Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Technology Director Mark Kuchenbrod will present in two sessions of the Campus Leadership Academy at the Texas Computer Education Association Convention and Exposition Tuesday in Austin.
The convention draws more than 15,000 educators from throughout the United States and internationally, and showcases the latest in educational technology, world-class professional development, and nationally recognized speakers who are leaders in cutting-edge education methodologies.
Kuchenbrod was invited to speak on two panels regarding the course taken by RRGSD in going digital and the interstate collaboration occurring between the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, the Ingleside Independent School District and the School Administrative Unit 13 in Tamworth, Madison and Freedom, New Hampshire.
Kuchenbrod provides the technical leadership for a cutting-edge digital initiative under way in Roanoke Rapids to transform instruction and better prepare students for the 21st century workplace.
“We’ve gone digital by implementing a district cloud environment that ties directly to KUNO Android tablets we deployed to all 6th grade students and teachers at Chaloner Middle School last fall,” said Kuchenbrod. “Our teachers are putting their lesson plans and instructional materials in the Cloud and pushing it to the student tablets so students have their assignments, resources, and applications resident on their tablet. When students take the tablets home they will have everything they need to do their work no matter where they go. What we have initiated at the middle school level will ultimately be extended to elementary and high school as well.”
The convention is not all about technology, however.
“While I’m a technology guy going to this huge technology convention,” said Kuchenbrod, “It’s ironic that I’ll be emphasizing that this really isn’t about technology, but rather about how you integrate your curriculum and instruction with the technology. Lots of school districts give out iPads, Chrome books, laptops, and tablets, or even try BYOD or bring your own device, but devices by themselves don’t accomplish much, in fact, just giving kids devices can easily result in disruption and problems in the classroom. Technology is a tool and must never be an end unto itself.”
Kuchenbrod describes the innovations as a huge step forward for the school system as well as “a truly positive investment in our kids and our community. The 6th grade students and teachers are highly engaged and motivated and are continually discovering new ways to learn, collaborate, and express their ideas using the KUNOs.”
While this was just introduced in October, teachers have already noted improvements in student performance in subjects where comprehension and retention can be more readily observed, such as math and science, and anticipate similar improvements in subjects such as language arts and social studies, where students develop skills in research, creative thinking and writing.
Collaboration between the three states is another reason for TCEA’s invitation of RRGSD to Austin because of the unique collaboration that developed during 2013 between the units. “These three very different districts in three very different states were each launching their digital learning and 1:1 initiatives last fall and were following similar paths in implementing CurriculumLoft Cloud, conducting professional development with their teachers, and deploying KUNO tablets to their students.”
They were also all clients of Engaging Solutions, an education consulting company with primary offices in Houston and Raleigh. “This was an unexpected and extremely valuable side-benefit of working with Engaging Solutions,” said Kuchenbrod. “They thought it would be mutually beneficial for our three districts to communicate, share experiences, discuss issues that came up, talk about lessons learned and solutions found, and help one another in our journey going digital and 1:1.What began as the three superintendents on a call facilitated by Engaging Solutions, quickly expanded to include assistant superintendents for curriculum and instruction, technology directors, and then the principals at each school. These calls have proven to be an outstanding forum for discussion, learning, exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and planning next steps.”
This transition to digital will eventually have to be made by every district in North Carolina and throughout the country. “It’s nice to be recognized among those leading the way – and we’re more than happy to share what we’re doing – but we’re especially excited about what we’re doing for the children in Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools and the difference we believe this will make in their education and better preparing them for the future,” he said.
