Technology: Best Practices for Schools

Todd Whitlock

Technology/Curriculum CoordinatorNorth Daviess Community Schools

Items to discuss

• Leadership

• New technologies

• 1:1 computing

• Textbook alternatives

• Creative budgeting

Leadership is critical!• Powerful learning, comes from passionate, motivated

teachers who never stop learning• It is a long slow process to renew learning, not overnight

change• Empower your Superintendents, Principals, and

Teachers to move beyond “how we have always done it!”

• You must have someone willing to step outside the norm and push the envelope on innovation

• Be Proactive NOT Reactive

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Take out your cell phone, iPhone, Blackberry, etc

(like you aren’t already checking them!)

New Technologies

• Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites

• iPod touch and other hand-held devices

• Interactive boards

• Are you prepared to use these technologies?

The Evil Cell Phones

• Students are carrying a more powerful computer in their pocket than most classroom computers

• You just participated in an example of using technology YOUR student use 1-1000 times per day and at ZERO cost to the school!

The Evil Cell Phones

• 1000 students x 7 periods per day x 180 school days (no snow days!) = 1,260,000 possible cell phone violations

• Or is it 1,260,000 chances to engage students?

Parents must be a partner in New Technologies

• Parents find it hard to judge if students are working at home – or playing (socializing)

• The lack of textbook and pen might send the wrong signals – educate, engage, and model use

• Run parent orientation nights! – Get in guest-expert to talk about the issues and benefits – get parents onboard

1:1 COMPUTING

Take out your cell phone, iPhone, Blackberry, etc

You have 1:1 computing in this room

Again at Zero Cost to ISBA/IAPSS at this moment!

1:1 Computing“I think the big problem is that schools have

very few ideas about what to do with the computers once the kids have them. It’s basically just tokenism, and schools just won’t face up to what the actual problems of education are, whether you have technology or not.”

– Dr. Alan Kay

Laptops/Computers in the Classroom

LAPTOPS/COMPUTERS in the classroom will be for many teachers a rude awakening or a liberating departure

Student Use Must Not Be boring!

• Using a laptop/computer to type in answers to textbook questions, print them out and hand it in is absolutely superficial.

• Your textbook is NOT compatible with student motivation towards technology.

• Boring computer activities lead to work avoidance strategies and self-interest use of the Internet.

Textbook Alternatives

North Daviess “Living Textbook”

Living Textbook ExplanationFrom Department of Education• The State Board interprets this section to allow school corporations

to use computers and other data devices, instructional software, Internet resources, interactive, magnetic and other media, and other “systematically organized material.”

• Indiana Code 20-33-5-7, the textbook reimbursement statute, accommodates textbook adoption waivers: The definition of “textbook” for purposes of reimbursement is the same definition that applies to adoption. Computers and other data devices, instructional software, Internet resources, interactive and magnetic media, and other “systematically organized material” are eligible for reimbursement.

North Daviess Solution• This year – no adoption of “NEW” textbooks in

Social Studies– Keep classroom set of existing adoption

• Sell back all but classroom set in English• Explore this option each year of adoption• Explore alternative content to enhance the

learning and engage the students

North Daviess Solution• Laptop become living textbook

– Issue laptop to each incoming 9th grade– School year 2009-10 also for the 10th graders

• Cost will be split with school and student under textbook rental framework– Will replace textbook rental on classes not adopted– Cost will fall within $55-$75 per year– If student stays the full 4 years they leave with the “living textbook”

• Close Digital Divide– Web sites visited accessible from home even with no internet

Learning becomes alive when using all tools available

• Closed minds – lead to closed doors• Willingness to do what is right for students

– Not what is easiest for adults

• Be Creative in your Budgets– Textbook alternatives

– Off lease equipment

– Sponsorships and partnerships

Contact information• Todd Whitlock• whitlock@ndaviess.k12.in.us• todd@whitlock-in.us • todd@edtechzone.com • 812-636-8000 x 1500• Resources and copy of this presentation will be

posted at www.edtechzone.com/links