Fostering Future Success for Students in the Digital Age

Pino Buffone, Director of Education, Renfrew County District School Board

I have had a diverse and extensive career journey in the field of education since 1994, having held various roles, including classroom teacher positions at both elementary and secondary levels. I also served as vice principal, principal, and supervisory officer responsible for overseeing a group of schools or managing a central portfolio, primarily in the Ottawa Carlton District School Board in Ontario, Canada.

For the past six years and three months, I have been serving as the Director of Education in the Renfrew County District School Board located in Eastern Ontario. In addition to school boards, I have also worked on assignments with the Education Quality and Accountability Office, an agency of the provincial government in Ontario. In this, I was involved in overseeing and coordinating large-scale assessments at the provincial, national, and international levels for five years.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Education Landscape

Similar to other sectors of society, we are experiencing staffing shortages, which pose difficulties when it comes to finding suitable replacements for teachers during professional learning sessions or absences of any kind. Additionally, we encounter logistical challenges such as student transportation, which occasionally presents operational obstacles. The shortage of qualified staff and the complexity of managing transportation, given our organization's expansive size, remain ongoing concerns.

Amid these challenges, we also recognize numerous promising opportunities. As we emerge from the pandemic, there arises a significant opportunity to redefine public education. Notably, the integration of technology into our teaching and learning environments has been accelerated and embraced at all levels of our education system, spanning from pre-kindergarten to adult and continuing education.

“By embracing technology, fostering digital etiquette, and promoting fluidity between in-person and online learning, we strive to create a dynamic educational environment that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.”

We are also witnessing a diversified appreciation for various pathways to success within our education system. Alongside the traditional university and college streams, pathways such as apprenticeships, workforce development, and community living are now being valued as equally important options for students.

For those who may not prefer a university pathway, options such as college education or other vocational routes become viable alternatives. Conversely, students inclined towards apprenticeships or seeking unique learning experiences in community living or specialized fields are also being supported and encouraged.

This shift in mindset underscores the importance of valuing and facilitating all pathways to a much greater extent. It enables students to follow their passions and choose the path that best aligns with their aspirations and goals.

An Endeavor to Digitally Empower Students

We have achieved a significant milestone in our technology initiatives, steadily reducing the student-to-device ratio over time. As we enter the upcoming school year, we are proud to announce that every student in grades seven to twelve will receive their own district-branded Chromebook.

Starting in grade nine, students will be issued Chromebooks, which they will retain throughout their four years in secondary school, using it both during and beyond school hours. Upon completion of grade twelve, students will return their devices for reuse in the intermediate grades—seven and eight. At the end of the six-year life cycle, these devices will be responsibly retired through our partnerships with green tech organizations that repurpose older laptops and Chromebooks.

Equipping each student with their own device enables seamless integration of technology into their learning experience. They have the convenience and ownership of their personal device throughout their educational journey. Our dedicated staff can now incorporate technology into their teaching methods as they see fit.

This initiative reflects our commitment to providing enhanced learning opportunities and empowering students with the tools they need to succeed in a digitally-driven world.

Impact of New Educational Initiatives

We have implemented a range of project-based learning initiatives to provide students with valuable experiential learning opportunities. These initiatives are being conducted in classrooms at both the elementary and secondary levels, fostering collaboration between students across different grade levels. We have established partnerships with local educational institutions such as Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus, and universities in eastern Ontario, including the University of Ottawa.

One recent example of these initiatives involved a partnership with our local community college to design and create a skateboard park. Elementary and secondary classes utilized various software tools to map out the park's design, incorporating elements from 3D printers. They collaborated with high school mathematics, technology, and design students, alongside college counterparts overseeing the project for the local municipality.

The plans developed by these classes were submitted to the municipality for consideration, with the intention of implementing them in one of the upcoming municipal skateboard parks. This collaborative effort exemplifies the cross-curricular, cross-panel, and cross-organizational cooperation that drives these innovative endeavors.

By engaging students in real-world projects and nurturing skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, we aim to provide a holistic and enriching educational experience that prepares them for future success.

Technology Progression in the Education Space

The pandemic has demonstrated our capacity to effectively integrate technology on a large scale. We have also prioritized reinforcing proper technology etiquette among students and staff, fostering a respectful and positive digital environment. Through sharing tips, advice, and strategies, we ensure that students utilize technology constructively.

We are committed to supporting our staff with professional learning opportunities and ongoing training for integrating technology into teaching and learning within school environments. We have also embraced online learning to complement in-person instruction, allowing students to download materials onto their devices before leaving the classroom. This approach provides flexibility and has transformed traditional snow days into valuable learning opportunities by seamlessly transitioning from in-person to online environments.

Through collaborative initiatives with First Nations indigenous communities, we are also integrating cultural aspects such as traditional beating, drumming, and indigenous language into mathematics and art classes. This innovative approach not only integrates technology through pattern elements but also respects and incorporates indigenous ways of learning and knowing.

By embracing technology, fostering digital etiquette, and promoting fluidity between in-person and online learning, we strive to create a dynamic educational environment that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Advice to Peers

I extend my gratitude to education professionals globally for their contributions to the integration of technology in education. Moving forward, we must find the optimal mix of online and in-person learning and maintain a balance between screen time and other forms of education. By doing so, we can provide students with a comprehensive and enriching educational experience that combines the benefits of technology with face-to-face interactions and nature.