“Going digital has helped our schools in so many ways. Not only is digital and mobile technology an equalizer for students, it’s a necessity for future crisis planning,” she said.
CoSN CEO Keith Krueger took the last position on stage, explaining that if you’re a school leader looking to “master the moment” in a few basic ways, there are some solutions to current school challenges.
For example, schools with a technology access problem should consider lifting bans on student-owned mobile devices and supplementing these with school-owned devices for students who don’t bring their own device. This is essentially what most colleges do, he said, and it can save money and provide 24/7 access to learning. One example of a K-12 district doing this is Forsyth County Schools in Georgia.
For schools with a tech support problem, consider moving to cloud-based computing. The Oregon Department of Education has partnered with Google to deliver its cloud-based productivity software to schools via the web and reportedly saves $1.5 million per year. The Kentucky Department of Education has partnered with Microsoft in a similar fashion.
For schools with limited collaboration or interactivity, consider using free Web 2.0 tools. Birdville Independent School District in Texas is a good example, as the district uses social networks and even YouTube.
“Birdville defined [acceptable] behavior, not the tool,” said Krueger.
Links:
- #4: 25 education trends for 2018 - December 26, 2018
- Video of the Week: Dealing with digital distraction in the classroom - February 23, 2018
- Secrets from the library lines: 5 ways schools can boost digital engagement - January 2, 2018