1. Transforming Teaching and
Learning through Educational
Telecommunication
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL REQUEST PROPOSAL
Contact: Brownsville Independent School District
Instructional Technology Department
Brownsville, Texas 78521
Phone: (56) 548-8000, Fax: (956) 548-8010
Email: aigonzalez@bisd.us,
Web Site: www.bisd.us
2. School Information
Simon Rivera High School
6955 FM 802
Brownsville, Texas 78521
http://www.bisd.us/rivera/
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission statement provided by Rivera High School, "Faculty, staff, students and community of
Simon Rivera High School are committed to the development of individuals to become academically
competent and self-reliant so that they can successfully pursue post-secondary education and/or training
opportunities to better themselves, their community, enabling them to become productive citizens with a
global and moral awareness that will impact their lives and increase their self-esteem to create a safe and
secure environment.”
DESCRIPTION & POPULATION
Simon Rivera High School first opened its doors in 1988 and is located at 6955 FM 802 on the northeast
side of the city. Rivera High School consists of a story building, housing approximately 2,132 students
that are enrolled from 9th-12th grade. Simon River High School is equipped with 112 classrooms and 8
computer labs. Population consist of ninety eight percent of the population is Hispanic and less than
one percent is White, African American, Native American and Asian. Simon Rivera High School
represents the offers student the ability to work on a career pathway. The campus represents the
Magnet School for Business offering a several business and technology courses.
Project Overview
CYBER-EDUCATIONAL LAB
Abstract
The following is a proposal for the addition and implementation of technology tools such as a new
computer lab or a “cyber-educational lab”, for the Simon Rivera High School. The new lab will assist
students and teachers in their academic endeavors as well as research, activities and web-based lessons.
In addition the computer lab will promote quality education by integrating technology for teacher and
student interaction. It is essential for Simon Rivera High school to provide with the highest quality and
up-to-date forms of educational tools for students and faculty. By providing extra-technology support,
Simon Rivera High School seeks to improve student academic achievement and success significantly.
The main purpose is to prepare alumni with the most effective and efficient 21st century skills and to
become competent and competitive in our global econom
Statement of Need
3. Within the past 20 years schools districts around the country are been challenge to meet the global
technology expectations of the present 21st century. Simon Rivera High School must meet the strong
demand of implementing technology in campus as well as the demand to build a competent instructor.
The new computer lab will give teachers the opportunity to deliver instruction and maintain high levels
of interactions as well as the enhancement teacher participation in trainings and professional
development sessions. In addition, the new computer lab will help in the development of a well
rounded teacher with maximum abilities in technology. The campus will undertake the great task of
producing productive and competent leaders for this community. By enhancing our campus with a
new computer lab, this school will have the opportunity to shape the citizen of tomorrow. The new
facility will provide room to implement with programs set to target “at risk” students and help them
succeed. Programs such as A+, Stars among others will be placed to help the student regain credit to
graduate. Through the production of active, engaging and life learners, Simon Rivera High School is
determined to produce the 21st century leadership and workforce of our community. In addition, a new
computer lab will enhance learning as well academic skills. It is essential for Simon Rivera High
school to provide the state of the art forms of educational tools for students and faculty. By providing
extra-technology support, Simon Rivera High School seeks to improve student academic achievement
and success significantly. The new computer lab will provide a platform of support for all the students
who have failed the TAKS. Also, the new computer lab will give teachers the opportunity to delivery
instruction and maintain high levels of interactions as well as the enhancement teacher participation in
trainings and professional development sessions.
Project Goals
The goals are to endow every student with the instruction necessary in the utilization of technology to
empower them to be competent and influential in their environment and enhance their academic skills.
