Need a Classroom Technology Plan? Who You Gonn’a Call?

Posted by David Parish, Ph.D., CEO Calypso Systems
Wednesday August 26th, 2009 | 3 Comments

The mandate is issued, the funds are secured and it’s time to move the notion of 21st Century Classrooms from theory to reality. It’s an exciting time for technology directors fortunate enough to work for districts undergoing school construction or renovation, as you get thrown into the process of defining your unique version of a modern classroom.

From 30,000 feet, tasks always look easy. Interactive white boards, projectors, some speakers and off you go. Of course the view from down on the ground (or in the ceiling!) is quite a bit more challenging, as you wrestle with the details that ultimately determine whether or not your classroom systems deliver the outcome hoped for by teachers, students, parents and administrators. The fact is, there is considerable complexity as you determine precisely what type of equipment you need, which brands are best suited to your goals and to your district’s technical infrastructure, how it all gets installed, configured and supported, what administrative tools are required and what type of training is needed for teachers and support staff. Add the fact that technology is a constantly moving target, and you quickly conclude that you need to some help understanding options that meet your current needs, while anticipating future requirements.

The good news is that you’re surrounded by plenty of resources ready, willing and able to provide the information you need to make good decisions.

Consultants. If the project is large and complex enough, possibly extending beyond the walls of the classroom to include school infrastructure systems (bell, clock, PA, intercom, emergency alert, phones, etc.), then a consultant specializing in school technology planning is often in the mix. The level of integration required among these various systems, especially in the context of new construction, demands some serious expertise and experience.

Dealers. Districts often have existing relationships with commercial electronics dealers who specialize in school technologies. These guys are “on the street”, and have a good sense of what actually works and which manufacturers are delivering real value. Though they often have a vested interest in pushing some products over others, a trusted dealer can provide valuable information and insight.

Colleagues. One of the beautiful things about the school business is how collegial it is. Districts don’t inherently compete with one another. As a result, district technology directors are eager to share information with one another on best practices, on key relationship and on product recommendations. Though education technology shows abound, and are great venues for gathering information from colleagues, the best organization I’ve seen for this is CoSN (http://www.cosn.org), a trade group entirely by and for district technology directors with a stated mission of fostering professional development among this group.

Manufacturers. Talk about vested interest! Still, it’s in every manufacturer's best interest to provide you with all of the information you need. The key, of course, is to know what questions to ask. It’s often the case of figuring out what a manufacturer is NOT telling you that determines whether it’s a good fit for your project. And while price may rule the day, it's important to stay close to important features that may be very relevant a year or two down the road.

Trade Shows. A good trade show is well worth your time, effort and money as you work through this process. If done right, it’s a venue that provides access to manufacturers, consultants and colleagues. One of the keys to making the most of the visit, though, is to do plenty of homework prior to arriving. Again, know what questions to ask by the time you arrive in order to walk away with the information you need to make good decisions.

Designing and building classrooms that serve current and future needs for media-rich, interactive and collaborative learning is challenging. No one resource is going to provide all the answers as you determine just how to implement classroom technology in your district. Yet plenty of information abounds. And with an enormous number of US classrooms outfitted already with interactive white boards, projectors, amplifiers, control systems, microphones and more, the "bugs" have been well shaken out. Take advantage of the experience of dealers, colleagues and manufacturers, specifically working within K-12 classrooms, to make sure your project goes smoothly and that you don't find yourself crawling through too many ceilings!