Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology News: Principals Learn to Code
Watch our principals as they learn to code a small robotic ball using iPads. Some of our schools are using lessons like this with students, and we hope to continue to add more coding opportunities. These are great ways for students to learn to collaborate, use critical thinking and be creative!
Digital Conversion and Bend-La Pine Schools
At Bend-La Pine Schools, we believe that school must address the challenges of today and align with what students need to know in the 21st Century. Today's workplace demands not only digital skills but also the ability to work collaboratively and creatively and engage in independent research — all skills that are enabled and enhanced by technology.
In 2015-16 Bend-La Pine Schools issued iPads to more than 13,000 students in grades 3-12. We recognize the transformation of instruction from a paper-based world to a primarily digital world.
The use of technology has the power to profoundly change the nature of teaching and learning. It creates a new vibrancy and energy that comes from the currency and connectivity among students and teachers.
Bend-La Pine Schools' use of instructional technology is about more than just one-to-one computing. Student success in this environment is a result of a device for all, combined with many other factors. This practice enables teachers to provide instruction to learners of all types. This fundamental change enables a profound shift across all aspects of daily life in our schools. It affects instruction, teaching methods, professional development, student and teacher motivation, student-teacher roles, learning experiences and relationships.
Our use of technology allows educators to level the playing field and provide every student, including at-risk learners, with anytime/anywhere access to resources and the opportunity to develop the skills they need for today's workplace.
Critical Success Factors:
- Commitment to every student
- Shared vision
- Culture of caring and collaboration
- Embrace of the moral imperative
- Personalized, relevant, connected learning
- Relentless focus on achievement
- High expectations
- Digital resources and infrastructure
- Ongoing professional growth
- In-depth planning
- Data-driven decision making
- Creative resources alignment and prioritization
- All hands on deck
- Understanding of change that is fundamentally different from what we have done before
*Text taken and adapted from: Every Child, Every Day-A Digital Conversion Model for Student Achievement, Mark A. Edwards
