

• Offers interactive multimedia instruction in the critical skill areas of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
• Develops higher-order thinking skills through extension activities
• Correlates with local, state, and national objectives
• Supports multiple instructional models, including thematic instruction
• Connects language arts instruction with content from other subjects
• Offers complete objective coverage at grades 3-8 to five of the major standardized tests

Current NCS LEARN School Sites

Current CompassLearning Labs 

NCS LEARN Resource Links

http://www.ccclearn.com (includes Y2K info)
http://www.cccnet.com

CompassLearning  Resource Links

http://www.compasslearning.com/ (includes Y2K info)

NCS LEARN FAQs

CompassLearning  FAQs

Preview the latest software from CompassLearning and NCS LEARN.
Contact Kathleen Fuller for details kfuller@gw.neric.org or 518/456-9280 or 518/456-9245

Network? Stand alone? Peer to peer? What’s right for my school district?
Let Lisa Squadere assist you with your technology needs.
Contact her at lsquader@gw.neric.org or 518/456-9286.

Problems? Contact NERIC’s Help Desk first at 518-456-9099 or email helpdesk@gw.neric.org

After calling the Help Desk at NERIC, CCC Basic Support and Software Support Plus customers may call the CCC Technical support at 1-800-227-8224. Make sure you have your site number available to give to the CCC support representative. CCC’s web site http://www.ccclearn.com may also be of assistance to you.

After calling the Help Desk at NERIC, CompassLearning customers may call CompassLearning product support at 1-800-678-1412. Make sure you have your lab number available to give to the CompassLearning support representative. CompassLearning’ web site http://www.compasslearning.com may also be of assistance to you.

Any Questions? Call Kathleen Fuller at 518/456-9280 or email kfuller@gw.neric.org