A couple months ago, I bashed the 1-to-1 movement (What if...we stopped using the phrase 1-to-1?) calling it "irresponsible', 'foolish', 'political', etc...maybe I didn't use those words, but they were implied. My ire was not against the need for technology, but the use of the phrase 1-to-1 as this 'fix-all' to education. Of course, I was asked by a few people, "So Mr. Smarty, if we're doing it all wrong, tell us what to do." Here goes.....
I'll start with this premise....we need to figure out a way to blend access and opportunity for every child with opportunity for personalization in device choice. Curriculum has changed across the country (or at least in our district) to include digital resources and learning through technology on a daily basis. In our district, we use @Schoology as our LMS and our resources are being pushed out to teachers and students through this system. If students don't have access to devices, then we are limiting their access to the curriculum. Would we only buy textbooks for 1/2 the class? So, we need devices in classrooms...my vote today goes to chromebooks in grades 2 and up. There are times when it's appropriate for the teacher to have all kids on devices as they collaborate digitally to create presentations, do research, complete performance tasks, do a formative assessment check, etc....(For the record, my 'etc...' does not include sticking all of the kids on a single program/app and letting them play games or go down the same digital path.) The teacher can then work with individuals or small groups on specific skills or foster academic conversations. There are times when it's appropriate for teachers to have students collaborating on one device in small groups to construct a group response after a thought-provoking question. There are times when teachers foster learning for students using portable devices (defined as tablets, iPods, smartphones) so they can take pictures, videos, go on digital scavenger hunts, get out of the classroom and explore the world, but use technology to capture it, bring it back and present their findings via their chromebooks.
Ok...so by now you've noticed that I highlighted teachers over and over..why? Because skillfully instructing using technology falls on the backs of teachers...they are the critical factor in planning, delivering, and assessing through technology. Great teachers figure out ways to leverage the resources available to them to improve student learning. However, they can't do it alone...it goes back to 'What if...we (admins/coaches) truly understood edtech coaching and pedagogy?' Even our greatest teachers won't know the most efficient and effective way to use technology without PD, support, and coaching. They need to learn how to use different digital tools, when to use different digital tools, and why to use different digital tools...Yup...teachers need a digital toolbox!
Let's regroup...So, am I saying that every classroom needs 1-to-1 chromebooks and a set of portable devices....pretty much! But really...the better way is to have students use their personal devices as the portable devices or even their laptop-type devices. An effective technology plan ensures access to the digital curriculum and pedagogy, while supporting BYOD. BYOD is slightly complicated at first, but with the right mindset it can create a personalization culture in your classroom and school. Teachers can't rely on BYOD as a means of expanding tech in their classroom, but teachers should learn how to leverage this opportunity in the classrooms.
All of that said...I am an advocate of thinking of different ways to personalize devices while also managing our budget...what if when students were entering high school (or any school) we gave them a menu of different devices that they could rent to own over the next four years. Students could pick from Chromebooks to Mac Airs to PC laptops with varying (yet affordable) payment plans that balance out the cost...we could do the same with portables if they didn't already have them. Could we not afford to pay the difference in this investment in education? I'm pretty sure that we spend more on paper and textbooks per pupil than this. How great would it be that every student has a device over the summer and could take a hybrid or online course or personalize their own learning? How awesome is it that kids then go off to college or begin their careers with a device that they know intimately? It may not last them beyond a year or two, but for so many students its a great start to adulthood.
Anyway, I'm not sure if this was really the 'answer' I was promising, but definitely a start to help think about how we could and should ensure that all students have access and opportunity to learning in the 21st century. I would be remiss if I didn't attribute so much of this post to an amazing group of tech thinkers in my PLN who are regularly voxing about these complex issues...@DougTimm34 @TomGavin @TaraAmsterdam @Katy_Corey @SarahQJ and others!
I'll start with this premise....we need to figure out a way to blend access and opportunity for every child with opportunity for personalization in device choice. Curriculum has changed across the country (or at least in our district) to include digital resources and learning through technology on a daily basis. In our district, we use @Schoology as our LMS and our resources are being pushed out to teachers and students through this system. If students don't have access to devices, then we are limiting their access to the curriculum. Would we only buy textbooks for 1/2 the class? So, we need devices in classrooms...my vote today goes to chromebooks in grades 2 and up. There are times when it's appropriate for the teacher to have all kids on devices as they collaborate digitally to create presentations, do research, complete performance tasks, do a formative assessment check, etc....(For the record, my 'etc...' does not include sticking all of the kids on a single program/app and letting them play games or go down the same digital path.) The teacher can then work with individuals or small groups on specific skills or foster academic conversations. There are times when it's appropriate for teachers to have students collaborating on one device in small groups to construct a group response after a thought-provoking question. There are times when teachers foster learning for students using portable devices (defined as tablets, iPods, smartphones) so they can take pictures, videos, go on digital scavenger hunts, get out of the classroom and explore the world, but use technology to capture it, bring it back and present their findings via their chromebooks.
Ok...so by now you've noticed that I highlighted teachers over and over..why? Because skillfully instructing using technology falls on the backs of teachers...they are the critical factor in planning, delivering, and assessing through technology. Great teachers figure out ways to leverage the resources available to them to improve student learning. However, they can't do it alone...it goes back to 'What if...we (admins/coaches) truly understood edtech coaching and pedagogy?' Even our greatest teachers won't know the most efficient and effective way to use technology without PD, support, and coaching. They need to learn how to use different digital tools, when to use different digital tools, and why to use different digital tools...Yup...teachers need a digital toolbox!
Let's regroup...So, am I saying that every classroom needs 1-to-1 chromebooks and a set of portable devices....pretty much! But really...the better way is to have students use their personal devices as the portable devices or even their laptop-type devices. An effective technology plan ensures access to the digital curriculum and pedagogy, while supporting BYOD. BYOD is slightly complicated at first, but with the right mindset it can create a personalization culture in your classroom and school. Teachers can't rely on BYOD as a means of expanding tech in their classroom, but teachers should learn how to leverage this opportunity in the classrooms.
All of that said...I am an advocate of thinking of different ways to personalize devices while also managing our budget...what if when students were entering high school (or any school) we gave them a menu of different devices that they could rent to own over the next four years. Students could pick from Chromebooks to Mac Airs to PC laptops with varying (yet affordable) payment plans that balance out the cost...we could do the same with portables if they didn't already have them. Could we not afford to pay the difference in this investment in education? I'm pretty sure that we spend more on paper and textbooks per pupil than this. How great would it be that every student has a device over the summer and could take a hybrid or online course or personalize their own learning? How awesome is it that kids then go off to college or begin their careers with a device that they know intimately? It may not last them beyond a year or two, but for so many students its a great start to adulthood.
Anyway, I'm not sure if this was really the 'answer' I was promising, but definitely a start to help think about how we could and should ensure that all students have access and opportunity to learning in the 21st century. I would be remiss if I didn't attribute so much of this post to an amazing group of tech thinkers in my PLN who are regularly voxing about these complex issues...@DougTimm34 @TomGavin @TaraAmsterdam @Katy_Corey @SarahQJ and others!