top exemplifies how advanced technology
in the STEM fields have become. When
students get to explore their own thinking
and investigate their questions, essentially
behaving like a scientist, then learning will
inevitably occur. The development of digital
tools allows for deep learning and authentic
learning experiences. This program allows
students to access technical equipment for
exploring science in a very hands-on, expe-
riential way. In the past, due to cost and size,
the scanning electron microscope has been a
device usually found only in universities and
research laboratories.
Under the SAMR model guidelines, the
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow provision of
tablets and technology and Hitachi Loan
Program for a scanning electron microscope
can be considered examples of Modification
(technology allowing for significant learning
task redesign).
These examples of OverDrive, Samsung
Solve for Tomorrow and the Hitachi scan-
ning electron microscope loan are examples
in HLPUSD of the opportunities described
under application of the SAMR model.
These improved learning opportunities with
technology occur because of the relationships
among organizations, businesses, and educa-
tors who recognize the need and importance
of actualizing the goal of real 21st century
learning. The technology and the tools exist
for classroom use, the next step is to ensure
that all classrooms have the access to them
with the training to support these bold, in-
novative, effective, and necessary moves.
Improving student access to tech-
nology
Following the SAMR model, an example
of Substitution (technology acting as a direct
substitute with no functional change) would
be simply improving student access to technol-
ogy. The learning day and environment has ex-
panded beyond the walls of the school and the
boundaries of the bells signaling the beginning
and end of the school day. Access to technology
and the internet at home is not universal.
To meet this challenge of improving stu-
dent access to technology at home, Sprint
and HLPUSD have established a partner-
ship that eligible high school students in
HLPUSD to receive the equipment and
connectivity they need to complete their
schoolwork from home as part of the 1Mil-
lion Project. The mission of the Sprint 1
Million Project is to help 1 million high
school students who do not have reliable In-
ternet access at home reach their full poten-
tial by giving them mobile devices and free
high-speed Internet access.
At the foundation of the 1Million Project,
it is estimated that 70% of America’s high
school teachers assign homework requiring
online connectivity. However, more than
five million families with school-aged stu-
dents do not have internet connectivity at
home. These students are unable to complete
their homework, search for jobs, apply to
college and financial aid, or easily access the
valuable information they need to succeed in
school and life.
The program was rolled out in 2018-2019
with a pilot for 600+ students at HLPUSD
high schools.
Each student participating in the 1 Mil-
lion Project received a tablet with 3GB of
high-speed LTE data per month for up to
four years, while they are in high school.
Building A better world through
video: Open heart, open minds -
Skype-A-Thon 2018
The Skype-A-Thon allowed HLPUSD
students participating in and traveling vir-
tually to other parts of the planet to help
other students in need. Microsoft partnered
with the nonprofit WE Schools for Skype-
a-Thon 2018 to help support access to qual-
ity education for children around the world.
This can be considered an example under the
SAMR model of Redefinition (technology
allowing for the creation of new tasks, previ-
ously inconceivable).
WE Schools, a free service-learning pro-
gram founded on the belief that all children
should have access to education, helps stu-
dents domestically and those in WE Vil-
lages, where transformation takes place as
strategic measures are taken to break the
cycle of poverty, and to access educational
opportunities. The model is built on five pil-
lars of impact – Education, Water, Health,
Food, and Opportunity.
In HLPUSD, two classes participated
30
Leadership