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Mobile County Public Schools is always searching for new ways to enhance classroom learning through technology. The district is beginning its third year of its 1:1 Initiative, in which each student is provided with a Chromebook to enhance traditional classroom learning.
MCPSS has been at the forefront of educational technology for many years; the district was the first in the state to light its own fiber and now boasts more than 1,600 square miles of dark fiber network. In addition, the system's wireless connectivity network offers 100% coverage to every building in the district and includes 4,200 devices.
Last year, the district's Information Technology Department installed new touch screen panels in every classroom (nearly 4,000 in total). In addition, 700 buses are equipped with network access.
In the classroom, students are encouraged to use their devices to collaborate with their classmates on projects and engage in real-world problem-solving activities. The Chromebooks have also enabled teachers to enhance student innovation and creativity in an ever-changing, globalized society.
Students now have access to more and better digital resources for learning and collaboration, and teachers are supported with timely professional development opportunities, rich curricular resources, and faster access to better data to help guide instruction.
Better technology in our schools also helps our administrators to make informed decisions based on student performance data. Also, parents now have easier access to their students' assignments, assessments, and communications. Parents are encouraged to log into Schoology, the district's learning management system, to check on their child's assignments and to sign up to receive regular progress reports.
The 1:1 Initiative is helping our students learn skills that will serve them well in the future, as they learn to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, problem solvers and responsible digital citizens.