Dear Administrator,

This thought leadership piece on 1:1  computing was written to provide education decision makers and ed tech companies with information on how to plan and implement effective 1:1 computing initiatives and products.  Effectively planning and  implementing 1:1 to result in improved teaching and engaged learning is complex and takes several years. "1:1 is hard to get right." 1:1 is  at the early stage and the variety of ingredients including quality digital content, appropriate policies, adaptive assessment,  change management, professional development and infrastructure are still evolving.

The primer on 1:1 attached below is the result of a consortium of  leading edge 1:1 districts and ed tech companies working together to provide 3 concise pieces on the essential factors  needed for 1:1 computing.  The BLEgroup convened a 3 day meeting of 5 districts with considerable 1:1 experience along with 5 leading professional development and content providers.  The purpose was to reflect on the current state of 1:1 computing, talk with each other and develop thought leadership for both districts and firms on current best practices and needed next steps in 1:1 computing.

The articles included in the Primer are:
  • Digital Content--Still a question mark
  • Implementation--1:1 is much more than a device
  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)--What schools who can't buy a device for each child need to do  
  • Commentary--The last two sections of the primer are  perspectives by leading school and industry leaders on additional factors that school and edtech companies should consider
Each section of the primer stands on its own, you can read 1 piece or get an enriched perspective by reading it all.

 


The BLEgroup, www.blegroup.com  a network of 180 leading edtech practitioners (superintendents, CIOs, and heads of instruction), provide both technology planning and implementation  services to school systems and work with edtech firms and publishers to improve the quality of their products.  If you are interested in  the cost effective planning and implementation services we have developed for small and medium size districts  for 1:1 computing, technology assessment and integration planning for small school districts, or planning for required on line assessment by 2015, read about these on  www.blegroup.com/schoolservices


1:1 Readiness for Common Core Assessment
The BLEgroup readiness planning process for online assessment is based on the premise that the district first needs a vision of teaching and learning to address common core standards before doing technical planning for online assessment readiness. The readiness planning for online assessment is easy, but secondary to the instructional focus. If the district has a clear instructional focus for common core instruction, the readiness planning for online testing will be minimal
1:1 Readiness Assessment and Program Management
1:1 computing is more than the device e.g. tablet or iPad. It is a constellation of factors including the device, digital instructional materials, individualized instruction, expanded infrastructure, use policies, professional development and technical support. If done correctly, 1:1 computing completely changes the teaching and learning process to individualized instruction and anytime anywhere learning. Implementing 1:1 effectively is a challenge for school systems. The BLEgroup 1:1 planning and support methodology provides school systems the experience, support and expertise needed to effectively implement all facets of 1:1 computing over the course of the lifecycle.
Strategic Technology Assessment and Plan
The Strategic Technology Assessment and integration service evaluates the 4 interdependent elements of infrastructure, management systems, instruction, and support necessary in the digital age. Two BLEgroup experts conduct a two-day site visit including interviews, with all key stakeholders from superintendent to teachers. The outcome is a slide deck plan presented before the BLEgroup team leaves the district. It includes; A rating of the current status of instruction, infrastructure, management systems and support; a customized vision for 4 years ahead to meet the specific district needs; and an implementation plan and budget to move from the current to the target environment.
We hope the primer is helpful and we would enjoy hearing from you.

Best regards,

Eliot Levinson
eliot@blegroup.com
804.580.2995