It's not a 1:1 program
Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 05:07AM 
This school year I will be advocating for a plan that gives every student in grades 6-12 a computing device in our district.
But I am not selling it as a 1:1 program. The device is not the point. I don't really care if our device selection task force settles on laptops, iPads, Chromebooks, or Etch-A-Sketches. The device simply enables 24/7 access to resources that are or will be important for student learning success. In fact, that access should be the major factor in determining what device is chosen.
My biggest fear of any technology implementation is that the gizmos are not used or not well-used. Smartboards used as projection screens, iPads used as gaming devices, or computers used as typewriters are common examples of technological underutilization.
What I do not want to happen once all students have those iPads in their hot little hands, is for their parents to ask, "How did you use your device in school today? and the student say, "We didn't." or "We only used it in English class." or "I just used it to text my buddy sitting next to me." Not how a lot of parents and community members want their tax dollars spent, I'd guess.
So I spent a few minutes yesterday thinking about the resources every 6-12 student should be accessing everyday. The little graphic above is a simplified version of that list. The LMS will be the main tool for 6-12 we will be supporting through PD and curriculum development.
OK, those of you who are SAMR fans may be thinking that these are all Substitution or Augmentation uses of tech. Probably. But teachers as they gain familiarity with programs and methodology will make more powerful uses.
Sometimes in technology planning we have to ask if we are shooting for broad use or transformative use. Ideally it would be both, but in the case of (not) 1:1 programs, I am going for universal use.
Reader Comments (2)
Doug - have you thought of any creative marketing methods to avoid the trap that people most often fall into - calling it a 1:1 or using the term "giving devices to all students"? (Which makes me cringe).
Secondly - if all of your school community could sing from the same sheet of music and articulate, ":Our school's initiative is really about _____________." - what would you hope people fill the blank with?
.... and lastly - SAMR Fans... I wonder if we do our own selves a disservice in EdTech by making it sound like transformative = good and something less than that is underwhelming. What if the substitution is good because being stuck in the paper/print world (as an example) means less and less access to a broad array of materials?
Joel
Hi Joel,
"Equitable access to personalized resources" is not very catchy but accurate. I am sure we will wind up talking about it as our "1:1" but I hope everyone understands and buys into the "why" of the 1:1"
I agree completely about SAMR and wrote about it for ASCD here:
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec13/vol71/num04/Teaching-Above-the-Line.aspx
Thank for the comments. Let me know if you find a good name.
Doug