| | OCTOBER 20208Throughout my educational career, I have been interested in improving student learning through technology. Thirty years ago in my first year teaching Latin, I used a computer for my own productivity. I thought then that student computer use could be a game changer for improving student learning. I still believe that today.COVID-19 has challenged us in unimaginable ways. However, in spite of all the challenges, or perhaps because of them, what an opportunity we now have to advance technology use to improve student learning. Never before has our society seen this need so great as we see it today. Never before have we had so much focus on using technology for learning. What an opportunity we have.When my district began remote work and virtual instruction in April, I felt lucky that we were so prepared. Every student in grades 3-12 had a Chromebook. In addition, we had adequate Chromebooks to assign one to every K-2 student who needed a device. The vast majority of our resources were cloud systems that function anytime, anywhere. We had a robust digital learning ecosystem anchored by a student information system, instructional management system, learning management system, and communication, collaboration, and productivity tools. All of this was true before April. But in April it became important in a way it never had before. One principal told me that she now understands why it is important for all of her teachers to know how to use technology. She explained to me How Technology in the Classroom Is Shaping the Outlook of EducationBy Tom Ingram, Director of Information Technology, Escambia County SchoolsIN MY OPINION
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