MODEL NETWORK PROJECT
  Stirling Middle School
Deborah Lynn Stirling
EMC 598 Managing School Information Systems
April 30, 1998
OVERVIEW | NETWORK GOALS | NETWORK DESIGN | TABLE 1 | TABLE 2 | MODIFIED BUDGET | TABLE 3 | TABLE 4 | HOMEPAGE

OVERVIEW
 
Introduction
 
    Part of the Phoenix Elementary School District, Stirling Middle School is located in downtown Phoenix. The school has access to an adjacent 400-acre park.  Built in 1989, this one-building urban middle school serves a student population of 88% Hispanic, 8% Anglo, 2% African-American, and 2% Native American.  The surrounding community is eclectic.  The socioeconomic status (SES) goes from one extreme to the other; however, the high amount of low SES families qualifies the entire school for the free lunch program.  Teacher turnover is low, and only three people have left since 1989.  Serving a student population of 250, the school staff of 34 has 10 instructional teachers, five resource teachers, two counselors, one social worker, one art/media arts teacher, one music teacher, two PE teachers, one drama teacher, one librarian, one technology director, a nurse, a cafeteria manager, one plant engineer, three secretaries, a police resource officer, one vice principal, and the principal.
 
Mission Statement

     The mission of the Stirling Middle School (SMS)  is to provide a technology enriched education of the highest quality to students in a networked environment supported by the combined efforts of committed parents, professional educators, and motivated students, which meets individual needs and fosters life-long learning.  SMS strives to prepare students through innovative programs and instruction, guided by the teaching for understanding method, to be responsible and independent citizens in a complex and global society.

Technology Enriched Learning Environments

     Stirling Middle School uses network technology to mediate a movement from traditional to technology enriched learning environments.  This movement is best represented by the following:
 

Traditional classroom ------------------------------------> Technology enriched classroom

Teacher-centered instruction -------------------------------> Student-centered instruction

Linear path ------------------------------------------------------------> Multipath progression

Single media -----------------------------------------------------------------------> Multimedia

Competitive/isolated work -------------------------------> Cooperative/collaborative work

Data dump----------------------------------------------------------------------> Data exchange

Passive learning ---------------------------------------------> Active/inquiry-based learning

Factual, inert knowledge-based ----------------> Critical thinking, problem-solving based

Reactive response -------------------------------------------------> Proactive/planned action

Norm-based grading -------------------------------------------------> Portfolio Assessment

     A networked learning environment supports the educational growth of students. Students become researchers and collaborators, and teachers become advisors and co-researchers. Professional development for teachers and other staff members can include interactions with peers and other educators both locally and globally.  Publishing via the Stirling Middle School Network offers students and teachers opportunities to exchange their work.

     The method of instruction used at SMS is "Teaching for Understanding" developed at
the Harvard Graduate School of Education.   This method has four key components (a) generative topic, (b) understanding goals, (c) understanding performances, and (d) ongoing assessment.  The curriculum at SMS is a database of generative topics created by SMS students.  Students acquire information literacy skills through this method of instruction.

     Students have access to rich sources of information both locally, the generative topic database, and globally.  Individual, goal-based learning projects, collaborative projects, and electronic presentations characterize the types of learning activities supported by the SMS Network.  Teachers and textbooks are no longer the main source of information exchanged in the classroom.
 

NETWORK GOALS

     The purpose of the SMS Network is to support the information and productivity needs of the SMS learning community.  The learning community may be viewed in terms of three computer mediated environments (a) learning (b) administrative,  and (c)  community.  Within each environment, the network supports three types of information activities (a) communications, (b) research, and (c) dissemination.
 

Computer Mediated Learning Environment

     The SMS Network supports the communication needs of students and school staff by providing a fast, efficient, and reliable system of information exchange.  All students and school personnel have e-mail accounts.  Parents can contact their students or teachers/school staff via e-mail.

     Research activities of students and school staff are supported by network access to school-based databases, shared project folders, and the Internet.  A T1 connection provides quick access to the Internet.  Additionally, a dial-up modem pool provides remote access.  At the Media Center (MC), weekly staff development activities take place.  Students and school staff disseminate their projects by publishing them on the SMS Network.  Each classroom has an LTV unit to project projects and other information as well as for demonstration purposes.
 

