Technology Infused Education

On the evening of January 15, the Scarsdale PT Council led a session on technology in Scarsdale school classrooms. Presenters included Jerry Crisci, Director of Technology and co-Director of the Center for Innovation (CFI), Lisa Yokana, art teacher at Scarsdale High School and John Calvert, technology teacher at Quaker Ridge. Scarsdale educators and administrators devote a lot of time, energy, and resources to ensure that students are technologically competent, skilled and safe as they move through the school system and graduate. The speakers discussed how they now incorporate technology into both the classroom and overall school experience for students and what's ahead in the future:

Jerry Crisci spoke about reimagining future learning spaces in terms of personal learning versus teacher-directed learning, traditional instruction versus modern learning, individual achievement versus collaboration, and how the school system is working to create physical workspaces that are conducive to group work. He discussed the ideal elements necessary for future classrooms:

1. "Anywhere, anytime" technology access for students: Currently, fifth graders have use of Chromebooks. Everything is saved on Google Docs and it allows students to work anywhere, anytime.
2. A way to present and share work within the classroom: such as the use of Smartboards.
3. The ability to use both old and new technology.
4. Flexible, collaborative space as the standard within the schools: Scarsdale is currently experimenting with moveable chairs and desks with some success.
5. Opportunities to design and create: The ability to innovate is frequently touted as an essential skill a student should have upon graduation. Fox Meadow is using its Center for Innovation (CFI) grant to implement rhw Makerspace. Students are learning how to program, do robotics, and are being trained how to do 3-D printing. Additional grant money will be used by the other elementary schools to develop their own Makerspace in each school.

Lisa Yokana spoke about innovative educational spaces, their potential benefits, and Scarsdale's goal to be on the leading edge of this trend. A CFI grant was awarded for a study to determine if Scarsdale students were learning "21st century skills," or skills needed for success in the real world outside of a school setting; skills such as information literacy, collaboration, communication, citizenship, and creativity/innovation. Scarsdale schools are working to provide innovation education via "design thinking" where students learn to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test an idea or problem. With design thinking, students learn, for example, that there may not only be one correct answer; there may be several possible solutions. This type of learning is problem and challenge based. Results of students surveyed showed that students were most inspired when they could see how schoolwork related to the real world. A course called "City 2.0" is going to be offered in the near future where kids can collaborate to solve a real world problem using design thinking.

Finally, John Calvert, a Google-certified technology teacher at Quaker Ridge, spoke about virtual learning spaces, or "learning beyond the classroom walls" and their place within a student's formal education. He described these spaces as collaborative, flexible, and powerful connectors. "As devices become smarter," he said, "access to data increases and what you can do with this data increases. More information is being created than ever before," he continued. "The amount of new technical info doubles every two years, and this will only increase and only become a more complex challenge for our students." Mr. Calvert used the term "the second age of mobile" to discuss that information is readily available and extensive, but what matters is what one does with it. "In the digital space, our students need to be able to connect with peers and experts," voiced Mr. Calvert. "They need to be able to evaluate and synthesize information, produce novel information and expression, and manage their online identities." An online identity is a "digital footprint" or a lasting history one makes every time the Internet is used. Mr. Calvert emphasizes online safety with his students and has them make a list of online rights and responsibilities. Finally, Mr. Calvert discussed how our world is becoming ever more technologically advanced, and our students need to be prepared for this. "Soon we will have 'smart appliances' that will text us when the washer has 10 minutes left of a spin cycle," he said, "and Intel Edison is making a onesie that can house a computer chip to tell mom that baby needs to be changed."

Maggie Favretti, a history teacher at Scarsdale High School responded to an audience question about the potential for students to listen to lectures online. "People who have used it find it useful some of the time, but it still doesn't replace the variety of lesson types I think our students benefit from. The only thing worse than being lectured at," she continued, "is being lectured at online."

Another audience member asked, "How do you find the time to teach digital technology when kids still have to learn everything else to be prepared for college and life?" Ms. Yokana responded that many already know it, as this is the world they grow up in. Ms. Favretti added, "One of the great things about design thinking is that it incorporates this."

Diane Greenwald, PT Council Chair of Programming, asked, "In the current climate, do you feel any pressures to continue your efforts and what can we do to support you?" Ms. Yokana answered, "We feel incredibly supported both by administration and parents here. Every classroom is filled with all different types of learners, and we need to remember this. Students have different ways of thinking and learning," she added, " and there is a tremendous benefit to these kids being in a space together collaborating." Mr. Calvert also indicated that he feels tremendous support from the community. As a father of three, he hopes that "his own kids will be curious and unafraid of making mistakes, as correcting mistakes is the shortest path to success." He also wishes for them to be "empathetic and resilient, and believes Scarsdale helps kids develop these attributes." Mr. Crisci responded that he wants his son "...to have a passion for what he's doing and learning, and the ability to effectively collaborate. Remember," he adds poignantly, "this is a skill many people rank above intelligence."

It's still under development, but check out the new Innovate Scarsdale website: 

Also, if you're interested in free online courseware to hone your own thinking skills, Jerry Crisci recommends Coursera, EdX, UDacity, OpenCulture, and iTunesU, although he warned that data shows that only 4% of people complete the courses they start!

View the entire presentation on the Scarsdale Schools website here:

(Pictured at top: Sign for the Makerspace at Fox Meadow School)