Secondly, an important aspiration is to entirely incorporate technology in to every day instruction to
bestow the students with knowledge for the mastery of techniques. For our campus it is important to
cultivate an alliance with parent and the community to assist in the cognitive development and enhance
the potential of all students. To coordinate the incorporation and cooperation of administrator’s
functions and decision making to fully integrate technology in the campus. Finally, our campus effort is
to establish a well functioning and high quality infrastructure with premium and superior quality for
hardware and software equipment. Most importantly, to allow student that have had difficulty in their
academic performance in class or in their TAKS test to enhance their potential to succeed.
Objectives
In conjunction with SRHS administration, faculty and BISD Instructional Technology department the
objectives are described as follow:
To have all student exhibit knowledge and proper usage of technological hardware and software
programs, as well as the comprehension of Internet ethics.
To incorporate Internet access this will be integrate in the instructional areas for all students to
improve academic success.
To support faculty with the training necessary to ensure proper training by encouraging
conference and workshop attendance.
To encourage parent and community involvement with the school and actively participate as well
as assist in the usage of electronic communication learning
To ensure optimal tools and computer hardware for the usage of all students and administrators
and provide state-of-the-art networks and have connected devices are at peak performance.
To implement programs to ensure student success.
4. Measurable Objectives
* 30 % increase on all 11th and 12th grade level on TAKS testing resulting in exemplary status.
* 98 % increase on students’ graduation rate.
* To increase the amount of technology used in the instructional setting to benefit the student.
Population
The new computer lab will house 24 computers for 11th -12th grade “at-risk” students having difficulty
with core areas, as well as TAKS repeaters as well as for students that need to regain credit. The new
facility will help instructors with research projects, web-based lessons, real time activities and
multimedia presentations.
Subject Areas
English Language Arts:
Student can benefit from gathering data and resources for their research papers and reports. With
Microsoft Word, a student with dyslexia can utilize the spell checker. The student with this particular
disability can greatly benefit for their grammar and spelling to draft papers. Internet services aid in the
research of articles, journals, newspapers and encyclopedias, magazines, and Wikipedia, as will as the
access to databases for tutorial/instructional lesson delivery and interaction. Google documents can help
the teacher and students create and modify papers in real time. Photo Story enables the student to create
story and presentations with narration, using pictures, audio and music depicting literary elements of a
story. Teacher and students can exchange ideas with the use of blogs, wikis and emails for the revision
papers, communicate privately with the instructor as well as to have immediate response and feedback
from the teacher.
Math:
For mathematics the teacher will have a large amount of on-line resources to use for lesson planning and
instruction. For example 3D sketch and Google Earth can help the student comprehend abstract thinking
by enhancing the understanding of longitude and latitude in buildings or at any location on earth.
Teachers and students can utilize Excel as well as spreadsheets to calculate different mathematical
problem solving scenarios. There are plenty of math forums where teachers and students can acquire
lessons and assignment from math tutorials. The teachers can engage the students with a series of math
activities on http://www.howe-two.com/free/. Virtual manipulatives are fairly new but very beneficial
for the student that require visual stimulation and other learning styles. For example at
http://www.ct4me.net/math_manipulatives.htm, exist plenty of manipulatives that teachers and students
can use as reinforcement for mathematics. Also, the Internet provides a vast amount of websites for
students to prepare for the TAKS. Student can practice by using different standard preparation samples
on-line.
Science:
5. There are plenty of tools to use for the instruction of science. Teachers can access Google Mars and
Google earth and the student can have a better understanding of two very different ecological systems.
The national geographic websites provides a vast amount of educational resources for the teacher to use
in the classroom as wells as video, podcast, pictures and games for students to participate. The
Smithsonian website not only does it provide with resources to enhance curriculum but it provides
virtual tour of a variety of museums for students to experience (http://www.si.edu). The Discovery
website includes puzzle makers as well as hundreds of original lessons plans written by teachers for
teachers and was well as plenty of images that could be incorporated in presentations.
(http://school.discoveryeducation.com).