Computer Mediated Administrative Environment

     The SMS Network is used for administrative communication purposes.  Announcements, scheduling, and meetings are published online.  Grade reporting (portfolio assessment) and attendance is also conducted online.  A statistical database is maintained to assist administrative research projects.  All reporting and budget activities are electronically prepared and stored.  The SMS Network publishes district and state-wide findings and announcements.
 

Computer Mediated Community Environment

     After school hours, the MC is open to the public until 9:00 pm.  Monthly workshops aimed at helping parents become information literate are conducted by school staff.  Parents and community members have access to the school's computers and library.  If approved by the administration, announcements about community events may be posted online.
 

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
 
     Students need to be prepared for the transition from school to work.  Chances are they will encounter a restricted use network. Students need to learn what actions are appropriate on a restricted use network and how use is governed.  The school's network, designed for educational purposes, is a restricted use network.  Acceptable use needs to be known and understood before students use the school's network.

     The following document represents Stirling Middle School's policy on acceptable use of the network.  Part of the school's Student Handbook, the AUP must be read by every student and students' parents.  Before students use the SMS Network, they must return the AUP signature slip signed by themselves and their parents.  Students accept responsibility for abiding by the rules set forth in the AUP upon signature slip submittal.

Student Acceptable Use Policy

A. Educational Purpose

1. The Stirling Middle School (SMS) Network is for educational use. The term "educational use" includes classroom activities, goal-based project activities, and limited individual activities.

2. The SMS network is not a public Internet Service Provider (ISP).  Therefore, SMS reserves the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material students access or post through the network. Students are expected to follow the rules set forth here and in the Student Handbook's disciplinary code.

B.  Student Internet Access

1. All students  have access to SMS Network and Internet information resources through their student account.

2. All students have an individual e-mail account with the approval of their parent.
Parents can withdraw their approval at any time.

3 . All material placed on personal and project web pages must be preapproved by students' parents and supervising teachers.

C. Unacceptable Uses

The following uses of the SMS Network are considered unacceptable:

1. Privacy Issues

a. Students shall not post personal contact information about themselves or other people.  Personal contact information includes street addresses, pager numbers, and telephone and fax numbers.

b. Students shall not use non SMS Network chat rooms.  Even on the SMS Network, students shall not agree to meet with anyone met online without your parental approval.  Parents must accompany students to all approved meetings.

c. Students shall promptly tell teachers or other school staff  about any message received that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.

d. Students shall not post or forward a message sent to them privately without permission of the sender.

e. Students shall not publish private information about another person, including pictures.

2. Illegal Activities

a. Students shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the SMS Network or to any other computer system through the SMS Network or go beyond authorized access. This includes logging in through another person's account or attempting to access another person's files.

b. Students shall not attempt to disrupt the network or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means.

c. Students shall not use the SMS Network to engage in, or to agree to engage in, any  illegal act.

3. System Security

a. Students are responsible for their individual account.  Students should not provide passwords to another person.

b. Students shall immediately notify a teacher or the technology manager if they suspect a possible security problem.

4. Inappropriate Language

a. Students shall not use inappropriate language (defined in Student Handbook) in SMS network messages, postings and web-developed material.

b. Students shall not engage in personality assaults, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.  This includes harassment, which is persistent action that distresses or annoys another person.

5. Respecting Resource Limits.

a. Students shall not post chain letters or engage in "spamming." Spamming is sending an unnecessary message to a large number of people.

b. Students shall check their e-mail frequently, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within their e-mail quota.

7. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

a. Students shall not plagiarize material found on the Internet or the SMS Network. Plagiarism is copying the ideas or writings of others without giving the source credit.  Changing a word or two still is still considered plagiarism.  Consult teachers and parents for clarification.

b. Students shall respect the copyright laws.  Consult teachers for clarification on fair use policies.

8. Inappropriate Access to Material

a. Students shall not use the SMS Network to access inappropriate material.  This includes pornography, vulgar acts of violence or discrimination, including acts against animals.

b. If inappropriate material is accidentally accessed, students shall immediately notify their teacher.  Otherwise, the action will be viewed as an intentional policy violation, and the student's account will be restricted.

c. Parents have the right to identify additional material deemed inappropriate.

D. Student Rights

1. Free Speech

Students freedom of speech rights are set forth in the Student Handbook

2. Search and Seizure

Student rights in electronic files are subject to the same rights students have in their lockers.

3. Due Process

a. Stirling Middle School will cooperate  with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the SMS Network.

b. If a student is  suspected of violating this AUP, written notice of the suspected violation and an opportunity to present an explanation before a committee of peers will be provided.  If judged in violation, the student's network use will be restricted.

