Success in the classroom starts with teamwork behind the scenes. When tech and curriculum leaders collaborate, they can better deliver the tools, resources, and support that teachers and students need. And with the changing dynamics resulting from the pandemic, tech and curriculum teams need to be on the same page to be prepared for course delivery and school/family communication.
Rapidly adopting virtual and blended learning in the spring of 2020 had its bumps for many schools and districts. Researchers estimate that students likely made only 50% of planned math gains and 70% of reading gains last school year because of school closures and the shift to virtual learning—an effect referred to as the COVID-19 slide. Teachers have the challenge of accelerating learning gains to help make up for this gap, and tech and curriculum leaders play a crucial role by teaming up to deliver classroom solutions.
In this blog, we’ll look at how to assess and improve working relationships between tech and curriculum leaders, and why it’s important for student success.
Collaborating to give educators innovative teaching tools and resources
Tech and curriculum leaders can help teachers increase their effectiveness by making sure that edtech solutions serve classroom learning needs and methodologies. Former superintendent and K-12 thought leader Dr. Lorraine S. Lange says, “The key benefit of tech and curriculum leaders working together is that teachers get the best tools to help make their work easier, which helps them improve student achievement.”
When curriculum leaders spend more time learning and understanding tech, teachers get tools that simply work. That translates to more time and energy focused on their students, and Lange says that’s the key. “Simply put, the goal is always to help the teacher, who ultimately helps students learn.”
When was the last time tech and curriculum leaders held a meeting?
Communication counts—especially during times of change. Keeping regular check-ins on the schedule throughout the year helps teams align, stay connected, and track progress toward shared initiatives. If your tech and curriculum leaders don’t regularly meet, block out some time. Even if both teams attend larger all-staff meetings, setting time aside just for tech and curriculum to connect is vital.
Keeping regular meetings on the schedule all year also helps tech and curriculum teams align before larger meetings with school or district leadership. Whether presenting challenges and solutions, recommending new technology purchases, or discussing policy changes, teams that meet regularly will be able to present a unified, thoughtful position at important meetings.
As virtual and blended learning become more a part of students’ learning experience, tech and curriculum need to unite around solution purchases, implementations, and best practices. Together, these teams will be at the center of building the new foundation of classroom success.
Are teams ready for changes and challenges like the COVID‑19 slide and a blended learning curriculum?
Learning loss in the wake of pandemic-related disruptions is top-of-mind. As curriculum leaders work with teachers to adapt their skills, technology plays a key part of their strategy. Tech leaders can work with curriculum leaders to get the right tools in place for identifying student needs, delivering course content, and ensuring that teachers have the training they need to support students in a virtual or in-person classroom environment.
Analyzing student data can help teachers understand where and how individual students need support. Which students have more ground to make up in math? Which are struggling with reading? Tech leaders can help curriculum leaders build filtered views or create instructional sessions to help teachers find important clues in SIS data.
Tech and curriculum teams should align behind common goals, like supporting efforts to close the learning gap, but that doesn’t mean they must have the same priorities. Tech leaders can outline edtech possibilities and cybersecurity concerns, and this can help curriculum-focused team members build practical strategies, set expectations, and plan training for teachers.
The future of technology in K‑12 education calls for leadership, understanding, and the right tools
Because tech is becoming an even more critical curriculum component, “anybody who’s in curriculum now has to do everything they can to strengthen themselves in technology,” says Jason Henry, Curriculum Supervisor for Secondary Education at Parkland School District. “You’re not just buying a textbook anymore. You’re buying digital content.” With a background knowledge of IT’s current goals and initiatives, curriculum leaders can shop for items that align with where the school or district is headed technologically.
For example, if IT is working toward unifying edtech systems under a common provider across all departments, curriculum leaders can know ahead of time if their current LMS will likely change. This can help them narrow their focus on products built to work with the new system. Not only does this help the district run more efficiently, but it also reduces frustration across teams.
Read more about how Parkland School District drives tech and curriculum collaboration >
What are the top challenges your colleagues in tech or curriculum face?
Teams can unite over common challenges. In some cases, tech leaders may be able to provide solutions or recommendations to curriculum leaders, or the other way around. If teams do not understand each other’s challenges, frustration can take hold.
Keeping teams on the same page with regular meetings helps Parkland track together rather than setting what they don’t realize may be unreasonable expectations. Understanding fosters a culture of trust.
Tracy Smith, Assistant to the Superintendent for Operations, says regular collaboration meetings at Parkland School District help reduce “miscommunication or fires that have to be put out as a result.” For her district, that means progress—even if they do have a lot of meetings on their calendars.
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Both teams can go to district leadership with this suggestion and voice reasons why the shift makes sense.
Do tech and curriculum both take part in technology buying decisions?
There’s never been a more important time to get tech and curriculum on the same page with new edtech purchases. The foundation of K-12 education is evolving. Where virtual learning was recently a curious idea for many schools and districts, it’s now very much reality. And as schools work through options that may involve split schedules, blended learning curriculums, or virtual learning, getting the right technology in place is critical.
Collaboration is key
When tech and curriculum teams come together, teachers and students win. Ultimately, that’s always the goal. Schools and districts need the right technology to support curriculum needs, and curriculum, in turn, supports teachers.
Team alignment takes time, but it’s key to driving student achievement. With the right strategies, any school or district can improve their level of teamwork.
Need more blended learning resources?
Whether you need to implement a blended learning program, or are looking to improve it, we have solutions that can help.