Social Studies:
The area of history and sociology can greatly benefit from by using Google trends, Google Maps and
Google Earth. Google Maps and Google Earth do not only aid the teacher in explaining geographical
environments and settings, but can help in the instruction of culture beliefs systems around the globe as
well as locations. Google Trends provides an over view of all the different trends around the world at
this time. It can help the student comprehend the different perspectives and needs other cultures have
around the world. All these tools can enhance the instruction and curriculum for teachers and students.
Websites such as http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/ provide the students with virtual tours, different
events in American History as well as interactive games. The website previously mentioned also has
teacher resources, activities, multimedia, interactive time-lines as well as virtual history and exhibitions.
Project Time Line
August 2008 – July 2009
Meeting of committee to develop program
Writing Grant
Submission of Grant
Request of equipment
Set up equipment
August 2009
Meet 2 weeks before class starts
Teacher in-services
August – October 2009 (First Six Weeks)
Continuing with teacher training and workshops on third Saturday of the month
Beginning of the evaluation of student grades.
Counseling Department will meet to evaluate and list all 11th & 12th "at risk" and TAKS repeaters.
October – November 2009 (Second Six Weeks)
Begin of evaluation of student grades
Implement program to strategies to enhance academic performance
Continuing with teacher training and workshops on third Saturday of the month
TAKS Fall Testing
November 2009 – January 2010
Continuation of teacher training and workshops on third Saturday of the month
2nd Six weeks student evaluation
TAKS Fall Testing for 11th and 12th graders
6. January – February 2010
Commencement of committee for the cyber -educational lab review and measurements
Semester student evaluation
Teacher training performance and evaluation
Student performance and retention
Begin second semester
TAKS Result review for 11th & 12th grade student performance
Committee discussion for future subject areas
March – April 2010
4th Six weeks evaluation
Emergency TAKS plan (specialized program to review TEKS objectives and TAKS skills)
Continuing with teacher training and workshops on third Saturday of the month
April – May
5th Six weeks evaluation
TAKS evaluation will be on 11th & 12th test repeaters.
Continuing with teacher training and workshops on third Saturday of the month
Review student’s performance statistics
Complete teacher’s evaluation and program evaluation
May – June 2010
Committee gathering to discuss programs performance, goals and objectives attained, plan
improvement and modifications
August 2010
Teacher In-services
Measurement Outcomes
The implementation of a new computer lab in the Rivera High School campus will aid in the
enhancement of “at risk” student and for those students having a difficulties with TAKS test.
The cyber-educational lab will create an engaging and productive environment for students’ learning by
utilizing the proper technology hardware and software. The students will engage in multimedia
presentations and will participate in activities that incorporate technology. By incorporating
technology in their instruction the students will regain or enhance their high order thinking skills for the
necessary academic improvements. The cyber-educational lab will serve as a support service to aid the
student in problem-solving skills and mastery in all subject areas. Distance education will be available
to those students incapable of attending on-campus classes. Also, the new technology implemented in
the computer lab will allow students the opportunity to use and improve their technical skills by
utilizing different types of technology that will be available to them. The student will witness their
improvement by developing a portfolio that will measure their progress from the beginning to the end
of the school year. This will allow the student to see their growth and will carry out a self-assessment
of their performance as well as identifying point of weakness. By doing, so the student will create his
or her own objectives and goals for next academic year. Most importantly, the new cyber-educational
labs will options to all students that really want and need the necessary support to succeed. Evaluations
will include module surveys, examinations as well as weekly chronicles and progressive records from
students. All these evaluations will allows us to gather data and determine the evolutionary progress of
students.