E. Limitation of Liability

The SMS Network does not assume responsibility for the loss of data.  Students are responsible for the storage of their electronic material.
 

NETWORK DESIGN
 
Introduction

     The SMS network is designed to accomplish the articulated mission statement and network goals of SMS.  To support the communication, research, and dissemination needs of the SMS learning community,  the school was divided into two zones.  Zone 1 primarily supports student use.  Every student has access to a computer as well as all school staff.  Zone 2 primarily supports administrative and community use.
     The 10-base T Ethernet Category 5 compliant network provides 27 drops per instructional classroom: 25 PCs, one networked printer, and one instructor computer.

Note: MUS=Music Room, Flab=Experimental Food Laboratory, TA=Theater Arts or Drama Department, RC=Resource Center (Counselors and Resource Personnel), LC=Literacy Center (Library), MC=Media Center (production studio and staff development center), Room 13=Science Laboratory.

Wiring Plant

     The wiring plant consists of one central wiring room to which all runs return including the small classroom closets (12) from Zone 1 and a secondary wiring closet to which all peripheral small closets (small Music and Library closets) from Zone 2 return. The Technology Center's (TC) central closet or "mother rack" centralizes the network.

     The "mother rack" houses the CSU/DSU, router, and a 16-port switch, which segments Zone 1 and connects all classroom drops, an email server, file server, 16-port modem pool, and  an 8-port switch located in Zone 2.

    The 8-port switch (Zone 2)  is located in the Media Center's (MC) rack, which serves as a secondary closet segmenting Zone 2.  The administrative file server is located in the MC's closet.

   Inherent with using 10BaseT, a star topology was used.  UTP Category 5 cabling runs to each network device.  Distance is not an issue, but hubs and patch panels are used extensively to organize the multiple cables.  Cabling was pulled through the ceiling's crawl space.  The following figures illustrate hub locations.


Table 1
Cable and Equipment Requirements
 
 
Room # # of Drops & Equipment Feet of Cable
 
1 
Principal		 1 
1 drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer		 113
2/3 
Front Office		 2 
2-drop data jack 
2 computers 
1 Nonnet printer		 246
4 
Vice Principal		 1 
1 drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer		 168
5 
Social Worker		 1 
1-drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer		 172
6 
Police Resource Officer
7 
Nurse		 1 
1-drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer		  100
8 
Plant Engineer		 1 
1-drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer		  100
9 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
 8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer 
 		 900
10 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
 8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 946
11 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 992
12 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 923
13 
Science Lab/Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 888
14 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 870
15 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 900
16 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 930
17 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 960
18 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 992
19 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 962
20 
Classroom		 27 
7 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24-port patch panel 
8-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub 
26 computers 
LTV Unit 
1 network printer		 932
TC 
Technology Center		 mother rack 
file server 
email server 
16-port modem pool 
switch 
CSU/DSU 
Router 
1 network printer 
1 computer
MC 
Media Center		 36 
9 4-drop data jacks 
12-port patch panel 
24 port patch panel 
33 computers 
LTV unit 
3 net printers 
12-port stackable hub 
24-port stackable hub (No.3)   8-port switch 
file server 
camcorder		 970
LC 
Literacy Center		 4 
1-4-drop data jack 
4 computers 
2 Nonnet printers 
8-port hub 
12-port hub (No. 2) 		 228
RC 
Resource Center		 9 
2 4-drop data jacks 
1 2-drop data jack 
12-port patch panel 
9 computers 
2 Nonnet printers		 451
ART 0 0
TA 
Theatre Arts		 1 
1-drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer 
8-port hub (No.1 located in closet) 		 40
MUS 
Music		 1 
1-drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer 
12-port hub (No.4 located in closet) 		 160
FLAB 
Food Laboratory		 7 
2 4-drop jacks 
6 computers 
1 Net printer 
 		 294
Kitchen 1 
1-drop data jack 
1 computer 
1 Nonnet printer		 210
Cafeteria 0 0
Boys & Girls 
Locker Room & PE Office		 2 
1 2-drop data jack 
2 computers 
1 Nonnet printer		 238
TOTAL 14,685
 
