Schools Use Technology To Customize Learning For Students

The Fulton County School System's personalized learning initiative was a major focus during the school board's May 10 work session.

Personalized learning is the unique way Fulton schools customize instruction so that every student’s educational needs, diverse skills and specific interests are met.

SPLOST, the one-penny sales tax for education, has been the funding source for putting the latest technology in students’ hands.

Using a marketplace model where schools can choose from Apple iPads, Microsoft Surfaces, DellLatitudes and Dell Chromebooks to design their personalized learning technology plans, 23 of Fulton’s nearly 100 schools have rolled out nearly 17,500 devices since August.

The system notes that by September 2017, approximately 65,000 devices total will be issued to students and teachers in all Fulton schools. The device roll-out plan calls for middle schools and high schools to issue one device per student, and in elementary schools, classroom sets are used to foster collaborate learning among students.

School board members heard the positive experiences of three schools that were early adopters of the mobile device roll-out.

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Bear Creek Middle School, which is one of 24 schools in the nation that uses the Teach to One model for advancing math instruction, was one of the first Fulton schools to issue mobile devices to students.

Principal Anthony Newbold said that the Latitude laptops his school selected have helped students connect what they learn in the classroom to that of the real world.

Alpharetta High School Principal Shannon Kersey added that the personalized learning model helps students with diverse learning backgrounds.

“It’s not just about the device," Kersey said. "It’s about giving teachers the tools they need to help students be successful. This is a true blended learning model that uses technology to differentiate instruction to help students with what they need. The devices [Microsoft Surfaces] are an enhancement to what we’ve always been doing – focusing on quality instruction.”

Holcomb Bridge Middle School is using iPads to engage students in their learning, and Principal Chris Shearer said that teachers particularly like how apps provide immediate feedback to gauge students’ understanding of a lesson. He shared a video produced by Verizon, the school’s technology partner, to show how students and teachers both benefit from mobile device learning.

Continued Technology Funding Provided Through SPLOST

Continued funding for instructional technology and mobile devices is part of the SPLOST referendum that is before voters on the May 24 ballot in Fulton County. If approved, continuation of the one-penny sales tax will specifically provide about $200 million in funding toward technology projects, including personalized learning initiatives.

The following systems, hardware, and services also would be purchased and used for learning and teaching, student and staff productivity, process automation and data utilization, enterprise security, and a robust network infrastructure:

• Personalized learning devices
• Wireless network upgrades
  
• Virtual learning management systems
  
• Digital curriculum and repository systems
  
• Interactive classroom technologies
  
• Enterprise resource planning systems
  
• Business automation systems
  
• Student information systems
  
• Student assessment systems
  
• Business intelligence systems
  
• Enterprise security systems
  
• Records management services
  
• Internal and external internet websites
  
• CTAE lab refresh
  
• Computer and printer refresh
  
• Productivity tools for students and staff
  
• Professional learning services
  
• Wide Area Network (WAN) services
  
• Unified communication systems
  
• Device management systems
  
• Data center upgrades and improvements
  
• Disaster recovery services

Most commonly called SPLOST (Special Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax), the one-penny sales tax is expected to raise $976.3 million for Fulton County school improvements over a five-year period (2017 to 2022). These improvements translate to new or replacement schools, building additions, and renovations to existing facilities as well as classroom technology, new school buses and improved safety & security initiatives.

School system like Fulton County have placed SPLOST referendums since 1996 on the ballot so voters can have more choice in how school improvements are funded. Before then, school systems had limited choices – bond referendums and raising taxes. Since its inception, SPLOST has funded 46 new schools and 37 building additions in the Fulton County school system.

The current SPLOST ends on June 30, 2017. If approved by voters, collection of the next SPLOST tax would begin July 1, 2017.

More information about past and current SPLOST-funded projects is posted online at www.fultonschools.org/SPLOST.

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