At the MASC conference on 11/8, technology
specialists extraordinaire Jennifer Judkins of Lynnfield (@jennjudkins), Jenn
Scheffer of Burlington (@jlscheffer), and Traci Jansen of Wilmington
(@tbjansen) addressed how school leaders can ensure that investments in
infrastructure and devices are maximized.
They displayed a great
visual drawn by Bill Ferriter (@plugusin) “on the role technology should play
in teaching and learning spaces” (find it here: http://www.teachingquality.org/content/blogs/bill-ferriter/technology-tool-not-learning-outcome),
and then moved on to Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s SAMR model (https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/samr-model)
that shows a more academic approach to same. They shared that much of
technology use is actually substitution for actions currently achieved by
another method like research on-line vs. print library, note taking and
annotation on a device rather than on paper, and digital submission of work.
They spoke to a wide
variety of technology issues, challenges, and successes in schools, including
embedding 21st century skills using technology; the popular and
useful student help desk at the high school level; the benefits of Google
Classroom (“helping teachers create and organize assignments, provide feedback
efficiently, and communicate with classes” / ref: classroom.google.com); and
having students memorize and recite a “digital citizen rap” in order to hold
them accountable for responsible use.
Some tips: develop a
technology philosophy, educate stakeholders, and ask students to pilot devices before
making large-scale purchases; be cautious when purchasing apps since they can't be recycled between/among students; and encourage parent understanding for home
use (e.g. no devices in bedrooms).
Burlington Public Schools
will hold an 11/20 session and two spring sessions entitled “1:1 in Action," featuring student-led tours and an overview of the help desk program.
