OVSD June FAQ

• What is Phase I of OVSD going to look like?

In September 2006, OVSD will have a functional, Web-based portal available. The portal will provide the following:

1. Demo to explain how to access OVSD information, courses, tools, help desk, etc.
2. An aggregated course catalogue for all online courses available from Oregon providers
3. Links to participating online course providers, and to online digital content
4. Individual log-in for teachers and students to access and build their own “home page”
5. Teacher professional development site, providing tools and resources for the successful establishment of blended-learning classrooms
6. Help desk access, providing technical and instructional support for portal users

Throughout Fall 2006, OVSD will provide professional development opportunities around the state to introduce staff, administration, and community stakeholders/participants to the portal, the phases of roll-out, and the long-term vision of OVSD. 

• What’s happened with OVSD in the past three months?

In order to meet the primary goal of OVSD, to work towards equalization of K-12 education opportunities across the state, significant efforts have been made in addressing last-mile infrastructure and connectivity issues which inhibit or preclude delivery of online courses and digital content from schools most in need. In addition to that focus, these efforts are also underway and ongoing:

1. Vendor discussions for improved backbone and connectivity across the state, with service and hardware providers
2. Requirements and specifications gathering for online tools, onset of tool development
3. OVSD Standards Sub-Committee identification and initial drafting of related standards (across categories)
4. Preparation of RFP for digital content, to be let in late June
5. Research and development of Professional Development Plan for Phased roll-out of OVSD offerings
6. Microsoft Teacher Professional Development portal donation

• I am the I.T. Director for my ESD. What do I need to know and do right now?

I.T. Directors at the ESD, school district, and school levels should know that the OVSD portal will not require specific, local, technical support. However, it is essential that IT, Instructional Strategists, and curriculum staff communicate about the inter-relationship between bandwidth and successful/reliable delivery of online courses and content. As continued efforts are made at the state level to provide ESD’s and schools with more affordable options for improved bandwidth, opportunities yielded will be presented to stakeholders for discussion and consideration. In turn, IT managers at these varied levels should be discussing planning. OVSD will be providing information sessions throughout August 2006, to address, in detail, the immediate and long-term vision for the phased roll-out of offerings to students and teachers around the state, and to answer questions regarding the implications for all resource stakeholders.

• I am the Superintendent for my ESD. What do I need to know and do right now?

As progress is made and communicated out from ODE, ESD Superintendents should be forwarding those communications on to school district superintendents and principals (as appropriate) to create informed expectations. In addition, as OVSD professional development plans for the Fall are presented to ESD’s in the coming weeks, ESD commitment to supporting these efforts throughout the Fall and Winter will help towards successful roll out. ESD’s should anticipate being asked for recommendations and assistance in this regard. Specific, mutual expectations will be conveyed for discussion with dissemination of the draft Professional Development Plan within the month. OVSD will be providing information sessions throughout August 2006, to address, in detail, the immediate and long-term vision for the phased roll-out of offerings to students and teachers around the state, and to answer questions regarding the implications for all resource stakeholders.

• How often will I get communications like this?

OVSD is adopting a communication schedule to create and perpetuate regular information-sharing. Once a month, every month, the following information will be sent out and also posted to the OVSD Website:

1. Project milestone schedule, with updates highlighted
2. RFP Schedule, as appropriate
3. Advisory Council and Sub-committee meetings schedule and minutes
4. Phase I (Portal Development & roll-out) progress report
5. Notification of postings to OVSD website, such as:

• Finalized tools requirements and specifications
• Standards (content, instruction, delivery, etc.)
• Status updates on related initiatives
• Who do I contact with questions or feedback?

Email questions to: Marc Eskenas, OVSD Project Manager, at marc.eskenas@state.or.us.