#powerOn launch
On Thursday, March 19th, the Saluda Middle School media center was decorated in red, green, blue, and yellow - the colors of Google. The technology staff buzzed about in great anticipation of the arrival of the SMS faculty. There was exciting news to share regarding Google devices and our school district.
Although it had been announced to the principals of the district and faculty of Saluda Middle School that the 7th grade was going “1:1” previously, Thursday was the official launch of Saluda’s exciting #powerOn initiative. Principal Shawnda Brunson believes "introducing the 1:1 initiative at Saluda Middle School will give our teachers yet another tool to efficiently meet the diverse academic needs of our students. We are excited to provide more access to such a tool that students currently enjoy using."
Digital learning is a rapidly growing component of education and Saluda County Schools is on the forefront of preparing 21st century learners by committing to this initiative. #powerOn is the name of Saluda County’s 1:1 (one computer for each student and teacher) computing project. In 1:1 computing environments, all students and teachers are provided with a district-owned mobile device to use for learning in school and at home. One-to-one classrooms provide students the opportunities to work at their own pace using a learning style that suits each individual student best. This is possible because teachers can present content in multiple ways: direct instruction, video tutorials, game based learning scenarios, authentic learning scenarios, and more.
The launch of this project was not without great preparation. The Technology and Curriculum & Instruction Departments, along with Principal Shawnda Brunson and Assistant Principal Nikita Wigfall, have been engaging in site visits and conversations with districts that have already gone 1:1. Successes of other districts have been analyzed along with statistical studies of schools that have gone digital with their students’ learning. These schools see increased high stakes test scores, decreased disciplinary referrals, and decreased dropout rates*.
The choice of device, a Google Chromebook, was made with the end in mind. When choosing the device, the end product of what the students should be able to create was considered first. From there, a device was chosen that could be managed by the resources currently in place at Saluda County Schools and be afforded in large numbers.
Saluda County School’s #powerOn initiative will roll out in phases. On March 19th, all Saluda Middle School faculty were provided with a Chromebook for instructional use. Faculty are permitted to take their devices home to aid in lesson planning as well. Providing teachers with the same devices students will be using is essential so that teachers can truly plan for how students will be learning. In the fall of 2015, all 7th grade students will be provided with a district-owned Chromebook that they may take home throughout the school year. The choice to roll out this initiative to the 7th grade first was made considering many factors.
One major factor is that the district’s technology plan indicates all Saluda County School students will be digitally literate by the end of the 8th grade. Additionally, the rising 7th graders have had significant exposure to Chromebooks through the use of mobile Chromebook carts purchased and implemented in the middle school throughout the 2014-2015 school year. Lastly, because the #powerOn initiative will be expanded to the high school in 2017, beginning with the 7th grade allows two years to prepare Saluda High School for the arrival of Chromebook equipped students. During the 2016-2017 school year, 6th and 8th grade will join the #powerOn initiative.
Saluda Middle School teachers are looking forward to this opportunity: "We are extremely excited to be able to launch our students into the digital era. The 1:1 initiative will allow us to have a multi-faceted tool to be able to align and strengthen our ability to meet the educational goals that we have for our students," says Kristie Mears, an English language arts teacher at SMS. Throughout the #powerOn initiative, teachers will be provided significant instructional support to ensure that the devices are being used to create quality learning experiences. An instructional technology coach will work closely with the faculty of the middle school to transform the learning environment to classes embedded with technology. Summer professional development in June of 2015 will take place to begin this process as well. Standards from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) will guide the professional development along with the research proven SAMR model for technology integration.
Through the #powerOn initiative, Saluda County Schools continues to provide high quality education for our students. This opportunity will truly prepare our students for the requirements of college and careers beyond the K-12 classroom. Stay tuned for community events involving our #powerOn initiative in June and August.
*www.projectred.org
