Insights and best practices for transforming education through individual device programs
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As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, schools are recognizing the importance of equipping every student with a personal device to facilitate digital learning. These individual initiatives aim to provide students with equal access to educational resources, fostering creativity and critical thinking while preparing them for the demands of a technology-driven world. By adopting individual device programs, schools can enable students to become active participants in their own education, while educators can leverage technology to personalize instruction and cultivate 21st century skills.
To make this learning a reality, Digital Promise has partnered with Verizon for the past 10 years to provide every student and teacher at select middle and high schools across the United States with a device and data plan that can last up to at four years old. In addition to always-on access for students at Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, teachers receive strong professional development and coaching to cultivate a culture of powerful learning with technology. The Verizon Innovative Learning Schools journey begins at the start of the school year with Device Rollout, a school-wide celebration when students receive their devices.
Recently, EdSurge had the opportunity to speak with Nicole Adell, Associate Director of Digital Promise Sustainability and Support for Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. Adell is in the unique position of being a former principal of Newburg Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky, which she led through Verizon Innovative Learning Schools’ four-year journey.
EdSurge: What was the device deployment planning process like for Newburg Middle School?
Adel: When we learned we were accepted into Cohort 5, we spread the word to neighborhood organizations, public libraries, the community center and the Boys and Girls Club. Due to the school’s location in the Bible Belt, we visited all faith-based organizations around our school to let them know what was coming. We announced: “The iPads are coming! The devices are coming!” This was a new opportunity for this historically black community, and we were excited. The approach we took even before the rollout was to spread the word, get buy-in, and build excitement. people, because when you get people excited, they will do whatever it takes for the kids in your school. Why to people, they are all in it.
What was the deployment of the device like at Newburg Middle School?
It was a party! Celebrating is important. It wasn’t just about giving these devices to 1,200 children and their families; We had been preparing for weeks before our deployment to ensure families knew how to care for the device, its importance and primary use, to promote technology integration and powerful learning experiences for students. Went back to share with the community what the rollout would look like. The purpose of the devices was what I preached. This meant that when the rollout took place, everyone was very aware to be careful with the devices, as they were proud of the opportunity and understood the expectations.
Students are the most important stakeholders in a school technology initiative, and student tech teams are a way to directly involve students in day-to-day program management. How was your technical team of students chosen and how were they involved in the deployment of the device?
Digital Promise is very intentional about recruiting districts and schools for Verizon Innovative Learning, where they can support families and children who have historically been marginalized. At Newburg Middle School, we intended to select a core of students for the technical team. These children were not necessarily the stereotypical best students in the class. We spotted kids who we knew represented our school population and had room to develop their tech skills. We chose students from all grade levels because it’s about imparting knowledge, drawing others from it, and maintaining sustainable systems.
When the students on the team graduated, we used a blind copy application process that was approved by our student technical team. By using a blind copy application process, the names of the candidates were masked. Therefore, our current Tiger Tech team members have not seen the names of their peers. This helped the student technical team members select qualified candidates. During the final weeks of school, the newly selected team members would shadow eighth-graders, who earlier in the year had served as mentors during the deployment of the device. It gave the new kids a taste of what this special team is all about. We just need to empower the kids and take advantage of this student technical team.
Making Students Champions: How the Student Tech Team is Involved in Device Deployment
- Manage a help desk
- Lead STEM-related activities
- Basic troubleshooting
- Verification of student applicants
- Creation of explainer videos
- Help teachers demonstrate resources
One of the goals of rolling out the device is to enable students, schools, and families to connect and learn. Why is it important for families to be involved and learn about devices?
The students are with the teachers about six hours a day, which is a small part of their life. Families can exert greater influence. To help show our respect for families in this process, our school has created family-focused mini-sessions to teach the devices. We invited our employment body partners so families could learn more about the devices and then about employment opportunities in the community. We used these sessions to motivate families and gain buy-in to using the devices. The family and community aspect is important to Digital Promise. If the community knows what’s going on, you get their support and long-lasting technology integration.
What advice would you give to schools planning their first deployment of individual devices?
You share information as soon as you know your school does. You get the hype, you get your co-workers excited, then you get your families excited – so the kids will want to be a part of it.
I also encourage schools to look beyond devices. Anyone can have a device. But how do we as educators use technology to transform learning? We could use them simply to transfer knowledge or transfer material. But we need to go beyond the device and help our students become collaborators and creators, not just consumers.
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