What does it take to change current school structures to digital learning environments?

As districts develop their programs to create digital learning environments, they have to plan for the technological infrastructure needed to support the initiative. That infrastructure includes the laptops or Tablet PCs, the software, the wired and wireless networks, the servers and all the things that are needed in the data center.

How up to date is your district’s infrastructure? How scalable? To find out, you should evaluate the existing networking capacity and expandability, the existing hardware capability, students and educator use of technology, professional development capacity and needs, and technical and instructional support services

For example, a major component in nearly all 1:1 programs, after the laptop or Tablet PC, is the wireless network. The freedom and mobility of wireless networking is what gives students the opportunity to take their learning anywhere.

Networks require additional software to run. Basic applications are those needed for the operation, maintenance and manageability of the laptop as a device. Types of software include client management software, anti-virus software, firewalls, and filtering software. Other considerations include lifecycle management, data warehousing, and creating an educational portal. The district will also need to standardize the Productivity Applications (Office suite, reference tools, etc.), and the set of instructional applications.

District networks have to made secure. There are multiple standards-based approaches to network access security can be applied and co-exist. For example, Absolute Software™ can be embedded in BIOS of laptops and desktops for hardware security and asset tracking. The most secure method is to limit access to just those who require it and lock out all others.

Before beginning a digital learning program, districts need to plan strategically for IT infrastructure changes, and this involves deciding on objectives for administrative use, learning and student achievement, and technology implementation. It means setting objectives and specific goals.  

Sample Administrative Objectives
•    Improve administrative computing capacity and efficiency.
•    Maximize total cost of ownership and technology value.
•    Align instructional and operational use of technology.
•    Take advantage of the latest technologies and best practices.

Sample Learning Objectives
•    Integrate technology into curriculum.
•    Improve student achievement.
•    Improve student communication skills.
•    Provide access to research, learning materials, and the tools to apply what they have learned.
•    Improve student collaboration skills.
•    Help students acquire critical thinking skills.

Sample Technology Objectives
•    Use a variety of technology tools in effective ways to increase productivity.
•    Use communication tools to reach out to the world beyond the classroom and communicate ideas in powerful ways.
•    Use technology effectively to access, evaluate, process, and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
•    Use technology to identify and solve complex problems in real-world contexts.   

Sample Goals for a Digital Learning Program
•    Improve equity of access to technology.
•    Improve the quality of learning.
•    Institute and support best practice in technology integration.
•    Improve student learning of content.
•    Institute formative assessments.
•    Employ differentiated instruction.
•    Increase performance on standardized tests.
•    Improve student ability to become lifelong learners.
•    Prepare students for the world of work.
•    Improve the home-school connection.