Using the rule of threes for a technology strategy
As the new college yr begins amid contemporary uncertainty, educators are grappling with how one can navigate what I’ve come to name the “And Era.” The And Era shouldn’t be about going solely distant or returning to purely in-person experiences, however adopting the finest of each. While many faculties are bringing children again into lecture rooms this yr, the unfold of the Delta variant and different elements out of their management imply they have to once more be ready to assist a combine of digital and in-person studying.
That means specializing in what they will management–growing and deploying a sturdy technology strategy that may give them the agility to mix various levels of in-person and distant components into a seamless studying expertise. The coronary heart of that strategy ought to focus on three interdependent elements: {hardware}, software program, and the community.
While the stakes are huge, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and its $130 billion in new Okay-12 funding affords nice hope that colleges will be capable of safe the technology, expertise- and sources they should construct an academic infrastructure for the subsequent technology. Given the risk that many college students will spend one-fourth of their studying journey beneath these attempting circumstances, making finest use of these funds to implement a considerate technology strategy is extra essential than ever.
When it involves technology, assume “three” and prioritize
When drawing up a technology strategy, the components of {hardware}, software program, and the community have to be thought of collectively. If anybody of them will get neglected, studying can grind to a halt. For instance, when colleges are evaluating kind elements, they will choose from tablets, Chromebooks, full-blown laptops, and extra. But no matter they choose, it’s essential to make sure these gadgets can assist the software program instruments and community connections wanted to allow a wealthy bodily and digital studying expertise. A tool with out connectivity will solely get a scholar up to now in terms of maintaining with the schoolwork from residence.
