Integrating technology into the classroom is about more than just adding equipment and software. It’s about creating dynamic learning environments that engage students and help teachers teach more effectively. This effort requires collaboration between technology teams, instructional coaches, and educators.
EdSurge recently spoke with three education leaders. Bourbonnais Elementary School District 53 Illinois teachers share their experiences and strategies for using technology to enrich their classroom environments. Technology Director Caitlin Smith has worked in K-12 educational technology for 10 years. Technology Integration and Support Specialist Kari Moulton brings 18 years of education experience to work with teachers and staff to support technology integration. Now in her 20th year in the classroom, Amber Skeate serves on the Technology Committee and Technology Lead at Alan B. Shepard Elementary School.
District Perspective: Evaluating and Implementing New Technologies
Technology plays a critical role in classroom success, but integrating new tools can be challenging. Smith emphasizes the importance of addressing the big picture. “At the district level, we need to look at the challenges that are holding back multiple users, not just one,” she explains. “Start by looking at where the most issues are coming from end users (staff and students) or if administrators are noticing gaps in student growth.” Smith’s approach ensures that the technology she chooses will benefit the entire district.
When evaluating new technology, Smith prioritizes solutions that are easy to deploy and cost-effective. “We discuss this in our technology leadership meetings and set up trials so each technology leader can test the technology,” she says. This thorough vetting process ensures that the selected tools effectively address the district’s needs. “Having both a technology integration specialist and a technology leadership committee allows the district to introduce new technology throughout the year based on teacher input and my own staff suggestions,” Smith adds, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making in technology integration.
School Perspective: Introducing Technology to Teachers
Once new technology is selected, the next challenge is to successfully implement it. This is where Moulton plays a key role. “We do everything we can to support our teachers,” says Moulton. Her team publishes monthly newsletters with information about new tools, creates instructional videos, and offers one-on-one training sessions. Her active support ensures teachers are confident and ready to use new technology in their classrooms. Additionally, Moulton meets with new teachers at the beginning of the school year to provide an overview of the technology they’ll be using, so they’re ready to incorporate it into their lessons from day one.
“Having a supportive education technology company makes adopting new tools a smoother experience,” Moulton added, emphasizing the importance of reliable vendor support during the technology adoption process. He pointed to Bourbonnais’ adoption of Vivi, a classroom engagement and campus communication solution, as an example.Vivi Made [our technology] The rollout was unique because they sent us two boxes for a demo period of eight weeks, allowing us to have a wide variety of teachers across all grade levels test the solution and get their feedback.”
“One of the most helpful ways that edtech companies have supported the tools we’ve adopted is through excellent communication and support,” says Moulton. She highlights Vivi’s exemplary support: “I check in with them every month. [customer success manager] See how things are going, what’s working, and what needs to be fixed. [usage] Data. Because budgets affect the majority of schools, having data to back up usage of the tool is very important and will inform decisions about future use of the tool.”
Classroom Perspectives: Transforming the Classroom Experience
In the classroom, technology can transform how instruction and students engage. “Technology is a big part of the atmosphere in my classroom,” Skeate says. Students each have a laptop and can work independently using approved apps during math and reading time. This allows students to work at a teaching level while Skeate meets with small groups. Technology is also used to explain concepts to the class. “The way I project slide presentations, lessons and videos wouldn’t be possible without Vivi,” Skeate says.
The ability to actively participate in lessons through technology fosters a more engaging and interactive classroom environment. “My students ask me every day if I’m going to use the Vivi app so they can be my teacher in class,” Skate enthuses. Wireless Screen Mirroring Teachers can hand over control of the classroom display to students, allowing them to share how they answer a question or write a word.
Engagement isn’t the only benefit. “Technology is a lifeline when it comes to zeroing in on every student’s instructional level through a specific reading app or math app,” Skeate explains. Plus, technology saves teachers time, too. “Vivi’s Play Content feature lets me line up all the videos I need for the day,” Skeate says, saving her time that would otherwise be spent searching for materials. This efficiency allows her to focus on instruction rather than administrative tasks, ultimately benefiting her students.
Collaboration is key
The collaboration between district leaders, technology coaches and teachers in Bourbonnais Schools demonstrates how technology can be seamlessly integrated to create an engaging and efficient classroom environment. By implementing interactive tools like Vivi, while focusing on comprehensive training and ongoing support, these educators are transforming instruction and improving the learning experience for their students. The positive impact technology has on the teaching experience and classroom dynamics is clear, demonstrating that when implemented thoughtfully, technology can be a powerful tool in education.
Joint Technology Integration Strategy
For district level staff: Conduct a proactive needs assessment / Conduct a multi-stage evaluation
For school level staff: Providing multifaceted teacher support / Providing training for new teachers / Seeking collaboration with educational technology partners
For classroom level staff: Providing technology-enabled instruction / Giving students choice and control
See how Vivi can transform communications, boost classroom engagement, and simplify IT management. For more information, visit Vivi.io.
