A California School Puts Students to Work Solving Technology Problems

In this article in Principal, principal Aaron Brengard describes the daunting challenge of introducing $500,000 worth of tablets, laptops, and interactive whiteboards in his urban K-6 school as part of an ambitious turnaround effort. In the first year, the technology component floundered because of inadequate support for teachers, and the school considered putting tech on a back burner. “And then it hit us,” says Brengard. “The resource we needed was in front of us the whole time. Our students were digital natives, and they are an incredible resource ready to be empowered in any 21^st-century classroom.” 

That summer, the school’s technology coordinator ran a program to train students as Tech Geniuses to troubleshoot classroom technology issues (like connecting the whiteboard or installing a printer) and creating modules to get students integrating technology into projects (e.g., taking pictures and making movies). That fall, a Tech Genius was assigned to every classroom and the group began to meet every Tuesday after school to discuss the issues they were encountering and learn new skills. “It was hard to fix,” said one student of a teacher’s whiteboard problem, “but I searched on her computer and made a change on the system preferences. I figured it out. I felt proud of myself.” 

In the third year of the school’s turnaround, the student tech helpers started to lead professional development sessions for teachers, including how to build digital portfolios. “We were all lined up on the side of the room,” said one Tech Genius. “Then, Mrs. Malmin introduced us and we went and sat with teachers. I worked with a fifth-grade teacher. He asked a lot of questions I was able to answer. I felt like the tables had turned.” The idea of student helpers spread to other areas of the school, including reading buddies for younger students and tour guides for visitors to the school. 

“The tech geniuses are true, empowered leaders on our campus,” concludes Brengard. “Our school’s technology integration thrives with them. We regularly see these confident students walking the campus during breaks with their badges and cool, black T-shirts. The front of the shirt says it all: GENIUS. I’ve got this.”

“Build Tech Success with Students’ Help” by Aaron Brengard in Principal, May/June 2015 (Vol. 94, #5, p. 16-19), http://bit.ly/1GiebDl

From the Marshall Memo #592