Abrell: New School Year Will Bring Increase Classroom Technology

The start of a new school year is always an exciting time. Although I am starting my 33rd year in education, I never get tired of all the “new” – new faces, new ideas, new challenges, new opportunities.

The 2018-19 school year will focus on a significant new initiative – our continuing work to increase technology in the classroom and the use of technology in our teaching.

Because of our size and the recent economy, District 202 has struggled for several years to figure out the most educationally-efficient and cost-effective way to bolster technology in the classroom.

We certainly recognize the critical – and now, common – place that technology holds in everyday life today. Yet, being the fifth-largest school district in Illinois has made this topic harder to address than perhaps it should be.

Several of our neighboring districts have been able to meet this challenge more quickly than we have, usually by giving individual computers and other technology to their students. It is important to remember that all of them are smaller than us. Some are wealthier, and others qualify for poverty-based governmental grants not available to us.

As well, there are the longer-term costs of maintenance, increased security issues and the need for professional development so that all staff are comfortable using technology effectively in their classrooms.

Simply put, just issuing computers to all or some of our 27,000 students will not necessarily improve teaching and learning. After all, a computer is just a tool. Used correctly, it will help the user do great things. Used incorrectly, it will just sit in the toolbox gathering dust.

With that important goal in mind, last year we started a three-year “Digital Learning Initiative” that will increase hardware, provide appropriate band width, improve professional development and effectively implement technology into our teaching and learning. That work continues this year.

A group of 12 “Technology Trailblazers” at the elementary, middle and high school levels worked to design and test technology-based curriculum; test hardware usage in the classrooms; identify and troubleshoot logistical and educational issues; and guide and support teachers trying out new technology-centered learning plans.

We will add 12 more Technology Trailblazers to the team this year, and another 12 next year. We are purposely, strategically and proactively looking for and addressing as many challenges as possible now, before spending millions of our community’s hard-earned tax dollars.

I understand this approach will take a little longer than some would prefer (including some of our own staff.) Yet it is vitally important, given the magnitude of the investment and the importance of our students’ learning, that we do this right the first time.

It has taken us a while to get to this point because of the unique challenges created by our size. However, I am very proud and excited about the work being done to help all our students learn, grow and succeed. Together, we will continue to prepare learners for the future

Have a great 2018-19 school year.

Dr. Lane Abrell

Superintendent of Schools

Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Photo via District 202