 Note: Vertical cabling excluded

Table 2
Equipment List and Cost Estimate
 
 
Cat 5 Wiring 14,685 $    1,027.95
CSU/DSU 1       4,500.00
Router 1       2,100.00
Switch 1          8-port 
1        16-port		          950.00 
      1,300.00
Hubs 14       8-port 
  3      12-port 
13      24-port		       2,940.00 
      1,260.00 
      9,750.00
Patch Panels 14      12-port 
13      24-port 
 		       1,400.00 
      2,925.00
Data Jacks    8         1-drop data jack 
   3         2-drop 
105        4-drop		            28.00 
           17.25 
         997.50
Computers 376   Computers   564,000.00
Printers 14    Non-Networkable 
17    Networkable		       3,500.00 
    18,700.00
Servers 1   email 
2   file servers		       5,000.00 
   14,000.00
Modem pool 16-port modem pool      2,500.00
LTV Units 14      3,150.00
Camcorder   1      3,000.00
TOTAL $643,045.70
 

 MODIFIED BUDGET
     To sustain budget cuts, the following adjustment have been made.  Student network support is considered crucial, therefore, adjustments were made to room scheduling, and the movement from classroom to classroom was modified.  Instead of students shifting rooms, teachers rotate in and out of rooms 9, 10, and 11.  Teachers work in teams with students on topic-generated integrated units.  Based on the needs of the students in respect to their projects, they use different rooms.  Research may be conducted in Rooms 9, 10, & 11 or the Literacy Center.  The Media Center may be used for production purposes and for presentation preparation.

 

Table 3
Cable and Equipment Requirements
 
 
Room #   # of Drops & Equipment Feet of Cable
1
Principal		 1
1 drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 113
2/3
Front Office		 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 123
4
Vice Principal		 1
1 drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 168
5
Social Worker		 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 172
6
Police Resource Officer
7
Nurse		 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 100
8
Plant Engineer		 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 100
9, 10 & 11
merge as one
Classroom		 27
7 4-drop data jacks
12-port patch panel
24-port patch panel
 8-port stackable hub
24-port stackable hub       
26 computers
LTV Unit
1 Network Printer		 1,300
12
Classroom
13
Science Lab/Classroom		 12
3 4-drop data jacks
12-port patch panel
12-port hub       
11 computers
LTV Unit
1 network printer		 444
14-20
Classrooms
TC
Technology Center		 mother rack
file server
email server
16-port modem pool 
switch
CSU/DSU
Router
1 Nonnet printer
1 computer
MC
Media Center		 27
7 4-drop data jacks
12-port patch panel
24-port patch panel
26 computers
1 Network Printer
8-port stackable hub
24-port stackable hub (No.3)  
LTV unit 
camcorder		 970
LC
Literacy Center		 4
1-4-drop data jack
4 computers
2 Nonnet printers
8-port hub
12-port hub (No. 2)       		 228
RC
Resource Center		 9
2 4-drop data jacks
1 2-drop data jack
12-port patch panel
9 computers
2 Nonnet printers		 451
ART
TA
Theatre Arts		 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer
8-port hub (No.1 located in closet)       		 40
MUS
Music		 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer
12-port hub (No.4 located in closet)       		 160
FLAB
Food Laboratory		 7 
2 4-drop jacks
6 computers
1 Net printer		 294
Kitchen 1
1-drop data jack
1 computer
1 Nonnet printer		 210
Cafeteria
Boys & Girls
Locker Room & PE Office		 1
1 drop data jack
1 computers
1 Nonnet printer		 119
TOTAL 4,992

Note: Vertical cabling excluded
 

Table 4
Equipment List and Cost Estimate
 
 
Cat 5 Wiring 4,992 $       349.44
CSU/DSU 1       4,500.00
Router 1       2,100.00
Switch 1        8-port
1      16-port		          950.00
      1,300.00
Hubs 4       8-port 
3      12-port
2      24-port		          840.00
      1,260.00
      1,500.00
Patch Panels 4      12-port
2      24-port		          400.00
         450.00
Data Jacks  10      1-drop data jack
  1      2-drop
22      4-drop		            13.50
             5.75
         209.00
 
Computers 92 Computers  139,500.00
Printers 15 Non-Networkable
  4 Networkable		       3,750.00
      4,400.00
Servers 1  email server
1  file server		       5,000.00
      7,000.00
Modem Pool 16-port modem pool       2,500.00
LTV Units 3          675.00
Camcorder 1       3,000.00
TOTAL $171,466.69

Note:  Around 81% of entire budget was spent on only 92 computers.
 
 

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