Connectedness - Assignment #4

“The more important questions revolve around the design of the culture of teaching and learning.” Alan November

As echoed in the article written by Alan November titled Why Schools Must Move Beyond One to One Computing, I see the biggest issue with one to one devices is that we see the device as the driving force and not a tool to enhance teaching. Technology is a tool, it is meant to supplement not supplant teachers and education. The Recent Research Brief clearly states that students can and are benefitting from the use of one to one devices. So where is the disconnect? In my opinion, the disconnect lies in the teacher training and the implementation of the devices. We can learn from schools that have struggled in the past by clearly framing the use and expectations of one to one device usage.  

When considering implementing one to one programs in schools, leadership training is a vital and often overlooked part of this process. We focus on the teacher training, but truly, the training needs to start at the leadership level. Creating cohorts and small learning groups of teachers to collaborate is up to the leadership team. Those small groups are invaluable to teacher learning and student success, IF they are created and ran in an appropriate way.

I struggle with the idea of the BYOD programs because I think that with students on different types of devices and running different platforms, you are going to spend a lot of time troubleshooting as opposed to working. There is a big difference between a mac laptop and a windows tablet. If you are going to do a one to one initiative in your school, it is vital that you provide the students with equal access to the same devices. I believe that a BYOD program in a school does not meet with Standard 1, because it does not create a shared vision among all stakeholders since all are not on an equitable level for access to devices. The rest of Standard 1 really speaks to how successful a one to one program can be IF the vision is clear and creates purposeful change with set goals and expectations. All of the articles discussed a common theme between unsuccessful one to one programs were due to an overall lack of vision. They were using the technology itself to drive the vision as opposed to driving the vision through leadership and a strong set of expectations. To find success as a digital leader, I think a strong vision for the focus and purpose of technology in your building is key. Moving a staff forward into new technology or a one to one initiative requires a shared vision amongst all stakeholder including the staff and the community as well. To truly create digital change, just as with any change within a building, it must start with a shared and united vision that is clearly communicated to all involved.