A successful sports program is a complicated undertaking. It requires coaches, training, athletes, facilities and administrative services. Miss any one of these components and the sports program is going to have trouble. Naturally, a bond project to build a new gymnasium does not gaurantee a successful sports program. But having a quality facility for your program is a big plus which will attract the best coaches, provide a great space for athletes to develop and market the program to the community.
The same can be said of a 21st Century education. Like a sports program, it is made of great teachers, students, professional development, curriculum, and assorted technologies. Should some sort of funding effort arise to improve the technology of every classroom, it is only part of the discussion. We'll need to address the issue of qualified staff, training opportunities and curriculum to make the best use of the technology. If we engage in that discussion, we're going to engage the students we have, we're going to align our exisiting training efforts to make use of new technology resources and we're going to choose curriculum that can take best advantage of the new opportunities the technology presents. Like the new gym, new technology presents opportunity.
So what technology should be base-line for elementary classrooms? How about middle school? High school? In my previous post, I asserted that we can predict the future. And it is based on this prediction not of what will be new in the future, but what will persist, we presented this to the principals to debate.
Here are some comments from the session (each seperated by <<>>) and our presentation. More on this topic to come:
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Staff Development, Staff Development, Staff Development. I believe there should be a dollar for dollar ratio of staff development: technology.
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Different schools have different experiences
What is realistic based on funding??
Hidden costs need to be included (ex: mounting-parts, labor; electricity loads and access, licenses; on-site instructional support.)
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We are excited and ready to go! Is there still n-computing piloting opportunities? Penn B seems to be something we should aim for as a goal to accomplish very soon. K-12 students need integration of technology every day.
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Cost
Staff Development
Instructional Support
Technical Support
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I feel that the Penn B model is the most realistic at this point. If we were looking at an opportunity for our district and the fact we would have to go to the public to make LPS a more “cyber-friendly” school district, this plan makes the most sense. Incidentally, I had a conversation with our K team about the fact that our (more and more) youngest students are coming to us with the inability to hold a pencil or crayon. It begs the question: How much more time as a culture will we continue to use mediums that probably won’t be utilized when they grow up? I would love to give you the “rest of the story” (what teachers say about this dilemma.)
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I so appreciate all the energy and expertise involved in forward thinking related to our district-wide technology needs. The support you have provided has been much appreciated.
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Without follow-up instruction or clear purpose, the laptop and internet access for kids/families in poverty won’t help them get out of poverty. Perhaps getting the community involved in how to educate people on accessing technology would be great. Littleton is a progressive community that would support raising the standard for all students and households in this town.
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· Remember-internet copier-printer- one per classroom
· Concern- maintenance over time once budget changes
· Importance on staff development- teacher implementation
· Key- tools no good without teacher training
· How does this integrate with curriculum?
· Systematic district approach
· ASUS EEE PC series- Every teacher 1st to learn.
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Please be considerate of equal access.
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My only concern is, “How can we stay current with technology?” the concern is based on the rapidly changing technology world where as soon as something is purchased it is out –of-date because of the latest new technology becoming available. How do we purchase technology in a smart, planned, focused manner that will result in staying current without damaging other areas of schools? (Ex: Salaries, updating buildings, etc…)
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Reinforce! Need to network copiers. Integrate curriculum and programs with technology. Our “new gym” will stay empty if we don’t have winning athletic programs.
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We really need to get a laptop in the hands of every TEACHER first and fast.
We also have to factor in equity-getting to one to one may not be as big as it seems if we consider we already have personally owned technology by staff and students. What does it cost to fill the gaps?
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Let’s get an EEE PC in the hands of every teacher as a place to begin. Staff development, with respect to integrating technology to follow, and then the 1:1 laptop commitment.
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Teachers need laptops or EEE PC to work with as you move laptops to high schools, move desktops to middle and elementary schools. We need to go to the public to support technology in LPS so it is supported in the future.
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I thought it was great to see the convergence between levels and I think the subtle difference in the state models is about the amount of $ available and comfort level as to when (what grade level) to go to one to one laptops.
I think community internet-access needs to be considered.
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I’m wondering how to increase the capacity of Instructional coaches to support the use of technology for instruction. Teachers need support from IT & Instruction. I.C. Training days next year?
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Love the idea of demonstration teachers/lab teachers, teacher leaders in buildings to support the integration of technology by their colleagues- a less on study version if you will of technology use. We have new vehicles for professional development that include more school-based professional learning. Most powerful venue. New teachers-Can we do more in August to get people up to speed sooner?
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It is the equity of access at home.
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Shift in instruction practices
Safety/ethical training
Funding streams
Train simultaneously or sequentially. Teachers first?
Community buy-in
Do we have foundations first?
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Professional Development and on-going support are key.
Integrating Technology into instruction is key. Shouldn’t the discussion on technology be integrated and based on needs-
Perhaps we’re starting at the wrong place.
Needs – What is
Values needed
Having said the above, I appreciate so much the high quality of support from the IT department. Thank you!