TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS
Innovative technologies not only have the potential to evolve pedagogical practice, but also completely transform entire learning environments. When technology is leveraged with a very strategic vision and change management plan, Intelligent Dashboards Expert in Australia
the results can be revolutionary. Intermediate School 339 (USA) is one learning environment that has demonstrated this potential, transforming itself from some of the lowest performing schools in the region, to one of the most successful. A struggling school in the heart of New York City, Intermediate School 339 is situated in a difficult community culture—faced low test scores, violence and gang behavior in school. Cyber Information Security Expert in Australia
In 2005, only 9% of students were performing at adequate levels in mathematics. The school decided to infuse technology into teaching and learning by supplying every student with a laptop and implementing Google Docs as the main form of content management. With the laptops, students would complete homework online, manage their blogs, collaboratively manage data and use teacher-created online platforms to support project work. Interactive whiteboards in the classroom allow students to seamlessly share their work with the entire class. After three years, math scores have gone up to 62% and violence and behavior issues have decreased dramatically. Students have reported increased motivation to do school work because the technology, and the work, is more stimulating—resulting in a demonstrated greater investment in their educational journey. Intermediate School 339‘s success is leading the way for school change for other schools in the New York City area. The innovative Silverton Primary School (Australia) has a similar story. Faced with countless challenges and low-performing students, this struggling learning environment decided to capitalise on the statewide learning revolution led by the government that was bringing with it a massive infrastructure investment and embarked on a large-scale transformation initiative and along with it institute a comprehensive plan for change. Silverton garnered many of the aforementioned first-order innovations, but Principal Tony Bryant‘s vision didn‘t just include technology. He envisioned, and subsequently engineered, a complete overhaul of every component of the learning environment—from classroom layout to teacher learning structures and support. Replacing traditional classrooms with flexible learning centres, students have access to digital music players, voice recorders, games consoles, digital cameras and notepad computers. They are even charged with the task of running a 24- hour local FM radio station.
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