Spring Branch ISD empowers students and teachers with one powerhouse hub
Spring Branch ISD empowers students and teachers with one powerhouse hub
Spring Branch ISD empowers students and teachers with one powerhouse hub
“Before we implemented itslearning, our digital content was literally scattered all over the place. We really needed a central repository for all our digital content and student data.”
The Challenge
Teachers at Spring Branch ISD were storing their digital curriculum tools in Edmodo, Google Classroom, WordPress, Weebly and various other sites. In a district with 46 schools and about 35,000 students, this meant their digital content was literally scattered all over the place. With so many disparate pieces in use, the administrators were concerned that ‘something was sure to fall through the cracks’.
Instructors needed a single place to get data from their students — and share data with those students. One single repository for all their teaching and learning needs. What the district needed was a cost-effective, fully-functioning LMS that would serve as a central repository for all their digital content. And, they had to be confident that teachers would like and use this new LMS.
The Process
To ensure high adoption rates, the district put a lot of work into introducing teachers and training them how to use the new system. Here’s how Spring Branch ISD did it:
Take a top-down approach
All principals were onboard with the implementation early, and the superintendent challenged campuses with engaging 20% of the students in meaningful personalized learning – supported by itslearning, their new LMS — during the platform’s first full year of use. These and other top-down involvements have helped ensure successful LMS adoption.
Integrate Google with the LMS
From a professional development standpoint, the integration of Google and itslearning helps break down a lot of barriers with teachers that were Google Classroom holdouts. When teachers use the LMS, much of the experience is already familiar, thanks to the close partnership itslearning has with Google for Education. That is important because teachers immediately recognize their favorite G Suite tools and feel right at home.
Give teachers ample exploratory time
It’s not enough to give teachers access to a new technology platform and then expect them to pick it up and start using it. That’s why the district gave teachers time to explore, and training that put the LMS into the context of blended learning and personalized learning, rather than just a standalone tool.
Take field trips to other schools
As part of their professional development, they took field trips to see other teachers in action and using the LMS. This helped instructors envision how they could use the platform with their own students.
Leverage the power of video
Spring Branch created a video series that we call “itslearning Cribs,” because it basically gives teachers a tour of a classroom where the LMS is being used. Teachers who have watched the videos said the content really helped them.
Successful Results
Spring Branch ISD achieved high adoption rates among teachers and students. By taking a grassroots approach that’s supported by district leaders, solid professional development, webinars and video, they have replaced their old way of doing things with a tool that enables student voice and choice while empowering teachers across all grades.
Even better, teachers are happy that they can concentrate on teaching rather than administrative tasks split over multiple platforms, and the students are doing better at school.
