When I was a principal, each planning process for a technology rollout was unique and always faced major hurdles. I recall major infrastructure updates that were needed after we purchased all the laptops in one district. Training teachers to integrate technology in their classrooms was a challenge in both districts I served. Hurdles included updating acceptable use policies, setting 1:1 goals and training parents to support the new program as part of the rollout process.
Our school wasn’t alone in its struggles to change technology needs on time, on budget and without error. The community is a great stakeholder when it comes to technology. Some districts have little pushback on the idea of going 1:1, while others hold many board meetings open for public comment. This is why I knew we needed a tool that could help us communicate with every stakeholder and why ETA 121 exists today.
We’ve all seen it, a district gets funds approved for a 1:1 initiative, (either bond or tech funds) and is instantly thrown into a process for implementing technology that has not been done by this team before. There are great examples of a 1:1 rollout as well as examples of what not to do. Shouldn’t there be a roadmap and budget calculator, that offers flexibility that fits the needs of every district specifically?
This is why I believe in ETA 121. Using a potent mix of research, hands-on experience and skillful programming, ETA 121 is a cloud base project management application that focuses attention on the everyday tasks associated with creating a successful 1:1 technology program.
There are three important steps to a successful implementation program. Planning, implementing, and launching.
Plan
Although this always seems like an obvious step, it is often the step that gets overlooked the most. This is why there are so many examples of devices in the hands of every student, that aren’t changing anything when it comes to student engagement and achievement. Every project has to start somewhere. That is why a program that answers the very basic question of where to start by walking a through the process from start to finish. The goal in mind is to reduce the number of surprises and missteps by leveraging the experience of other districts that have successfully implemented a 1:1 technology program.
Implement
The implementation phase of any project is where an initiative is most likely to succeed or fail. The essential planning that takes place is only as good as the ability to execute that plan. Ensuring that critical implementation steps are not missed is the key to a successful program. During the implementation portion of ETA121, your district will be seeded with essential tasks, resources and timelines to ensure no step is missed when adopting a 1:1 program. This system was created to be flexible, allowing you to customize the task list and budget to the unique needs of your district. ETA121 is ideally suited, not only for districts rolling out a 1:1 initiative for the first time, but also for those looking to refresh their devices, or expand the rollout to a broader audience. The starting point does not matter, this program is designed to meet the needs of your district regardless of where you are in the process.
Launch
Parents, students, teachers, and community leaders all approach a 1:1 program with different lenses. Every time a district updates devices, policies, or pedagogy, there are necessary measures to take in order to properly communicate with the public on the right issues at the right time. ETA121 also allows you to go in front of your board and your community with certainty in the planning, implementation, and launching of a successful 1:1 program.
The Stakes are High
As new technologies emerge and evolve, it’s not exactly clear how the changes will impact education. It is for this reason, that when a new technology initiative is put into action, the project managers are armed with a flexible task list to ensure no missteps take place. This program allows accountability to the board (cost and timeline) and also ensures that educators in the classroom can focus on shifting pedagogy and transforming learning models, because everything on the device side works exactly how it should.
If a district is willing to invest in the hardware they should have the peace of mind that other the other necessary components are also in place to fully leverage the hardware they have put in the hands of their students and teachers. As 1:1 initiatives expand and renew, classroom pedagogy and expectations with technology has to improve. This is something leaders can’t leave to chance and should consider the peace of mind ETA 121 provides in a proven roadmap and resources.
