Strategies for Designing Powerful Student Focus Groups
**Empowering Students through Technology: A Success Story from DeKalb County School District**
In the heart of Georgia, DeKalb County School District is making waves in educational technology, thanks to the visionary work of Terri Webb, the Manager of Instructional Technology, and her dedicated team.
The journey began in 2018 with the launch of the Digital Dreamers program, a student-centric initiative that transformed the district's approach to educational technology. The program was born from students' dreams, as they expressed their aspirations through videos detailing their ideal device for education.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Digital Dreamers program was a refocus on equipping students with the tools they already had. This shift away from pushing district-provided devices allowed students to explore, create, and innovate in ways that were truly meaningful to them.
This student-led approach has not gone unnoticed. Vendors and tech companies have taken notice of the talented students, expressing interest in supporting them and even creating scholarships.
The success of the Digital Dreamers program has also led to the expansion of other initiatives. For example, the Magical Moments with Microsoft program, a virtual summer program designed to help young students embark on their tech journey, received over 300 applications. Pre-K students podcasted, while first graders built video games – a testament to the program's ability to engage students at all levels.
Another initiative, the Tech Competition, has grown from attracting 200 students to now catering to over a thousand. Co-directed by Lawyer, the competition is a platform for students (grades 3-12) to showcase their tech skills and gain real-world experience.
The Tech Competition also places a strong emphasis on equity, ensuring that schools that were not previously represented are included. This commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the diverse range of students who participate, representing different grades, interests, and abilities.
Techpalooza, another event organised by the district, provides an opportunity for students to interact with new technology and for vendors to share their latest innovations with the community. The event has seen students like a ninth-grade multiple-time Tech Competition first-place winner, who developed an app for Techpalooza visitors, being recognised as professionals in their field.
Webb, a champion of open communication and student-driven improvements, emphasises the importance of listening to students to drive improvements in education technology. This approach has paid off, with the district's digital team being recently awarded the Innovative Educational Technology Specialists Award.
In conclusion, the strategies and principles employed by Terri Webb and Natasha Lawyer at DeKalb County School District offer a blueprint for creating effective student focus groups that inform educational technology choices and promote student-centered learning environments. By engaging students in the decision-making process, empowering them to lead change, and fostering collaboration between students, educators, and administrators, these pioneering educators are shaping the future of education technology.
- DeKalb County School District, inspired by Terri Webb's visionary leadership, is leveraging digital technology to revolutionize education in Georgia.
- In 2018, the district launched the Digital Dreamers program, an initiative driven by student aspirations, transforming the district's approach to educational technology.
- Instead of pushing district-provided devices, the Digital Dreamers program refocused on equipping students with the tools they already had, fostering creativity and innovation.
- Tech companies and vendors have taken notice of the talented students, showing interest in supporting them and creating scholarships.
- Other initiatives, such as the Magical Moments with Microsoft program and the Tech Competition, have flourished, engaging students in technology learning from pre-K to grade 12.
- These events, like Techpalooza, provide platforms for students to interact with new technology and for vendors to share their latest innovative gadgets, like smartphones and Chromebooks, from the education-and-self-development and home-and-garden sectors.
- The Tech Competition highlights student tech skills, emphasizing equity to ensure schools once unrepresented are now included, creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
- By listening to students, DeKalb County School District's digital team has demonstrated student-driven improvements, leading them to win the Innovative Educational Technology Specialists Award, shaping the future of education technology.
