Everett Public Schools & An Ambitious Goal:

Rapid deployment of large format interactive touch panels to every classroom in the district 

Everett Public Schools received grant funding back in 2016 to upgrade outdated technology, but it wasn’t until post - pandemic that they were able to implement it. With budgetary considerations and the necessity to continue investing in technology as imminent as it has ever been, Everett Public Schools made the decision to partner with Advanced Classroom Technologies to take on this mission. Together with IFP manufacturer Boxlight, they ensured a smooth procurement, delivery, and setup of district-wide touch panels in every classroom.

District leaders know they play a vital role in ensuring the success of future generations of digitally minded students. Brian Beckley, Chief Information Officer at Everett Public Schools shared, “The focus of our integrative technology plan which drives the technology levy is around preparing students for 21st century skills.” The idea is that when students leave the school system, it’s assured “that they have worked with updated technology and the ability to work in problem solving and project-based learning”. This includes using innovative tools and preparing them for careers post K-12 education.

Interactive panels are a key component to technology innovation, as they can enhance classroom collaboration with different modalities in which students learn (touch / tactile, visual, audio, kinesthetic etc.) Dr. Ian Saltzman, Superintendent of Everett Public Schools said, “When you can touch a screen, or you could touch a project it brings another way of life for the youngsters. This is an opportunity for kids to say, ‘Wow, I have a new experience. And maybe I’m interested in technology, or maybe I’m finding a different way to learn. You need something else to move the mind, excite the mind, and I’m seeing it more now than I’ve ever seen in the past two years because of these interactive panels.”


Technology in the classroom allows for enhanced accessibility, collaboration, engagement, and active learning. Also, students are already accustomed to touchscreens from using their phones or iPads at home. A PCMag poll in 2019 cited that by the time children are 9-11 years old, over 50% of parents polled with children ages 3-11 were supplying children with access to tablets at home - with 14% bringing the technology in at 3-5 years of age and 26% at 6-8 years of age.

Students expect the same level of digital stimuli in schools. Technology becomes a particularly important tool for closing the achievement gap; students within families of lower socioeconomic status may not be able to afford the same digital technologies as others. Schools need to provide the resources that can close those gaps. Tessa O’Connor, Director of Learning Management Systems at Everett Public Schools cites, “Our students live in a world of technology and especially post pandemic they spend a lot of time on technology. It is just a part of their everyday life. They need to see that in the classroom and have ways to interact in the classroom.”

With ACT and Boxlight’s support, the process to deploy the panels expedited what would have been a years-long process into a matter of months. Todd Koren, Director of Customer and Technology Services at Everett Public Schools cited how critically important the role of ACT was. “It just wouldn’t have happened… ACT was not only such a great partner in that logistical work but also such a great partner in interacting with Boxlight, interacting with the shipping companies…every single step along the way.”

Todd highlighted that “literally every single person in our department along with ACT and Boxlight has a part in getting those panels from the warehouse, to be installed, ready to go the following day. It really works - almost seamlessly. It’s really been incredible to think about what I always envisioned as a three-year timeline being accomplished in a matter of months.”


Training was provided to every teacher the day after their panels were installed to make sure those teachers could hit the ground running. From science to English to math classrooms, teachers quickly adapted to use the interactive panels in each of their own classrooms. “All the teachers have had at this point similar training but the things that they’re doing are just so vastly different because the panel offers that infinite flexibility,” shared Tavis Miller, another Director of Learning Management Systems at Everett Public Schools. 

 

Teacher response to the panels was widely positive. Kayla Blair, a kindergarten teacher at Jackson Elementary School said it “made a world’s difference. The kids absolutely love it. The kids are more engaged. They’re able to do way more with online tools.” Bridget McKay, a biology teacher at Cascade High School said it helped students share more directly in their own voice instead of her interpreting it and putting it through her own lens. “So, it’s really allowed students to express their voice in my classroom a lot more.”

From a projected timeline of years collapsed into a span of months, the project was a success for all involved. Students are now able to directly benefit from the improved collaboration and variety that the interactive panels can provide, and it helps improve technology access for all.

Advanced Classroom Technologies specializes in serving school districts to bring technology into the classroom with easy integration, and thus improving teachers' lives and classroom productivity. Learn more about our mission here.

Julie Ann Howlett

Julie Ann Howlett is a guest author with a background in teaching who specializes in STEM, edTech and education research.

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