Week 11 Emerging Technology: What Specific Policies Will Help Your District Prepare Students for Current and Emerging Technology Use? How Can You Help Lead Your District in Creating These Policies?
I think that the policies ASD has in place right now need to change soon because of emerging technology. Given the budget situation, it is difficult to plan for expansion of technology. According to ASD’s current technology plan, “the overarching goal is to capitalize on opportunities that focus our use of instructional technology to get the greatest return on investment by consolidating resources, restructuring support models, leveraging emerging technologies whenever possible, and utilizing continuous improvement cycles to evaluate and refine our practices.” (http://www.asdk12.org/media/anchorage/globalmedia/documents/ edtech/ASDTechnologyPlan2014-2017.pdf.)
The policy framework from Alberta’s School District has some good policies that we should follow. Five of these policies are:
Student-Centered Learning– Technology is used to support student-centered, personalized, authentic learning for all students.
Research and Innovation– Teachers, administrators, and other education professionals read, review, participate in, share, and apply research to evidence-based practices to sustain and advance in education.
Professional Learning– Teachers, administrators, and other education professionals develop, maintain, and apply the knowledge, skills, and attributes that enable them to use technology effectively and innovatively in support of learning and teaching.
Leadership– Education leaders establish policy and governance structures, cultivate innovation, and build capacity within the system of student-centered learning and system efficiencies.
Access, Infrastructure, and Digital Learning Environment– All students, teachers, administrators, and other education professional have access to appropriate devices, reliable infrastructure, and high-speed networks, and digital learning environments.
(https://education.alberta.ca/media/7792655/learning-and-technology-policy-framework-web.pdf)
In 2013 and 2014, East, Chugiak, and Eagle River high schools and Romig Middle School started a BYOD program. I think a policy is needed for this, as well. Before, phones and electronics were not allowed in school. Now more and more schools are opening up to this idea. In the article “Tips for Creating Technology Policies For K-12,”Chrissy Winske reported on a conversation TechDecisions had with Jennifer Jenson, PhD, Professor of Pedagogy and Technology, about an acceptable use policy. Jenson pointed out that you want as many stakeholders as you can gather when creating a policy. Also, if possible, include someone doing research on technology in schools.
I believe that I can help with creating these policies. If I share my knowledge of what I have been learning in class and show administrators some articles and research about emerging technology, then I can help out. Through the classes that I am taking and the information I am learning, it has become clear to me that my district is falling behind when it comes to this subject. I look forward to finding ways I can pass on what I am learning and finding others who see the need for change in our system, so that we can update district policies and offer our students better opportunities when it comes to emerging tech.
Technology is not going away; in fact it is changing faster than it has been in earlier years. As a teacher, I need to understand what is emerging and how I can use that for education. I think Alberta’s policies, which are based on extensive research, provide a good framework for technology-centered learning. If I share Alberta’s approach, along with some of the research, these may help frame new policies for our district and lead it in the right direction.
References
Anchorage School District. (2014). Retrieved July 25, 2015, from http://www.asdk12.org/media/anchorage/globalmedia/documents/edtech/ASDTechnologyPlan2014-2017.pdf).
Learning And Technology Policy Framework. (2013). Retrieved July 25, 2015, from https://education.alberta.ca/media/7792655/learning-and-technology-policy-framework-web.pdf
Winske, C. (2014). Tips for Creating Technology Policies for K-12. Retrieved July 25, 2015, from http://www.k-12techdecisions.com/article/creating_an_acceptable_use_policy_for_mobile_learning_initiatives/P2
teacherclass@ak 
My school keeps up with technology for teachers, we got smartboards when they were the “in thing.” We have replaced smartboards in secondary classrooms giving teachers iPads with projectors and an AppleTV which makes it easier for us. While we keep up with technology for teachers, I think we are falling behind on keeping up with technology for students because we restrict them to the twenty five computers that are available at the school not allowing them to bring in their own devices, whether it be phone, tablet, iPad, or laptop. I feel like so many things could be done if they all had their own piece of technology, there aren’t too many kids who don’t have their own and then they could use the laptops the school has provided. Each year we talk about allowing seniors to have their phones on them as a privilege, but not to use them as a tool for their education, when that is brought up during inservice days, I’m going to be sure to mention what I have found out about how useful they can be. Good luck on your journey to help lead your district in creating/updating policies!
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Hi Tristan, I tried to response to your Week 12 proposal but it only lets you put the comments but didn’t have the send button after. Might want to look at that. Hope you get this. Couldn’t find your email to let you know.
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In my school every classroom has an Apple TV, a projector, and three desktop computers. There are some iPads that can be checked out if you need one. We have a computer lab with 30 computers. I work for ASD as well. The policies for BYOD may not be very clear in the technology plan, but they do have a flyer with Q & A for parents. There is also a user agreement that parents and students have to sign before students use their devices. I agree that it is important to keep policies updated.
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Your comment of technology is not going away, it is changing faster and faster is right on the money. I know technology is expensive, but it seems like districts are spending money on the new fad, and not looking into the future. A laptop doesn’t need to be state of the art, it just has to work. Everything we have talked about in this class can be done on a laptop that is 5-6 years old. I think that if a lot of districts spent money on a server, wrote a good plan, then BYOD is a great tool for them. The money can be spent wisely and the kids can do what they do best. Good luck on your journey!!
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I love that you are taking the steps necessary to keep technology alive in your district. It is so important that we as educators speak up about how the world around us is changing and stress the importance of allowing our students access to things that they see every day in the 21st century. I think the Alberta’s school district framework would be a great resource to share among people in your district. It helps lay out the information clearly for all parties involved. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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