An increased presence of technology at Westford Academy and at schools across the country has caused a movement to go one to one with technology. With this system, every student as well as every teacher is given a laptop that they can use both in and out of school. The digital learning staff of Westford has recently been exploring the possibility of implementing the one to one system at WA.

The goal of this plan is to provide an advanced learning environment where technology is infused into the learning process.

According to the Digital Learning Plan created for Westford Public Schools, “we envision a successful mobile digital learning environment where students are at the center of the learning process, students become expert learners, and students are assessed on skills such as the 4 C’s (collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication) as well as content area knowledge.”

Though the technology staff is only in the beginning stages of the plan and the implementation date is yet to be determined, an outline has been designed highlighting the details necessary for carrying out the plan.

“Such a plan requires much attention to small details such as infrastructure, professional learning for teachers, device selection, rollout plan, technical support and most importantly, community support and finance,” said Instructional Technology Specialist Stephanie Gosselin.

During the 2013-2014 school year, the technology staff conducted a ‘Needs Assessment’ of how technology was currently being used in the classrooms. After this assessment, the staff began creating a plan to integrate technology into learning in the Westford school system.

“The members of the Digital Learning Planning Committee developed our vision and our roadmap for how we will achieve that vision, which is our Digital Learning Plan,” said Director of Digital Learning Julie Baudreau. “Over the last year, teachers and administrators have also been developing instructional strategies that use technology to support deeper learning experiences for students.”

Throughout the past few years, the technology staff at WA has been developing a solid infrastructure. Some of the recent professional development for teachers has focused on digital learning at WA.

The Digital Learning Advisory Team has continued to work on a district wide plan to increase the mobile learning at WA as well as other schools in Westford. The technology staff hopes that going one to one will increase access for all students, making it easier to communicate with students and teachers.

“Utilizing digital tools as students will develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills embedded in content areas,” said Gosselin.

Teachers will also be influenced by this shift in technology use. Staff will benefit by being able to send notes, lessons, and assignments to students digitally.

According to the Digital Learning Plan created for Westford Public Schools, the same program will not be implemented in all schools across Westford. There will be specific pilot plans that fit best for each school. At the elementary level, the use of online learning will be limited as most of the teaching will be done in the classroom. In middle schools, the teacher will still deliver most of the curriculum with laptops being used often in the classroom. However, the laptops will most likely be kept in the back of the classroom.

At WA, students will use technology more frequently and use laptops both during class and at home. At the high school, there is a plan to have students learn new content online by watching video lectures of teachers, so there will be more time to discuss topics and address questions in class. With this plan, students will be able to interact with each other online to work through problems outside of class.

One goal of the program is to allow collaboration with classmates online and preparing students for future careers.

“The goal is to enhance learning in a way that will best prepare our students for college and careers. Students will be able to demonstrate their learning in creative ways and feel prepared for the workplace as they develop skills such as online communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving,” said Baudreau.

Teachers will be able to teach their classes with an increased number of resources and incorporate technology into their lessons.

The progress for this plan will be assessed at least twice a year and the digital learning staff plans to implement a web-based software product called Clarity by BrightBytes to track progress.

“This product will provide graphic reports of our strengths and weaknesses at a district level and the individual school level,” as stated in the Digital Learning Plan.

Through programs and practice, by June of 2017, at least 70 percent of students in grades 9-12 will be proficient in grade level application of necessary technology skills, practice responsible digital learning information and media literacy. By June of 2019, at least 90 percent of students will be proficient in these skills.

Though the amount of money required for this program has not yet been determined, there is a clear plan in place for implementing the one to one system into Westford Public Schools. The hope is that as the use of technology among students and teachers grows, so will new styles of learning through incorporating technology into everyday teaching.