One of the major decisions school leaders must make when considering advancing technology integration in the schools is how to provide the best technology access to students. An attractive option for many is the 1-to-1 initiative, meaning each student is provided with a personal computer. The PowerUp WHAT WORKS Technology Implementation Practice Guide is an excellent place to start if you are considering this option. Within the ‘Assessing Readiness’ section we frame the option of 1-to-1 within the context of other technology implementation models (e.g. Bring-Your-Own-Device or BYOD, Mixed Devices, and Mobile Laptop Carts or Workstations) to help you make decisions about the best choice for your school or district.

Additionally, you’ll find links to resources that discuss the costs and benefits of 1-to-1, as well as examples of successful 1-to-1 implementation initiatives by school districts around the country within ‘Appendix B: Information and Resources About Various Technology Configurations for Your School’. Once you’re ready to move forward, you’ll discover guidance on the implementation and maintenance of your technology initiative in Technology Implementation Best Practices, Recommendation 6: Provide Technology Access and Support.

After taking a look at these components of the PowerUp WHAT WORKS Technology Implementation practice Guide, consider attending an upcoming webinar, hosted by Education Week, specifically aimed at explaining this exciting topic. The webinar, ‘Making 1-to-1 Computing Work’, will bring together as guest speakers two school leaders who are currently in the process of implementing a 1-to-1 initiative, and will be moderated by a senior writer at Education Week Digital Directions. Join in on the conversation, and let us know how you’re approaching technology implementation in your school!

Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Michael McGarrah for helping to compile this post.