All posts in Digital Learning

When Passion Overcomplicates the Solution

Sometimes, when unraveling a concern and offering solutions, we lose the forest for the trees. It’s easy to get caught up in details, and I’m guilty of this. Too much context can obscure an issue’s seemingly obvious conclusion or solution. For leaders and problem-solvers, the key is to present clear, concise recommendations upfront. If the minutiae become overwhelming, simplicity is often the best path forward.

A guiding principle I often return to is: Don’t check your passions at the door. However, not everyone shares the same passion for a particular issue. Many may lack the interest or the bandwidth to dive deep into problem identification and solution design. Read more…

Metrics of Success in 1:1 Program

As we move into 2025, a simple question I am approaching from various perspectives is: What constitutes a successful 1:1 student device program? What metrics are being used to support such a claim? No, gotcha; just honest-to-goodness curiosity at what you may feel makes a program successful. Read more…

Protecting Student Data in the Age of EdTech: Best Practices for School Districts

Ensuring the privacy and security of student data in our schools is paramount. While public school districts can sometimes seem slow-moving, the pace of educational technology often accelerates faster than small teams can support. There is a temptation to move fast, purchasing software and diving into random professional development, without fully addressing strict data privacy measures. However, rushing deployment without proper privacy considerations can lead to significant agita for everyone involved.

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1:1 Programs Are No Longer Innovative; Were They Ever?

The once-promising initiative of 1:1 programs, funded by local taxpayers, state and federal grants, and bolstered by social media appeal, has become a mere checkbox for public schools. The original goal of adopting a 1:1 environment to enhance student academic effectiveness has faded, leaving a program that schools strive to attain and maintain without a clear purpose. Read more…

A Snapshot of One Student’s Day

This is just a sample, showing what can happen during the school day without effective checks and balances. Digital access is powerful,but without the right systems in place, instructional time can slip away fast.

Total time in school: 320 minutes
Time spent on YouTube: 230 minutes
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