// ABOUT

A Pilot Program in Berkshire County

The Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative (BWLI) is a pilot program being implemented in Berkshire County to test a 1:1 approach (one laptop for every student and teacher) of using laptop computers and wireless communication to transform teaching and learning. The program's goals are to help improve student achievement and transform the way education is delivered in North Adams and Pittsfield, MA. Robust wireless communications have been installed in four middle school buildings, enabling teaching to occur in many different school settings. In total, more than 2,300 laptops will be distributed to middle school students and teachers over a three-year period.

As a result of the Initiative, it is anticipated that both students and teachers will become more engaged in the educational process. Students will have an opportunity to improve their academic and research skills, learn to work more effectively in groups, and enhance their creativity. This pilot program is being closely evaluated as the Commonwealth considers the introduction of additional funding for other similar initiatives throughout the state.

A Special Commission on Educational Technology was formed in Massachusetts in 2003 to review how technology can be best utilized to improve teaching and learning in public education. The Commission noted in their final report that they “support the capacity of 1:1 computing as a tool which can help bring meaningful change to teaching and learning.” The report states that “the goal of technology is to improve student achievement through enhanced delivery of curriculum and instruction.” The Commission supported the deployment of demonstration sites for 1:1 wireless laptop programs in middle schools throughout the state as an initial step in a structured roll-out.

Students are utilizing many resources as a result of having 1:1 access to a laptop computer. They are learning how to use a variety of software packages – such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation programs -- that are commonly used by businesses and will also have tools that allow them to incorporate music and graphics into school projects. Through the Internet, students will develop their research skills and have access to current information from a variety of sources. Learning is extending beyond the school day, as students will have the opportunity to use their laptops at home and at wireless hot spots in the community.

A Community Partnership

The Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative is the result of a dynamic community collaboration that brings together key partners from the education and business communities. State support and oversight of the evaluation is being provided by the John Adams Innovation Institute, the economic development arm of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC). The Initiative is coordinated by Berkshire Connect, Inc., which was created in 2000 to address the need for high speed, affordable Internet access in the Berkshires and continues to work on technology-related initiatives. In addition to MTC and Berkshire Connect, partners who are actively involved in planning and implementing BWLI include four middle schools, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Apple Computer, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and local businesses.

The Pittsfield and North Adams middle schools – including Herberg, Reid and St. Mark in Pittsfield and Silvio O. Conte in North Adams -- have been targeted as pilot sites for BWLI. Piloting a 1:1 program in these two communities engages a significant population of the middle school students from the Berkshires. Each of the four participating middle schools has made a commitment to utilize technology to enhance education. The schools all have strong teams of administrators and teachers who are dedicated to working together to implement this pilot program.

Ensuring that teachers are well prepared to help raise the level of student achievement at their school is a critical element of the success of this Initiative. Under the oversight of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, teachers are participating in professional development opportunities throughout the three years of the pilot program. The professional development is provided by trainers within the school and by Apple Computer. MCLA ensures that there is coordination among the schools and brings in additional expertise to conduct training as needed. Teachers are learning the basics of using the laptops and are also getting more in-depth training about classroom management strategies and developing effective curriculum.

Each school has a Technology Integration Specialist who conducts onsite training. Some of the training for teachers occurs in group settings outside of the classroom. Much of the training, however, occurs directly in the classroom. The Technology Integration Specialists spend time in the classroom with teachers, modeling lessons and helping them learn to use technology as a tool to improve student achievement. Teachers have access to a support system that includes a broad array of online information and tutorials and ongoing mentoring and workshops.

Through a competitive process, Apple Computer was selected as the technology partner for the Initiative. They demonstrate a strong understanding of the education market and have considerable experience in implementing 1:1 laptop programs throughout the country. In addition to supplying and maintaining the technology, they are providing their expertise in project management, engineering, and professional development for teachers and technical staff. Apple is providing a series of four professional development workshops for teachers as well as technical training for the technicians at the four schools and MCLA.

First Comprehensive Evaluation of the Impact of 1:1 Computing on Student Achievement

As a pilot program, the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative is being closely watched throughout Massachusetts and the nation. Berkshire County is very fortunate to be host to an evaluation study that represents the first truly comprehensive and in depth examination of the impacts of 1:1 computing on student achievement to date. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative has selected Boston College’s Technology and Assessment Study Collaborative, housed in the Lynch School of Education, to conduct a three year evaluation of BWLI. The study is measuring how successfully the program has achieved the following targeted outcomes:

• Enhanced student achievement as shown through test scores, grades, and assessments;
• Increased student engagement as shown through attendance, disciplinary data, and classroom participation;
• Fundamental changes in teaching strategies, curriculum delivery methods, and classroom management;
• Enhanced capabilities among students to conduct independent research and collaborate with peers.

The Private Sector’s Role

The Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative is funded through state, school, and private sector support. The state has contributed $2.5 million toward the project. To meet the state’s matching fund requirements, the schools are contributing $1.7 million and $1.1 million will be raised from the private sector. Many key private sector leaders have stepped forward to support BWLI because they recognize the importance of improving student achievement and providing students with lifelong skills. The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is administering the private sector funds, while MTC ‘s John Adams Innovation Institute s administering state funds. BWLI has formed a corporation, Berkshire Learning Initiative, Inc., which has been granted tax exempt status.

The business community is an essential partner in this effort, as their participation demonstrates to teachers, students and parents the importance of using information technology as a tool to improve student achievement in a rapidly changing economy. While an initial investment is required to implement the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative, the return on investment is expected to be extraordinary. The Initiative will change the way we educate our children, revolutionizing the teaching and learning environment in the Berkshires.