Classroom Renovation - Rethinking your Classroom through Technology

Editor's Notes

• #24: Today we are going to look at where we were, where we are and where we are going when it comes to technology in the classroom.As we begin we need to come to the realization that EVERYONE is going mobile and schools are no differentSchools however have a number of challenges in front of the them when it comes to staying up with the technology advancements, and we will take a look at some of thos challenges today.Finally we will take a look at some of the tools that are available and can be used in the classroom that will further increase student participation and improve the students “success”
• #25: THESE ARE APPROXIMATE NUMBERSWhen we look at how technology has evolved 10 years ago the technology was centered around computer labs and library systems and due to the newness of wireless technologies, schools didn’t have the knowledge or funding to introduce mobile technology except in smaller initiatives.5 years later, the technology became more of a standard, teacher laptops were introduced as a focused 1 to 1 initiative. Additionally, older desktops in laps were distributed to the classrooms and replaced with wireless computer labs. These COWS provided students improved access to technology and provided schools with more classroom space to keep the student teacher ratio acceptable.Over the last 2 years, we have seen the COWS go through a remodel in the form of tablets and smaller mobile devices. Laptops that were once in the COW are not replacing the bulky classroom desktops and being distributed to students in one to one initiatives.
• #26: With the move to Mobile Technologies, has uncovered a number of challenges schools are facing.Availability and cost – Technology is more available now than it has been, but the challenge is centered more around a BYOD initiative. Not all students have access to a mobile device and providing mobile devices is not always an option for schools with limited funding.Curriculum – Introducing the mobile technology tools into the classroom curriculum has not been adapted to state and federal education standards. As a result, curriculum specialist and teachers are focusing their attention on tools that are directly related.Technical Support – Schools and District IT Support teams are so focused on CIPA compliancy and data resource availability, that supporting mobile devices outside the infrastructure becomes a major challenge. BYOD initiatives are met with security scrutiny and managing cell phone or tablet technology from both a hardware and network standpoint puts Support teams in a difficult position to maintain the devices and protect them from online attacks and physical loss or damage.When you look at all of these factors administrators, directors and principals are very hesitant to consider these types of new initiatives. Adjusting the AUP also become a challenge because school technology usage procedures can be different based on the focus areas of the schools (vocational, magnet/ focused arts, technology programs, etc)
• #27: Share research data not to convince to use cell phones but to arm you with data to inform stakeholders and admins to revise AUPs to allow cell phones to be used as instructional tools in the classroom