Mobile Computing Strategy (MCS) - Update

TO: ETT STEWARDS, MEMBERS TEACHING GRADE 6
FROM: MARTIN LONG, PRESIDENT
RE: MOBILE COMPUTING STRATEGY (MCS)
DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 2010

In a recent memo concerning this initiative, I urged members to exercise caution before accepting their selection by their Principal to participate in it.

The initiative was developed without input from ETT, so we were not aware of all the details. Thanks to members in schools, we have been receiving some documentation of the Board’s decisions. Here are three items which do make the initiative look like a pig in a poke (- and just in time for the Royal Winter Fair, too).
- Not every teacher involved will be funded to attend the half-day training session, which implies an obligation for the trained teacher and untrained colleague(s) to find time to share the training subsequently back at school;
- Under the Critical Path, February 18 is identified as: “PA day – Teaching and Learning with Technology team to provide system-wide PD for MCS...” The problem is that February 18 was determined at the Provincial Discussion Table to be a PA day dedicated to Parent/Teacher Conferencing;
- Under Risk Management, teachers are given the following information:
“When teachers receive a laptop they will be asked to sign an “Equipment Assignment Agreement”. The text of the document outlining their responsibilities is listed below.
“I understand and accept responsibility for the security and safekeeping of the listed equipment while in my possession off Board premises. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Toronto District School Board for any claims, loss or damage arising out of my use of said equipment. I carry valid property insurance that will respond to any loss, theft or damage to the equipment while in my possession.”

ETT advises members to give serious thought to this commitment, and check their insurance policies very carefully before proceeding in the initiative.