7. Teaching Outcomes
The technology implemented in the new computer lab will serve as a resource and instructional tool for
teachers. It will support and facilitate the necessary knowledge for the development of curriculum to
promote meaningful learning for all students. The Rivera High School faculty will have access to
Internet based reference material and streaming video for the delivery of instruction and will have the
proper amount of hardware as well as effective and efficient software. The cyber-educational lab will
allow teachers to focus on communication, collaboration and creative problem solving as well as
technology connected lessons. The teacher will use the technology available to increase student’s
motivation to learn and help others learn. In other words, technology will be used as a cooperative and
engaging tool. With the support of a new lab the teacher will serve as a facilitator and guide to construct
knowledge. Mainly the instructor will create a student-centered environment with project-based
learning activities and provide opportunities of student collaboration. The new cyber-educational lab
will function as cyber-educational lab where learning will be accomplished by the combination of
appropriate and effective use of technology making a dynamic and rich environment. In order for
teachers to maintain a high level of effectiveness, The Instructional Technology Department will offer
CPE and stipend based Saturday training sessions for teachers in basic computer and technology related
applications based on SBEC technology application standards I-V for educators. Teacher will be
assigned to professional development session as well as special training throughout the academic year.
They will be asked to attend workshops and conferences. The lesson plans will be evaluated to identify
different levels of technology implementation. Every single faculty member and user of the new
computer lab will be asked to fill a survey and provide feed back or suggestions for improvement.
Project Team
Name Title Responsibilities
Tim Snyder Principal Project Supervisor
Mary Garza Dean of Instruction Will maintain an organized planner or all teachers and
student utilizing the cyber-educational laboratory
Yolanda Cavazos Math Will provide the information of all students needing
assistance in the core areas and TAKS
Christina Soto Social Studies Will provide the information of all students needing
assistance in the core areas and TAKS
Aimee Reed Science Will provide the information of all students needing
assistance in the core areas and TAKS
Hugo Garza English Will provide the information of all students needing
assistance in the core areas and TAKS
Miguel Molina TST Will help with the purchasing of equipment as well as the
configuration of the lab
Robert Fisher IT Administrator Will supervise infrastructure of the new computer lab.
Gloria Vargas Counselor Will provide the information necessary of all "at risk"
senior students. Will maintain evaluation of progress of
students.
Rachel Juarez IT Lead Teacher Will Provide faculty and administration with curriculum
development
Salvador Gonzalez Network Administrator Will perform installations of hardware and software
Carlos Olvera Business Teacher Will help with adult courses,
Julie Ramires Business Teacher Will help with the implantation of the cyber-educational
lab.
Aide Gonzalez CTE Teacher Will help with the implementation of the lab.
9. Budget
DESCRIPTION QUANTITY SOURCE COST
Adjustable Classroom Table 60” 24 www.versatables.com $5,976.00
Basic Chair 24 www.versatables.com $3,936.00
Office Depot Brand Folding Table, 29"x 96"
w x 30" D, Light Walnut 1 www.officedepot.com $59.99
Office Depot Brand State Street Executive 1
Desk, 30 3/8"H x 59 1/2" W x 31 3/4" D, www.officedepot.com $220.99
Canyon Maple
Photo Story 24 www.microsoft.com Free
Windows Movie Make 24 www.microsoft.com Free
OptiPlex 755 Small Form FactorCore 2 Duo 24 www.dell.com $28,080.00
E6550/2.33GHz,4M,VT1333FSB (223-6836) www.bisd.us/at
HP Color LaserJEt 4700 dn, 31 pprm 600 1 www.utechusa.com $2,096.00
sheets input, 100,000 pages monthly duty
cycle – 3 yr warranty included
HP Mono laserJet P4015N, 52ppm, 600 sheets 1 www.utechusa.com $1,184.00
input, 225, 000 pages monthly due cycle - 3yr
warranty included
64" 660 SMART Board w/wireless slate 1 www.dataprojections.com $1,496.00
Dell M209WX Ultra Moble Widescreen 1 www.dell.com $899.00
Projector
Dell Mounting Kit for Projector 1 www.dell.com $299.99
Dell Projector Ceiling Mount Kit, Customer 1 www.dell.com $109.00
Install (310-4725)
Suspended (False Ceiling) Projector Ceiling 1 www.dell.com $55.00
