Integrating technology into the classroom involves more than just adding devices and software; it involves creating a dynamic learning environment where students are actively engaged and teachers can teach more effectively. This process requires collaboration between technology teams, instructional coaches, and educators.
Recently, EdSurge spoke with three educational leaders from Bourbonnais Elementary School District 53 in Illinois about their experiences and strategies for using technology to enrich classroom environments. Caitlin Smith, Director of technology, has been in the K-12 educational technology space for 10 years. As a technology Integration and Support Specialist, Kari Moulton brings 18 years of education experience to her work with teachers and staff to support technology integration. Amber Skeate, entering her 20th year in the classroom, serves on the technology Committee and is the technology Lead at Alan B. Shepard Elementary School.
A district perspective: evaluation and implementation of new technologies
technology plays a crucial role in classroom success, but integrating new tools can be challenging. Smith emphasizes the importance of addressing the bigger picture. “Because I work at the district level, I have to look at challenges that impact more than one user,” she explains. “I start by looking at where we’ve had the most issues from end users (staff and students) or if administration is noticing gaps in student growth.” Smith’s approach ensures that the chosen technology benefits the entire district.
When evaluating new technologies, Smith prioritizes solutions that are easy to implement and cost-effective. “We discuss this in our technology leadership meetings and set up trial runs for each technology leader to test out the technology,” she says. This thorough evaluation process ensures that the tools selected will effectively address the district’s needs. “Having a technology integration specialist and technology leadership committee allows the district to implement new technologies throughout the year with input from teachers along with recommendations from my own staff,” Smith adds, highlighting the importance of collaborative decision-making in technology integration.
A school perspective: Implementing technology for teachers
Once a new technology is selected, the next challenge is to successfully implement it. Moulton plays a key role in this phase. “We do everything we can to support our teachers,” Moulton shares. Her team provides a monthly newsletter with information about new tools, creates instructional videos, and offers one-on-one training sessions. Their proactive support helps teachers feel confident and prepared to use the new technology in their classrooms. Additionally, Moulton meets with new teachers at the beginning of the school year to give them an overview of the technology they will be using, ensuring they are ready to integrate it into their teaching from day one.
“Having an educational technology company to support you ensures that the adoption of new tools is easy,” Moulton adds, stressing the importance of having reliable support from a vendor in the technology adoption process. As an example, he points to Bourbonnais’ implementation of Vivi, the campus communication and classroom engagement solution.Vivi “The implementation of our technology was unique because we were sent two teams to do an eight-week demonstration. This allowed us to have several teachers at all levels test the solution and give us feedback.”
“One of the beneficial ways that edtech companies have supported the tools we’ve adopted is through great communication and excellent support,” Moulton shares. She highlights Vivi’s exemplary support: “I have monthly meetings with my (customer success manager) to check in on how things are going, what’s working, and what issues we may need to troubleshoot. They also provide (usage) data. Since budgets affect most schools, having the data to support the use of the tool is very important and beneficial in determining future use of the tool.”
A perspective from the classroom: transforming classroom experiences
In the classroom, technology can transform teaching and student engagement. “technology is a big part of my classroom environment,” Skeate says. Each student has a laptop and can use approved apps to work independently during math and reading classes, allowing them to work at their instructional level while Skeate meets with small groups. technology is also used to present concepts to the class. “The way I project my slideshows, lessons, and videos would not be possible without Vivi,” Skeate shares.
The ability to actively participate in lessons through technology fosters a more engaging and interactive classroom environment. “Students ask me every day if they are going to use the Vivi app so they can be the teacher for the lesson,” Skeate enthuses. wireless screen mirroring allows the teacher to pass control of the classroom screen to students to share how they answer problems or spell a word.
And engagement isn’t the only benefit. “technology has been a lifesaver in targeting all students’ instructional levels through specific reading and math apps,” Skeate explains. Plus, technology can save teachers time. “Vivi’s Play Content feature allows me to organize all the videos I need for the day,” Skeate notes, saving her time she would otherwise spend searching for materials. This efficiency allows her to focus more on teaching and less on administrative tasks, which ultimately benefits her students.
Collaboration is key
The collaboration between district leaders, technology coaches, and Bourbonnais teachers demonstrates how technology can be seamlessly integrated to create engaging and efficient classroom environments. By focusing on comprehensive training and ongoing support while implementing interactive tools like Vivi, these educators are transforming their teaching and enhancing students’ learning experiences. The positive impact of technology on the educational experience and classroom dynamics is evident, proving that when implemented intelligently, technology can be a powerful tool in education.
Strategies for collaborative technology integration
For district level staff: Conduct a proactive needs assessment / Conduct multi-level assessments
For school level staff: Provide multifaceted teacher support / Provide targeted training for new teachers / Seek collaboration with educational technology partners
For classroom level staff: Provide technology-based instruction / Offer choice and control to students
Discover for yourself how Vivi transforms communication, increases classroom engagement, and simplifies IT management. Learn more at Vivi.io.
