Teacher Perspectives after one year of a 1 to 1
ACS Technology Transformation
Nationwide there is a steady trend toward the 1:1 computing environment in schools. It is not technology for the sake of technology, but rather due to a growing recognition among educators that our digital students require access at the point of need for a myriad of communication, information, production, and organizational tasks and problems. Research on existing 1:1 programs is indicating that the ability to have immediate access to resources and information fosters an innovative and engaging learning environment. Prior to the 1:1 planning, ACS was already well on the way to completing the strategic plan goal of providing students with a technology-rich environment. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, document camera, and laptop.
The leadership team of Asheboro City Schools (ACS) and Asheboro High School (AHS) embarked on the detailed planning for this ambitious endeavor in the fall of 2009.
The vision and goals are:
Vision
Every Asheboro High School student will:
• Graduate from a rigorous program that prepares students to be globally competitive.
• Possess the skills and competencies needed to live, learn, and thrive in an ever-changing world that demands innovation and creativity.
• Develop the abilities to collaborate, think critically, and use technology to solve problems.
Goals
• To transform and improve the delivery of instruction by leveraging the benefits of a 1:1 computing environment
• To increase student achievement, engagement, and promote development of 21st Century skills
• To develop and support equitable opportunities for student learning through the use of technology as an extension to the classroom
• To prepare students to be safe, ethical, and responsible digital citizens
The first major step was to significantly upgrade the wireless infrastructure to support the needs of 21st century teaching and learning. Wireless infrastructure work began at all eight ACS schools in early July. The hardware is in place and settings are being fine tuned for optimal performance.
Teachers at Asheboro High School are participating in a wide array of professional development to prepare for classrooms that are student-centered, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of our diverse learners. Guidance is being provided by the NC Department of Public Instruction and the Friday Institute NC 1:1 Learning Collaborative.
The implementation of this technology transformation will be a evaluated by meeting certain benchmarks, but it will also be a moving target that will require constant monitoring and adjusting.
Student laptops for the program: HP ProBook 4420s Notebook
Open House Parent Laptop Class Community Participants
Friday Institute Training for teachers Parent Meeting Parent Meeting
Laptop Packets Paperwork for Laptops Presenter from Friday Institute
Technology:
Principal's Letter to Parents (English)
Principal's Letter to Parents (Spanish)