Senior Nathan Fei finishes homework on his laptop. According to Superintendent Nicholas Wahl, the technology implementation plan for this year includes rolling out devices—Microsoft convertible laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads—for students to all 15 buildings in the district.

According to Superintendent Nicholas Wahl, most teachers in all 15 Carmel Clay school buildings have their own device, and a current goal is to roll out devices for students in all buildings by the end of first semester. These devices will include Microsoft convertible laptops, Chromebooks and iPads.

Additionally, the district is continuing with teacher technology training, according to Wahl. This training includes onsite training sessions, online courses and personal training. The training will continue throughout the entire year.

“There’s training sessions where teachers come, get their device, and get trained, but then there’s training sessions where there’s coaches, and the coaches are fellow teachers, but their job is to come in and train. They come in the building and work with the teacher in their classroom daily on how to use the device, and that’s ongoing. You don’t just want them to come to a workshop and go ‘Oh, I’ve learned how to use this device in instruction’ and then never see them again,” Wahl said. “That’s one phase of training, then we follow up at the building level where they’re getting it in their classroom one-to-one, with the trainer, with the coach.”

This technology training also includes Canvas training, according to Wahl. Canvas is being used in all buildings: elementary schools, middle schools, the high school, and the administrative building.

Wahl said, “Canvas is doing really well. We have Canvas courses, online courses, that teachers can take where they can go on and get professional growth points, PGPs, for their licensing, and go on to an online course on how to use Canvas in the classroom. My understanding is that those enrollments from teachers, it’s full. All the classes are full, teachers are taking these courses, which allows them to be better served in presenting Canvas instructionally in classrooms.”

Wahl also said that over the past two years, wifi capabilities at the high school have been expanded, with better wifi hubs to improve wifi coverage.  

However, senior Stella Mo said she believes the wifi could still be improved.

“I think the wifi is available in more places, but it doesn’t work as well. In past years, I’ve used the CCS wifi but this year I have to use CCS Guest for everything, but I can’t do things like check my email on the guest wifi,” Mo said.

Overall, Wahl said he is excited to see the progress of the implementation of the technology integration plan.

Wahl said, “I’ve personally received thank you letters from teachers, which is really cool because they’re excited. They’re excited by new opportunities to present in the classroom to students for learning. I see teachers at meetings now, I walk into buildings, utilizing their technology in their classrooms with student learning. I think it’s a pretty significant cultural shift, to get into their hands. I don’t know if you’ve seen it in your classes but it’s a big shift, in a good way.”