As a senior in high school (circa 2006), I remember getting a cart of standard Dell laptops that were to be shared among students and classes in my high school. That was a cart of 30 computers, to be shared between 120 students each day. How there weren't more conflicts or lack of computers is still a wonder to me. Teachers were always trying to track down the sign up sheet so classes could use the laptops. Fast forward to the year 2010...
April 3rd, 2010. The day that educational technology would forever change. The very first iPad was released. The release of the iPad was supposed to "create a device similar to a laptop or netbook that would allow for the same functionality". Within the first 80 days of release, Apple had sold 3 million iPads. (Wikipedia) Education would never be the same. By the time the iPad 2 was released on March 2nd, 2011, there were already 15 MILLION first generation iPads purchased. The iPad was discovered with its countless features that could be used in educational classrooms with use of Apps, Games, and WiFi capabilities with the device.
The iPad in education has been a game changer, an ever-changing evolution of cutting-edge technology, and a RESOURCE. Combine the iPad with 1:1 laptop initiatives with devices such as MacBooks and Chromebooks, and suddenly classrooms are filled with technology! No longer are students writing research papers, writing out class notes over a lecture, or even taking tests. Research now is focused more on plagiarism and how to correctly site sources when typing a paper, notes are typed digitally and saved to a students computer, and even tests in the classroom are being taken online. In the state of Kansas, students log into a website with a unique username and password to even take state assessments which are vital to state funding and school funding across the state. It's obvious that technology is here to stay and will continue to develop in the classroom.
The sudden push of technology doesn't come without hesitations, problems, and obstacles however. There have been several factors that I have discovered in just my three short years in the school district in which I am a Technology Director in.
- You have to learn to pace yourself. Not everyone may want to jump into technology and the sudden push of devices. Learn to hold conversations with staff members, students, and even parents. Get a feel for what is NEEDED in the classrooms and what is WANTED in the classrooms. There is a huge difference between need and want.
- Be open to change and criticism. The flow of technology into classrooms isn't easy and there will always normally be some form of pushback where if the technology doesn't work right away, the teacher or students may not want to start using their devices in the classroom if they don't perform. If the technology is functioning, students tend to engage more as the devices and technology create a more personal learning environment. Student engagement is a huge factor in classrooms and if you can keep them learning, you've achieved the desired goals with the devices and your objectives of why they are in the classrooms.
- Creativity. As a Technology Director, I have found it CRITICAL that I listen to all feedback I get from staff, students, and parents. The role of technology in the classroom is to help aid educational learning. Recently, students in the 4th grade in our school district Skyped with a World War II museum as well as NASA! The possibility of what can be achieved in the classroom with technology is endless! +Nick Krahn
- Learn from advice and support of others. Once a month I attend a seminar with other local EdTech Directors where we discuss anything from new practices in education to new technology devices to break-fixing devices. When a problem is discovered, it is HIGHLY likely that someone in the group has had the same issue and together the group quickly finds and answer and resolves problems faster than what I myself may have been able to.
- Extend your network of connections. My biggest discovery this past year has been how many incredible and amazing people exist in this world. I attended PodStock2014 this year and met numerous staff from school districts all over the country ranging from Ohio to New Hampshire to Florida to Kentucky to Texas and other numerous areas of the country! The wealth of knowledge one can gain at a conference is incredible, not to mention all the collaboration that occurs as well!
The role of technology in the classrooms is quickly changing and the roller coaster ride has been full of twists as well as ups and downs. Each situation presented is a new learning experience and one that I fully welcome. Learning never stops. Technology isn't slowing down learning, it's changing how we learn. That change in learning should be welcomed into the classroom with open arms...I mean opened devices!
