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Technology evoluƟon: More student ownership of learning
In Deerfield Public Schools
(DPS109), we are fortunate to
have technological resources to
support learning -- and teachers
who are willing to learn and take
risks to improve their teaching
and their students’ learning.
Currently, in every K-8
classroom we have five Windows
-based PCs in an N-Computing
“pod.” We have carts of PC
netbook “mini” computers that are
shared by classrooms in each
building. We also have several sets of Chromebooks,
iPads, and Nexus tablets. Our students use many
different devices – like professionals all use, every
day, in all industries. The students learn to be
flexible, creative, and to think beyond the keyboard
and screen in front of them. For example, in our
middle schools:
Eighth grade social studies teachers used Skype
to simulate George Orwell’s "Big Brother"
character from
1984
to trigger discussion around
the question, "How much government
surveillance should Americans accept to keep the
nation safe?”
Seventh grade social studies teachers used the
Aurasma app on the iPads to create a scavenger
hunt that develops map skills with augmented
reality.
Students watch Khan Academy videos on iPads,
and then use the “Jigsaw” to share highlights with
each other.
Our Board supports the continued work of the
faculty and the administration in seeking ways to use
technology to transform teaching and learning. In
October 2013, the Board approved funding of
“Innovation Grants” for 40 teachers across each of
the six buildings for a January-June 2014 field test of
a 1:1 learning environment.
Grant recipients in grades 3-8 will receive a set of
Chromebooks for their class; K-2 teachers will
receive a set of iPads. Those grant winners will have
training in December, and will roll out their innovative
instruction in January. They will share their
experiences with colleagues and the community
through blogs posted on a 1:1 web page on
, and they will encourage
administrators and other teachers to visit their
classroom. Next year, those pilot teachers will be
mentors to other teachers when District 109 becomes
a complete 1:1 environment.
While this pilot uses iPads and Chromebooks, our
focus is not on any one device, but on delivering
transformative instruction that engages, inspires and
empowers students. It doesn’t matter if we have
Windows or Mac devices, tablets or laptops. One-to-
one instruction is about learning. We are focused on
increased student achievement, increased student
satisfaction and a transformative move toward more
student ownership of their learning and growth.
By Dr. Michael
Lubelfeld,
superintendent
at Deerfield 109
Technology in the classroom
