Laying the Groundwork for Digital Literacy
1:1 initiative to launch at three schools in the City of Alachua this fall
By Colin McCandless
Alachua County Public Schools seeks to improve digital access and close the opportunity gap. As part of this mission, ACPS will introduce a new technology program as part of its STEAM curriculum in the 2022-23 school year.
This fall, three schools in the City of Alachua will be the first in the ACPS district to incorporate the 1:1 technology initiative. These schools include Mebane Middle School, Irby Elementary School and Alachua Elementary School.
Dr. Lisa Sauberan, science curriculum specialist K-12 with ACPS, said 1:1 involves every child receiving their own device. The device will be used for tasks such as completing and submitting assignments and projects, accessing digital textbooks and more. Irby Elementary students will have iPads, while Mebane Middle and Alachua Elementary students will receive laptops.
“Every kid has one that is accessible to them in all of their classes,” Dr. Sauberan said. “So, it’s easier to infuse some of the technology resources into the curriculum since you don’t have to book a computer lab.”
Students have full access to the devices throughout the school day, and ideally the goal is for them to take it home with them as well, to work on homework assignments or access online tutoring, said Dr. Sauberan. The initiative is anticipated to provide numerous benefits.
“I think just having more access to the resources is going to have an impact on student achievement,” she said.
Another expected positive outcome of 1:1 is closing the opportunity gap and leveling the digital playing field for disadvantaged kids.
“Many of our marginalized students don’t always have access to quality devices and up-to-speed Wi-Fi, so this kind of leaves them lagging behind,” Dr. Sauberan said. “Having more access to this type of technology will help them improve their achievement. It will also help them develop some of their technical skills.”
The workplace, no matter the job or field, is increasingly tech driven. Dr. Sauberan said 1:1 offers another way to help students become tech literate at an early age. It also helps them cultivate technology skills so they can one day use them in the workforce.
Lewis Rhodes, a career and technical education program specialist with ACPS, said 1:1 introduces students to a technology use that is standard among many local employers.
Training teachers in 1:1
To prepare teachers in managing the devices, ACPS spoke with teachers in other districts who have already implemented the initiative. A district support team met with teachers at the three schools launching the initiative. These schools received devices this spring so they can jumpstart planning and optimize their classroom application.
The support team meetings also provided professional development. A two-day training summit this summer for ACPS teachers featured sessions about managing the devices and strategic planning on when students should use the technology. More training is scheduled for fall.
The teacher training for 1:1 could eventually serve as a model for scaling it to other schools, Dr. Sauberan said.
Digital citizenship modules
Currently, the ACPS team works to ensure a device distribution plan is in place while also beginning the process of educating kids on digital citizenship.
“We’re doing this so that when they get their devices, they’re using it for productivity and not non-academic things,” Dr. Sauberan said.
The district already teaches students about internet safety, including password protection and not sharing personal information online. Dr. Sauberan said that ACPS District Media Specialist Patty Duval is developing a digital citizenship module that shows students how to use their devices in ways that are most productive and least harmful.
“District staff will help monitor those modules and support the teachers and the students at the schools so that they’re getting a more robust exposure to digital citizenship instead of just internet safety,” Dr. Sauberan said.