Anytime, Anywhere Learning: Planning for success
Updated: December 6, 2005
A clear vision and well-developed plan are the keys to a successful Anytime, Anywhere Learning (AAL) program. To maximize the benefits of such a program, advisors from educational institutions across the globe who are creating Anytime, Anywhere Learning communities advise a staged approach as well as remaining flexible to meet the demands of growth and change.
AAL is part of the Microsoft Learning Gateway, designed to help students, parents, teachers, and administrators to collaborate and share information through a single, more secure point of entry. When all users have access to the data, information, and applications they need, they can work together to make high-quality education a reality.
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Six steps to AAL
No matter what the size of your educational community, AAL methods should be driven by your curriculum goals, not your technology. The following steps can help guide you in developing and implementing an AAL program that fits your individual needs.
1. Develop your vision.
| • | Focus on learning instead of technology. |
| • | Build consensus among all key stakeholders. |
| • | Set measurable goals. |
2. Plan your project.
| • | Choose a leader, and form a team. |
| • | Set a deadline to roll out AAL, and develop a timeline with milestones. |
| • | Budget and fund-raise to ensure equal access for all students. |
| • | Set policies related to equipment, insurance, and support. |
3. Select technology to meet your educational goals.
| • | Assess and address infrastructure needs. |
| • | Screen and choose your equipment and partners. |
4. Acquire, develop, and integrate curriculum.
| • | Train educators to use the new technology. |
| • | Provide professional development to support creation and integration of new curriculum. |
5. Launch your program.
| • | Start with a pilot. |
| • | Roll out the technology. |
| • | Provide support. |
6. Evaluate your progress.
| • | Work with students and educators to get the maximum benefit. |
Planning templates
Launching an AAL program is no small challenge, but the rewards are well worth it. The following documents can help you get started.
| • | 1:1 Computing Guidebook (2.6 MB Adobe PDF file)
Ten chapters of in-depth information designed to help you make the right decisions about your Anytime, Anywhere Learning program underwritten by Hewlett-Packard (HP), Intel, and Microsoft. |
| • | Implementation Plan Template (49 KB Microsoft Word file)
Each school has unique needs, and this template for planning and implementing an Anytime, Anywhere Learning program provides a valuable starting point. |
| • | Sample materials from an AAL pioneer school (439 KB Microsoft Word file)
Kick-start your Anytime, Anywhere Learning program by building on materials from Cincinnati Country Day School, such as a presentation to the community, program overview handout, and rental agreement. |
| • | News Release Template (45 KB Microsoft Word file)
This news release template can help you promote your Anytime, Anywhere Learning program within your community, which is essential to building support and raising funds. |
Technology checklist
After you develop a vision and initial plan, you'll face decisions about the following technology to support your AAL program.
| • | Equipment for each learner and educator, such as tablet or notebook PCs |
| • | Interactive curriculum that takes advantage of the technology to enhance learning, encourage collaboration, and give students new ways to interact with the material—the Learning Gateway offers many ready-made solutions and services to expand your program |
| • | Software such as the Microsoft Office productivity suite to gather, analyze, and present information and collaborate with other learners |
| • | Networking technology to connect your learning community |
| • | 24/7 Internet access |
| • | Applications that are Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF)-enabled, an open industry standard that eases school administration |
