Taking Note
March 2013
that can be used to inform instruction, but that support
is accompanied by a lack of understanding regarding the
role of technology. The state and districts need to clearly
communicate with the public about the need for a computerbased assessment system to provide immediate results.
how that specific technology will meet the need. For
example, Hamblen County Schools set out to improve
ACT performance by providing all students access
to preparation courses. With funding from the federal
Investing in Innovation grant, Hamblen County invested in
distance learning technology so that teachers and students
from different high schools could participate in the same
ACT prep course. Since 2010 scores in Hamblen have
increased from 19 to 20.1.
Leverage existing resources and relationships.
Districts should work together to leverage current
technology to expand student access to rigorous
coursework and effective teachers. The science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) regional
innovation hubs across the state, for example, provide
an established network that districts can work through
not only to partner with each other, but also with higher
education and business. Businesses can work with local
school districts by lending their expertise, perspective, and
resources. While this is happening in some communities,
there is great opportunity to expand such partnerships.
An example of an innovative solution can be seen in the
partnership between the Upper Cumberland STEM hub
that serves 21 mostly rural districts and Averitt Express – a
national trucking company. Since many schools in this area
lack access to new technology and science tools, the hub
and Averitt are converting a tractor-trailer into a mobile
laboratory that will bring the latest technology and STEM
equipment to the students at their schools.
Clarify roles and responsibilities for new, online
assessments. The Tennessee Department of Education
must communicate with districts to clarify responsibilities
regarding infrastructure development and specific
technology needs. At the same time, districts must
understand their responsibilities for implementing online
assessments, specifically in terms of devices, networks,
and technical support. It is critical that the state and
districts have a plan to move forward with the new
online assessment system. The Tennessee Consortium
on Research, Evaluation, and Development (TNCRED)
conducted a survey of Tennessee educators and district
assessment coordinators in the spring of 2012 and found
that only two out of 92 districts felt that they were prepared
to implement the new online assessments. Districts will
not only need guidance on purchasing hardware and
software, but will also need information regarding upgrades
to their existing system so that they can support wholeschool online testing without overloading the network.
Furthermore, districts must plan for human capital needs
to support the technology as well as training for both
teachers and students on how to take the computer-based
assessments. As mentioned previously, there is strong
public support for immediate feedback from assessments
Page 4
Engage the Centers of Regional Excellence. Through
all of this work, state and district leaders need to take full
advantage of the Centers o f Regional Excellence (or CORE
offices) to share best practices and facilitate training on
how to use technology to enhance instruction. The state
department has thoughtfully restructured the field service
centers into the CORE offices that are focused on providing
differentiated, targeted support to districts. This includes
personnel and resources that will help districts make the
best use of data and technology.
The new technology landscape provides seemingly endless
options for integrating computer-based and online learning tools
in the classroom. However, history shows us that to make the
best use of these technologies we must strategically plan for
new technologies, support educators in updating their existing
practices, and plan for long term usage. Tennessee has an
unprecedented opportunity to leverage technology to transform
education and prepare students for success in college and the
workforce. Now is the time to prove if we are up to the challenge.
i
Aziz, H. (2010). “The 5 Keys to Educational Technology.” Transforming Education Through Technology Journal.
Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/09/16/the-5-keys-to-educational-technology.aspx.
ii
Lowther, Ross, and Strahl, “Influence of Technology on Instructional Practices” in The International Journal of
Knowledge, Culture, and Change Management, 2006;
Bates, Inan, Lowther, and Strahl, “Freedom to Learn Program Michigan 2005-2006 Evaluation Report” from the
Center for Research in Education Policy at the University of Memphis, 2007.
Inan, Lowther, Strahl, and Ross, “Does Technology Integration “Work” When Key Barriers are Removed?” from
paper presented at annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, 2008.
Kent, T.W. and McNergney, R.F. (1999). Will Technology Really Change Education? From Blackboard to Web.
Corwin Press, Inc.
iii
iv
Ibid.
Barth, P., Hull, J., and St. Andrie, R. (2012.) “Searching for the Reality of Virtual Schools” from the Center for
Public Education and the National School Boards Association.
v
Bates, Inan, Lowther, and Strahl, “Freedom to Learn Program Michigan 2005-2006 Evaluation Report” from
the Center for Research in Education Policy at the University of Memphis, 2007. Inan, Lowther, Strahl, and Ross,
“Does Technology Integration “Work” When Key Barriers are Removed?” from paper presented at annual meeting
of the American Educational Research Association, 2008. Allen, Lowther, Slawson, and Strahl, “West Orange
Collaborative STARK Program 2001-2006 Evaluation Report” from the Center for Research in Education Policy at
the University of Memphis, 2006.
vi
vii
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (2012). “Innovation in Education: Technology & Effective Teaching in the U.S.”
1207 18th Avenue South, Suite 326, Nashville, TN 37212 — tel 615.727.1545 — fax 615.727.1569 — www.tnscore.org