Plate Kit Customer Install (310-4726)
Office Pro 2007 Win32 All Language w/o SHI Government Solutions $26.00
Front Page (CD only) 1
Office Pro 2007 Win32 All Languages w/o 24 SHI Government Solutions $1,014.00
FrontPage (License only)
Drive Shield 24 http://www.centuriontech.com $1,199.76
Net Op N40 C 7010 1 www.NetOP.com $875.00
Logitech Clear Chat Pro USB Headset 24 www.dell.com $791.96
Nikon CoolPix P60 – Digital Camera 1 www.techdepot.com $229.99
Latitude D630 Laptop with 3 year warranty http://www.bisd.us/at/ $1,419.00
Total $49,940.48
Purchasing Justification
The budget presented above describes and specifies the equipment needed to furnish the new computer
lab. All the equipment the equipment necessary has been research and listed. Equipment includes
software, furniture and hardware. Some materials and supplies will be provided by the school. After
successfully meeting with the cyber-educational lab committee, we concluded to purchase equipment
with dependability and upgrade-ability as well as capacity, ram, capabilities and storage. All equipment
was approved and will be considered for purchase.
Equipment: The cyber-educational lab will consist of 24 computers, one LCD projector and a Smart
Board, all which will be used to deliver instruction and promote interaction. LCD projector will be
10. mounted on the ceiling with the Dell Mounting Kit for Projectors. Two printers will be set up, one is
monochromatic and the other is a color printer. Both will be used by faculty and students working in the
computer lab to print documents. A camera will be provided, for student to use and take pictures for
their projects and/or activities and the scanner will allow them to scan and upload picture to their
computers. The headset will be utilized for distance education purposes.
Software: Microsoft 2007 will be installed upon arrival of the computers as well as Drive Shield to
provide high levels security and stability in multiple settings. This software will prevent students from
manipulating the desktop, install unwanted software, change the settings or download dangerous files.
NetOP School will allow the teacher to record student PC activity and have a classroom view as well
student group view. The teacher will have multi-monitor support and monitoring as well as to broad cast
video and demonstrate specific desktop area.
Furniture: Furniture was chosen to comfortably accommodate 24 computers. The computers will be
placed on the CTL Series Classroom Table 60" which has been considered one of the most advanced in
the educational setting. This table was chosen due to its extreme durability, functionality and endurance
to wear and tear and lifetime warranty. The Versa Pneumatic-Ergo Task Chair is exclusively created for
the educational setting to meet the high demands of every day users as well as the comfort and
durability. The folding table will maintain the two printers at the back of the room as well as the
scanner. It is scratch resistant; features include leg locks, industrial-grade foot caps and edge molding as
well as a 1- year warranty. A desk for the teacher will be provided to create a comfortable working area.
Topology and Architecture Justification
Rivera High School is equipped with one layer as well as switches with multiple V LANS. The V
LANS is configured to allow E-mail, file sharing, IPTV, IP Telephony, Data Networks, video streaming
among other applications. The cyber-educational lab at Rivera High School is supported with direct
optic connections to a framework through a Gigaman providing 1000 MB access. Two servers as well
as 100% of the entire campus are supported through the CISCO switches. In order to comply with the
IT Department, the cyber-educational lab will maintain the districts’ Star topology. The two
servers will share functions. Server one will maintain an active directory allowing multiple servers and
computers. Both the serves and computer will be under one Domain. It will also allow the
development of secured student and teacher accounts for access. Server two will serve as an application
server, which will allow the sharing of instructional software throughout the campus network and
printers. The last serves will be utilized as a file server. At this point, it is safe to say that there is no
need to buy a server because the present servers are utilized only 20% of their capacity and the extra
budget can be place in other resources.
References:
Mission Statement provided by Rivera High School. Retrieved on July 20, 2008
from http://www.bisd.us/rivera/campusinfo.html
