We are proud of the accomplishments of our students and staff, and of the work that has been accomplished in implementing the KPDSB’s Learning Technologies Strategic Plan. The plan, established in 2017, helps to guide our practices in the area of technology-enabled learning, for both students and staff. Implementation of the plan includes focus on promoting student, parent, and teacher engagement, and integration of technology across the entire curriculum, from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Access to Hardware in Schools
A significant new implementation in 2019 involved the purchase of Chromebooks for primary grades (Kindergarten to Grade 3). A total of over 400 devices were purchased for 16 elementary schools. The key new feature of these devices is their touch screen capability. This functionality allows students to interact and collaborate easily with a variety of learning materials, and the option of using the touchpad or screen for navigation is of particular value to our youngest learners.
We have also established a single sign-on system for primary students this year, where students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 can use individual badges to log in without having to type their password. This system promotes independence, and allows our youngest learners the opportunity to engage more easily with their learning. Along with their touchscreen capability, and being able to access web-based tools and resources like a laptop computer, the new Chromebooks can also run Android apps, like those that will run on a tablet or phone. We recognize the importance of making technology use meaningful, and have been purposeful in selecting apps that are intended to meet student learning needs, and not just to entertain.
G Suite
Another key component in the implementation of learning technologies has been the G Suite set of educational tools from Google. This integrated set of learning tools has been made available to all students and staff. Whether students are sharing their interests in a Google Site, collaborating with other classrooms (or with a classmate who was in Africa) through Google Hangouts, using online sticky notes in Google Slides for brainstorming, or even Grade 1 students using voice-to-text to write in Google Docs, students at all levels have used these tools to grow and extend their learning. Read&Write for Google Chrome, which provides text-to-speech and speech-to-text amongst various other language tools, is available to all students and acts as assistive technology for students who may require additional support in reading and/or writing. Read&Write supports the universal design for learning, and the philosophy of “essential for some, good for all”.
One of the best-subscribed components of G Suite is Google Classroom which allows access to learning anywhere, anytime. Parental engagement with children’s learning has a significant effect on academic success, and the ability for parents to subscribe to email updates via Google Classroom helps parents to stay updated on their children’s progress, and to allow them to engage more easily in learning conversations with their children.
Blended Learning and E-learning
Teachers at the elementary and secondary levels have also continued to implement blended learning and e-learning using the Brightspace platform. Introducing this D2L format to students helps to prepare them for possible learning environments as they move towards post-secondary education. Students have begun using the Brightspace Portfolio to document their learning, and Pathways teachers have been working with students in Grade 7 and up in myBlueprint, an online school and career pathway exploration tool.
Collaboration and Professional Learning
Leveraging technology to collaborate across and beyond our region is another priority in the Learning Technologies Strategic Plan. Video Conferencing software, such as Google Hangouts, Connected North, or Skype enables teachers to bring experts from various fields into classrooms to support student learning. This has included making virtual connections to far away museums, zoos/aquariums, and even renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. These communication tools have also helped students to develop global connections with students in other provinces, countries, and even continents. Staff are also using digital tools to receive training, collaborate in virtual learning communities, and learn about important topics such as self-regulation and technology, digital citizenship, and responsible social media use.
Ongoing professional learning is crucial to the success of the KPDSB Learning Technologies Strategic Plan. Learning Technology Champions have been identified in every elementary and secondary school to work with our central Technology Enhanced Learning and Teaching (TELT) contact to mobilize and support the purposeful integration of technology in teaching and learning. This has helped with the growth of Professional Learning Networks throughout the region. The largest of these, to date, has been a book study relating to Tanya Talaga’s All Our Relations. Over 170 staff members across the board engaged in online and face-to-face conversations after school and evenings to help support our individual and collective learning as educators.
The availability of Google Hangouts has allowed teachers and administrators to meet “face-to-face” without the need to travel for hours. Networked learning has included principal learning teams, as well as online learning sessions for the New Teacher Induction Program. We have been able to use the available technology to record some of these sessions, including those presented by our own Student Achievement Team, as well as one presented by the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers. Having these sessions recorded has allowed for ongoing, asynchronous teacher learning for staff who were unable to attend the scheduled sessions, or those who wish to review content again at a later date.
Technology-Enabled Learning
Learning technologies in KPDSB are about much more than just Chromebooks and G Suite. A wide variety of hands-on technology-enabled learning is taking place throughout the board. Coding involves learning opportunities where students develop a set of clear instructions in order to complete a task, and helps learners to develop skills in the areas of problem solving, creativity, teamwork, and resilience, among others. Coding can be done with visual tools like Scratch or Scratch Jr for younger students, or more complex coding languages for older students, as well as through hands-on activities involving physical movement, the arts, and even developing algorithms for completing simple daily tasks. Teachers have also had opportunities to learn more about coding through Science North workshops, providing them with valuable knowledge that will help them to provide students with more impactful learning experiences.
Technology is also fostering creativity and critical problem-solving skills across the board. Schools are planning more STEAM-focused learning opportunities through hands-on Makerspaces and other critical making opportunities, computer coding, and robotics. Lego Leagues and Lego Robotics competitions have been held in schools, and between schools, with further growth taking place this year. With 3D printers, students can design prototypes with 3D models on a computer, and then print these objects with polymer filaments. Integration of design technology—through the use of 3-D printers and computer-based design, coupled with the use of a CNC lathe or plasma cutter—allows students to learn with industry-standard tools and helps prepare them for the regional labour market.
Educators have been sharing their learning and student learning through school Facebook pages, through the @KPDSB_Schools Twitter account, and #KPDSBPride hashtag on Twitter and on Instagram. These hashtags are about far more than show, as we have used hashtags to make professional learning visible through Twitter chats and to promote connections with colleagues in other areas of the board, as well as nationally and internationally. We appreciate the opportunities afforded by the tools to celebrate our learning by our students and staff.
We look forward to continued implementation of the Learning Technologies Strategic Plan, and to deepen our students and staff learning through technology-enabled instruction. To follow and celebrate student learning across KPDSB, like or follow the board on Facebook or Twitter: @KPDSB_Schools #KPDSBpride.
