map for their work.
Additionally, all teachers are encouraged
to use Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s Substitu-
tion, Augmentation, Modification and Re-
definition (SAMR) Model as a guide when
designing learning experiences for students.
We are now engaging students in learning
opportunities that were unattainable when
technology was not readily available in our
classrooms.
When visiting classrooms it is possible
to see students using green screen applica-
tions to design presentations that go far be-
yond traditional oral presentations, utilizing
Google Expeditions to go on virtual field
trips to locations around the world, using
Google Hangouts to conduct interviews with
authors or experts in specific fields of study,
and collaborating with peers in a multitude
of ways using G Suite tools that don’t require
students being in the same room together.
The influx of technology also means that
responsible use needs to be explicitly ta ught
to students. As students progress through
their K-8 educational experience, digital
citizenship lessons are taught in every class-
room, which are vertically aligned across
grade levels. This ensures students will learn
what being a responsible digital citizen is
and help them to remain safe while interact-
ing with online content.
As a result of this strategic approach, our
district and all of our schools are recognized
by Common Sense Education as a Certified
District in Digital Citizenship.
There are many layers to ensuring in-
structional technology is implemented in
a K-12 environment with student learning
at the center of every decision. Using a col-
laborative and strategic approach, it can be
accomplished. With access to the right tools
and information, the learning for our stu-
dents can be transformed into an interactive
experience where their individual agency is
ignited. That kind of passion for learning is
what we all strive to achieve.
Resources
• Federal Communications Commis-
sion, regulating all interstate wire, satellite
and cable, as well as international commu-
nications originating or terminating in the
United States: fcc.gov.
• Common Sense, nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world
of media and technology: commonsense.org.
• Consortium for School Networking,
professional association for school system
technology leaders: cosn.org.
• International Society for Technology in
Education, empowering educators to har-
ness technology to accelerate innovation in
teaching and learning: iste.org.
• Google for Education, providing a va-
riety of services for implementing G Suite,
Chromebooks or tablets to meet school
needs: https://edudirectory.withgoogle.com.
• International Association for K-12 On-
line Learning, iNACOL, transforming ed-
ucation systems and advancing policies and
practices to ensure high-quality learning for
all: inacol.org.
Julie A. Vitale, Ph.D. is superintendent of
Romoland SD, where Trevor Painton is the
assistant superintendent of Educational
Services and Vince Butler is chief
technology officer.
May | June 2018
11