How to Make the Most Out of Advancements in EdTech

Aine Cryts · December 9, 2015
It is important for educators to keep in mind that while students may understand how to use technology such as interactive smartboards, they don’t necessarily understand how to use it to learn better. This is where teachers must use technology as a tool for learning and stand firm in their roles as guiders of the learning process. Otherwise, integrating technology will not enhance learning in the classroom.

Mobile Computing

One obvious technology that has improved classroom teaching is mobile technology, according to Flanagan, who’s referring to mobile computers, phones, and tablets.

“Kids need a high-quality computing device [in the classroom]. That could be a tablet or a laptop or a notebook. Adults get hung up on the form factor. What it’s really about for the kids is having a good, highly-powerful tool to use for access to the Internet.”

One challenge to overcome with mobile technology – in particular with tablets and laptops – is how the school is going to maintain those devices in the classroom, says Racine.

In addition to concerns about liquid spilling on the laptops and tablets, here are a few issues to consider in a typical 30-student classroom:

• Access to wireless Internet: Many cities and states are investing in wireless Internet access in schools and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook recently announced a multimillion dollar donation to an organization that focuses on providing wireless Internet access to schools.

In the Boston Public Schools, there’s wireless Internet access in every school. Still, there are a lot of older buildings in the 125-school district, which has challenges getting wireless Internet access in every classroom. The school system upgrades about 15 to 20 schools each year with new infrastructure and is in the middle of a major renovation to its wireless network, according to Racine.

• Equity in regards to access: The Boston Public Schools provides Chromebooks to as many students as possible. Still, it can’t afford to purchase these devices for all of its more than 56,000 students. “We are increasing the number of devices every year but are not 1:1 across the entire district yet,” says Racine.

According to Flanagan, equity is an issue that needs to be addressed at the school district level and by policy makers. From a technology perspective, teachers should embrace “browser-agnostic” resources that students can access from any device. He also encourages teachers to advocate for equitable access for their students and to share stories about successes they have witnessed in their own classrooms.

An Abundance of Apps and Productivity Tools

Another technology has become more prevalent and advanced in the recent years are mobile apps. According to Flanagan, some of the simple apps and programs that help teachers become more productive include:

• Google Docs, which allows teachers to collaborate using online word processing tools.
• JogNog, which provides practice and assessment tools in Science, Math, English Language Arts, and Social Studies.
• Microsoft OneNote, which allows teaches to share handwritten or typed notes, drawings, and other media with other users.
• Remind, a free app that allows teachers to communicate with students and parents; notifications are sent among all parties by text message and e-mail.
• Socrative, which allows teaches to engage and assess students’ learning with real-time questions, results aggregation, and visualization.

Online apps have taken the Boston Public Schools by storm, says Racine. One such app is provided by San Francisco-based Clever. Racine describes the app as providing a “single sign-on solution” that makes adopting new online tools easier from an administrative perspective.

The school system also uses an online student information system that allows parents and students to check their grades. Racine says the website receives a heavy amount of usage, which leads to different kinds of conversations with parents at parent-teacher conferences. Instead of discussing grades, these meetings become opportunities to discuss how the school can support students.