Assignment #4 - Connectedness and 1:1 Initiatives

I have to say, when I found out we were going to launch a 1:1 iPad initiative in my district, I was skeptical. The reason behind that feeling is because I had read that research shows that the implementation of digital devices in the classroom did nothing to improve student achievement. I was very interested to read Cuban’s assessment, however, that part of the problem might be that there is a large discrepancy between what teachers were reporting they did using the technology in the classroom and what they were actually doing with the technology in the classroom. It seems that teachers may, in large part, be answering questions in a way that they see as socially desirable. They know that a 1:1 initiative likely means that they should be infusing technology into their instruction all day long, so even if they aren’t necessarily doing that, they will answer that they are. This is the major problem with these studies being largely self-reporting, though I understand money and time are major factors.

In the article by Alan November (Why Schools Must Move Beyond One-to-One Computing), he talked about this notion of “spray and pray”. So many districts are simply trying to be ahead of the curve with technological implementation that they are “spraying” the new technology out there and then “praying” that it leads to higher student achievement. Teachers are given fairly surface level professional development that is focused almost entirely on the practical use of the device itself instead of how it can be used to increase learning opportunities for kids. What they are failing to realize is that they are putting the cart before the horse. Much more forethought needs to go into it before they actually put the digital devices into the hands of the kids.

I like November’s idea of framing a 1:1 initiative instead as a 1:World initiative because it reframes the reasons for the initiative in the first place. It takes it from simply spending a crazy amount of money to put devices into the hands of kids and teachers, expecting that fact alone to increase student scores, to creating a vision for connecting students to the world. It changes staff development from device use to lesson creation that is centered on empowering and engaging students with the world they live in.

One major lesson we can learn from the failure of others in 1:1 implementation is the creation of professional development that was ongoing and more focused on the pedagogy, not just the technology. Making sure that the staff doesn’t see the technology as just something else that they are being told to implement, but that it is crucial for their students as they learn how to connect with others and the world is really important. I think this is one of the places where districts are falling down on the job. I know even in my own district that there has been some grumbling about the iPad initiative and I believe that is, in large part, due to the district not rolling things out in a way that taught teachers about how to use them effectively for instruction.

Another thing I believe we can learn is to make sure there is extensive PD centered on training administrative staff about the proper way to transition to the digital learning space. I don’t know exactly what is being done at the administrative level to make sure that the roll out of this new technology goes smoothly (and maybe transparency is part of the problem), but I am hopeful that they have a plan, as they have already spent the last several years rolling them out at the secondary level.

Lastly, I think school districts need to allow the teachers who are passionate about infusing technology into the curriculum to take risks and support them while they do it – creating PLCs across the grade levels and schools that are focused on innovative ways to create lessons that connect to the world. But before they can do any of that, districts need to craft a clear vision of what the ultimate goal of the 1:1 initiative is - outlining exactly how moving to digital devices will accomplish something that cannot be accomplished in the traditional paper/pencil classroom.

As a future administrator and digital leader, I have some definite work to do to prepare. Using the next two years in my classroom to use this idea of 1:World will help me understand the role of the teacher when the time comes for me to lead them. I want to make sure that the lessons I am creating for kids on the iPad are not just about having them use the technology, but that there is a real world purpose and connection that the iPad can help facilitate. Becoming very comfortable with the technology available in my district will also help me to be able to create on-going, purposeful PD for the teachers in my building when the time comes.