1 to 1 Computer Initiatives the Focus of Workshop Sessions

A room full of educators is welcomed to the workshop by Lance Wilhelm, Heartland AEA Director of Technology.

The trend of students receiving individual laptop computers is gaining traction across Iowa as schools invest funds and resources to put 21st century tools in students’ hands. To date, approximately 85 districts/schools in the state have implemented a 1 to 1 initiative, including 14 schools in the Heartland AEA area. As more schools investigate such programs, there is much for them to learn from schools that have paved the way and from knowledgeable sources such as Heartland’s educational technology consultants.

Lance Wilhelm, Heartland AEA Director of Technology, recently organized a workshop for area educators that focused on 1 to 1 programs. Schools that are considering going 1 to 1 were able to learn from other schools that have already done so, and those that are already down the road were able to pick up new ideas to improve their current programs.

Mike Linde, Director of Technology at the Van Meter Schools, Karl Hehr, Director of Technology at the Ames Schools, and Ray Coffey, Director of Technology at the Indianola Schools, spoke to a packed room about the positives and challenges of implementing a 1 to 1 program.

“With every student having access to a device, you bring learning to the students,” Hehr said when asked about the impact a 1 to 1 program can have on student achievement. “With a one to one, you also improve equity issues as all students have the same tools. Kids want to learn!”

Denise Krefting and Steve Linduska, Instructional Technology Consultants, presented sessions about the importance of on-going professional development for teachers in 1 to 1 schools. Some schools implement a 1 to 1 program and then make the mistake of not providing teachers with the appropriate follow-up training. Krefting also provided information in a session about the effective use of Moodle in a 1 to 1 school.

Toy Waterman, Instructional Technology Consultant, spoke to the educators about the use of metrics to measure the progress of a program.

“I learned a great deal from the session on assessment,” said Ann Malven, Director of Technology at the Nevada Schools, which is preparing to implement a 1 to 1 program at the district. “Sometimes we get so caught up in the hows and whys that we forget about evaluating the program and its impact on student learning. The tools for evaluation are all gathered into the AEA 11 website for us. It’s a wonderful resource for districts.”

Michelle Richardson, Instructional Materials Consultant, reminded attendees of the vast array of online resources that are available from Heartland AEA for teachers and students to use.

Wilhelm, the former Director of Technology at Ames, shared his knowledge of policies and procedures and brought schools exploring implementation up to speed on what they need to consider before handing out computers to their students.

“Our students are creative, collaborative and savvy,” Malven noted. “The one to one initiative will provide them with the means to take charge of their own learning 24/7. We expect great things to come from each student having the means to access information and resources at any time.”

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Heartland AEA is an intermediate education agency serving 11 counties and 139,500 students in Central Iowa. The Agency is committed every day to helping people grow, develop and learn.