Rock Hill Parents - Are You Ready For One to One Computing Classrooms?

Several Rock Hill Principals have asked for input on a proposed move to one to one computing classrooms. Below are two examples:

One to One Computing Our district is exploring the possibility of implementing one to one computing within all classrooms.  I will take part in a technology innovation team meeting this Thursday, May 10.  In this meeting we will discuss, among other things, options to fund one to one computing with Ipads.

Several options will be explored as ways to implement this type of technology program within the schools.  These include, but are not limited to:
    
    Parents paying a technology fee for students to be issued a device (Ipad) to use for the school year.

    Parents leasing a device from Apple via a district leasing program.

    Parents providing a device for students to bring to school each day for instructional use.

I would like your input.

Which of the above options would be feasible for your family?

Again, we are just discussing the possibility of implementing a one to one computing program; no decisions have been made. Since our students want to be able to use Ipads in the classroom and our teachers are eager to engage students in the learning process with the Ipads, I would like to take your input to the table Thursday when I meet with this committee.

I look forward to hearing from you.  Please respond to twhite@rhmail.org.

Tammy T. White
Parent Input Needed: Technology Innovation Team

Our district is exploring the possibility of implementing one to one computing. I will take part in a technology innovation team meeting Thursday. In this meeting, we will discuss options to fund one to one computing with IPads. Several options will be explored to include but not limited to: * Parents paying a technology fee for students to be issued a device (IPad) to use for the school year * Parents leasing a device from Apple via a district leasing program * Parents providing a device for students to bring to school each day for instructional use. I would like your input. Which of the above options would be feasible for your family? Our students want to be able to use the IPads in class, our teachers are eager to engage the students in the learning process with the IPads. Again, we are just having a discussion; no decisions have been made. I would like to take your input to the table Thursday when we meet. I look forward to hearing from you. Please respond to ldixon@rhmail.org

Those of you who have been following my blog know that I've had issues with Technology Implementation in schools (Failed Promise of Technology). I would guess we have spent over $35 million dollars on technology since I've been on the board, and probably 2/3 of what has been purchased is either obsolete or no longer working. The life of technology is 5 years or less - that's the nature of the beast. It is an expensive tool.

In the past two years, I've learned about one to one computing programs such as the one in Mooresville, North Carolina. With the right infrastructure and planning, it can be very successful. But the key to Mooresville is they followed every one of the 9 steps for successful implementation. Something only 1% of schools do, and a major reason for technology to "under perform"

School leadership is one of the factors that must be ready for implementation as shown in the slide below:

Below are some of the benefits of a successful one to one program:

As you can see from the slide below, the number of technology devices is number 6 on the list of importance:

So, how do you know if your school leadership is ready for one to one computing? Here are some examples:

• You already know what a one to one computing classroom looks like.
• You have been trained by your school on the use of facebook and twitter and the school uses these tools to communicate with you.
• The school utilizes youtube to share student and school success stories (as well as facebook and twitter).
• School leadership organizes online resources for staff professional development.
• The principal uses the same technology tools with staff that teachers will use in the classroom.
• Facebook, twitter, and youtube are not blocked and learning to do effective online searches are part of the curriculum for students.
• Parents, students, teachers, and non-teaching staff are involved in the decision process for major technology training and changes.
• If on-site tech resources are not available, the school leadership provides  most of the expertise needed.

So, how does your school leadership measure up? 

Why is it important to you? 

If you are asked to help finance a one-to-one project, you will have more return on your investment if you are in a school that understands collaboration and the use of technology tools.

Don't worry if you feel your school is not ready. The number one factor for a successful school is that it has a safe supportive environment that encourages life long learning. And Parents, primarily Moms (Thanks Mom), are still the number one predictor of a child's academic success.

And about those 21st century skills people talk about - IPADS don't make the list. Here is the list:

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Agility
• Initiative
• Effective Communication
• Analyzing Information
• Curiosity and Imagination

Technology is an expensive tool. It is not the solution. Putting an IPAD in every student's hand will not make them tech savvy or a 21st century learner - at least no more than you buying a $1,000 suit makes you a model.


Click here to go to the Project Red Website.

Click here for a link to the video

Click here for a link to the 21st Century Teacher blog.