As many schools work to create an enriched learning environment with resources to expand student opportunities and meet individualized learning needs, 1 to 1 device programs are becoming much more commonplacein schools across the country. Seventh-day Adventist schools in the Southwestern Union are no exception to this trend, as more and more schools are initiating mobile device programs beyond the traditional computer lab environment. With that desire, many questions often come up in relation to device selection (iPads vs. Chromebooks), internet content filtering (where to even begin), Wi-Fi and internet reliability for students, what digital resources to begin with and many other related questions. From planning an implementation to fundraising, and from teacher training to parent education, there are many aspects to planning and rolling out a program which can keep many teachers and schools on the sidelines, not because the interest isn’t there, but rather the lack of first-hand experience and resources to make it happen. If that describes your setting in any way, I would encourage you tokeep reading and dive deeper.
Mobile device programs, when done well, facilitate things simply not possible without them. Adaptive learning platforms offer tailored learning experiences that assess and meet the learner at their current working level. Great examples of these would be Dreambox Math and Lexia Learning. Both platforms offer incredible insights to parents and teachers alike, and allow teachers to “push” assignments that are tailored toeach students’ current working level and skill. While not meant to replace curriculum, the opportunity to supplement in an individualized way meeting student needs and interests can truly have a profound impact on student learning and engagement.
Another wonderful aspect of having a 1 to 1 mobile device program is the opportunity it extends to implement formative assessment in a more impactful and meaningful way. There are some tremendous tools available that give teachers total insight into student abilities and particularly, help identify where they struggle so interventions can be initiated. Several great examples of these are Apollo.School, GoFormative.com, and Edulastic.com.Edualstic in particular goes beyond formative assessment and offers a database of more than one hundred thousand teacher-created questions which are tagged with their associated standards, making the database very simple to search and create your own customized assessments. With over 30 types of questions, the platform goes far beyond multiple choice and free-response options. The insight gained from these types of tools truly has the power to support students and their learning in ways not possible without a 1 to 1 device program.
If you are seriously considering a 1 to 1 mobile device implementation in your school, or you would like to take the nextstep towards formalizing what you have already started, I would point you to a couple of resources I have created to help in that process. If you findyourself with limited time, this check-list style document (which is full of references and links) will help get you on your way and guide the implementation process. If you are able to dedicate a little more time, I would encourage you to take my free course on AdventistLearningCommunity.com by visiting this link: https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/implementing-a-1-to-1-device-program.
The course counts towards your continuing education, and covers six key elements: Understanding “why” creating a 1 to 1 program matters, starting with the end in mind (lots of shared video of a live 1 to 1 iPad program), the device selection process, writing a plan and fundraising, upgrading your network, and executing the rollout of the program. Additionally, if you would like to start your journey by catching a vision ofwhat a functioning program can offer, I invite you to contact me to schedule avisit to Burton Adventist Academy where you can visit live classes, interact with teachers and students at your grade levels of interest, and dialogue with us over what type of implementation plan makes sense in your current school environment. Whatever your interest, I encourage you to invest in your own learning through school visitations, connecting with like-minded educators, and utilizing the vast online resources and professional networks that exist. Whatever your path, know that you are not alone on the journey, and we work together to provide our students a brighter tomorrow!
By Aaron Long TEDC Rep for SWUC
Aaron is the Junior High Vice Principal and teaches math and technology at Burton Adventist Academy in Arlington, TX.
