Week 5: Preparing to Shadow an EdTech Leader
In order to prepare for my upcoming shadowing experience with a local EdTech leader, I decided to do a little research into the current technology situation and resources of the school district I will be visiting.
To get a glimpse into the day-to-day roles and responsibilities of an EdTech leader, I will spend a morning shadowing a technology director from Bloomington, Indiana's Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC). To better prepare myself for this visit, I have been investigating what types of technology initiatives the school corporation has undertaken in recent years and how this technology is currently being used in their schools.
Since the 2015-16 school year, each school in the corporation (from elementary to high school) has transitioned to 1:1 device usage, meaning each student is assigned one device to use daily throughout the year. Elementary and middle school students are provided with iPads, while the high school students use combined tablets and laptops (as shown in the video above). This infographic explains the purpose and mission statement for the school's 1:1 initiative and an overview of the main applications the district uses.
The district also seems committed to teaching the students how to use the devices safely and appropriately, as evidenced by their distinction as a Common Sense Certified District focused on principles of digital citizenship. As explained on the district's website, "Common Sense Education's digital citizenship curriculum provides students with useful knowledge related to Internet safety, privacy and security, relationships and communication, cyberbullying and digital drama, digital footprint and reputation, self-image and identity, information literacy, and creative credit and copyright." This is a break-down of what digital citizenship topics are currently being taught in each grade level across the corporation:
Based on this information, I expect my shadowing experience to be focused largely on addressing issues with the student devices and planning instructional workshops or programs for students and staff on the core principles of digital citizenship. Questions that I intend to ask my mentor EdTech leader include:
What does a typical day look like for you? What are some of your daily responsibilities?
What did the process to roll out the 1:1 devices look like? What was the district's/community's reaction? How (if at all) have those reactions changed since the beginning of the process?
What was the greatest challenge in implementing the district's new 1:1 technology initiative? What steps did you take to overcome that?
What steps are you currently taking to encourage the integration of the devices into daily classroom activities? What percent of teachers are actively using the devices in their classes?
Because MCCSC adopted these devices only a few years ago, I am interested to see how large (or small) of a role they play in current classroom and school culture. I think it's important for students, staff, parents, community members, and potential employees alike to investigate their school's technology initiatives and available resources (like these 1:1 devices at MCCSC). While browsing their website, I noticed that MCCSC does a great job of explaining the 1:1 device use and providing FAQs, parent and student device guides, acceptable use policies, and other resources for the students and parents to use with the devices (such as applications for school or other websites for additional learning opportunities). However, while they provide a video on the website of classroom instruction in which the students are working with the devices, they do not explain exactly how the students are using them, which I think could be beneficial to parents. If parents and community members can see specifically how the students are using the technology and why it is essential to their schooling, they will likely be much more supportive of the initiative.
Overall, I am impressed by MCCSC's commitment to providing students with the resources they need to gain 21st century technology skills and the ability to safely and appropriately engage with others using technology. I can't wait for my shadowing experience!
--Miss Hennings
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