Forming a project team

It is crucial that the team charged with implementing the 1-to-1 learning program at your school is enthusiastic, committed and able to withstand scrutiny. Ultimately, the success of your effort will depend on the talents, experience, personality, conviction, enthusiasm, and creativity of the people you involve.

Project Leader
The first important issue to address is who will choose the project leader. Your schools principal should appoint the project leader based on their management and teaching skills. The project leader needs to be respected and influential and show a passion for project administration and instruction. Ideally, the leader will also have experience working with parents and community leaders. If necessary, consider appointing two people to lead jointly.

Coordinate service arrangements for the hardware.  Publish progress reports and communicate with the project team. Facilitate staff training. Develop presentations and informational material for parents.

Curriculum Integration Trainer

The Curriculum Integration Trainer should be a person who: Adapts easily to new situations. Is creative.  Is able to see the range of teaching and learning opportunities that laptops offer teachers and students. Is a great team player and team builder.  Believes strongly that computers can play a powerful, creative role in curriculum development and delivery.

Team Members
The project leader or leaders should select the other members of the team and include representatives from: faculty, curriculum development, administration, technology, academic and vocational education, libraries, the school board, parent volunteer groups, business leaders, community colleges, and computer-literate students. Ideally, team members should be able to assist you in gaining support for your plan and building a consensus among different groups and viewpoints. Staff members who participate should be interested in the project and have the time to devote to it. Give potential team members an accurate indication of how much time they should set aside for project activities. Remember, you will need to allocate enough relief or substitute time to help teachers and other staff members balance their schedules. To minimise scheduling conflicts clearly identify milestones that all team members can commit to.

Team Tasks
When setting the implementation schedule, project team tasks should include overseeing rudimentary tasks such as recording serial and asset numbers, determining electrical wiring needs, designing security procedures, processing device orders and facilitating maintenance and repair. At the same time, the team will need to tackle complex issues such as: Gaining consensus among parents and community  Ensuring that the plans for integrating computers or learning devices into the curriculum align with learning goals and outcomes Working with teachers to create training opportunities Fundraising

Program Manager
The program manager will oversee the program and should possess excellent program management skills, including the ability to: Coordinate, implement, and report project milestones. Negotiate and coordinate with vendors.  Design and implement an internal support and diagnostics process for the computers or learning devices.

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