As you enter today's classrooms, it becomes clear: technology is not just a tool, it is the driving force behind vibrant communities, shaping the way students learn and teachers connect. Many students have access to technology in their classrooms, but the real challenge lies in technology-is-changing-the-education-landscape/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>Leverage resources effectively to improve learning. and build stronger and more resilient communities. As schools strive to adapt to the demands of the modern digital world, the focus has shifted from simply providing access to devices to leveraging technology to enhance instructional methods and foster meaningful engagement and connection with each other and their teachers. . Many schools prioritize stakeholder collaboration in the technology needs assessment process. By taking a collaborative approach, schools and districts can ensure that the adoption of new technologies aligns with the diverse needs and aspirations of students, teachers and the broader community and that the vision is truly shared, resulting in a more dynamic and interactive experience.
Recently, EdSurge spoke with Daniel getsexecutive director of information technology El Segundo Unified School District, California. Gauna has 16 years of experience within the district. Prior to assuming his current role, Gauna worked as a consultant for local school districts in the South Bay area, focusing on technology infrastructure components such as firewalls, routing and switching. Although his background is in technology, his current role requires him to work closely with the Educational Services team to support educational applications and other related aspects. Gauna strongly believes in the importance of commitment and collaboration when defining technological needs and objectives.
EdSurge: What is your school district's vision for technology integration?
You get: Being part of a small school district allows us to work more directly with the community, particularly in regards to our direction with technology and instructional methods. We focus on how we can support both our students and staff in our vision.
The district's goal involves supporting both the technological and instructional sides. The key is to leverage our technology so that our students see it as more than just a device in their hands; It's about knowing how to use these tools effectively. This means moving from being technology dependent to being technology enabled.
We want technology to be leveraged beyond the traditional classroom approach. We want to make sure that students interact with our teachers and vice versa, that teachers can interact with students.
How did the district determine which technologies to adopt consistent with its vision?
We involve stakeholders. I always believe in doing a proof of concept to ensure something fits into our infrastructure. Despite my experience in networking and security, I also see things from a professor's perspective. I know the importance of outreach, especially for our teachers. We are looking for changes and improvements in our classroom setup.
So last year we tried a casting solution. We involved three teachers from each grade level to evaluate its ease of use and educational benefits. He I lived The solution was much easier for us to implement from a technology perspective and, educationally, had more tools for our teachers to use. Gathering feedback beforehand made the transition smooth until we fully implemented it in the summer.
Once adopted, how has technology helped you enhance learning experiences and foster engagement and connection?
At El Segundo Unified School District, as I mentioned above, our focus and vision is for our classrooms to be technology enabled and not dependent on it, leveraging technology in impactful ways to enhance the learning experiences of our students overall and build additional bridges between students, teachers, leaders, and even content.
Since we launched Vivi this fall, our elementary principal has started making morning announcements using its video streaming feature throughout the school, sometimes reading books. This has become a highlight for our teachers, students, and even our central office staff, who tune in to start the day with a smile.
technology can sometimes get a bad rap because people think that students are just sitting in front of their devices, but at El Segundo, students use their devices to create, collaborate, and share their work in engaging ways. One of our teachers shared how one of her non-verbal students took a 180 degree turn by being able to share her work wirelessly with Vivi. Before this tool came to our classrooms, he literally couldn't share her voice. He can now do it, and that is the power of technology when combined effectively with instruction.
See for yourself how Vivi transforms communication, increases classroom engagement, and simplifies IT management. Request a demo.
More than 2,000 schools, 100,000 classrooms, and 500,000 students and teachers trust Vivi for classroom engagement and campus-wide communication. Vivi's wireless screen sharing capabilities, digital signage, emergency alerts, and video and text announcements keep students and staff informed and engaged throughout the school day. Learn more at Vivi.io.
